20mmZone - an introduction to our new business of WW2 miniatures

[Von_miligan]

In July 2013, Ian Clunie of Shell Hole Scenic’s (SHS) and I Paul Thompson of Early War Miniatures (EWM), purchased all the models and equipments in the old Skytrex 20mm ranges. That did not include their figure or decal ranges, although there are a good number of crewmen for the vehicles and equipments included in what we bought. It seemed a great opportunity to take the finely made masters that we had viewed during our due diligence visit in the April and remould and present them anew to the war gaming and modelling worlds. We were struck by the superb way in which these master patterns had been made. We also believed that the original pricing of the former Skytrex models was too high and that the quality of their metal castings had declined.
So we came up with a plan to remake these great models and present them in a new format. The ranges had some duplications that already existed in our own ranges, but the vast majority filled many holes and would take our ranges into new theatres and campaigns to model the interwar and WW2 periods.
Our approach was fairly simple. We would remould the original master patterns and use a mixture of new materials and technologies to make the model parts. These would be a combination of hulls and large track assemblies in a Polyurethane composite resin and white metal for all other parts. We also have redesigned the way the model could be constructed.  The concept of rapid build was born. 20mmZone Rapid Build models concept means they must have less than 7 parts and/or be able to be built in under 5 minutes. We cast the detail into the models small number of parts. This provides a highly detailed and sturdy model that is rapid to build and easy to paint.
Not all the new models will be rapid build, but the fantastic results we are getting from these new materials and technologies will be used across the range of 20mmZone models.
EWM had already trailed and issued it range of WW1 tanks in what is described as an easy build format where by the highly detailed hull is supplied as one part, and the additional detail in white metal could be added to achieve a very well detailed model in a very short build time. We have taken this several steps further with the 20mmZone Rapid build concept.
Not satisfied with updating the original patterns, we have reviewed the old pricing structures and have been able to reduce the pricing for the tanks by as much as 50%. The new Vickers Light tanks cost as little as £6 each in packs of 3.



We have also revised all the great stowage packs Skytrex were well known for. All have been reduced by 33% to £3 each and with many have the contents increased by upto 50% more.

We plan a dedicated web store and 20mmzone.com has already been purchased. Until that is ready, all products can be viewed and purchased from the EWM web store at earlywarminiatures.com under the 20mmzone tabs.
20mmZone has another meaning or consequence on our own business’s i.e. EWM and SHS. Ian and I had already been working closely together over the past 18months trailing a number of joint promotions across our 20mm WW2 ranges. It struck us that together, both Early war Miniatures and ShellHole Scenic’s have together, a great coverage of many things WW2 in this scale. The joint purchase and close co-operation work on the 20mmZone of models helps bring the two business’s closer together. We decided to launch the 20mmZone as a trading space, a “20mm Zone” if you will, where we will jointly set up and trade together promoting all our 20mm products under a single trade space. This will naturally include all the 20mmZone models we are making as well. Another important aspect of the 20mmzone as a trade space is that most if not all products will eventually be from self serve racks and stands combined with well lit displays showing the products. But, more importantly, both Ian, Peter Day and I will be out front, able to talk to and help customers rather than hiding behind a kiosk/trade counter. Ian has medical issues that means he cant spend as much time on his feet, but the idea is for  most of the products to be visible on racks where you can browse and select what you want, not que up and keep asking to see product X, then see product Y etc. This new Open format has been very successful for EWM and in talking to our customers, they had said they appreciated that Peter and I are “available” to speak to and they can see things on the racks, they often did not know we even did. Plus, they can see the quality before they but, as products are visible and accessible.



Our goal then is to create a “zone” where everything you need in 20mm scale can be purchased, and it goes further. EWM has been making and selling its own range of WW1 miniatures and very successful modular vacuum formed trench systems for some time now. EWM is further expanding its WW1 ranges with 1914 British, French and German additions as well as Turks and Middle East British and Commonwealth troops being added all the time. We have established a range of 1917-1918 British and German miniatures and Tanks which are  already in production. SHS have a number of new WW1 additions to their ranges including versions of the German A7V’s and a delightful light railway set of models and track. We also have an exciting “WW1 box set” approaching completion as well. Both Ian and I love modelling the WW1 period and so it makes sense to brand the new business as :-
20mmZone, from WW1 to WW2 with lots of interesting things for in between.
Since starting on the 20mmzone models So far we have focused on Early war British tanks the Valentine in MK I, III & VIII, the A13 in 3 variants, 2 versions of the Vickers light tank all of which are in production and available from the EWM webs tore at earlywarminiatues.com. We have a number of other new models that should be ready by time of publication that include British Dingo’s in 6 versions with stowage and accessories/crews. German Hummel and Nashorns, converted Lorraine self propelled guns and observation vehicles based on the French Lorraine 38 hulls. A special show piece in the form of a BergPanther. We plan to do a number of the Panthers and British Churchill’s next. We are also running a facebook page where you can view our progress and news featuring the work we are doing on these models at :

https://www.facebook.com/earlywarminiatures

Ian and I have a load of work ahead of us to get all these models back out there and available. We seriously hope the new rapid build format, the highly detailed and lightweight materials and low pricing will be a successful formula for us . Also, the 20mmZone as a trading “zone” at shows proves to be a liked and successful format in the future.

[Cubs]

Arr, fine work shipmate.

This all sounds great. I've always had an idea to build up a 20mm or 1/72 force based on Early War Desert, but the lack of a great range of quality vehicles at a decent price has been one thing that has held me back. There are some plastic available, but as well as availability and scale issues, there's also the time spent constructing them to consider. Plus it sounds like I can get 3 Vickers Light Tanks for just a whisker above what I paid for one Airfix kit.

As soon as your site is up and running it's going into my faves file.

[Von_miligan]

Arr, fine work shipmate.

This all sounds great. I've always had an idea to build up a 20mm or 1/72 force based on Early War Desert, but the lack of a great range of quality vehicles at a decent price has been one thing that has held me back. There are some plastic available, but as well as availability and scale issues, there's also the time spent constructing them to consider. Plus it sounds like I can get 3 Vickers Light Tanks for just a whisker above what I paid for one Airfix kit.

As soon as your site is up and running it's going into my faves file.

Available now on our webstore at EWM.
http://earlywarminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=429_430&zenid=b400b9fa3edc1b26e38f2b5f7e287948

http://earlywarminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=429_430&zenid=b400b9fa3edc1b26e38f2b5f7e287948

PaulT@ewm/20mmzone

http://earlywarminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=429_430&zenid=b400b9fa3edc1b26e38f2b5f7e287948

have fun.

Paul T@EWM/20mmZone

[Mr. Peabody]

The 17 pounder, Nebelwerfer and German self-propelled artillery all look rather fine...

Two Nebelwerfers or 2x 17 pounders for £7.80 is a great deal.

[Cubs]

Available now on our webstore at EWM.
http://earlywarminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=429_430&zenid=b400b9fa3edc1b26e38f2b5f7e287948

Lovely stuff! I misunderstood, I thought £6 was for 3 models, which would have been good. Now, if you only had A9's and A10's as well!

Okay, looks like I'll be shopping in the future sometime.

PS. Something that has really interested me is the Plains Wars range that looks like it's still under construction. There's a broad range of plastics available for US Cavalry in 1/72 form, all of them useless and historically very nasty!

[V]

Just to note the quality that Paul and Ian have achieved far surpasses previous Skytrex offerings and at a fraction of the old prices, great for 20mm gamers.

They are also good chaps to deal with, though Paul has a genetic ability to make war gamers part with money!

Piers

[grant]

These really do look great. I like the new castings!

[Von_miligan]

Lovely stuff! I misunderstood, I thought £6 was for 3 models, which would have been good. Now, if you only had A9's and A10's as well!

Okay, looks like I'll be shopping in the future sometime.

PS. Something that has really interested me is the Plains Wars range that looks like it's still under construction. There's a broad range of plastics available for US Cavalry in 1/72 form, all of them useless and historically very nasty!

Just come in from finishing the A9 and A10 moulds tonight. Should have pictures out next week and some available for Derby.

Yes, these Plains Indians are O guage, near to 35mm. Historicaly very accurate. I have only uploaded a small fraction of the range. I can send you a catalogue in PDF if reguired?

[Cubs]

Yes, these Plains Indians are O guage, near to 35mm. Historicaly very accurate. I have only uploaded a small fraction of the range. I can send you a catalogue in PDF if reguired?

Ah bum, I really wanted 20mm or 1/72. Never mind, the conversion knife is sharpened and ready to operate! I can hear the quivering bladders of dozens of little soft plastic soldiers even now.

Great news on the A9 and A10, I'll be keeping my peepers open.

[robh]

Paul, did you pick up an M3 Scout Car (White) model among the Skytrex range?

[Conquistador]

I try to keep to all infantry forces for WW2 (PTO makes it easier, I admit,) but if/when I get a reasonable sized Japanese/American Army force assembled I might be tempted to get a Stuart or a Japanese tank if you have them.  Need to visit the website...

Gracias,

Glenn

[Von_miligan]

Paul, did you pick up an M3 Scout Car (White) model among the Skytrex range?

Yes we did . Still going through all the masters and finding more and more delightful patterns.

Can't say I have seen the original patterns for that one yet,  but it's on our list of patterns we now own. We have all the original show stock and these are nice crisp early castings. I have seen it there for sure.

currently we are reworking and remoulding the A9 , A10, Hummel, Nashorn, Archer and bishop towing 25 pounder Caison. Dingo's are also getting a rework in 6 variants. 3 Russian mortars/howitzers will be released next week. We have been hard at it reworking and producing in these new formula's in the rapid build format.
Seems to be well received judging by the sales at Colures and online so far.

Thanks for your interest,

Paul T@ewm/20mmZone

[Helen]

Great pick-up guys... well done.

Helen

[Ridgeback]

Paul, did you pick up an M3 Scout Car (White) model among the Skytrex range?

Hi Rob
 I can conform the white Scout car is present & in great shape .Once we start doing some American kit I will make sure it's at the top of the list
  Ian ( Shell Hole & 20mmZone )

[forrester]

Skytrex was more 1/76 than 1/72, if I remember rightly?
If so, hooray, as I'm locked into 1/76, which is quite an expensive scale now, as it's 1/72 that gets most of the attention for new, easy-build models.