A Transcript from ToyTractorShow.com's  Toy Talk's Live Chat on Tuesday March 19, 2002  8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT Question and Answer Night with Bill Walters Farm Toy Product Manager for RC/ERTL. 

57 People logged  into the chat. The Q&A session ran from 8:00 pm ET to 9: 17 p.m. ET.  The chat was for 1/64 farm toys only. Many Thanks to Bill Walters for finding the time to chat with the collectors on TTS.  All questions for this chat were e-mailed to TTS owner Jason Hasert prior to the chat.  Unfortunately do to a server overload the chat could not be completed. Details for a completed transcript will be announced soon.

Bill Walters: Ready whenever you are Jason.

J.Hasert:: Thank you Bill. Welcome back to TTS.

Bill Walters: It's great to be back.

J.Hasert:We will start will general questions and then go to OEMs.

J.Hasert:Any chance of Ertl beefing up its hay line with a self propelled chopper or big baler?

Bill Walters: We are in talks with both John Deere and CNH on new units coming out:in the next year. Hopefully we'll have some announcements later this Fall.

J.Hasert:: With the high demand for the CaseIH 8500 air drill will Ertl offer a new air drill?

Bill Walters: I know we're getting beat up for bringing out the Commodity Cart without: something to put behind it. It probably will be until 2003 before we get a unit out. There were some unforeseen problems that happened that caused a delay.

J.Hasert:Good news Bill. Thank you.

J.Hasert:: Will Ertl continue to re-release older production toys with new tires like the MF 1155?

Bill Walters: We will re-release some old production toys on a limited basis where we see  a gap in our line and are seeing requests. Most of the old rubber tire  tooling is gone, so we're having to use new tires and rims. This doesn't mean we won't tool vintage tractors, just that we would rather

J.Hasert:With all the classic tractor sets from the 50's and 60's out from Ertl will collectors see classic implements like disks, plows?

Bill Walters: That's obviously an area we are looking at. The last few years has seen  We currently have around 8-9 1:64th projects in the works, some vintage/modern.

J.Hasert: Is it true that most of the 1/64th customers tend to be younger (less than
40)while the 1/16th scale customers are tend to be over 40? Which scale is
growing faster, 1/64th or 1/16th?

Bill Walters: I see older collectors going more towards the Precisions. 1:64th is collected  It's hard to read which scale is growing faster. When we bring out new items  in either scale, the interest is still there.. It would be hard to choose.   If you don't pick the right model to replicate, the buyers are not there.

J.Hasert:: We will move on to OEMS so we can cover each.

J.Hasert:: We will start with AGCO.

J.Hasert:Is there any news if Ertl will offer the RT and DT AGCO tractors?

Bill Walters: We are talking with AGCO about doing the new DT, and we also announced we will be doing a vintage Oliver 1950T in 1:64th for the Toy Farmer.

J.Hasert:: Will Ertl offer any new Ag Chem equipment? 4 tire models or smaller Row Gators?

Bill Walters: Nothing I can report.

J.Hasert:: Any hope for a Gleaner R-72 with a 12 row head?

Bill Walters: We did both the conventional Gleaner and MF in 1/64th that didn't sell to  expectations. We would have to look hard about doing the R-72. Maybe we picked the wrong models?

J.Hasert: I think Big is popular now. Maybe the R 72 is worth a look.

J.Hasert:Any chance of a 1/64 scale Allis Chalmers D-19 with a Hinker cab?

Bill Walters: We are looking to see if the Hiniker can be retro-fitted to the D-19.. That would be a great combination.

J.Hasert:: Would Ertl look at a run of an AC 210/220 casting? Maybe fwa and row crop?

Bill Walters: You must be talking 1:43rd or 1:16th as we have no 1:64th tooling for these. The AC Two-Ten has a different front grille so we would have to revise tooling. Don't think we haven't looked at it.

J.Hasert: Could Ertl make a 1/64 AC Roto Baler for the D-19 or WD-45?

Bill Walters: Yes we could, but it is not high on our priority list.

J.Hasert:: Any chance of a Hesston/New Idea hay line. Big baler, mowers, choppers?

Bill Walters: Stay tuned later this year. Hopefully we can announce some items.

J.Hasert: On to CaseIH.

J.Hasert:Any word on the IH Golden Demo historic set from last year?

Bill Walters: It is coming. It was planned for a kit, but they will now be assembled units.

J.Hasert:Will Ertl release any 1/64 IH tractors to help celebrate the 100 years of IH?

Bill Walters: There is a possibility. Nothing I can divulge yet.

J.Hasert:How are the chances in the near future to see a CIH STX 275, or a STX 325 4wd. With the correct smaller body casting?

Bill Walters: That's a whole new tool.  It's not that high on our list.

J.Hasert: Will we see an MX Magnum with front duals or in a European edition?

Bill Walters: How do I answer that and not give away the farm?

J.Hasert:I would say that is good enough.

Bill Walters: We are obviously looking at both those suggestions.

J.Hasert:Would Ertl ever offer a wheatland 1206 or 2206 Industrial?

Bill Walters: We are obviously looking at both those suggestions..

Bill Walters: Jason, I would be interested in what people think of industrial 1:64th tractors.

J.Hasert:: We sure we can ask everyone on TTS Toy Talk.

J.Hasert: Will we ever see the old Case crab steer models from the 70, 90 and 94 series?

Bill Walters: That is an area we need to focus in on. The 1470 we did sold well.  I would also have to see what C&D Models has produced.

J.Hasert:Any news on a Case historical set?

Bill Walters: There is one planned for 2003. We'll see what happens.

J.Hasert:Any chance of seeing a modern 1/64 2+2?

Bill Walters: What do you consider a "modern" 2+2?

Bill Walters: Newly tooled?

J.Hasert:: Yes a new tool.

Bill Walters: It is on our radar screen, but again we can only work on so many.....

Bill Walters: Would you be against re-issuing the old tool?

J.Hasert:Oh I think on a new cast or new tires it would be ok with most collectors. Maybe a new model like a 3788, 6788 or 7488..

Bill Walters: There is always hope... Keep watching.

J.Hasert:Last IH. Is a 1400 series combine on the Ertl radar?

  Bill Walters: I think that one must be in "stealth" mode. Not too high on our radar.

J.Hasert: Ok on to John Deere's.

J.Hasert:The #1 request on ToyTractorShow is for a JD 24 row planter. Any thoughts from Ertl?

Bill Walters: My thought is that it would be a great unit. We'll see what we can do.

J.Hasert:: Does ERTL ever plan on any older combines like 7720 or 8820? Collectors are really asking for 00 models.

Bill Walters: Again, the OEMs have so much new product coming that it's hard to squeeze in all the vintage we would like to do... We'll keep trying......

J.Hasert:: On the vintage thread what about a 7520, 8630/40 or 8650 4wd?

Bill Walters: Just a matter of priorities, we'll keep trying....

J.Hasert:: Why did Ertl do an 8420 and 9420 but no 8520 or 9520?

Bill Walters: They are all good models... Which do you do first?

Bill Walters: We have special plans for the 8520 and 9520...... Keep watching.

J.Hasert: In November a new JD set was mentioned to follow the 4000 set. Any news?

At this point the Toy Talk Board server gave out and the chat was cut short. Be assured TTS will work with Mr. Walters to answer the remaining questions.

J.Hasert: Is Ertl going to make a 1/64 version of the John Deere 2700 mulch ripper,just
like the one in 1/16?

Bill Walters We are talking with John Deere, but we have not made a decision on this unit yet.

J.Hasert: Any plans to produce a 1/64 John Deere 9400 Hoe drill or folding grain
drills like the 455?

Bill Walters Again, we are talking with John Deere, but no decision has been made.

J.Hasert: Any plans to produce a 1/64 John disk in the 30ft to 40ft range?

Bill Walters No current plans.

J.Hasert: Collectors asked why the box on a 1/64th 8420 said 8520 underneath an 8420 sticker on the first production run of 8420's. Maybe this is a clue of what's to come or just a variation?

Bill Walters We have originally planned to produce a 8520 but we changed our mind.  Unfortunately some of the blister cards were already produced so we put a sticker over them.  They will be corrected on the next production run.

J.Hasert: On the European 8420 the blister cards says 1 FIRST PRODUCTION ERTL. Is to recognize a new collectors series?

Bill Walters On the European 8420 the blister cars says 1 FIRST PRODUCTION ERTL. Is to recognize a new collectors series?   In the past we have normally produced collector models of new tractors we've tooled.  In 1/64th, especially in John Deere, we have not done collector units.  This "First Production Run" mark will allow consumers to know that this product is from new tooling, and will only be on the first production of this unit.  We will only be doing this on replicas where we are doing new tooling and are not doing collector units.  It will not show up on Precisions.

J.Hasert: On the new 9420 and new 8420 European there is no SMV sign but on the standard 8420 there is? is this an early variation or a change?

Bill Walters They don't use SMVs in Europe, so we didn't put it on.  I will have to check on the 9420.

J.Hasert: This is a 1/32 question. Many collectors in Europe and the U.S. have contacted TTS asking if Ertl will ever offer modern or classic John Deere 4wds in 1/32 scale.

Bill Walters We have had requests for vintage 4WDs in 1/32 and we are taking a look at various options.

J.Hasert: New Holland

J.Hasert: Will Ertl offer a 1/64 TM 165 to match the new 1/16 model?

Bill Walters We currently do not have plans to produce one.

J.Hasert: Is there any chance of seeing a Ford 9600 or 8600 from the
seventies?

Bill Walters There is always a chance.

J.Hasert: A 1/64 TV-140 is highly sought after by collectors on TTS will Ertl look at
this model in 1/64? Maybe a set with a loader and haybine?

Bill Walters We are very limited into the amount of versions we could get from this unit.  I don't foresee us producing this in the near future.

J.Hasert: Will Ertl offer New Holland/DMI tillage implements. A DMI 730 ripper or field
cultivator would be great for the STX's.

Bill Walters Thank you for the suggestion.

J.Hasert: Will Ertl make any NH/Flexicoil equipment like an air drill?

Bill Walters We are talking to Case IH and NH about planting/seeding equipment.

A few follow ups:

J.Hasert: You had mentioned Ertl is planning a new classic 4wd is there any thing you can report on that at this time?

Bill Walters Nothing I can report at this time.

J.Hasert: Why does Ertl not offer fingers on their grain reels? They are very common in the Corn Belt and East Coast for beans, wheat and rice.

Bill Walters When you get down to 1/64th scale, the fingers would have to be oversized to show the detail.  It wouldn't look very good.

J.Hasert: The MX 120 with fwa and loader is a great toy but is it possible for Ertl to cast future loader tractors with out a front weight?

Bill Walters Yes, it is possible.

 J.Hasert: This would be along industrial lines again but would Ertl look at scrapper tractor sets like a John Deere 9520 set or CaseIH STX 450 Quad-Trac Reynolds set?

Bill Walters This is a very good suggestion.  I know you have been getting many responses from the survey on Toy TractorShow.com Toy Talk.

J.Hasert: Is there any new 2002 1/64 product information you can share with ToyTractorShow users at this time?

Bill Walters We will soon be releasing our Case IH 2002 catalog with the New Holland next and then AGCO.  We will also be introducing some additional John Deere 1/64th product later this year. Nothing new to report other than what I did announce during the chat tonight.

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