February 2014
FEBRUARY is normally a quieter month than usual in Hong Kong as Chinese
New Year falls at this time of year and many folks leave the city for a
well-earned vacation.
This year however, at K&C,
we’re busy with a whole big bunch of new releases that, I hope, will please
more than a few collectors and dealers.
So, Let’s
get started…
1.
COMING
THIS MONTH…
A.
“Triumph Of The Will”
Or to give it the German title “Triumph
Des Willens.” This was the 1935 film by
Leni Riefenstahl
depicting the 1934 Nazi Party Congress held in Nuremberg. In the
film Hitler and over 700,000 of his supporters parade through its streets and
sports grounds in a spectacular if frightening display of power and propaganda.
Because of its pioneering use
of many original filming techniques blended with powerful music and speeches
the film won many international awards.
It’s also extremely useful to
anyone researching the many different uniforms worn by the leading Nazis and
their followers during this period.
These latest LAH figures
were adapted from figures and scenes in the film.
LAH171 “Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler 1934”
The 34 year
old Himmler wears the standard black “Algemeine
SS” uniform (designed by Hugo Boss) and peak cap. Of minor interest
is that he still wears the brown SA shirt under the jacket – a symbol (but
not for long) of the SS originally being an offshoot of the SA (Sturmabteilung).
LAH172 “Deputy Fuhrer Rudolf
Hess”
This is our 2nd figure of Hitler’s deputy. Like his
master, Hess favoured relatively simple
uniforms unadorned by everything except a Nazi armband.
LAH174 “S.A. Bannerman”
This Sturmabteilung “brownshirt”
belongs to one of the Munich S.A. units as his banner testifies.
LAH175 “Goose-stepping SS
Man”
One of the most chilling scenes in “Triumph Of The
Will” is the moment when the legion of black-clad SS appear to goose-step
past the saluting position of Hitler standing in his Mercedes staff car.
LAH176 “SS Officer Saluting”
A
senior SS Regimental Commander goose-steps past, his right arm in the familiar
“Hitler Salute”
LAH177 “SS Officer w/Sword”
A
junior SS subaltern, sword in right hand, eyes to the front, goose-steps past.
LAH178 “SS Bannerman
Goose-Stepping”
LAH179 “SS Flagbearer Goose-Stepping”
Another SS standard bearer with the National Flag.
AVAILABILITY: Early February
B.
“UNSERE MÜTTER UNSERE VÄTER”
Last
year in 2013, I discovered a unique German television drama series about 5
young Germans during WW2. “Unsere Mütter Unsere Väter”
(“Our Mothers Our
Fathers”) told the stories of what befell these young people during the years
1941-45. Most of the story takes place on the Eastern Front where one of
the characters is a Red Cross nurse in a German Field Hospital. Several
viewings convinced me and our creative team that it was about time to tell a
different kind of war story in miniature…
WS258 “Opel Blitz Field Ambulance”
One of the iconic German wartime vehicles was the “Opel Blitz.” It
performed a multitude of different tasks but perhaps none so
important as a “Field Ambulance.”
This new K&C vehicle, is I believe, one of the
finest the company has ever produced and one of the most important for any WW2
collector.
Skillfully hand-painted in dust-encrusted field grey and white this vehicle can
be easily imagined on the roads of France in 1940…the Steppes of Russia in
1941…even among the ruins of the Third Reich in 1945. Its versatility and
usefulness is virtually second-to-none.
WS261 “Wehramcht
Doctor”
Although wearing his white doctor’s coat this figure is still a military
officer. Here, he consults a patient’s chart.
WS262 “Red Cross Nurse”
As any nurse will tell you – “it’s not all about wiping the patient’s
fevered brow”…This young nurse has rolled up her sleeves – the better to
clear away the blood-stained bandages and used-wound dressings!
WS263 “Writing Home”
A sitting nurse, pad and pen in hand, patiently writes a letter home on behalf
of a young wounded, blind soldier.
WS264 “Now This
Might Hurt A Little!”
A sitting wounded soldier has his wound rebandaged by
a standing Red Cross nurse.
WS265 “We’ll Soon
Have You Back At The Front.”
Another nurse bids farewell to a wounded soldier as he prepares to return to
his unit. Actually, he might not be as keen as her to get back into
the action!
WS266 “The Chest
Wound”
A seriously wounded soldier lies peacefully on his hospital cot – only too
happy to have clean sheets, a little peace and quiet and three hot meals a day.
WS269 “The Empty
Bed”
Perhaps the patient has returned to his unit…been transferred elsewhere…or
succumbed to his wounds. Whatever the reason…the bed will not be empty
for long!
AVAILABILITY: Mid February
C.
“WITH NAPOLEON IN EGYPT”
From the Steppes of
Russia to the sands of Egypt…
NE042 “General Junot”
This
senior officer takes careful aim with his pistol at an approaching enemy
horseman.
NE043 “Mameluke Duellist”
An
unfortunate Mameluke mounted officer is quickly
disposed of by his French opponent.
AVAILABILITY: Late February
D.
“By The Shores Of Galilee”…
And on we move to another
part of the Middle East many centuries before…With our latest installment of “The
Life Of Jesus.”
LOJ030 “The Galilean Fishing
Boat”
These
small wooden fishing craft were a familiar sight throughout the Middle East,
around the shores of the Mediterranean and on the banks, lakes and
rivers of the Holy Land. Up until the mid-19th Century they were
still to be seen. Here we have one of the most famous…
LOJ031 “Jesus”
This, the first of our adult Jesus figures. It portrays him
at the beginning of his ministry…calling to some of his earliest disciples –
simple fishermen by the shores of Galilee.
LOJ032 “The Fishermen Set”
These
three men, surrounded by their nets and baskets of fish are just going about
their everyday lives when they hear the call, “Follow Me!”
AVAILABILITY: Late February
E.
“CRUSADER & SARACENS”
One final release, centred around events in the
Middle East of old, brings some additional figures to one of K&C’s most
popular and collected ranges…
MK108 “Farewell My Lady”
A kneeling knight takes his leave from his wife as he departs on his long and
arduous journey to the Holy Land.
MK110 “The Defender”
A crouching Saracen warrior parries an opponent’s blow on his shield as
he prepares to strike back with his scimitar.
MK111 “Advancing”
MK112 “Take
That!”
This Saracen has just dealt some enemy a lethal blow.
MK113 “Wounded”
Clutching his wounded sword arm this Saracen glares defiantly at his
oncoming opponent.
AVAILABILITY: Late February
F.
“ARMOUR ADD-ON”
A very useful little addition for all
kinds of armoured vehicles…
DD236 “Tank Back-Pack
Set”
Three
different sets of extra supplies. Perfect for both Allied and Axis fighting vehicles.
AVAILABILITY: Late February
G.
“STOP PRESS!” Soviet Armoured Car Changes
Sides”
WS245 “BA-64B
Armoured Car (Captured German Version)”
As K&C collectors know the Wehrmacht made much use of captured enemy
vehicles whenever and wherever they were suitable…and available.
This little Soviet-built armoured car was
captured in quantity by the Germans and easily converted for their own
use…particularly on Anti-Partisan Duties in the occupied territories of
the East. A coat of “feldgrau” and some
large German crosses and…and you have another excellent addition to the war in
the East.
AVAILABILITY: Mid February
2.
“BEING
RETIRED”
As per usual…as the new items arrive some others have to move over…and out!
And there are some really great ones among this month’s retirees – don’t
miss out on them…
|
|
|
|
AE037 |
Standing Pharaoh |
|
AK076 |
Afrika Korps Feldgendarme |
|
DD209 |
The Rescue |
|
DD210 |
Blood Transfusion |
|
HK101 |
The New Fortune Teller Set |
|
HK102 |
The Opium Smokers Set |
|
HK167 |
Lantern Set |
|
LAH106 |
Eva Braun |
|
LAH107 |
Heydrich Standing with Hat |
|
LAH109 |
Baldur Von Schirach |
|
LAH110 |
Dr. Robert Ley |
|
LW040 |
Hauptmann Anton “Toni" Hackl |
|
MK077 |
"Spoils of War" |
|
NE004 |
Soldier Pointing |
|
NE005 |
Soldier w/ Sun Canopy |
|
SP033 |
The Stables |
And that my friends is that. So, without further ado
let me wish you…”Kung Hei Fat Choy!” or
“Happy Chinese New Year!” in this The Year Of The Horse…Good
luck and Great Sales.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country