Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 17:18:08 -0500 (EST)
To: stuntboy@ols.net (Chris Georgoulias)
From: "RalPartha, Jack Hesselbrock" 
Subject: Re: a ral partha history question

Dear Chris,

     I will answers what I can for you about Kenner.

1) was ral partha contracted by kenner to do at least conceptual work?

   Ral Partha was contracted many times by Kenner Toys to prodotype work for
them.   It seems that their model department couldn't manufacture these
items as quickly or as nice as we could.   The first approach was to get
some car bodies and truck bodies ready for Toy Fair.   Thereafter, we did
many other jobs for them.   None was conceptual.

2) how many different items did ral partha work on?
    
   Many items but all for casting and molding.

3) did ral partha ever manufacture star wars items on their own?

   No, although we did prototypes some for them.   In the gaming field, West
End had the Star War license and we didn't bid for it because the upfront
cost was too high.   Instead of finding a separate manufacturer, they
contracted their miniatures out to a company closer to their headquarters
and sold the Star War figurines themselves.

5) was there any bad blood between kenner and ral partha?

   Not hardly.  They paid us very well for our work.  In fact, our first
contract with Kenner we submitted a bill and the person managing the model
shop told us our bill was too low and ask us to resubmit a much higher bill
because we had bailed them out of a tough situation.   They always paid
immediately.   Some of our sculptors have worked for Kenner as free-lancers
in the past and some work for Hasbro on that basis today.

6) did kenner ever file suit against partha for making unlicensed items?

   Not ever because we made no unlicensed items.   We were very happy to
work for Kenner and still do today from time to time (Hasbro).   

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Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 13:13:24 -0500 (EST)
To: stuntboy@ols.net (Chris Georgoulias)
From: "RalPartha, Jack Hesselbrock" 
Subject: Re: a ral partha history question


     We never did any production for Kenner, only prototypes for shows or
examples of what might be.   Here's why Kenner came to us:  Kenner basically
produced what they offered in plastic.   Plastic injection molds cost many
thousands of dollars back then.   They are actually chaeper now and have a
better ability to make items more three dimensional.   We could produce
molds at $ 50.00 each and castings from within these molds far less
expensive than Kenner's model shop.  These samples had greater detail.   If
you can outsource - a term that wasn't used 20 years ago - cheaper than you
can accomplish the production yourself, why not.   It's simply smarter.   We
also had house sculptors who could thicken too thin places and make the
models easier to cast and better looking.   Our work for Kenner was never
meant and never used as production masters.

      Miniatures in our field are mostly sculpted using epoxy ribbon (putty)
where two compounds are mixed together (blue and yellow in color) making
green.   Our original sculptings are sometimes called "Greens".   Our
figures are sculpted in 1:1 scale with a little bigger areas due to
shrinkage making the two molds necessary to gain production masters and the
actual production mold.   Kenner sculpted in much larger scale and then
panagraphed (probably spelled wrong) down to it's desired scale.  I really
don't know what their sculpting scale was but different figures/toys were
sculpted in different scales I saw this when I was at the model shop.   At
one point, Kenner asked if I would run the model shop.   The person running
the shop (Mr. Reins) (again maybe spelled wrong) was moving to a new better
position at Kenner.   This was in the late 1970's.

     Originally, Kenner came to us because they needed stuff finished for
TOY FAIR and couldn't get it done in house in time for that show.   How they
ever found out about Ral Partha I really don't know and if I ever did ask, I
don't remember anymore.   This is what I meant when I said we really bailed
out Kenner with the car and truck bodies.   They wanted to show off these
items which were intended to compete with Mattel.  Kenner never released
this product line.   They did have the entire model shop working on our
samples - painting, assembling, etc.   We were able to see the finished
products and they were absolutely beutiful.   But from their orders booked
at Toy Fair, apparently not wanted.

     We recommended Kenner buy a spin casting machine, vulcanizer, pot, etc.
and told them it would be cheaper to go about their masters and samples this
way internally.   Kenner did buy these items but either nobody could work
the machines or they just didn't want to do it themselves.   These machine
sat idle in their model shop.

--------

Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 17:19:11 -0500 (EST)
To: stuntboy@ols.net (Chris Georgoulias)
From: "RalPartha, Jack Hesselbrock" 
Subject: Re: a ral partha history question

Dear Chris,

     The only paperwork we would have are copies of the invoices and
purchase orders.   Kenner would give us masters to make molds with.   We
wouldn't design anything nor plan anything with Kenner.  Basically, we just
did the job they offered.

Cordially,
Jack   

-------------

Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 20:58:29 -0500 (EST)
To: stuntboy@ols.net (Chris Georgoulias)
From: "RalPartha, Jack Hesselbrock" 
Subject: Re: a ral partha history question

Dear Chris,

     Some of my sculptors worked and still work free lance for
Kenner/Hasbro.   They make their own deals and get paid accordingly from
Kenner/Hasbro and we have nothing to do with this arrangement.   Sorry I
wasn't very clear with this one.

Cordially,
Jack

---------

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 13:59:52 -0500 (EST)
To: stuntboy@ols.net (Chris Georgoulias)
From: "RalPartha, Jack Hesselbrock" 
Subject: Re: a ral partha history question

Dear Chris,

   Kenner may havec had us make molds of items they contracted to one of
our sculptors but none that I am aware.

Cordially,
Jack