After another busy year I thought this would be a good time to give Tommy’s War customers as update for plans for the range into 2020 and beyond.

With Scale Model Challenge (Veldhoven, The Netherlands) coming in just over a week, followed by Scale Model World (Telford) in November it’s a great time for me to be out and about and meeting customers. However, I’m busy working with Nino on new releases for next year.

I’ve also got an eye a little more longer-term, 2021 marks a milestone for Tommy’s Year as it’s the 10 year anniversary of the brand (2011-2021) and I’m advanced with plans to mark that momentous occasion.

Tommy’s War Collectors Club

Following my blog a couple of months ago I can confirm that there won’t be a Collectors Club for 2020 as I prepare for 2021. But, there is good news, the Club will return in 2021 with a new format and a very special figure for Collectors which will mark 10 years of Tommy’s War.

In the meantime any Collector Club member who is in the 2019 club by 31st December 2019 will continue to receive their 20% discount until 31st December 2020.

Newsletters will all be completed and up-to-date and there will be new issues through 2020, taking the total to 16 issues.

The Collector Club Specials (TW32CC01/2/3/4) will be withdrawn temporarily through 2020 – but they will return in 2021 and be available for members of the 2021 Collectors Club to purchase.

If you’ve got any questions or concerns regarding the Collectors Club then email me at darren@tommyswar.com

New releases in 2020

I’m currently briefing Nino on the figure release for next year.

Andy Belsey is working on a base for the Vickers machine gun which has been sculpted digitally. The plan for this falls into three parts; create the gun, from this sculpt the base and finally create the figures around the base and gun.

It’s a time consuming process, but should be worth the wait.

This release will be within the ‘specials’ range under the number TW32S06.

There will be an additional four figures in 2020, all British, all late-war.

As some of you will be aware, I work around Nino’s schedule, I’m hoping to pick-up all six masters in June 2020, that makes it extremely tight for World Expo 2020 (see below), so the timings of the releases are to be confirmed.

Show schedule 2020

The big event for 2020 will clearly be World Expo 2020 which is going to be held at Veldhoven in The Netherlands on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July 2020.

Applications for space to trade will open post-Scale Model Challenge 2019, and I’ve registered an interest, but it’s not guaranteed I’ll get space and I’m sure it’s going to be over-subscribed, so I will give further information when I know myself.

As well as World Expo there will be the usual shows through the UK. Scale Model Challenge doesn’t run in September 2020.

I’ve not decided on my 2020 show schedule just yet, but will blog that as soon as I’ve booked shows, hotels etc. But I would hope to be at World Expo and imagine I’ll be at Telford in November, the rest are to be confirmed (subject to work and family commitments, of course).

Product stock

There have been a number of questions regarding stock. I’m currently working on getting some of the out-of-stock products cast, and hope to have the full figure range in stock by the time of the Telford show.

Top of the priority list is TW32C03 (Australian Light Horse) and TW32S04 (Walking Wounded).

I do get a few requests for the bases. The issue with these is that they were originally cast by a company that has since stopped casting for third parties. I do have some of the masters back and I’m working with my regular caster to create new moulds. I hope to have TW32DIO1 (German trench section) available in November but the smaller bases in the TW32DIO5 series won’t be back until 2020.

The Clyno Vickers motorcycle and Crossley will continue to be available in 2020 (I’m reprinting decals for the Crossley and once ready the kit will be listed in stock again). Both will be retired at the end of 2020 and listed as out of stock.

More German masters

You may be aware that I’ve purchased a number of masters from a private collector in Italy who had worked with Nino a number of years ago. These mostly comprise German releases (TW32CP07 through to 13) plus TW32AL01 and TW32CC02 and 3, plus figures TW32037/38 and 39.

I’ve been buying these over a number of years as (as you can imagine) it’s expensive!

That same collector has, I think from memory, a further 5 German figures which I hope to buy over the course of the next two years. Timing and details of the figures will be confirmed at a later date.

The significance of this is that it helps me hit my target of 100 Nino Pizzichemi figures in the range – so stay tuned for details!

Tommy’s War in 2021

Did I mention that it’s the ten year anniversary of Tommy’s War in 2021?

This is a big moment for Tommy’s War and I make no apologies for being excited, when I started the range in 2011 I had no idea if it would make it through a year, so to potentially be around ten years later is really pleasing.

I’m planning on some special events to mark the year with the return of the Collectors Club and a very special release for the year. Previous Collectors Club specials will be available for members of the 2021 Collectors Club to purchase.

There will also be a full release schedule which, I hope, will take the range to 100 of Nino’s figures which has been a long-term goal of mine. I’m also planning on another piece of big news to commemorate the event.

More will be made clear in June 2020 where I’ll release more details about the plans for 2021.

In summary

While it might appear that Tommy’s War is quiet, you’ll note from above that I’m actually really busy preparing for the next two years. I’m sorry to labour the point, but the anniversary is a big deal for me and I’m planning on marking it accordingly.

If you’re coming to one of the Scale Model shows (Challenge or World) please do introduce yourself and say hello, it’s always great to meet people.

If you’ve got questions on any of the above, then I’m happy to answer them as honestly as I can.

So, in summary, I’m looking forward to bringing you more news and to a fantastic future for Tommy’s War.