DISPATCHES
DECEMBER 2008
As I write this month’s epistle the weather here in Hong Kong is simply
stunning… the sky is blue (with no pollution) and I can see all the way
over the harbour to the hills of
It’s also December and one of my favourite
months. Christmas will soon be upon us but before that Helen (K&C’s Managing Director) and yours truly will be
flying to London for the BIG European show of the year organized and superbly
well-run by K&C UK and the Neville Family.
After
Now all of this is great fun (as it should be) but it’s also work (which I love). At K&C we believe in
supporting our dealers and meeting our collectors at every opportunity we can.
Not only are we able to show and preview new product but we also get to
hear and talk with all of our friends in these different markets and get both
ideas and feedback from them.
These get-togethers are a vital part of K&C’s
business philosophy and, I believe, play a major role in the company’s ongoing
success.
Even in these challenging times it’s still important to get out and meet
your customers on a personal level… and show them and tell them what’s in store
in the coming months… Talking of which…
1. AVAILABLE THIS DECEMBER
As mentioned last month, December sees the official launch of our new U.S.
Navy series based on the same period and historical events as the epic 1967
movie “The Sand Pebbles” featuring Steve McQueen.
For K&C it’s always great to do
something a little bit out of the ordinary and our “Storm Over
The Yangtse” is certainly that!
Most of these all-new U.S. Navy figures are
dressed in their tropical “whites” and come suitably armed with rifles,
pistols, batons and, in one particular case, a BAR automatic rifle.
The three sailors in blue winter dress are
marked accordingly. *
USN002 “
USN003*
“Shore Patrol”
Two sailors kitted-out in winter blues and carrying side arms on shore
patrol duty.
USN004
“Chief Petty
USN005
“Sailor Marching w/ Rifle”
USN006
“Standing Firing Rifle”
USN007 “Kneeling Firing Rifle”
USN008 “
USN009
“Banner Man”
A sailor holds aloft a large sign in English and Chinese ordering unruly
elements to “DISPERSE” or face the alternative!
USN010*
“Sailor w/Sea Bag”
Carrying all his kit in the Sea Bag on his shoulder and his orders in a
sealed envelope this sailor prepares to join a new ship.
Reminiscent of a scene in the movie, this sailor is firing his BAR from
the hip.
As previously mentioned… the long-awaited
(and much needed) additions to our Ancient Egyptian series… celebrating a
wedding!
A wealthy couple celebrate their union.
AE033
“Another Dancing Girl”
A third member of the dancing troop makes a
spectacular entrance…
AE034
“High Priest of RA God of the Sun”
AE035 “Hand Maiden to Priest of RA”
AE036
“Wedding Guest Couple”
AE037 “Standing Pharaoh”
A magnificent study of an Egyptian monarch. In his richly decorated costume he is an honoured guest at the wedding ceremony.
This new Egyptian Obelisk makes the perfect addition to any great
scene on the
We leave
After four long, hard, terrible years of
German occupation deliverance
is at hand… The Allies have landed and are
making for
Although the majority of the Allied forces were British, American,
Canadian and Polish there was a strong and growing FREE FRENCH
component… And here they are…
DD100 “General Philippe Leclerc”
Second only to De Gaulle, Leclerc was
He was killed in an aircrash in 1947 and was
posthumously created a Marshal of France.
The Free French version of
K&C’s earlier U.S. M10 Tank Destroyer.
This new one is bearing the proud name “
The set includes three French Marines.
A standing Free French
Marine officer with binos.
Another 2nd Armoured Division
conversion… this time the American White Scout car complete with 3 French
Marines entering a liberated Paris.
HK171 “Bride & Groom”
The very latest version of an old and
popular set.
PART ONE
At long last… some new German Luftwaffe Pilots… and all of them Aces as
well!
A flying Legend… Adolf “Dolfo”
Galland (1912-1996) was a superb fighter pilot
himself who first saw action in Spain during the Civil War and during WW2
became commander of Germany’s Fighter Force (General der
Jagdflieger). He shot down 104 enemy aircraft and
was himself shot down twice. Awarded the Knight’s Cross with Swords and
Diamonds he eventually fell foul of the Luftwaffe High Command. After the
war he became a successful businessman and was one of the technical advisers on
the movie “
Werner “Vatti” Molders (1913-1941) was
another outstanding pilot and leader in the Luftwaffe in WW2. He was also a
great personal friend of Galland. Both served in the Condor
Legion in
After several squadron and group commands he became “Inspector
General of Fighter” at just 28. A deeply religious man he was killed in an
air crash on November 22, 1941.
Born in 1918, Gunther Rall is the third most
successful fighter ace in history still alive today. He shot down a total of
275 aircraft… all but 3 of them on the Eastern Front between 1941 and 1945. He
flew an amazing total of 621 combat missions and was himself shot down 8 times
and wounded on 3 occasions! All his victories were scored in the Messerschmitt
109.
After the war he rejoined the “new” Luftwaffe and rose to the
rank of Generalleutnant retiring in 1975.
PART TWO
A) And now… here’s the second part of our new
Luftwaffe Collection…
The Luftwaffe’s first operational jet fighter… It was an aircraft of
last resort which only flew once the Allied bomber streams were already
battering “The Third Reich”. Its performance was, quite literally,
explosive! Its revolutionary jet engine made it dangerous and
unpredictable. But, when it worked it truly was a sight to behold streaking
upwards at incredible speed unable to be caught by Allied fighters.
K&C’s polystone and metal model comes complete
with a pilot and ground wheels plus a small towing tractor vehicle with a
Luftwaffe Ground Crewman.
The aircraft is in the markings of JG 400 and painted to represent a
typical Me. 163 during late 1944/early 1945.
This particular “Strictly Limited” piece is part of an edition of
just 750 pieces.
Two Air Force mechanics that can fit into
any German airfield scene… very useful.
Another mechanic… toolkit in one hand… shouldering
a
In addition to clerical tasks these female members of the Luftwaffe
performed meteorological work… radar control… searchlight duties… parachute
packing.
Some were even employed as mechanics and a few as ferry pilots.
B) “Coming In On A Wing And A P
Two of the Luftwaffe’s opposition and
the first of our 8th.
Air Force releases (a lot more to come later)…
Wearing his “50
Another Army Air Corps pilot happy to be
back on the ground again... or perhaps ready to take off on a little escort
duty over
SPECIAL NOTE: More
USAAF pilots, ground crew, personalities and military police are already in the
works. Look out for them in upcoming DISPATCHES.
C) “Did Someone Mention Napoleon?”
From the air war over Europe in WW2 to the
fields of
Following a decree of 13 September 1810 the Dutch “Regiment de Hussards de
K&C’s latest Napoleonic Cavalry regiment is also
one of its most colourful and… versatile with no less
than 9 different poses available… parade and action!
NA159
“Dutch Lancer on Walking Horse A”
NA160
“Dutch Lancer on Walking Horse B”
NA161
“Charging Dutch Lancer”
NA162
“Dutch Lancer Bugler”
NA163
“Dutch Lancer
The mounted “parade” version.
A superb character study of Gen. Edouard de Colbert… a great fighting officer. Colbert commanded the combined Guard
Lancers regiments at
NA165
“Dutch Lancer Preparing to Charge”
NA166
“Galloping Dutch Lancer”
NA167
“Charging Lancer
The “action” version of NA163.
And now a couple of useful additions…
NA168
“Scots Grey
Lamentably when we released our original Scots Greys
we forgot to have an officer! Well, here he is… a member of the landed gentry…
ready for battle!!!
Another late addition to our Black Watch
enthusiasts. Sorry,
better later than never!!!
D) And, of course, back to
A proud father admires his young newly-born young son as his wife looks
on.
3. “MOVING TO THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS”
Here’s the latest retirals… for this month. As
usual… some you might expect… and a few surprises. But remember as we clear the
shelves for these ones it makes room for all of the new ones!!!
AFRIKA KORPS
AK016 “Attack!”
AK026 “Desert
Transport”
1776 AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AR035 “Standing
Flagbearer”
AR036 “
AR038
“Standing Firing Rifle”
AR039
“Standing Loading Rifle”
D.DAY’44
DD041
“USMP on Motor Bike”
OPERATION MARKET GARDEN
MG002 “Airborne
Jeep & Trailer”
MK001
“Mounted Knight w/Lance”
MK008
“Mounted Knight w/Flag”
MK012
“Crossbowman Loading”
MK020
“Man-at-arms Fighting w/Axe”
MK042
“Saracen Firing Crossbow”
ANCIENT
RO024-RE
“Throwing Spear”
D.DAY’44 (GERMAN)
WS058 “New
Fighting Patrol”
WS060
“Tank Ambush”
WS062
“Tank Riders”
And that, as we like to say, is that… Lots of exciting, and I hope
surprising, new items that will excite and surprise our K&C collectors.
A big thank you for all your support this past
year and very best wishes for this challenging New Year ahead… Merry Christmas!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country