Dear Partners,
Welcome to this
months DISPATCHES and a select little group of figures that
includes some suggested by a K&C collector who is also a senior
officer in one of Britains most famous cavalry regiments! And so, without
further ado lets see whats in store this month
Welcome to this months
releases which are centred around one of the most
famous battles of the Second World War and one of the most widely-used
military vehicles of the Vietnam Conflict
Lets jump right in
The German
offensive into Belgium in December 1944 was a final, almost suicidal attempt by Adolf Hitler to catch the Western Allies by surprise,
split them apart and perhaps force them to seek a separate peace with the
Nazis.
Only the stubborn
willingness of some brave American units to stand and die prevented a major
enemy breakthrough in what had been a quiet and peaceful stretch of the Allied
line.
This mighty struggle,
which later became known as The Battle of The Bulge ranks as the largest and most important battle ever fought
by the U.S. Army in all of WW2 in
any theatre of war.
More men, vehicles,
supplies, equipment, aircraft and military effort
went into this important battle than any other in American history.
It was bigger than Gettysburg
more extensive than the Normandy Landings
and even larger than the 1990 Gulf War.
31 American
divisions, fully one third of the entire U.S. Army
during WW2, saw action in this battle.
Over two months, from December
16, 1944 until January 25, 1945 nearly 20,000
Americans were killed almost as many as in all of the
80 days of fighting from the D.Day Invasion until
the battles in the Normandy
bocage ended in August 1944.
The Battle of
The Bulge is
the story of men frozen and fighting in the most appalling winter conditions as
the snow piled up around their foxholes while enemy artillery splintered the
forests above them that provideded shelter.
Their dogged
determination in the face of a fanatical foe brought Hitlers
offensive finally to a grinding halt before forcing them back into the crumbling remains of
the once vaunted and much-feared Third Reich.
Here are the latest reinforcements to K&Cs U.S.
Army Winter Warriors
BBA100 "The Four-Man Patrol"
A small, four-man section
moves carefully forward from their foxholes
During the
night they could hear German voices and vehicles moving along a forest track
near their dugout
Now they are going to investigate.
Led by an NCO (non commissioned officer) armed
with a Tommy Gun, two
riflemen, each cradling their M1 Garand rifles, and a B.A.R. man with his
Browning Automatic Rifle head out for a look-see.
BBA101 "Sitting, Smoking & Waiting"
These four GIs are perfect to position on top of an armoured
fighting vehicle such as a Sherman
tank or the M36 Jackson Tank
destroyer featured in our photo.
These four Tank-Riders are also armed with a Tommy Gun, 2 x Garands
and a Browning Automatic Rifle.
As all 4 x figures have
no bases they can be also placed in and around any ground display or even in a
foxhole!
BBA102 "Walking Radioman"
This GI is humping the SC-300 / BC1000
man-pack radio usually reserved for infantry platoon headquarters.
This radio set was known
as the walkie-talkie while
the hand-held SCR-536 /BC611 was nicknamed the handie-talkie.
Radiomen usually carried
a lighter weight personal weapon
sometimes a 1911 Colt
Automatic .45 pistol or, more commonly, the M1 Carbine as is shown here.
BBA103 "Standing Medic"
Wherever any American, GI
fought he could be sure a Medic would be close by.
The emphasis placed on
rapid battle field medical care and attention as well
as the ready availability of modern medicines such as penicillin and sulphonamides, dramatically reduced the rate of death among
wounded soldiers to less than 5 per cent
half of the
WW1 rate!
Our hard-working Medic,
usually nicknamed Doc, enjoys
a well-earned smoke before
joining the rest of his platoon as they prepare for the next enemy assault.
Please note medics were usually unarmed in the European theatre of war.
AVAILABILITY: Mid-Late July
SNEAK PEEK
Also in the works is this additional little 2-man set BBA104
Chow Time.
In the bitterly cold, freezing conditions of the Ardennes
during that wartime December of 1944 any kind of hot food was always welcome
and much appreciated.
Here, a sitting G.I.
Chef is hunched over a small portable field
kitchen stove with a large pot of some kind of stew
and vegetables as he ladels out a serving to another hungry GI with his mess tin held out in front
of him.
These two figures were suggested by a very, well-known
wartime photo of American soldiers forming a line in the snow to pick up their
hot chow.
AVAILABILITY: August 2023
Special Uniform Note:
As per our other Bulge GI figures
previously issued last year these new reinforcements are wearing their web
fighting order on top of the standard Enlisted Mans wool overcoat complete with brass
buttons.
This full-length, double-breasted overcoat was worn
throughout the last winter of the war although a tad cumbersome when
water-soaked or when the long skirts got caked with mud it was still generally well-liked by the troops themselves.
Especially in the bitterly cold, freezing winter found in the Ardenness in December 1944.
In United
States military history the Deuce and a Half
truck has a much-valued logistical history of what it does best moving men and material from Point A to Point B.
Americas
best WW2 fighting general, George S. Patton declared, the 2 1/2-ton truck was one of our most valued weapons!
By 1951 however a decision was made to replace the
existing WW2-era GMC
CCKW (better
known as the Deuce and a Half)
with a newer, improved model. After much testing and many experiments
the REO Motor Company was chosen to produce their 2
1/2 ton, 6Χ6 off-road truck which was rapidly superseded by the 10 x wheel M35 design version.
The new vehicles, as
ordered by the Pentagon, were to
be capable of performing a wide variety of tasks including:
Troop
Carrying,
Cargo
Transporting,
and
Acting as a Dump Truck,
Other capabilities were
also to be made available such as Wreckers
Medical Vans
and even Guided
Missile Launchers!
During the 1950s, while
the newer REO
M35 was beginning
to appear in the U.S. Militarys transport inventory
many thousands of the older WW2 era GMC
Deuce and a Halfs were still in service.
It was not until the Vietnam
War erupted in the early 1960s
that the M35s began
to take over the main truck transport role.
In 1965, as the first
major America ground units arrived in the Republic of Vietnam their M35A2 trucks came with them.
Soon M35s became a
familiar sight on the countrys road system as well as
a permanent fixture and feature on all U.S. forces bases, camps and other
military establishments.
Throughout their use in
Vietnam the M35A2 trucks proved themselves time and time again and were
justly famous for their reliability, flexibility and toughness in even the most
difficult of circumstances.
This reputation ensured a
long and valued service with the U.S. military that lasted more than four
decades until well into the mid 1990s.
The M35A2 has proven to be one of the most
versatile and operationally successful vehicles ever deployed with the American
military in its entire history
no small compliment for
a great big truck!
VN170 "The USMC M35A2 Cargo Truck"
This long-awaited and
much-requested model is, without doubt, the finest wheeled vehicle K&C has
produced yet!
Our United States Marine
Corps M35A2 is typical of the Troop Carrying / Cargo Carriers employed all over
South Vietnam during the war.
Being a
USMC vehicle it would have been stationed in I
Corps which comprised the northernmost region of South
Vietnam bordering Communist North Vietnam at the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) which
divided the two countries.
Our K&C model has, of
course, rolling wheels and comes with a detachable canvas cover (actually resin) for the
drivers compartment.
The Marine Corps driver
is also included with the vehicle and is dressed in his everyday utilities and wearing his flak jacket. Next to him, on the
seat, is his camouflaged steel helmet and M16.
In the rear of the
vehicle the wooden seats are lowered to allow sitting Grunts to be placed in or, if the collector wishes, some military
supplies.
Now, an empty truck can look OK but when you add a few Marines onboard it
really comes alive.
VN172 "Sitting Rifle Team"
Two seated Grunts carrying their venerated M14
Rifles. As many Vietnam Vets have testified the replacement of the M14 by the
newer, lighter M16 was not especially popular especially with the Marines. As
the Corps placed a high value on marksmanship and appreciated the extra stopping-power of the heavier M14
7.62mm NATO round most Marines tried to hold onto their favoured
rifles that little bit longer, at least while 7.62 ammunition was still readily
available!
VN173 "Eating & Drinking"
Two more seated Grunts eating some C Rations and taking a swig of
water. Next to both Marines are their helmets and their separate M16s.
Please note the little
bench they are sitting on is not included, shown for photo purposes only.
VN174 "Sitting M60 Gun Team"
The final two Marines are
part of an M60 Gun Team. One guy is holding his M16 while the other has the
M60. Out of Safety concerns both have their weapons pointing downwards to the
floor of the vehicle.
Special Note: This new M35A2 can
easily accommodate 10 x seated Marines and even a few
standing ones.
AVAILABILITY: Mid July
From time
to time as we sell out of a particular figure we
consider whether to retire that piece entirely or, perhaps, produce an
alternative and, we hope, an improved new version.
Here are two examples
VN177 "NVA Flagbearer"
During the TET Offensive
of 1968 many North Vietnamese Army regular units found themselves fighting
alongside their Viet Cong comrades as they tried, in vain, to wrest the country
from their South Vietnamese and American opponents.
This new version of one
of our most popular figures has an NVA regular running forward clutching a Viet
Cong banner.
As can be seen the flag
of the Viet Cong, adopted in 1960, is a variation of the North Vietnamese one the flag itself is divided into two equal halves
Red Above, Blue below with a 5-pointed star in the centre which symbolized the five classes of society;
entrepreneurs, farmers, workers, intellectuals and soldiers.
Often these simple flags
would also have some Vietnamese writing on them honouring
a particular battle such as the Siege of Khe Sanh or the TET Offensive
itself.
VN178 "Female VC Firing an AK47"
This Young
Woman Warrior is just one of many thousands of females
who fought with the Viet Cong during the conflict.
Armed with the amazing
AK47 Assault Rifle this young girl could prove equally dangerous to any of the
ARVN or American opponents who met her on the battlefield!
AVAILABILITY: Mid July
As some of
you guys might know my wife, Liza began a little company called La
Maison Rose back in 2018. Here in Hong
Kong she is the marketer and retailer of Royal Copenhagen, a long-established Danish company that produces
all kinds of, fine porcelain homeware.
Both Liza and myself are also huge fans of Denmark itself and its capital
city, Copenhagen.
One of the most colourful sights in that beautiful city is the Royal
Palace of Amalieborg which is a guarded by a special ceremonial company of
the Royal
Danish Life Guards.
Over the last few years K&C, in conjunct with La
Maison Rose, has produced a small,
select range of these Danish Life Guards that can be seen everyday on duty guarding the Palace and the Danish
Monarch.
One very interesting aspect
of the Life Guards is their peculiarly original Guard
Boxes which can only be seen at the
Royal Palace.
Its design is quite unique and we thought it would make a great little accessory
to this splendid little series.
So
here it is
AVAILABILITY: Mid July
Among the
very special, hand-carved and hand-painted 1:30 scale mahogany models are these
two Vietnam-era American aircraft
and a superb Korean War
fighter/bomber.
The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco was a twin turbo prop
light attack and observation aircraft used extensively during the American
involvement in the Vietnam War.
Our 1:30
scale K&C model is in USMC markings and comes in two distinct colour schemes
the brighter Leaf green and the more subdued olive drab. Both
versions operated out of Da Nang in
South Vietnam in the late 1960s.
Just TWO of each version are available and
all come with a signed certificate.
Also from
the Vietnam War
This was the single-engined
attack helicopter developed and manufactured by Bell Helicopter.
A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 was also referred to as the Huey
Cobra or Snake.
The AH-1 was rapidly developed as a gunship in response to the U.S. Armys
urgent requirement for a dedicated attack helicopter to help protect the more
cumbersome and slower troop-carrying Hueys
from enemy ground fire.
Each AH-1 Cobra was capable of carrying a range of different weapons systems
under its small, stubby wings in addition to a chin-mounted gun
turret.
The Cobras armoured tandem cockpit also allowed the pilot and gunner
an excellent view of any potential battlefield while its slim overall shape and
speed made it a difficult target to hit.
1967 saw the first AH-1s enter service in Vietnam. Over the
following years they would provide vital fire support to friendly ground forces
while still escorting and protecting other troop-carrying helicopters.
They also flew in hunter-killer teams
pairing up with the OH-6A
Hughes Cayuse scout choppers. Overall the U.S. Cobra
fleet in South Vietnam chalked up over one million operational flying hours
during the conflict.
K&C is offering two versions of this
incredible fighting machine
a
U.S. Marine Corps Cobra and a U.S.
Army Air Cavalry option both exceptionally fine scale model aircraft.
The Vought F4U-4 Corsair was
an American Fighter aircraft that saw active service primarily in WW2 but also
played a vital role in the Korean War (1950-53).
Designed and operated as a carrier-borne aircraft
it became one of the premier fighter / bombers in both conflicts.
During the Korean War the Corsair, now with a
four-bladed propeller was utilized mostly in the ground attack, close support
role carrying a broad assortment of bombs, rockets, cannon and machine guns.
Our K&C hand-carved, hand-painted mahogany F4U-4 Corsair is
in the distinctive squadron markings of VMF323 The Death
Rattlers flying from the Light Escort Carrier USS Sicily operating
off the coast of South Korea in the summer of 1951.
We have just
4 of these amazing models available.
If you are interested in one contact K&C direct for more details.
For
more details and availability contact K&C Direct!
Heres another wee sneak peek at an
upcoming character release that Ive
wanted to do for some time
Count Dracula.
The original Count
Dracula was a creation of author Bram
Stoker in his gothic horror novel
Dracula
in 1897.
Count
Dracula is an undead,
centuries-old vampire from Transylvania who
inhabits a decaying castle somewhere in the distant Carpathian Mountains.
As a student of the Black Arts he had a deep knowledge of alchemy, magic and a particular fondness for the fresh blood of beautiful young
women, preferably but not exclusively
virgins.
Although introduced and
made famous by Bram
Stoker the Count has achieved
worldwide notoriety and immortality thanks to Hollywood and
the Silver Screen.
Many famous and
well-known actors have portrayed the blood-sucking Count in countless film
adaptations among the most memorable was the Hungarian, Bela Lugosi, who starred in the
title role of the 1931 film and several more in
the years afterwards.
The next major star to
take on the role and make it his own was the
British actor Christopher
Lee, who appeared in numerous Hammer Films from 1959 up to the 1970s.
It was Lee who fixed the
classic image of a tall, dark and handsome vampire villain with dual, elongated
fangs and a thirst for fresh blood!
As a lover of classic Hammer Horror movies this is my little homage
to a great, blood-curdling fictional character and things that go bump in the
night
Only 3 items this month
LOJ003 "The Three Wise Men"
In the Gospel of Mathew he says these men came from the East to worship the
Christ, born King of the Jews. With them they bring gifts of Gold, Frankincense
and Myrrh for the infant Jesus.
NA454 "The Emperors Tent"
Previously available as
only part of a larger set this second edition now carries the Emperors Personal
Standard flying above it.
TR015 "The Queen & Her
Corgis (Emerald Green)"
Another favourite Royal colour was Emerald Green. Once again, the
Queen in a standard pose with her Corgi posse at her feet.
Now, dont be worried, for those Royalists among us,
only this particular green version of Her Late Majesty is being retired. The
other two versions are continuing and will be joined later by a new colour combination.
P.S. Later
this month I will be returning down-under to visit K&C Dealers, collectors
and friends in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne after 3 long years away.
Looking
forward to meeting up once more and discussing all things toy soldiers and how
to solve the problems of the world and much, much more!!!
On that
cheerful note best wishes to one and all and, as ever...
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative
Director
King & Country