I have yet to really get in to 28mm plastics, but the promise of AWI plastic for basic types is really great news and it doesn't really encroach on anyone else's range
I've seen plenty of units around the web made up of both Victrix/Perry conversions so hopefully it's not going to be to much of a problem replicating. As one blogger said that the Perries only showed off 3-ups of greens not shown before i.e. the British cav shown last Salute will (I assume) show up sometime soon.
Personally, I'm quite happy to get the bog standard types in plastic and pay for metal "xtras" or special types as most wargame manufactures are out there to earn a living from their business. After all there all a LOT of plastic soldier collectors out there and not all wargamers, just look at Plasticreview site to see the amount of 1/72nd available and before anyone says they are for the kida market, no, their biggest market by far is adults.
I stll have my doubts about the durability of 28mm hard plastic figures for years of wargaming, but time will tell as I WILL be getting lots of the AWI when/if they come out
As for self detructing wargame businesses, well Foundry are still around despite all the slatting they get or have got over the years, time will tell but that's what's great about the capitalist system, more choice in the market place....and oh, freedom of speech
Talking about digs, what are you doing at Kelham this year Barry, you know how me and Mark like to have a "chat" about your game on the day
Cheers
Stuart