Infantry Kits

[Chimaera]

I totally accept these may not be a priority right now with so much armour etc to be done but I thought it would be an interesting topic and something definitely on my wish list, even though they may be a while out yet.

So why the post? I thought it may be useful for Rubicon to have some thoughts on the topic and maybe what format people would like these kits to come in. My thoughts are in the points below.

1. Definitely go down the plastic route, would be a mistake to look at any other material in my opinion.
2. Present them like Italeari's as multi part kits just maybe different in composition, size of box.
3. Have more body poses. Italeari seem to be going down the six torso route but I think 8 would be better. Should include one torso for the following - prone/laying down, kneeling/shooting, guard stance/upright & one for the classic standing aimed shot. The other 4 could be more dynamic, hip firing, running etc. I think having the 8 torsos would allow for more variation and a more compelling offering/variety mix.
4. Include as many extra's as viable like LMG's, sub's, Bino's, pouches, radios (something missing from Italeari's) etc and make arms and legs as interchangeable as possible.
5. While it's nice to have some arms attached to weapons for a simpler build (aimed rifles etc) on some models it's nice to have separate arms for variation/dynamic poses etc.
6. As there would maybe be more torsos just have less overall figures in the box from a cost perspective, maybe 16 but put loads of extras in, maybe even an over sized box at a higher price point with 24 would work?
7. I think it's better to have the helmets/caps mainly moulded directly to the head with maybe a few helmet/capless heads with some headgear options but certainly not all.
8. On the heads subject I would suggest at least 12 options (8 helmets/caps moulded as one and 4 not).
9. Put a painting colour guide in and maybe even some basic build instructions/suggestions for those who don't want to think to hard.
10. Definitely produce them in a lighter colour plastic to your tanks similar to Warlords/Italeari (think this for your tanks as well).

So which units/forces should you look at first? Personally I would love for British Para's and German Grenadiers to come first. Why? I just love a Bridge to Far Then followed up by US Airborne and British Infantry and general German Heer. I totally accept this won't be everyone's preference, just mine in my post but respect others may have different opinion/requirements.

With all the crew figures you have on route I am guessing at some stage you will be getting on to full blown infantry sets so it would be interesting to hear Rubicon's thoughts/plans on this as well as other members. Naturally I would love HQ and support sets to follow and actually maybe these are the ones you should target first. Why? Because plastic sets of these don't already exist, haha now I am scuppering my infantry sets wish but there you go.

[ripley]

I'm in favour of  Rubicon producing some Infantry / crew type figures in plastic as well Chimaera . Firstly the Italeri figures your talking about are actually Warlords plastics in  Italeri boxes . The two companies have a working relationship , Italeri  makes some plastic tank kits for Warlord and sell both the tanks and Warlords infantry in Italeri boxes . ( For some reason here in Canada the Italeri boxed tank is cheaper than the Warlord one , but the troops cost more $ for less figures ? wtf ) Warlord has cornered the market on plastic troop set for the moment , excluding Perry's 8th Army and Afrika Korp  ( more true scale than heroic ) . As well PSC has 3 sets of Russians in 28mm , sort of lame  IMO but the gun kits are nice . Rubicon has said  that they  are going to make small sets of figures , they have shown us Russian , British and German tank crews , a couple of 5 man US seated figure sets  to add to the back of a deuce truck , and  they put up images of Russian tank rider infantry . Various vehicle sets will have crews included ie: US jeep , Brit Airborne Jeep , German motorbike and side car , and they plan to add smaller type artillery ( pak 36/38 /40 ) with gun crews .Check out various topics on the Work In Progress Forum  While larger sets of figure wouldn't go amiss , I mean who dosen't need more Russian  troops ? I feel Rubicon is taking the right path at this time .

[Chimaera]

Understood regarding Warlord/Italeari.

I have looked at the thread with the crews in but that seemed more crew/tank extras orientated so thought why not start this one just on the infantry sets topic.

I feel once Rubicon have produced the Marder & Kubewagen for the Germans and re-release the Panzer IV kit, the Germans are pretty much fleshed out. Rubicon should then be looking at the Brits more seriously as well as filling out the USA line.

I think once the Brits have 5-6 tanks/vehicles and the USA has 2-3 more they should then be looking at the infantry sets as their next serious proposition, still it doesn't hurt for Rubicon to start getting some ideas down on what these sets could look like. At best I assume this time frame is at least a year out.

[ultravanillasmurf]

They have just started on the Panzer III.

Early war infantry wth associated tanks would fill a gap in the market.

[ripley]

I don't see how Rubicon can improve on Warlords plastic troop sets . True the early sets ( Late war Heer and British ) aren't that great , but the last few including the just released  Brit Paras are going to be tough to beat . I'm hoping for a mix of smaller specialized troop sets like , tank riders , vehicle / artillery crews , maybe medics and radio operators  , the stuff that now comes in those metal blister packs . I just wish the stuff they have ready now would make it into my local hobby shop ASAP

[Pinky]

I agree with Ripley.  Bringing out full-blown infantry sets in competition with Warlord seems like a waste of resources.  By doing tanks crews, artillery crews and specialised figure sets, they are going where Warlord won't go (in plastic, at least).  There are only 2 companies doing plastic models for WW2 in this scale - we want them to cover more subjects,  not duplicate. 

[tyroflyer]

I don't think we are anywhere near fleshed out of vehicles from any nation and hope that is where the priority will remain.

I confess, I am not in the market for plastic infantry from any manufacturer. Wargaming friends that have given plastic a try wish they had stuck with metal for this part of the hobby. Not to say my prejudice is any more valid than anyone else's of course.

[Chimaera]

I get there is still plenty to do for Rubicon and yes there is gaps to fill. I suppose you could argue they could target the N.Africa infantry?

I actually think if they do produce infantry sets, do what will sell more i.e. Grenadiers, Para's, 101st etc first.

Maybe at this point competing with Warlord is not the primary focus but at some stage it will get to that. When that stage is commercially viable as a strategy I guess only Rubicon will know. Once this happens it will be an interesting dilemma. Warlord will have the game system/IP and Rubicon will have all the product to support the game in plastic. The market will dictate which producers kits/units product are more popular.

I think once people break through the romanticism of metal and see plastics multiple benefits they don't look back.

One thing Rubicon could do quite easily in the near future is offer head replacement sprues. I am not keen on the Italeari/Warlord ones although I quite like the rest of the model.