"Venting on Zvezda" Topic

I realized some time ago that Zvezda had quit making new full size sets, and cancelled promised sets that were really needed, but only recently have I come to realize that they are discontinuing the sets they already produced.

I realize that Russians are enigmatic. But to go to the expense of sculpting and making molds, and then just stop pouring resins into those molds?

Those of you who game and collect in 28mm or 15mm don't give a whit, I suppose. But for those of us that realize that 1/72, or true 25mm, is "the one true scale," this is an outrage.

That settles it. I say we go to war with these guys. First they invade the Ukraine, and now this?

The owner died, so I assume new management doesn't have his zest for the product.

I know – I have been stocking up on some sets I will need (GNW) – and may pick up a few more Naps sets for spares. I hope this is a rotational policy rather than a complete cessation but who knows.

But it would be a tragedy/travesty if they stopped them for good – most of their figures are market leaders, and 3 cavalry in a box just will not cut it for me.

And new management is the family, but a look at PSR will tell you the market has died – the recession caught up with them, and production across the board has slowed. Shame.

But if we are venting – how about at HaT for failing to get those new French infantry released for 2015 – seriously, what are they thinking!

And here's an example of why I need spares – just seen a guy convert the Italeri chasseurs into lancers using Saxon cuirassier heads – so now I need some more Saxons…

And good luck getting hold of their Voltigeurs – good job HaT released their MAC set – my money is going to HaT.

Real shame

So, what are they ditching? The mini sets or the full size ones? Does it effect their whole catalogue?

Yeah, the death of the owner hasn't stopped the "Art of Tactic" stuff coming out.

I have a Zvezda set of Saxon Cuirassiers I don't need. I bought two sets – can't remember why.

I'll trade for artillery or others.

This new business plan was implemented before the death of the owner, but regardless, as we have discussed previously, it is really a pity.

I also like HaT very much, but for some reason finding a distributor in the Beautiful Czech Republic is almost impossible. Plus HaT has an irritating habit of letting sets sell out without putting any more into production.

Zvezda are the pinnacle of the plastic mountain – many sets on fairly obscure topics, and the sculpts are just so beautiful.

I probably have what I need – if I didn't then I'd be stocking up. The end of the castles and forts is also a true pity – these were superb models. Unmatched. Much missed.

I've been stocking up on Naps as well before they totally disappear. Managed to find a couple sets of Voltigeurs.

It is like the bad old days of Airfix, when sets would disappear for years. But I guess the costs of production/storage/distribution just don't work for them. ANd I see even the mini sets are suffering. Maybe they are making more money with "Cars" movie tie-ins. They are a business, and need to make money.

But they were truly the golden age of 1/72.

Plastics, huh.

Same old, same old.

As I understand it, the investment for production runs is much higher for plastics; it's not just a vulcanised mould that needs to be spun a few times.

Consequently, those currently filling their boots with plastic 28mm stuff should look to the future and beware. Be careful what you wish for, plastic and cheap may not be the answer.

Ah, the good old days. I remember thinking when Esci started hitting the market, "Man these are way better than Airfix!". Then it was Revell dragging me into eras I wouldn't have considered like TYW. Next Zvezda with their incredible sculpts (I have always found Hat very workman like but they do make good fillers). I would say the next golden age is just around the corner like all the other golden ages mentioned. Let's see how 3D printers change the industry.

Either things are really bad, or, they are stupid. Only 2 explanations that strike me as likely.

I suspect it cannot be the former, because they are still investing in the 3 Men in a Box format.

Shame. Some of the best sets out there are no longer available.

So it appears they're discontinuing all of the big sets. That's really a shame..

It is extremely frustrating, as I counted on Zvezda to outfit my Republican Roman army. I ordered three boxes of their wonderful 8034 set from my local hobby shop in November and only received one. The owner of the shop said he hoped to get more this month, so here´s hoping! But the cavalry I ordered are simply OOP.

Texas Jack – try Internet Hobbies. They may have some in stock.

Thanks very much for the heads up Sevastopol, but I live in the Czech Republic and right now the Czech crown is taking a beating. I need to go local or wait until the Czech National Bank learns some economic lessons and stops weakening the currency.

Ah, no problem. They're selling some Zvezda sets for $10.00 USD USD. I managed to get some Voltigeurs from them recently.

Pete

Here's the part that makes no sense:

The Art of Tactic stuff is what they are selling in Russia, right? Supposedly, it's all the rage over there. It's waay more expensive, per figure, than the large sets they used to sell to those of us outside Russia.

So if the Russian economy is in the tank, why are they not making stuff that sells OUTSIDE Russia?

Widowson, I too wondered if the Art of Persuading People to Buy Only 6 Figures Per Box was a big Russian thing and that Zvezda are drawing in their horns to focus on the domestic market. If so, it's a pity.

But you must be right: Assuming that Dobby the House Elf doesn't cause WW3, in which case the exporting of anything, other than missiles to Eastern Ukraine, won't really be possible, why wouldn't you want to prop up the Rouble by keeping up your exports?

If the value of the Rouble declines, logically that helps your export drive.

Here's another thing. The price of oil has tanked (surely there's a pun in there somewhere). What are plastic soldiers made of? Petrochemical derivatives, I would have thought. So, the product ought logically be cheaper to make.

Obviously, I am just a moron who knows nothing about running a plastic figure company (you can quote me on that someday if you're really cruel), but the whole way Zvezda is going still makes no sense to me.

… unless their High Command really has been nurgled by an under-cover squad of Lenton's finest … I wonder…

Dobby the House Elf – now that's funny!

Makes no sense to me either…they could have potentially produced more really nice sets. I remember posting some time ago about how would big sets of the ACW or the FPW from Zvezda look. Awesome I would think!

Oh well…