I just saw this new item on another forum: from Andrea, a box diorama in a box.

A new issue of their Napoleon at Fontainebleu, but with the materials included to make a box diorama:

https://www.andrea-world.com/en/12/...apoleon-a-fontainebleau-1814-box-diorama.html

Some, maybe many, will deride it, and I can understand that. But then, this reminds me of so many products in our hobby today, and in the broader world of scale modeling: ready-made things that we old-timers used to make for ourselves, from ready-mixed colors, to weathering powders, to aftermarket resin detail sets. Sure, we learned over time to make these things. But I see the popularity among new people in the hobby, who haven't yet learned to blend colors, say, or scratchbuild a Tiger tank interior. It offers them consistency of result.

Anyway, I thought this was interesting.

I think I'd still do it from scratch, though...

Prost!
Brad

Yes, interesting to see them putting it out. Hard to see who they are aiming it at, that is a LOT of money for someone just starting out in the hobby and as you say more experienced modellers could do it themselves, and for a fraction of that price.
I think boxed dioramas are great, I hope it does well.

How much?
I wouldn't mind, but their quality's been poor for years now.

Always loved Andrea's productions and have painted more than a few......But I must say....Who in their right f..k'n mind would buy this?

I think Napoleon is about to become a popular figure again Wayne, haven't you noticed? I think it's all about an upcoming movie about Napoleon or something....

I think they'll sell some because of that but I agree, it's not for me. You'd buy it if the subject was either dirty underwear or bodily functions much like Napoleon fans will buy this.
Cheers

Steve

Interesting. I have just finished assembling this same figure in white metal ! Will not do a box diorama per se but I was thinking in placing it in some kind of context as well.
By the way the figure is very difficult to assemble but well worth it .

I'd like to see more interior pieces, like the ones they include in this. I'm looking for a Palladian front door in 54mm for a small vignette. I can scratch it if I have to, but if I could find one off the shelf, I'd use it.
Of course, it's taken so long, without finding one, that I could have scratched it long ago. There are doors out there, in 54mm, but from other time periods and styles. And there are Palladian doors, but in other scales, too large to use.

Prost!
Brad

I must say, that does look like a very nice looking sculpt.

Sounds to me like there's a manufacturing opening for an enterprising company to produce ready to fill Diorama Boxes with the electrics fitted, and/or Diorama fittings and furniture based on famous movie scenes, or themes from historical events. Any takers?? Ray

Andrea shows a list price of 643,75 € for the kit, and 2500 finished. That's why I agree with those who ask, "Who's going to buy this?" I mentioned that a ready-made kit could be attractive to a new painter, but I agree, not many people just starting out are likely to spend that much on a kit.

Prost!
Brad

That’s a hefty price tag for what it is. Sorry but I can’t see them selling that many either the unpainted or the painted version. The figure looks well sculpted, but I’m sure a modeller could do just as good at a much lower price tag. With the tech out there today nothing to stop you printing the background, and the figure if you so wished.

But good luck to them I’m sure they will be some people out thier who will buy it.

Ray it’s a nice idea about producing box diorama parts but I don’t think thier is a market for it, accessories maybe. But box dios not so much.but who knows some one just might take up the idea.

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

You can't be familiar with the actual figure itself then Steve, as, trust me, if one of your dudes presented you with this, you'd turn it down, not wanting to risk your reputation. It would've been considered good up to about 2000-ish. Your blokes wouldn't let this leave the bench. TFB leaves this in the shade.

I meant companies OTHER than figure makers Steve. There are many companies with woodworking expertise in other hobbies { Model Rlys} and/or someone like Sphere, more diversification in products. We need more niche companies specialising and I do beleive there's a place for them in our hobby, e.g. Bondic, they were in Dental products !! Ray.

Hi Ray, I agree it’s for specialist companies to look at exploreing this kind of thing. With laser cutters you could make assorts of things .

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

Hi Blind Pew, thanks for the complement. You so very right we would not be offered it. And our sculptors would not Evan present it to us.

Andrea don’t seem to want to embrace new tech but that’s their choice. But as I said they will probably sell a few. But it will be to someone with very deep pockets.

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

....yep, and when they come along, do let me know. I've got a bridge I might sell them.

The original figure (in metal) is actually of very good quality (I have one, see picture above). However, the assembly is very complicated and is a real challenge in itself. I can see that this 'new' one is a resin version and the parts are not the same at all by the way.
Anyway, Andrea has lost its share of the market a long time ago.

IMHO Andrea is capable to produce excellent kits - don't forget their Iron Cross Series or the more recent Napoleonic releases in 90 mm. The same goes for Pegaso with Napoleonic Marshalls in 54 mm. The problem is the sales price that seems to be necessary to recover the costs of production and staff of these companies. But I guess that they know what they have to do - otherwise they would not still be around. This nice release by Andrea is nevertheless beyond my Hobby Budget. Cheers Martin