DISPATCHES
AUGUST 2009
By the time you
guys get to read this I should already have returned from
At the same time we
also find out what they don’t like and how we can improve and expand our
service and products. It’s this two-way traffic of ideas… thoughts… comments
and suggestions that help us to keep going forward and exploring exciting new
areas in this great hobby of ours.
And talking of “new
areas” to explore here’s the latest update…
1. BEING RELEASED IN AUGUST
August promises to be another bumper month
for both dealers and collectors with a varied batch of releases… and a
couple of surprises…
After seeing this headline you might be
forgiven for thinking there’s more German aircraft appearing… Well, not just
yet… but we’re still talking fighting airmen in battle.
This time, it’s the
men of the Luftwaffe Field Divisions. By 1942 the huge losses in the
Army’s manpower meant that the Wehrmacht had to seek
out additional troops. One huge potential source was Goering’s Luftwaffe.
Already over-manned
and under utilized the Luftwaffe appeared to have “men-to-spare”.
Goering insisted however that he would only allow these airmen to be trained
and used as ground forces if they could be retained under his overall command
and they could then be designated as “Luftwaffe Field Divisions”.
Eventually some 21 divisions were raised and 5 fought in
Utilizing his
camouflaged tent cover as a smock this feldwebel
observes enemy positions.
LW019 “Machine Gun Team”
LW020 “Panzerschrek
Team”
This weapon was one
of the “scourges” of Allied armour in
LW021 “Kneeling
LW022 “Attack Set”
Three assorted
Luftwaffe riflemen.
A young NCO, pistol
in hand, and a rifleman advance cautiously.
A
seated Luftwaffe airmen
manning a portable searchlight.
LW027 “Spotter”
Available
Now!
Providing some much
need heavier support are two adaptations of a very useful half-track…
WS131 Sd. Kfz. 251/22 “Pakwagen” Ausf. D (Summer)
This camouflaged
half-track mounts the well-known and deadly Pak.40 anti tank gun.
Our model is very
representative of those taking part in the
In Wehrmacht
markings our 251/22 has a 3-man crew to man the gun.
BBG022 Sd.
Kfz. 251/22 “Pakwagen” Ausf. D (Winter)
After we made the
first summer version we thought “this could look equally good as a
AVAILABILITY: Summer Version— Available Now!
Winter Version— Mid August
As mentioned in
last month’s DISPATCHES our Confederate releases in 2009 would be in two
halves… Here’s the second…
A trooper dismounts
to examine a fallen comrade… “Is he alive or dead?” His forlorn horse
looks on.
A Confederate Army
doctor tends a seriously wounded cavalryman propped up against his dead mount.
Two Cavalrymen
carry this wounded officer to the nearest Aid Station.
The South’s most
famous General receives a report from his almost equally famous Cavalry commander,
J.E.B. Stuart.
CW057 “Jackson & Longstreet”
Two of Lee’s most
trusted and respected subordinates… General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
and James Longstreet.
His camp bed spread
over with a fresh uniform… a portable table with the general’s hat, revolver
and binoculars and… Lee’s own Campaign Chest topped with his personal eating
and drinking utensils.
CW056 “
A typical officer’s
tent helps complete the scene…
AVAILABILITY: Mid August
D.
“Streets of Old
And here’s
something else…
HK178 “Happy Day”
HK181 “God of Wealth”
AVAILABILITY: Mid August
Over the years
K&C has recognized the importance and value in providing collectors with
“scenic” and “architectural” pieces that can offer an adaptable
setting for figures and vehicles over a wide historical time span.
Well, here are the
first two structures of what promises to be an ongoing series of buildings that
can enhance and enrich many different collections…
K&C has
designed an entire Middle Eastern “
A
typical Middle Eastern brick and dried-mud entrance to a village or small town. Above the open gate is a walkway for
watchmen or guards to patrol.
Again, another very
typical structure so redolent of
SPECIAL NOTE: All of these new pieces have been designed to be used
in multiple positions providing collectors with a constantly changing choice of
settings for their figures, vehicles or accessories. Take a closer look…
AVAILABILITY: First two pieces Mid August
2. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR SEPTEMBER?
September is “
Over the coming
months we will be releasing quite a few new AFRIKA KORPS sets to build
up our Axis forces in
A
brand-new version of a now-retired, early AK release. This model has lots of extra detail, a
great sand-weathered paint finish and comes with a half-body crew figure in the
turret. It is in the marking of 15th Pz. Division.
A neat little set
of a typical German Sentry box and another all-new sculpt… a standing guard
with rifle slung. Perfect to protect lonely desert airfields
and other AK installations.
AVAILABILITY: Early September
When we retired our
veteran LAH Parade figures recently we already had these new versions in the
works…
Six LAH officers
and men, restyled and resculpted, complete with
marching-style back packs to fill out the ranks of any
Plus there is a neat little display set as
well.
In cities like
A
pair of typical “Germanic” eagles in Golden/Brass colour surmount simple but elegant stone columns.
Dimensions: Height:
LAH113 “LAH
LAH114 “LAH Marching w/ Sword”
LAH115 “LAH Presenting Arms”
LAH116 “LAH Marching w/ Rifle”
LAH117 “At Ease”
AVAILABILITY: Early September
From pre-war Nazi
Germany we travel through the
This new series
echoes K&C’s “
For too long toy
soldier and military miniature makers have neglected
The
Italian Dictator in a familiar role as “First Corporal” of the
Special Note: A standing saluting Mussolini is also
in the works for later release.
IF002 “Consul
General of the Chaplain’s Dept.”
The Church played
an ambivalent role in Fascist politics… Some of the hierarchy
were only too happy to join any movement that would combat the Communist
and Socialist opposition. Our figure port
The Fascists
borrowed many design features for their badges, banners and flags from Imperial
This soldier is
wearing “mixed rig”… typical of Italian Forces in both the war in
The Italian sun
helmet was also widely worn by all ranks.
This particular
pose is very Italian… relaxed but ready!
A senior officer
(a Colonel) in all g
A neat little, self
propelled gun in action somewhere in
SPECIAL NOTE: More Italian Forces, including action
pieces, are already in the works for release in 2010.
AVAILABILITY: Early September
It’s a gigantic historical leap from
Mussolini’s Fascist Forces back in time to Medieval Knights but we’ll make it
anyway…
Templar Knights belonged to a holy military order that was
founded in 1120 to protect pilgrims making their way to and through The Holy
Land.
Taking lifelong
vows of chastity… poverty and obedience they were famous for their fighting
skills and battlefield prowess. Knights journeyed from all over
An Anglo/ Norman
knight from the mid 12th. Century.
One “Templar”
supports a seriously wounded other…
MK066 “Mounted Templar with Banner”
MK067 “Crusader Archer Set”
Not all Medieval clerics believed in “turning the other cheek!”
A
Scottish soldier on Crusade.
A knight is made
ready for combat assisted by his kneeling squire. On a small nearby table rests
his dagger, helmet, a flagon of ale and his shield.
An
all-new version of a typical medieval tent which K&C produced many years
ago.
Jean
de Falaise… ruthless, clever and a devoted Templar.
Duke Thierry de
MK075 “Crusader Tent #
AVAILABILITY: Mid September
Representing
a metal and stone footbridge that perfectly joins two sections of K&C’s recently released jetty (SP029) to make an
impressive display for a wide range of historical periods and ranges.
Approx.
Dimensions:
Length:
Width:
Height:
AVAILABILITY: Early September
3. BEING RETIRED
As usual more than
a few “retirals” and… couple of surprises…
BBA002 “Support Section”
BBG006 “Crossing the Road”
BR051 “Mounted Indian w/ Booty”
CW009 “
DD084 “Standing Firing Tommy Gun”
DD085 “Standing Firing BAR”
DD086 “Running Forward Rifleman”
EA012 “The Best of Enemies”
EA014 “Indian Army Machine Gunner”
FoB033 “Fr. Lying Firing Rifleman”
And that’s it for
one more month. All the best to you and yours… many thanks for your continued
support and business!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country