Hobby Can't be Dead

[caribmar07]

Greetings,
This is more of an observation than a question. Since I recently retired, I have had more time to spend in the 1/6 scale hobby. While reading through other forums I have noticed a lack of interest in the WW2 genre and more of an emphasis in Pop Culture based figures (Super Heroes, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Anime etc...)

Is WWII in decline or gaining traction? The genre must still be viable since companies such as DiD, Face Pool, Ujindou and others continue to pump out some very high quality stuff. Honestly I cant afford these price points but someone can.

I just wonder what the true state of the hobby may be?

-Regards

 

[Squidley]

"It's not dead, it just smells funny". Honestly, I think the hobby has declined significantly since its heyday. I also think the price points on the figures is a part of the problem. Yeah, they are beautiful, but it's a long way from the $30 we were paying when this all started more then 20 years ago.

Like you, I'm somewhat retired now. But I haven't managed to focus on 1/6th stuff as much as I might. Hopefully, that will change. Back when I was working, I managed to accumulate a vast trove of figs and some vehicles and kits too, so I have an essentially infinite number of projects that I could be working on. That may be part of the problem. But I'm hopeful; at some point, I'll have more focus. But I don't think that there will be a resurgence to the level we saw before. The vast decline of membership and activity on all the boards is another indication of where things stand.

We'll see what the future brings!

 

[Sixth Vanguard]

My take on this, and there is no science behind this, just a gut feeling, is that its a generational / nostalgia thing.

Many of us older ones actually grew up with parents or grandparents from the WW2 generation, so we have a connection to it.

I recall my Dad mentioning how no one ever talked about the American Civil War like they did when he was little. He could actually remember interacting with Civil War veterans when he was young, and getting Civil War toy soldiers. There was a small country graveyard across the road from the farm he grew up on, and it had one Revolutionary War soldier grave and several Civil War soldier graves. His family would tend the graves and pull the weeds. This formed a deep connection for him. When I would read ACW books he would actually join me. There was a great series of books that I loved that had pictures of ACW battles depicted in dioramas. But we never talked about WW1 or even WW2. No nostalgia for him there.

WW2 was such a pivotal time for much of the world that I think it will always be a topic of fascination, but perhaps less so as time goes by. So much progress made in so short of a time it is astounding. To think air forces were still flying canvas covered bi-planes when it started, and jets when it ended is quite amazing.

For the 1/6 WW2 hobby add the fact that costs have sky-rocketed (figures, material, etc) and the audience is bound to diminish.

Also, let's face it, many of our hobby brothers are just no longer with us

 

[Ortona]

Spot on!

Those of us who were old enough to open our first GI Joes on Xmas morning, 1966, are are the nucleus of the hobby. We, who still crave the 1/6th scale excitement, have already become fully saturated with hundreds of figures and bits of gear. We are truly living out our childhood fantasies. The younger generations had different toys, and different scales, and they have neither the money, nor the room to store alll the figures and vehicles. The inflated modern price tags and lack of original subjects have put us off. Also, I think the loss of Dragon crashed the hobby.

We, the 1/6th core, haven't abandoned the hobby. I guess we are just playing with our toys. Here is the proof: Of all the fantastic custom figures and vehicles that have appeared on this and other boards - that you would still recognize - have you seen any of them put up for sale on EBay? I haven't.

 

[Squidley]

Those of us who were old enough to open our first GI Joes on Xmas morning, 1966, are are the nucleus of the hobby.

It was probably more like 68 or 9 when I got my first one, but you hit an important point. When things were getting started 20-25 years ago!???!!) with TUS and then Dragon, there was also a wave going through popular culture (SPR, BOB, Empire of the Sun, The Thin Red Line, Enemy at the Gates, etc) of WWII nostalgia. That's all gone now.

 

[Sixth Vanguard]

It was probably more like 68 or 9 when I got my first one, but you hit an important point. When things were getting started 20-25 years ago!???!!) with TUS and then Dragon, there was also a wave going through popular culture (SPR, BOB, Empire of the Sun, The Thin Red Line, Enemy at the Gates, etc) of WWII nostalgia. That's all gone now.

Absolutely a great point

 

[tankfan0720]

I think there's a lot of factors. Is the 1/6 hobby dead? I don't think so. I think there are more option today than ever before.

Its a niche size and scale. It always has been. Back in the day, 80-90's there were virtually no options for 1/6 except some simple GI Joe. Today there are nice 3D printable models, there are all kinds of vendor making 1/6 RC models, figures, custom head sculpt whatever. Are some of them expensive? Heck yeah. But you just have to look.

Another factor at least in US, we expect to buy everything. We've become a country of buy instead of make. The number of youth who can actually make something from scratch has decreased. When I was a kid if I wanted a toy (ariplane, ship, gun, tank, bulldozer) - I would go out in my dad shop and make it out of wood. I made some toy guns (for playing army) that after painting would pass for real. Today few kids have shop in school, there is no sense of "I can make that" - very sad to see.

I see no decrease in interest, shows, venues and makers in Europe, Asia where 1/6 models are built and run. There is some truth to the generational thing. The WWII generation (kids from 60's and 70's) who remember and interacted with vets is getting older and perhaps passing away. The number of shows, venues in the US especially has gone from few to none - in part thanks to Covid. The number of museum where models can be displayed and run has dried up. Getting people together to run RC stuff has not died - but its definitely more difficult, especially after Covid. Covid has caused a culture change in ways we're still realizing.

To have and own 1/6 vehicles is a huge commitment to time, money and space. Not everyone can afford it or have the space or ability to make them. To make a 1/6 vehicle from scratch is a rather daunting task. To make 1/6 vehicle to sell as a business is even bigger challenge - esp after Covid. Raw materials, electronics, have all skyrocketed in cost and lead time.

Is it dead, no? But its an ever evolving landscape. There is plenty of stuff out there.