Troop54 miniatures

[stu]

Hi

It is with a heavy heart that I have resigned myself to the truth. A decision I have resisted greatly, but its one i know i have to make.
54mm as a scale is dead or dying,,,well it is if you are a UK producer.

Brexit and EU import changes have made it difficult, coupled with high postage costs and a low value. The age of historical modellers isn't getting younger and eyesights are failing. Limited runs are becoming the new normal ,especially direct from the sculptor.

So

I have decided to stop trade to my outlets on the troop54/Victorias Heroes range. They will be able to order new products initially and then they will only be available from my shop. This way I can control what's available and not chase orders for what's not available, it takes too long and generally for 1x or 2x something. The problem has also been highlighted by the fact that I now out source over half my production. It's become a numbers game.

I have already contacted my trade outlets worldwide with what's happening. I have come to this decision to help me and help everybody that likes what we do. The other alternatives were stop or only from my shop.

I can only thank those that have continued to support us and trust in me to help with the customs game,,,low value,,gift etc etc.its something I have always done,,,even before the changes. Its working well and people seam very happy. Some countries are a royal pain but its out of my control.

Moving forward ,3d sculpts are unlikely to be available in 54mm to my trade and will only be available from myself. Again a numbers game.

I have spoken with Antonio Meseguer and we have plans for more 54mm figures to carry on what we both enjoy doing but I will sell them differently and direct.

Cockpit 32 and 24 will also no longer be available.

The other series are also under review

It's took me ages to write this. It's not something that's been easy for me.

Sad times, but also a relief !!

Stuart

 

[Nap]

Hi Stuart

A very hard decision , but you need to look after the business of course

Good to hear there are plans to continue with Antonio

Wishing you and the company the very best

Nap

 

[NigelR]

I sympathise with your decision. Much better to focus on what you can control and what you want to do. I know other small modelling businesses that are suffering with the same challenges that you are and also face difficult decisions.

Your figures are definitely among the best in the business and I am so glad you will still be producing. I was worried you were going to call it quits completely. Best of luck for the future.

And as an ageing historical modeller, I prefer 75mm these days......

 

[Richard Baxter]

I too am in the "key demographic" on this subject. Thankfully, I find that my eyes and hands are still good enough to tackle your excellent 54s to a level that I'm satisfied with, so on that you can be assured of my continued support. Keep 'em coming!

Richard.

 

[MCPWilk]

As you have stated, as many modellers age, eyesight deteriorates. Persoanlly I have far preferred 90mm - 200mm for many years, even before I needed spectacles, for the degree of extra detail in the larger scales. I do however sympathise with those whose main interest is in the smaller scales. Interestingly 1/35, 1/32 and 1/48 remain very popular amongst military (AFVs, vehicles, etc.) and aircraft modellers and a number of companies such as ICM produce figures in these scales.

Mike

 

[Martin64]

I sincerely hope that your prodution of these excellent figures will continue. Their scale doesn't matter to me as long as the concept of "men on campaign" will not change. It is sad that you have to face financial crisis and that former releases are gone. Fortunately I could get several of them when they were available. Please advertise your future products on this forum. I feel that marketing via Facebook and other social media is not that helpful if you reach out for larger numbers of interested customers. In my case it is not eyesight but very limited use of social media that makes me miss these special and limited offers of direct sales to a (small?) group of followers. All the best, Martin

 

[F Troop]

I understand the situation and decision you have to make. I have enjoyed a number of your Troop 54 figures and hate to seem them go.

However, as Martin64 mentioned above...PLEASE keep us posted here on the forum of what you release in the future even if only limited runs.

 

[Briggsy]

It's a crying shame when something you really enjoy doing falls victim to capitalism, but that's the world we live in. I came late to your figures and have only painted one so far, with a few more in the queue, but the quality shines through. You have to do what you have to do to keep going forward. I reiterate what has been said above, please do advertise on the forum here, you'll make someone men very happy!

Cheers Simon

 

[stu]

I sincerely hope that your prodution of these excellent figures will continue. Their scale doesn't matter to me as long as the concept of "men on campaign" will not change. It is sad that you have to face financial crisis and that former releases are gone. Fortunately I could get several of them when they were available. Please advertise your future products on this forum. I feel that marketing via Facebook and other social media is not that helpful if you reach out for larger numbers of interested customers. In my case it is not eyesight but very limited use of social media that makes me miss these special and limited offers of direct sales to a (small?) group of followers. All the best, Martin

Thanks Martin.
I am trying to post more on PF, but after spending an age on facebook etc I get the look from the boss and so it goes a miss.
I do hope to get better

Cheers

Stuart

 

[stu]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply its greatly appreciated.

I suppose not alot is changing but availability will mainly be via myself. I have tried so hard to get a proper EU trade outlet with only limited success and it has been noted. Outside the Eu there isnt much apart from the US.

I suppose I have got tired of treading in treacle, i had lost control and the passion of doing what I genuinely love doing. 54mm will now be sold primarily by me and its up to the trade to take it or loose it. If you love what we do in 54mm fear not, its got plans, but selling 1 or 2 of a 54mm kit at 40% discount is just soul destroying. After 4 years it was time to do take control.

I again cant thank those customers who have kept me going enough, i suppose you buy into my vision and keep the dream going. Its this passion which has always been at the heart of T54.

Thanks for everything

Stuart

 

[stu]

It's a crying shame when something you really enjoy doing falls victim to capitalism, but that's the world we live in. I came late to your figures and have only painted one so far, with a few more in the queue, but the quality shines through. You have to do what you have to do to keep going forward. I reiterate what has been said above, please do advertise on the forum here, you'll make someone men very happy!

Cheers Simon

I suppose I am a capitalist, I run a business, but its because of this that I am doing whats necessary. I care deeply about these little figures.

Many thanks for your support and I hope to tempt you with more releases in the future. I will post more often too

Thanks again

stuart

 

[Steve Edwards]

Your Antonio Meseguer 54mm figures are fantastic. So long as you can work out a way of selling them, I'll be buying. Just keep going. Please!

I buy Limited Edition figures from Piersergio Allevi in Italy. I'm not quite sure what he does, but I think he casts an edition of 150 and then sells them until they're gone. You receive your figures straightaway. That works for me!

I also buy Limited Edition figures from Maurizio Bruno. He announces a new edition on his Facebook then you say Yeah, Yeah, Yeah and pay him some money. He does the edition based on his orders and you get your figures after a month or so. And that works for me as well.

Whatever works for T54 will work for me.

 

[kevininpdx]

Ya I’m really not a fan of the FOMO business model. “Get it within 5 days or it’s gone!” But whatadayugonnado.

 

[Steve Edwards]

I agree with you, I'm not really a fan either. In an ideal world I'd pop down the model shop to buy my stuff. But they're all gone. Economics rules.

I used to love going to Under Two Flags in London. Have a chat with that Scots guy who ran the place (can't remember his name) look over his displays and come home with my new things (usually Chota Sahib). Mind you, we are talking 30 years ago. Maybe more, when did they close down?

 

[Richard Baxter]

I think that U2F closed sometime in the late 80s, a sad day.

 

[NigelR]

I think that U2F closed sometime in the late 80s, a sad day.

U2F actually kept going until around 2006/2007 afaik. Tradition held on a bit longer, but their London shop closed in 2012.

 

[stu]

Ya I’m really not a fan of the FOMO business model. “Get it within 5 days or it’s gone!” But whatadayugonnado.

Unfortunately this will become the new normal especially with 54mm. I even in a jokey way discussed about doing a FOMO series

Stuart