DISPATCHES
February 2015
This February might be short on days but it’s long
on releases and there is heaps of variety for collectors of all kinds of
K&C series and ranges...
So
without further ado – let’s get going...
1.
AVAILABLE THIS MONTH...
A. “Better Late Than Never...”
As most
of you know because of some other releases “muscling” into the launch
schedule our “Battle of the Bulge” GI’s are a wee bit later than
usual this year. Well, finally they are on the truck and heading for Hong Kong
and will be immediately “shipped” or I should say “flown” out of
here and onto dealers and collectors around the world. So just to recap
here’s what available:
BBA074
“Radio Operator Set”
Two full-body GI’s huddle behind
their snow-frosted, sand-bagged emplacement. As one
GI aims his M1 carbine the other is using the radio handset.
BBA075 “Bar Gunner Set”
Two “half-body” GI’s, one firing his B.A.R. (Browning
Automatic Rifle) the other holding onto his helmet come under enemy fire as
they shelter in their foxhole.
BBA076
“Supporting Fire”
Another
two “half-body”
GI’s provide additional fire power with their M1
Garand rifle and M1 carbine from their foxhole.
BBA077
“Observing The Battle”
As one “half-body” GI watches
the enemy through his binos, the other GI waits ready
with his rifle.
AVAILABLE:
Early February
B.
Our latest Crusader/Medieval
Tents are also on the same truck so will arrive at the same
time in Hong Kong...ready for dispatch.
MK141
“The German Tent”
MK142
“The English Tent”
AVAILABLE: Early February
C. “WALLS & BUILDINGS”
When we
launched our new set of “Desert Wall” Sections a few months back
some of our collectors suggested that we do a “conversion” and repaint
these to represent walls that could be used in a European-style display/diorama
with some of our existing buildings.
We
thought it was a great idea and so we had a little set painted-up and liked the
results. So, here they are...
SP066
“European Walls Set”
Five very
useful wall sections that can be added to any of our European facades and
buildings to enlarge a scene and/or create a courtyard or farmyard display.
AVAILABLE: Early February
D. “MUD & BLOOD”
It’s back
to the trenches of the Western Front with a pair of “double” releases to
add to our First World War soldiers...
FW185
“Les Deux Heros”
Based on
a famous painting by WW1 French War Artist Georges Scott a “Poilu”
carries his wounded officer to safety.
FW187
“Back From The Front”
A wounded
“Tommy” and his equally injured German prisoner make their painful way
towards a Casualty Clearing Station.
AVAILABLE: Early February
E.
“RED
ARMY RETURN”
Over the
last couple of years there has been a lot of renewed interest among collectors
and manufacturers in the war on the Eastern Front. K&C is one company that has
been regularly releasing Red Army Soldiers and fighting vehicles to meet that
interest and demand...Here’s the latest...
RA028
“Russian Tanker with Map”
Dressed
in black overalls and wearing the distinctive padded, armoured
vehicle helmet this officer is studying his map.
RA029
“Winter Tanker with PPSH”
Wearing a
warm sheepskin coat and carrying his machine pistol this tanker is taking the
opportunity of a halt to stretch his legs.
RA057
“The SU-76M Self Propelled Gun”
The SU-76 was a Soviet designed Self-Propelled Gun
used during and after WW2. Its simple construction made it the second-most
produced Russian armoured vehicle after the T34.
Red Army
crews liked it for its reliability and ease-of-use and nick-named it the “Golozhopiy Ferdinand” (the bare-arsed
Ferdinand).
Our model
includes one gunner who can fit inside the rear fighting compartment.
RA058
“SU-76M Crew”
Two
additional crew members for the SU-76...One more gunner holding a shell
and a seated vehicle commander observing the enemy through his binos...Perfect add-ons!
AVAILABLE: Early February
F. A DIFFERENT KIND OF VEHICLE...
Back in
2013 on a visit to China we discovered a small workshop making all kinds of all-metal,
tinplate vehicles and other models...One of the models we saw was a little tram
almost identical to the ones that still run on the streets of Hong Kong. And
so, we gave them a design of an old turn-of-the-century Hong Kong tram and
asked them to make a few samples...This they did and we sold them immediately.
We produced some more and they also quickly sold out.
Among
their other models were some Chinese Army trucks and cars. Why not, we
suggested to the workshop, try a few other military models and gave them the
famous WW2 GMC “Deuce and a Half”. Well, now we’ve got the first
small batch of them and I think they’re great!
In
fairness these models will not be for every collector...they lack some of the
detail of our mixed media fighting vehicles – No glass in the windows for
instance. BUT they’re tough, sturdy and have a unique and original style
all of their own that I truly believe works well with our other models
and figures. We only have a limited number so if you’re interested...grab
‘em while you can!
TP001
“GMC CCKW 353 Truck”
This
all-metal model can accommodate seated figures in the rear of the vehicle and
has a towing hook that can pull trailers, water wagons and even artillery.
AVAILABLE: Early February
G. AN OLDER RED ARMY!?!
Collectors of our “Imperial
Collection” featuring the Emperor’s own bodyguard have been requesting
another of the famous Regiments of the Royal Household Brigade...The red-coated
men of “The Dragon Regiment”. Assigned to protect the
Emperor at all times and all places. Consisting of about 1500 men the
Regiment included skilled swordsmen and spearmen as well as archers, musketeers
and a small group of cavalry.
IC064
“Standing Guard with Spear”
IC065
“Marching Guard with Spear”
IC066
“Marching Flagbearer”
IC067
“Mounted Officer”
IC068
“Kneeling Officer Reporting”
IC069
“Mounted Lancer”
IC070
“Standing Guard Pointing”
AVAILABLE: Early February
H. “THE REAL WEST”
From the
Far East to the Far West and the lush hills and valleys of Eastern Montana in
June 1876 and the battle on the grassy slopes above the Little Big Horn
river...
TRW072(P)
“Crow Scout Curly”
“Curly” (1856-1926) was a Crow Scout during
the Sioux Wars...Although he did not fight in the battle, he watched it develop
and was the first to report Custer’s disastrous encounter with the Sioux and
Cheyenne.
Here, we show
him, wearing a corporal’s uniform jacket and carrying an army carbine.
TRW073(P)
“War Shield”
A mounted Arapaho ally of the Sioux and Cheyenne at
the battle he gallops forward eager to come to grips with the hated “Long
Knives”.
TRW074(P)
“Black Hawk”
This Northern Cheyenne was well-known for his accuracy with a bow and arrow and
was reputed to have killed Tom Custer, the General’s younger brother.
TRW075
“Dead Trooper...Dead Horse”
Both
rider and mount have met their fatal end on the banks of the Little Big Horn...
TRW076
“Shocked and Stunned”
A wounded cavalry trooper sits down in shock as blood pours from his wounds.
AVAILABLE: Mid-February
I.
“NORMANDY
‘44”
Along the
length and breadth of the entire French coastline the Germans waited (and
expected) an Allied Invasion...But where...and when?
To help
bolster their defences in France and elsewhere in
occupied Europe the Germans made full use of captured weaponry...guns,
artillery and vehicles.
K&C
present three of these additions...
WS296
“FT-17 Normandy Pillbox”
The
Germans used a wide range of pillboxes and bunkers all along France’s Channel
and Atlantic coast among them a small 3 man bunker surmounted by the
turret of an obsolete FT-17 tank. Their only change...replace
the original French gun with an MG34 machine gun.
WS298
“Renault FT-17 #122”
After the fall of France almost 2,000 FT-17’s fell into German hands
many were scrapped...some were decapitated and converted into
pillbox/bunkers...a few hundred were repainted and utilized on “internal
security” duties complete with German Panzer Crews mostly in France and the
Balkans.
Just 150 of #122 are being produced.
WS319
“Renault FT-17 #121”
As above but with alternative number for collectors who require more than one
of these great little vehicles!
Again just 150 of #121 being produced.
AVAILALBLE: Mid-February
J.
“Remember The
Alamo!”
With a
toy soldier store in San Antonio right next to the Alamo we are unlikely to
ever forget it!!!
Back in
2013 when we completed the installation of the 70 square foot diorama of
the Battle of the Alamo for the “Briscoe Museum of Western Art” they
requested us to design and produce a small range of “Alamo” related
figures that could be sold through their gift store and also at King’s X.
The
target audience was young people, general tourists and other visitors rather
than dedicated toy soldier enthusiasts.
We
experimented with resin, plastic and metal and eventually decided that metal
was ultimately the best to use and paint.
We also
decided that to keep the price point relatively modest they could not be
painted with the same detail as other K&C figures. However the carving
style and size would be similar.
We also
wanted to combine these figures into small, boxed sets of 2 and 3 figures that
could all tell at least a part of the Alamo story. Here are the first 4 sets...
RTA093
“The Fighting Mexicans”
3 x different Mexican Infantrymen in action poses.
RTA094
“The Davy Crockett Set”
Out of
ammunition, the famous Frontiersman swings the butt of his rifle and
knocks down two of the enemy infantry...their discarded muskets are included.
RTA095
“The Duellists”
The
Alamo’s commander, Colonel William C. Travis died on the perimeter wall
of the little mission...Some say he was shot others that he fought with his sabre
against a Mexican Officer before being bayonetted himself.
RTA096
“The Riflemen”
Two of
the defenders making every shot count in the doomed battle...
SPECIAL NOTE: Among other sets in preparation
are:
General Santa Anna, The Death of Jim Bowie, Mexican
Artillery and more Mexican
Infantry and Alamo Defenders!
AVAILABLE: Late February/Early March
SPECIAL NOTE: All of these special “Alamo” sets are available to ALL K&C
dealers and collectors. They are not an “exclusive”.
2.
BEING RETIRED IN
FEBRUARY
Here’s this month’s list...
|
BBG040 |
"Take Some" |
|
BBG041 |
Prisoner & Escort |
|
FoB079 |
Singapore Surrender |
|
FoB080 |
Gen. Yamashita & Staff Officer
Sugita |
|
HK130 |
Man Holding Lucky Sign |
|
IC035 |
The Hunting Set |
|
MK091 |
The Treasure Seeker |
|
NA216 |
Seizing the Colours |
|
RA030 |
Lend-Lease Russian Jeep |
|
RTA014 |
Alamo Chapel Facade |
|
SP057 |
Corner Fountain |
And
that’s that for February...Quite a nice little mixture I hope and more than a
few things for yourself and your collectors.
Here’s to a
great Chinese New Year (The Year of the Goat) and health, wealth and happiness
in 2015. All the very best.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country
P.S. Look out
for both King & Country and Kings
X at next month’s annual “WESTCOASTER” Show at the Irvine
Marriott Hotel in Irvine California from 5-8 March. It’s a great
event with room trading before the main show of Sunday 8 March in
the Hotel’s Ballroom.