The Commander Series Forum

This update has just been posted on the Pithead website:

"Pithead will continue to add new models but the company will now only produce them where there is a demonstrated demand. The pictures of the new tanks shown below are prototypes of Hungarian, Russian and Italian tanks. There appears to be a demand for the Russian and Italian models so these will be produced shortly. However, there is not enough interest presently in the Hungarian models so the decision has been taken not to produce these for the time being, but hopefully we will be making them at some time in the future . The reason we decided to show pictures of these models was because it demonstrates the level of our commitment . We will make all the new national ranges as complete as the Poles and French but only if this is what our customer want."

I have to say it's a great disappointment to me, but I guess I'm the only customer for 10mm Hungarians. Another project bites the dust, pity I painted all the infantry first!

I thought Pete was interested?

What difference would that make? I know I buy a lot of minis, but not enough to keep Pithead afloat!

I was asking on behalf of Pithead the other day

I can certainly understand from a business point of view why Phil needs to have a degree of interest in a range, before making production models and casting some stock.

Hopefully by saying that interest is needed then, it will generate interest in Hungarians.

Pithead has already produced a number of minor nations so must have some idea of how well (or not) these lesser nations sell.

Personally Russians are of far more interest than Hungarians.

I can see that the 'minor nations' are sort of 'niche markets', obviously you'll sell more Germans, russians, Brits and Yanks but I rather thought that 'niches' were Pitheads speciality?

I guess there are only so many niches a company can handle. Phil had started working on some Belgians, but who honestly would buy them?

I would certainly consider buying them (the Belgians), but to be honest I doubt they would really ever get used. A very small window of gaming and always on the defensive. But then the same could be said of the Poles.

The Hungarians are much more interesting and I'm pretty sure I'd invest in a small force. Always nice to play something different and they had great camo schemes! IIRC, they fought with and then against the Germans, again giving them some added appeal.

I hope they get released at some point in the future, just so that I can add them to my lead pile.

Maybe Pithead should do something like the Eureka 100 club.

I too quite like the idea of Belgians - no need to buy many vehicles/afvs! But again I guess that that's not actually great for the business making them? Shermans and T34s are the way forward surely?

"Phil had started working on some Belgians, but who honestly would buy them?"

Belgians? Or masochists perhaps

Just had this e-mail from Phil, I'm sure he won't mind me quoting from it (and it refers to the Hungarian armour):
"we're in there, my biggest customer has just got back to me with a firm order so I can take yours now. Big as you can manage."
I'm now wondering which of you guys is Phil's "biggest customer". If you recognise yourself, can I just say "thanks for the tanks" from a would-be Hungarian general!

Hmmm, not me - I just ordered a shed load of Pz-IIIs and some other stuff from Phil

Good news that the armour will be produced. Time to start thinking of what to buy!

"IIRC, they fought with and then against the Germans"
Now you've got me interested, when did Hungarians fought
Germans? Always thought they were on the "Axis "side" from
beginning to end...

Yes that's what I thought - it was the Rumanians that changed sides.

Obviously my memory is failing with old age. I knew it was either Romania or Hungary. Just got it wrong. Sorry.

The Rumanians fielded the Third largest Axis force in World War Two but surprisingly they also fielded the fourth largest Allied Force as well after they changed sides in August 1944.

Cheers

Gerry