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Eclaireur

Brigadier

Posts: 1,193

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Apr 2 03 2:21 PM

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Gentlemen,
Thank you for the kind expressions in your letter, which provoke several emotions, chiefly guilt. I am painfully aware that I have made no Napoleonics for more than three years, which is not a happy situation, but there are reasons for it.
Firstly, sheer fatigure. As you may be aware, I made figures for Battle Honours for five years before starting AB. After fifteen years of Napoleonics, I reached a point of indifference to the subject. I badly needed a change, and WWII was the answer.
Secondly, age. Born with perfect eyesight, I am now 52 and simply cannot see the fine work I used to. Changing to a slightly larger scale has been a relief, but I am now starting to struggle with 1/76th. Even with the best glasses, there is nothing to be done about this.
Thirdly, and most importantly, in 1998 I collapsed with Labyrinthitis, a disabling disorder of the balance system, which has rather dominated my existence ever since. I get recurrent attacks and there is no cure, only rather depressing medication. I have had to change my priorities. I avoid stress (which makes things worse) and work when I can. Productivity has suffered, and I have to concentrate on the most lucrative work.
I spend about half my time making figures, and the rest working as a historical consultant in the museum world, doing models and illustration for exhibitions. I still love designing figures, but it has to pay. As you will be aware, because of the 'hobby' origins of the trade, most Napoleonics are relatively underpriced (the mass of buyers do not realise this and complain about high prices. Tough). WWII is THREE times more profitable, a sad economic fact. I do not begin to understand how other manufacturers do it, but Mike Hickling and I each make half a modest living rom AB, and both have to do other work to survive. To continue this, I need to concentrate my waning powers on the most profitable line.
I am entirely sensible of your appreciation, and grateful for the interest and support that you have shown by bothering to write. I wish I had more pairs of hands and eyes to keep everyone happy. Just at present I am submerged in museum work, but will try an experiment later in the year, and see if I can still make Napoleonics to the standard required. I know the gaps in the range all too well. If I succeed, you will see the fruits. If not, I hope you will understand why.
yr servant
Tony
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#2 [url]

Apr 2 03 3:46 PM

EC, thanks for posting up the reply.

Well we had nothing to lose from asking. Maybe theres a glimmer of hope in his experiment he mentioned. I doubt if anything will come of it though, but I've got my fingers crossed none the less!

Mark

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#3 [url]

Apr 2 03 10:51 PM

At least he had the courtesy to send a worthwile reply. From my discussions with Nic Robson, I think that it would be optimistic in the extreme to think that there will be any new Naps done by Tony himself.

John

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#5 [url]

Apr 3 03 8:28 AM

Reply from Barton

I watched the great "15mm figures" furore on this site with interest.

The main points of contention with AB were:
Design Issues: (Incomplete ranges, No further ranges)
Service Issues (Variable service levels, Limits on command figures, Price hikes, No clear communication around any of the above)

The (well drafted) letter sent on behalf of members of this forum addressed the design issues. AB has answered those (although probably not with the answer that might have been hoped for) in a way that invokes some empathy. The service issues remain an open issue (for those purchasing from Wales and not Australia), save that we now have communication around the design issues.

I would think that we could either thank AB for his thoughtful reply, and readjust any unadjusted expectations, or provide him with a commercial incentive to meet unanswered needs.

John Baxter (baxterj) has mentioned the Eureka 300 club which allows requests to be listed and subscribed to. When critical mass is reached (ie orders placed), a production run can be made, and everyone parts happily.

If people are so keen on getting their Belgic shakos, Saxon command, or Swedes, why not find out what AB's critical mass is (or economic break-even for those so minded), and test the consumers (call for comitted orders) to see if there is sufficent demand to warrant him strapping on the magnifying glass for us, rather than for the spotted youth (and others) interested in WWII. So, if we are serious about getting our Russians in greatcoats with appallingly large beards, let's show AB we can put our money where our mouth is. Who knows, he might even train up a successor.

That said, before I go and take a Panadol, I reaffirm that I have the greatest respect for all contributors to this and associated topics, and I apologise in advance if I have called anyone a spotted youth or offended in any other way.

Cheers,
Beresford

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Eclaireur

Brigadier

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#6 [url]

Apr 3 03 9:23 AM

Beresford,
after receiving AB's letter, I had a quick chat with Dr Brown about it. We wondered about the same things as you did - ie whether we could craft a proposal to Tony in which we would make it worth his while to produce some more figs. It's not an easy question to resolve, but broadly we came down suggesting one of two approaches:
1. Low volume, high value. A new range of command figs within the AB line that would charge £1.50 or even £2.00 for a single mounted general or ADC. In addition to making the inevitable Russians (which, incidentally I suspect are top of his list if he does start producing again), he could do a Von Wrede for the Bavarians, a Cuesta for the Spanish etc etc.
2. High Volume standard value. Here we would say, 'kindly make us 6 Brit marching infantry in Belgic shako' or six Marie Louises with a reasonable confidence that these lines might sell hundreds or even thousands of castings per year rather than the few score of the Wurtemburgers, Tony's last range.
It is pretty obvious, given what Tony's said, that it's pointless asking him to do Westphalian Cuirassiers, Tula Opolcheniye, Neapolitan cheveau legers etc - ie some private passion which we expect everyone else to share. It's got to be something that pays for AB.
Personally, I would even shy away from suggesting specific figs. He is an artist, after all, and he's got bored with doing Napoleonics. He needs to redicsover his own enthusaism and whether he feels he can do it. I would only say something along the lines of: if you want to do Marie Louises, late British cavalry, whatever, we would subscribe to 500 figs to make your initial work worthwhile.
regards
EC

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#7 [url]

Apr 3 03 12:06 PM

Bereford,

I would agree with your cooments.

For Swedes, 1811 and onwards I have used many of the other nationalities that AB produce and through mnior convertion and painting have produce 1813 Corp.
Example using Russians in Kwive can easily become Swedish Line or Grendiers, or Artillery
Prussian 1806 Hussars mirleton - Swedish Morner Hussars
French Chassuers a cheval - Mtd Swedish Jagers or Grd Dragoons
Wuttemburg Light Cavalry - Swedish Light Dragoons late or early.

Hope this helps, if you would like can send you some shot. The paint-up well

Rgds

J.

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#8 [url]

Apr 3 03 1:18 PM

Although I have not yet had the pleasure of buying or painting up any AB figures, I have followed the relevant discussion threads with interest and, based on all of the glowing appraisals of AB figures that have been put forward in this forum, I intend to put in a substantial order in the near future.

In view of AB's comments concerning economic viability, it seems to me that Beresford's approach is the one which is most likely to appeal. A guaranteed order for a fixed number of figures before commencement of any design work is surely as good as it gets. The problem with small run, high value figures is that AB would till face considerable risk going forward.

It seems, however, that AB is not alone in finding this line of work difficult to pay - particularly as regards 15 mm figures. At the recent Napoleonic Fair in London, I had a brief chat with the individual running the OG stand. When I asked why he no longer carried the 15mm OG line, he explained that he didn't want it because he was losing money on 15mm, adding that 25mm was far more profitable. I responded with some surprise because I had assumed that increased volume more than made up for the reduced price per figure. I was then told that the difficulty arose from the fact that most 15mm wargamers (in all periods - Napoleonics included) used less figures per unit than 25mm gamers. This came as a real surprise to me because I went into 15mm precisely because I felt that I would be able to build up bigger units (both because the cost was less prohibitive and because there was less groundscale distortion). The gentleman, however, assured me that the vast majority of Napoleonic gamers worked with battalions of 6 - 12 figures.

Obviously, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the above comments. For all I know, I was on the receiving end of sour grapes for losing the OG UK distribution rights to BH. The only point that I would make in this regard is that most commercially available rules seem to use scales of 1:50 and above. If correct, this may well explain AB's economic difficulty. A smaller scale figure with a smaller unit price is economically viable only if sold in substantial volume.

Clearly, all active participants on this forum share visions of Napoleonic gaming on a grand scale. It may be, however, that we are a very small minority. If so, then it is going to be very much up to us to provide the necessary commercial incentive.

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#9 [url]

Apr 4 03 3:22 PM

I for one would like to thank AB for his courteous response and to thank for drafting the letter and posting the response on the site.

I had no idea that AB was ill so it seems to me that we will see no more original AB figures. What a pity he does not have an apprentice to take over.

In view of AB's eyesight dare we think in terms of 28mm AB fgures next??

I think now we have to be philosophical and be thankful for so many AB figures to chose from with so many conversion possibilites to complete the range ourselves. I started with Airfix plastics over 30 years ago and produced virtually every Napoleonic troop type using glue, pins and plasticine and there were very few varieties to start with.

I have over 5,000 painted AB figures and I am sure I can manage without Russians in great coats, Marie-Louises and Empress Dragoons.

Back to the drawing board.

Sabretache

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#10 [url]

Apr 7 03 1:05 PM

Eclaireur,

Many thanks for organising the letter. I thought that Tony Barton's reply took the trouble to explain his position in admirably candid terms. Whilst I understand the frustration of those who thought that the AB Napoleonics line had been abandoned in a half finished state, the reality is that the line will only expand further when and if there is both enthusiasm/capability on the part of the designer and an economic return for the business, for particular figure types.

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#11 [url]

Apr 19 03 1:04 PM

Ec,

the letter was a great initiative. I feel that AB's economic arguments are undeniable. But I for one would be prepared to pay a significant premium for "low volume" figures (yes, I now have an army of his 15mm Württembergers!), especially for the one-off generals, or short time period uniform styles. In fact I'd be prepared to pay double the price per figure.

I'd be interested to know if other forum members felt the same way - if AB's economic assumptions could be changed perhaps we could see a shift in priorities, although I have noted the other factors involved.

Cheers, Mark

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Eclaireur

Brigadier

Posts: 1,193

#12 [url]

Apr 19 03 4:18 PM

Mark,
thanks for the kind words. I'd be interested to hear views about volume versus pricing - but ultimately I'm not sure how much we'd influence the firm, which presumably makes its own judgements about these issues. Possibly the answer lies in using the forum to subscribe to certain minimum numbers of a new casting so that basic overheads are covered. However, it all depends on whether Tony feels up to it...
regards
EC

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