DISPATCHES
MARCH 2010
BY THE TIME most of
you read this, this year’s “WESTCOASTER” will already be over and Helen,
Patrick and yours truly will be in
After
So, as you might
expect I’m actually writing this particular “DISPATCHES” the day before
we all fly off to
I hope to spring a
few pleasant surprises on dealers and collectors alike, so, without further
ado, let battle commence…
1. WHAT’S NEW IN MARCH?
A wee bit later
than we originally intended but here they are…
Two 101st. Airborne paratroopers in all-new poses descend under
their fully-deployed canopies… somewhere in
Another two… completely
different… US 82nd. Airborne
troopers float down somewhere near Ste. Mere Eglise…
in the wee small hours of June 6, 1944.
AVAILABILITY:
NOW!
Seven
very interesting “add-ons” to the Rogue’s Gallery of
attendees at Hitler’s little hideaway in the mountains…
Konstantin Hierl,
Reicharbeitsfuhrer of the paramilitary German Labour Service giving the Nazi “Heil
Hitler” salute.
LAH105 “Heinrich Himmler Relaxing”
One of the Third
Reich’s most feared and hated men… Reichsfuhrer
SS Himmler enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee while sitting on one of the Berghof’s sun loungers.
LAH106 “EVA BRAUN”
Hitler’s
long-time mistress and, briefly, his wife. She met him when only 17 and working as an assistant to his personal
photographer, Heinrich Hoffman. By all accounts, friendly, outgoing and totally
disinterested in politics.
Another of the most
feared and hated characters in the Third Reich. Doomed to
meet a well-deserved end at the hands of Czech patriots in 1942.
Just
a little outdoor furniture for the patio of the Berghof. Accurately based on
photographs of the real thing. Two in the set.
Head
of the “Hitlerjugend” and “Gauleiter” of
Another
important man in the Third Reich and Head of the German Labour
Front. He killed himself
while awaiting trial in
AVAILABILITY: NOW!
KM017 “Sd.Kfz.9 Famo
Recovery Vehicle”
More than 2,500
of these heavy recovery vehicles were produced during the war in many various
versions. Although most were used in Artillery or Armoured
units a fair number were used by the Kriegsmarine
to move heavy items around naval bases and dockyards.
Our Famo is in field g
The Driver is
included.
AVAILABILITY:
Mid March
Finally, K&C
has mobilized its “L’Armee francaise”
and les Poilus march off to battle resplendent
in their colourful uniforms of long blue coats, red
pantaloons and scarlet and blue kepis…
This first release
focuses on the soldiers marching to the front as they would have appeared in
those first days and weeks of the war to end all wars!
FW060 “General Joffre”
The ample figure of
“Papa” Joffre inspired confidence in the public, his men and his fellow
officers. Cool, calm and collected, Joffre was a “steady hand at the tiller”
of the French Army in those early days. He is best known for regrouping the
retreating Allied Armies and defeating the Germans at the First Battle of
the Marne in 1914.
Foch, was recognized by many, as the “most
original mind in the French Army”. Initially serving as a subordinate to
Joffre he later became Supreme Commander of all Allied Armies in 1918.
Proud and confident
this mounted figure leads his troops forward.
A bearded
Lieutenant, sword in hand advances.
Three differently
posed “Poilus” march to the front.
A
single “add-on” that can be collected in multiples to make a grand
parade.
A handsome little
piece based on a Detaille illustration of a classic French Poilu.
This pensive
soldier holds the reins of his General’s mount.
Music plays an
important part in virtually every army… including the French. This Drum
Major instructs his musicians…
FW069 “Drummer”
FW071 “Auf Wiedersen”
This is the first
of a unique series of poignant little First World War vignettes depicting
troops of three of the principal countries departing for the War.
This German “Soldat” tries to comfort his weeping fiancé as his
Regiment departs.
FW072 “Au Revoir”
A different
country… a different parting… As his wife holds his rifle this Poilu fondly cradles his small baby. Will he ever
see them again?
A Scottish soldier
embraces his sweetheart as he goes off to war.
AVAILABILITY:
Mid March
Two more great (and
useful looking) additions to the four already released pieces… Together
they make a fine setting for Ancient
SP035 “The Village House”
SP036 “The Wall”
AVAILABILITY:
Mid March
F. “COSSACKS!”
Russian Cossack
cavalry have the unique distinction of having fought both for and against
Stalin’s Red Army during World War Two!
On the German side
they fought with great valour and ruthlessness
especially on Anti-Partisan duties in
At the end of the
war most of these German Cossack units retreated westwards and wishfully
surrendered to the British Forces. They were then summarily handed over to the
Russians… expecting and receiving little mercy.
A
dismounted Cossack field policeman with an unfortunate Partisan suspect.
Wearing the
traditional Cossack costume (with German badges) this officer, sabre in hand, is issuing orders.
Scanning
the horizon for enemy activity.
Looking to the
right this Cossack, rifle held steady, is on patrol.
WS146 “Cossack holding Rifle”
Looking to the left
and with his rifle across the front of his saddle this is another member of the
patrol.
This young Cossack
cavalryman is awaiting inspection.
Another
member of the patrol indicating while making his report.
This German cavalry
officer was the commander of the Cossack Cavalry Corps. Extremely
popular with his men he often wore full Cossack uniform.
After the war he
chose to remain with his men when they were handed over to the Russians. He
suffered a similar fate to most of his men… he was executed by the Soviets in
1947.
AVAILABILITY:
Mid-Late March
2. NOW, WHAT’S HAPPENING IN APRIL?
With one of K&C’s
two flagship stores in
Here’s
our latest offerings…
Three brand-new renderings of the three most famous
RTA048 “Fighting
RTA049 “Buckskin Davy Crockett”
RTA050 “Gallant Colonel Travis”
These new pieces
replace the earlier versions of our heroes. (Now retired)
Opposing these
three brave defenders of the doomed mission are FOUR dramatic mounted
figures of Mexican Dragoons of Santa Anna’s army…
RTA051 “
RTA052 “Dragoon w/lance forward”
RTA053 “Dragoon w/lance thrusting down”
RTA054 “Dragoon w/lance held up”
After a long delay
(apologies for that) our eagerly-awaited para
reinforcements… for one of K&C’s most collected
series… “Operation Market Garden”.
For the very first
time… two of our British Paras (both different)
jumping into the hell that was
Jeeps were
essential to these airborne soldiers and so were radios… Fortunately the jeeps
worked… unfortunately the radios did not! However, it’s all part of the “
Sgt. Dennis Smith
kneels down to film some of the action during the doomed battle.
One of the iconic
images of the battle were the photos of a lone British
Mortar Team in action with their
MG032 “Captured!”
Sadly all too many
of the British 1st. Airborne Division at Arnhem ended up killed, wounded or
captured.
Here, a casually
smoking SS Panzer Grenadier guards two Paras… one
seriously wounded. A poignant little set.
Look out for
more Paras later!
The day before the “day
of days”… All over
Three US Army “Rangers”
stand on a cold, wet English dockside waiting to board their Landing craft that
will ferry them to
His rifle resting
at his feet another Ranger contemplates the coming battle.
One
more Ranger holding his B.A.R. machine gun.
Holding his folded
stretcher this Medic prepares to board.
A 2-man US Navy
team test out their equipment.
Rifle slung over
his shoulder this GI heads for the landing craft.
This officer is
leading his troops into position.
Not only were
American getting ready for the big invasion so were their British Allies…
DD135 “
Another
long-awaited and much-requested piece of Armour…
the
Our model is in the
markings of “B” Squadron of the 2nd. Armoured
Battalion of the Irish Guards, part of the famous Guards Armoured Division.
This K&C
Firefly comes with two crew figures and a detachable radio Antenna and “back-pack”
of extra supplies.
Three superb “portraits”
of typical British “tankies”… goes great
alongside the Firefly.
D. “Here
comes Johnny Turk!”
British, Australian
and
First at Gallipoli
then in
These new Turkish
infantry in action are a “companion-release” to our first Australian
Light Horse figures released in December 2009.
All of these six
figures are in defensive fighting poses. More are in the pipeline…
including artillery and historic personalities.
AL008 “Turkish Soldier Standing Firing”
AL009 “Turkish Kneeling Firing”
AL010 “Turkish Kneeling Loading”
AL011 “Turkish Soldier Standing Ready”
AL012 “Turkish Machine Gunner”
AL013 “Standing Ready”
3. BEING RETIRED
Not too many retirals this month… but what there is … is interesting!
FoB037 “French Renault R35 Tank”
NA077 “The Duke of
MK047 “Man-at-arms w/Dagger”
MK048 “Attacking Crusader w/Sword (Mounted)”
MK059 “Mounted Saracen Archer”
And that’s the
story so far… for this month at least.
Hope to meet up
with some of you on my travels so, until then… best personal wishes.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country