In last month’s “DISPATCHES” I told you that I was about to fly
off to the States for the annual “WESTCOASTER”. Now, here I am
back just a few days and already I’m writing April’s “DISPATCHES”….Where
does the time go…..?
Anyway, a great time was had
by all who attended the show and I’m happy to say I enjoyed the company and
conversations with many dedicated K&C collectors and dealers.
Now it’s back to work and
getting ready for another “bumper” month….Here’s the latest….
1.
APPEARING IN APRIL 2013
A.
British Army Transport to the fore….
As previewed in
last month’s “DISPATCHES” we’ve got two separate versions of one of the
British Army’s stalwart little 15cwt. trucks that were used throughout the
1939-45 war (and beyond) and in all wartime Theatres of Operations….
The Morris CS8 truck.
FOB091
“British Expeditionary Force Morris CS8 15cwt. Truck”
When the B.E.F went
to France in late 1939 it took thousands of these little 15cwt. trucks with
them….Alas after the events of May and June 1940 most ended up abandoned on the
streets and beaches of Dunkirk. Only a handful returned to “Blighty”.
However thousands
more were built to serve the Army, Navy and Air Force throughout the rest of
the war.
Our model belongs
to the 3rd. Infantry Division and is in the markings of a Royal
Artillery battery attached to the division. It is in typical wartime “Mickey
Mouse” camouflage and comes with a R.A. driver attached.
FOB097 “Bomb Disposal Morris CS8 15 cwt.Truck”
The
fifth and final version of the CS8 belongs to a Royal Engineers
Bomb Disposal Unit….hence the bright red mudguards.
It’s a great (and useful) addition to our earlier release of a B.D.U. “Tilly” and goes perfectly with our WW2 “Sappers”
busily defusing nasty German bombs!
AVAILABLE: Early April
B.
“With Lawrence In The Desert”
Two additional
special mounted figures to accompany Colonel T.E. Lawrence on his
desert campaign….
LoA003 “Sheikh Auda
Abu Tayi”
During
the Arab revolt against the Turks in 1916-1918 one of Lawrence’s staunchest
Arab allies was the Bedouin Leader, Auda
Abu Tayi. Portrayed in David
Lean’s 1962 epic by Anthony Quinn this dramatic figure sits astride his
magnificent captured Arab stallion with his revolver held aloft.
LoA004 “Arab Flagbearer”
Accompanying Auda is his personal flagbearer
carrying the tradional Islamic green flag emblazoned
with a verse from the Koran, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the
messenger of Allah!”
Special Note: In addition to these mounted “personality”
pieces K&C is also producing at least six dismounted Arab warriors
in fighting poses for release later in 2013.
AVAILABLE : Early
April
C.
“Red
Army Revenge”
Following the huge
success of our earlier Red Army releases of tanks and soldiers K&C
continues to grow and develop this dramatic series of war on the Eastern
Front……
RA024
“Soldier w/Burp Gun”
RA038 “Red Army Valentine
MK.III”
Over 2,000 of these British built tanks were supplied to the Russians as
part of Allied “Lend-Lease” agreements. Our model bears the number
“39” and the slogan “Stalinets”.
It comes with a half-body Soviet tank commander.
RA040
“Combat Leader”
Cautiously moving forward
with his PPSh-41 “Burp” gun at the ready.
RA041
“Female Warrior”
Of all the combatant nations during WW2 only the Russians used women as “fighters”
in front-line” units.
RA042
“Sniper”
Lying prone and aiming at the hated enemy.
RA043 “Kneeling Firing”
Wearing
the ubiquitous side cap and padded jacket this Red Army soldier is firing his “burp”
gun. With no base this figure can fit on top of any of our K&C armoured vehicles.
RA044 “Advancing”
On the lookout for the Germans!
RA045 “Female Shooter”
Another
woman warrior to accompany RA041.
RA046 “Sitting burp gunner”
A very useful “Tankrider”.
RA047 “Sitting w/Rifle”
Both of the above are great little “Tank-riders”…..
AVAILABLE : Mid April
D.
“PANZER COUNTER-ATTACK”
As you can tell
we’re not about to let the Soviets dominate the entire Eastern Front
battlefield just yet….We’ve found them some fierce opposition!
WS219 “Panzer IV H”
One of
the all-time great German battle tanks of WW2 and one that has been absent from
the K&C catalogue for a long, long time….
Our
K&C “H” model Panzer IV mounts the long-barrelled
75mm main gun and comes with a “wrap-around” turret shield armour. First produced in mid 1943, Panzer IV H’s saw
action on both East and West fronts. More than 3,000 of this particular variant
were produced and this, our first of several versions, comes in a
typical three-colour camo
pattern of the later war period. Our K&C model also includes the
tank commander in the top turret hatch.
WS223-1
“Tank Commanders”
Many collectors have suggested we
offer a range of different commanders for our armoured
vehicles. Here’s the first set….Commanders. The
first wears the “classic” black Waffen SS
“wrap around jacket” and SS officers field gray service cap.
Figure
2 wears the reversible winter smock and the black Panzer Wehrmacht side cap.
WS223-2
“Tank Commanders”
These two commanders are another contrast
in style….One, all in black Wehrmacht Panzer
uniform and side cap. The other in Waffen
SS “wrap around” comouflage uniform topped off
with a black ski cap.
These new half-body German
tank commanders will fit the vast majority of K&C’s armoured
vehicles…both German and Allied. And they’ll probably fit easily
into most of our competitors armour as well !!!
AVAILABLE : Mid to Late April
E.
“Forward The Light Horse”
This K&C Australian
Light Horse series has been one of our great successes of recent
years….Not only in Australia where you would expect it to be popular….but also
around the world. So much so, that now we release at least two batches of
figures throughout the year…. Here are the latest….”Bring On The Empty
Horses!”
AL045 “Standing Horse
#1”
AL046 “Standing Horse
#2”
Both of these horses can belong to any of
our “dismounted” Light Horsemen…..or casualties!
AL047 “Galloping Horse
#1”
AL048 “Galloping Horse
#2”
Another two “empty” horses charging
alongside their mounted brethren….
AL049 “Kneeling Turkish
Radioman”
This brave kneeling Turk, pistol in one
hand, frantically tries to use the field telephone to tell his superiors that
the Australians have already broken through the first line of defences.
AL050 “Charging Turk
w/Rifle”
AL051 “The Swordsman”
Legend
has it that at least one Light Horse officer carried a sabre into the battle…
AL052 “Hang On Mate!”
A dismounted wounded trooper has been rescued
by one of his mates…. Here he hangs on for dear life amidst Turkish shot and
shell.
AL053 “The Shooter”
Reins in one hand, Lee Enfield
extended in the other this charging trooper is about to reach the Turkish front
line trenches.
AVAILABLE: Mid April
Special Note: Australian collectors will have the
opportunity to view the follow-up batch of Turkish and Light Horse releases
when K&C’s Andy C. Neilson visits Brisbane and Sydney
some time in July 2013….More details to follow.
F.
ANNOUNCING
“PATHFINDERS”…..
Some time ago
K&C made the decision that we would design and produce certain figures that
would incorporate more detail and require extra fine painting than our general
releases but could still be part of our overall ranges….
ARNHEM…..Four
Days Into The Battle”
By Wednesday 20 September 1944, Lieut.Colonel John
Frost and the men of 2 Para had held the northern end of the Arnhem bridge for
four long bloody days….
With no resupply of food,
water or ammunition and no reinforcements the precarious military situation was
getting steadily worse….Still however the British paratroopers fought on….
This desperate 4-day struggle is the point in the battle that King &
Country has chosen to portray with our first six “Pathfinder”
releases. During a brief lull in the fighting our tired but still defiant
warriors take stock of their situation….A young officer observes an enemy
position…..the Battalion’s second-in-command sits and studies his map
while in contact with one of his units…..Another para
even brews up some hot tea.
All of these latest figures
show the strain and stress of battle in an authentic and realistic style that
is typically King & Country.
As many of you know today’s collectors are constantly seeking more
variety….better quality…and ever more detail in their figures and fighting
vehicles. At K&C we want to meet those challenges and expectations by
continuing to innovate and introduce fresh new concepts across all of our many
ranges….and at differing price levels our collectors around the world can
afford.
‘PATHFINDERS” is for those collectors who want and appreciate an
even higher level of detail in their figures and are willing to pay the extra
premium to obtain it.
PATHFINDER
PARAS
Back in 1995 when K&C launched their very first Arnhem ’44
series of British Paras we were the original
innovators…..Matt-painted, 1:30 scale, Second World War toy soldiers were
the exception…not the rule. Those little paratroopers crated a
mini-revolution in the toy soldier world that still continues to this day and
our new “Pathfinders” opens up a whole new chapter of that story.
It’s appropriate therefore that, once more, the Paras
lead the way!
MG033(P)
“Lieut. Jack Grayburn V.C.”
John “Jack” Grayburn was
a 26 years old platoon commander with 2 Para during the Battle
of Arnhem. His citation of his posthumous Victoria Cross reads,
“For supreme courage leadership and devotion to duty. Lieut. Grayburn led an assault to capture the southern end of the
Arnhem bridge. Although attacking with great determination he and his men
were forced to withdraw under heavy enemy fire. Jack Grayburn
was wounded in the process. Throughout the next day and night him and his
men occupied one of the approaches to the northern side of the bridge and
repulsed several attacks on their position by enemy infantry, mortars and
self-propelled guns.
On the 19th
and 20th September he took command of the remainder of his company
and other elements and fought off more German attacks. He even organized
offensive fighting patrols to harass and ambush the surrounding in their
locations.
During this period he was wounded a second time but still refused to be
evacuated. Finally as a German tank approached his position he organized
the safe withdrawal of his remaining men to a new defensive position.
Later that same day, 20 September, 1944, he was killed.
This is our small tribute to a great soldier…..
MG034(P)
“Major Frederick Gough M.C.”
When Lieut. Colonel John Frost of 2 Para was seriously wounded at the
Arnhem bridge on 20 September 1944 he handed over command of his battalion to “Freddy”
Gough, the unit’s senior major. Major Gough was taken prisoner
with the rost of 2 Para when their position was
overrun but managed later to escape German captivity in April 1945 and join up
with American forces in Bavaria.
After the war he became a successful Member of Parliament and lived to
see himself portrayed in the movie epic of the Arnhem battle, “A Bridge
Too Far”.
Our “Pathfinder”
figure has him seated with a map and field telephone.
MG035(P)
“The Airborne Cyclist”
This member of 2 Para has somehow managed to bring his “Airborne Folding
Bicycle” up to the bridge…..Unfortunately that’s where it will remain!
MG036(P)
“A Cup of Tea, Sir”
The British soldier, even
in the worst of situations, can usually make time for a quick brew-up.
This paratrooper offers up a “cuppa” to one of
his officers.
MG041(P)
“Walkie-Talkie”
At Arnhem, because of its unique location, there was a serious problem with the
British radio communications. Fortunately the American made hand-held “walkie-talkies”,
although limited in range, were also available.
This Lee-Enfield armed Para tries to get his message across.
MG043(P) “Lieut. Denis
Boiteux-Buchanan M.C.”
Known to his brother officers as “Bucky” this officer had seen a
fair bit of action before Arnhem including being captured and successfully
escaping from both the Germans and the Italians!
He jumped into Arnhem with the rest of 2 Para on 17 September, 1944 as Battalion
Intelligence Officer. He was often in the thick of the fighting with Lieut.
Col. Frost and sadly was killed in the final hours of the battle at the
bridge on 20 September. He is buried at Oosterbeek
War Cemetery in Arnhem.
Here we show him kneeling studying the deteriorating situation.
Special Note: Another batch of “Pathfinder” paras, including one more Victoria Cross winner will
be released in the coming months. Look out for them!!
AVAILABLE: Late April
2.
AND NOW FOR MAY…
Well to go from Holland in September 1944 to the Land of the Nile before
the birth of Christ is a fairly big jump….But we’ll make it all the same!
A. “On The Banks Of The
Nile”
This mighty river
that ran the length of Ancient Egypt was the life giving source to the people
of that land. Both on it and beside it communities grew up that depended
on its waters to provide their livelihood and well being….Here are our latest
additions….
AE048
“The Anubis Set”
Two Nubian slaves carry a
likeness of the canine god to a nearby riverside temple.
AE049
“The Papyrus Boat Set”
A standing boatman guides
his craft along the river together with a female passenger.
AE050
“The Fishermen”
As one man guides the
papyrus boat the other spears fish for the basket and the local market.
AE051
“Hunting the Hippo!”
Elsewhere on the river other
hunters are seeking more dangerous prey….the mighty hippopotamous.
As the huge beast rears its head out of the water a standing Nubian takes
careful aim.
AE052 “Small Papyrus
Boat”
A single unmanned craft to sit along the
river’s edge.
SP059 “Baskets
& Jars”
A great little addition….a collection of
various sizes of stone jars and fruit baskets. Perfect for a market place
….or on board one of our Papyrus boats or simply sitting on the banks next to
the river…The choice is yours.
AVAILABLE : Early May
B.
“From Ancient Egypt…..to Ancient Greece”
Still in ancient times but to a more violent
scene….the warrior Greeks. Three new additions.
AG013 “Fighting Hoplite”
AG014 “Standing Officer”
AG015 “Crouching Hoplite”
AVAILABLE : Mid May
C. “MEDICS HELPING MEDICS”
These two new sets of World War Two
medics in action are part of the promotion for the upcoming 2013 TEXAS TOY
SOLDIER SHOW which is being held at the Menger
Hotel San Antonio Tx. over Memorial Day
Weekend, 25 and 26 May 2013. One of the special themes of this
year’s event is to honour the U.S. Army’s Medics
who have served their country from the Civil War all the way up to more recent
conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston
is the Headquarters and principal training base for all of the Army’s medics
and is also the site of a superb Museum that tells the story of U.S. Army
medicine since its earliest beginnings up until the present day.
KINGS X and KING &
COUNTRY have designed and produced these very special 2-man sets
to help raise funds for “Operation Comfort” and “Help For Heroes”,
two excellent charities that assist wounded American and British servicemen
from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
These first two sets will be
released at the TEXAS SHOW and will also be available to all K&C
dealers and collectors around the world a few days later.
It is our hope that K&C will
continue to produce, once a year, other “MEDIC” sets covering different
wars and campaigns that American and British forces have been involved in
during the last two centuries….Each of these first two sets will only be
available for one year until the next is released.
DD209 “The Rescue”
A lone Medic assists a badly
wounded G.I. off the battlefield and towards a nearby aid station.
DD210 “Blood Transfusion”
Countless lives were saved during
WW2 by the speedy availability of fresh plasma that could even be administered
in the midst of a battle.
AVAILABLE : Late May
D. “VIVE L’EMPEREUR!”
From the
battlefields of Europe in the 20th Century to some of the same
battlefields 130 years before….In the Age of Napoleon.
By popular demand
we have designed and produced SEVEN brand-new fighting Cuirassiers….
NA249
“New Cuirassier Officer”
NA250
“Charging Flagbearer”
NA251
“Charging Bugler”
NA252
“Charging Trooper”
NA253
“Charging….Sword Down”
NA254
Charging…..Sans Helmet!”
NA255
Charging….and Hacking!”
Special
Note: These new
mounted warriors will combine well with our previously released cuirassiers
from 2007.
AVAILABLE : Mid May
E.
“On The Harbour of Old Hong Kong”
From papyrus boats on the Nile to Chinese Dragon
boats in Hong Kong Harbour….Who says we’re all at
sea?
HK222 G/M “The Green Dragon Boat”
A third contender to join our
previous two releases makes for an even more spectacular and colourful race. This team belongs to…..
AVAILABLE : Mid May
F.
“ACHTUNG BLITZKRIEG!”
During the Polish Campaign of
September 1939 and the Fall of France and the Low Countries in May and
June 1940 the German Army deployed their armoured “blitzkrieg”
to great effect. Among the most effective tanks was one that was not even
designed or manufactured by themselves….The Czechoslovak 38T, originally
a pre war design, it was incorporated into the Wehrmacht’s
arsenal after its country of origin was annexed by Hitler in 1938.
Although production ended in 1942 it also
saw plenty of action during “Operation Barbarossa”, the invasion
of Russia in mid 1941.
K&C are releasing three models in this
first launch…. in a
Planned Production Run of… 250 models for the WS224-1… 100 each for WS224-2 and WS224-3.
WS224-1
“Pz.Kpfw.38(T)#201”
This first model #201, painted
in typical early-war field grey and dust comes with a 3/4 body tank
commander and is perfect for any battles and campaigns during 1940-1942…..From
Western Europe to the Eastern Front and all points in between! 250
Available.
WS224-2
“Pz.Kpfw.38(T)#202”
A second 38T is also available for those
that like to build up their armoured column….No tank
commander but at a great price….and you can always add any of our other
K&C Panzer crewmen as you wish. 100 Available.
WS224-3
“Pz.Kpfw.38(T)#204”
If you think how good two 38 T’s look….imagine
a third option….Now you’re talking! Again no commander but plenty of
other options are available so #204 will look great anyway you feature
it in your collection. 100 Available.
AVAILABLE : Mid to Late May
G.
“THE FUHRER’S WHEELS”
It is said that Adolf Hitler only really
loved two things in his life…his dog and his cars! That may be a
slight exaggeration but not by much!!!
Over the years K&C has produced several of the Fuhrer’s favorite
limos…but never, until now, this one – the Mercedes Benz 770K.
LAH170
“The Fuhrer’s 770K”
This new model, in high gloss black and
silver finish has the Party Leader standing in the front seat passenger
position giving his familiar straight-arm salute to the “Party Faithfull”.
Based on several photographs taken in 1935 and 1936 he still wears the simple
brown shirt uniform with his gold party badge and iron cross (First Class)
on his breast.
Seated next to him is his personal
driver and close friend SS-Standartenfuhrer
Julius Schrek who also joined the Nazi Party
in 1920, about the same time as Hitler himself. The two developed a
strong bond of friendship that continued to grow throughout the Party’s ascent
to power.
Schrek
died after a short illness in May 1936 and was given a state funeral.
This, I believe, is the first car model by
any company to feature Hitler and his personal friend and driver together.
AVAILABLE : Mid to Late May
H.
“CUSTER HAD IT COMING!”
In the few months since their release our
new “REAL WEST” cavalry figures depicting the “Battle of
the Little Bighorn,” better known as “Custer’s Last Stand”, have
proved to be a resounding success!
One constant reminder has also been said and
emailed to us frequently….”Where are the Indians?”
Well, wait no more, here are the first batch
of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors ready to wreak havoc
on Custer and his “lost command”
This initial release of 5 x mounted
Indians plus 3 x fighting on foot includes some very well-known names….
TRW034(P) “Buffalo Calf Road
Woman”
Illustrates one of the many females
who took part in the battle. A Northern Cheyenne she fought
alongside her husband at the Little Bighorn and is said to have knocked Custer
himself off his horse during the fight. Here she fires her revolver at a
dismounted “Long Knife”…..
TRW035(P) “Crazy Horse”
Next to “Sitting Bull”, probably the
most famous of the Sioux war chiefs was Crazy Horse. An Oglala
Lakota he took up arms against the U.S. government because of their many
broken treaties and constant encroachment on Indian lands. A skilled
leader and a brave warrior, it is said that he led the attack that out-flanked
Custer and his men at the Little Bighorn and sealed their fate.
Our figure shows him carrying his Winchester repeating rifle and
charging his pony towards the battle.
TRW036(P) “Gall”
Chief Gall was another Lakota Sioux war chief who has been credited with
being instrumental in the Indians’ victory over Custer. He anticipated a
typical Custer “two-pronged” attack on the Indian village….First he helped
repulse Major Reno’s assault on the southeast of the Indian encampment…
Then he moved his forces north towards the center to halt Custer’s attack
across the Little Bighorn river.
Finally he chased the cavalrymen
back up and onto the bluffs where many made their last stand. Gall
is simply dressed and armed with tomahawk.
TRW037(P) “Rain-In-The-Face”
Another of the great Lakota Sioux war chiefs
and a close friend of “Sitting
Bull”. In the spring of 1876 he joined sitting Bull’s band and
traveled with them to the Little Bighorn River.
During the battle itself it is said
he shot several troopers with his Winchester repeating rifle while
riding in the saddle. It is also rumoured that
he personally cut out the heart of Tom Custer the general’s brother.
In addition to his rifle Rain-In-The-Face
also carries a Colt revolver.
TRW039(P) “American Horse”
Not the famous Oglala Sioux chief out
a Northern Cheyenne who had his favorite pony shot from under him and
fought the rest of the battle on foot.
TRW042(P) “Beaver Heart”
A kneeling Cheyenne with his carbine
about to take aim.
TRW044(P) “Little Wolf”
This well armed Cheyenne warrior
carries both bow and arrows….and a captured U.S. Army carbine.
TRW047(P) “Running Buffalo”
Proudly wearing a buffalo head dress (complete
with horns) this running Sioux brave carries his war shield, club
and….a U.S. Army revolver.
Special Note: Six additional Sioux and
Cheyenne warriors, both on foot and mounted are scheduled to be
released in June/July. Even more cavalry and other Indians will be
available later in 2013.
AVAILABLE : Late May
3.
BEING
RETIRED…….
Quite a large batch this month and a very varied selection. Check
them out and grab ‘em while you can….Outstanding
quality and value….
And that my friends is that for another 30 days or so. Looking
back this may indeed also be the longest and most detailed “DISPACHES”
yet! Hope you enjoy them and, once more, thankyou
for your continued support….
AF001 US Fighter Pilot
AF002 US Pilot w/ Map
AL001 Australian Lighthorse
Officer w/ Pistol
AL002 Australian Lighthorse
Bugler
AL003 Australian Lighthorse
w/ Rifle
AL004 Australian Lighthorse
Charging w/Bayonet(to the front)
BBA039 Stretcher Party
CW010 Jeb Stuart (Mtd.)
CW011 General Robert E. Lee (Mtd.)
CW051 Lee & Stuart
CW057 Jackson & Longstreet
LW001 Generalleutnant
Adolf Galland
LW003 Oberleutnant Gunther Rall
LW005 Ground Crew Set
TRW009 Standing Firing Dragoon
TRW010 Dismounted Dragoon w/Pistol
TRW011 Dismounted Dragoon w/Carbine
TRW012 Mounted Dragoon Firing Pistol
TRW013 Scout Firing Rifle
USMC001 Officer
USMC002 Shotgun
USMC003 Pistol Marks Man
USMC004 Marine Sniper
USMC005 Lewis Gunner
USMC006 Marine Corporal
USMC007 Marine on Guard
USMC008 Tommy Gunner
USMC009 Sitting Machine Gunner
USMC010 Marching Rifleman
USN001 Deck
Officer w/Binos
USN002 Officer
w/Pistol & Loud Hailer
USN003 Shore
Patrol
USN004 Chief
Petty Officer
USN005 Sailor
Marching w/ Rifle
USN006 Standing
Firing Rifle
USN007 Kneeling
Firing Rifle
USN008 Sailor
Port Arms
USN009 Banner
Man
USN010 Sailor
w/Seabag
USN011 US Navy
B.A.R. Gunner
USN012 US Steam
Launch
USN013 Three
Sitting Sailor
WS114
Marching Waffen-SS Officer
With best wishes!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country