DISPATCHES
MARCH has arrived and I’m heading off to Los Angeles in a few days to
take part in the annual “WESTCOASTER” Show held at the Irvine Marriott Hotel
between the 7th and 10th March. It’s a fun, few days
meeting up with lots of old friends and dealers and previewing many of
K&C’s upcoming releases.
It’s also an opportunity to
talk in depth with collectors about what they like and…what they would want
K&C to make in the future.
If you are anywhere near
California take a day or two off and come and see us at the “WESTCOASTER”.
However, as usual, before all
of that….There’s all of this…..!
1.
APPEARING IN MARCH 2013
Last summer my family and myself had the
opportunity to spend eight fantastic days in Denmark’s beautiful capitol city, Copenhagen.
Whilst there we saw the Royal Life Guards on parade outside their
barracks and on duty at the Royal Palace. Every day of the year these
young soldiers are on duty protecting their sovereign.
A little while back we decided
that they would make a fine addition to our “CEREMONIAL” range…..Here they are
CE010 “Marching Guardsman w/Rifle”
Wearing the scarlet red tunic with white cross belts and tall bearskin this
soldier carries the American M1 “Garand” rifle and fixed bayonet.
From the late 1940’s until the 1970’s the “Garand” was the Danish Army’s
standard rifle.
CE016-1 “Guardsman Standing – At.Ease”
Another guardsman with his “Garand” and fixed bayonet. Attached to
the handle of his short sword (at the rear of the figure) is a red
tassel sword knot…Different companies of the Life Guards have different colours of sword knot tassels.
CE016-2 As above with white tassel sword
knot.
CE016-3 As before with blue tassel sword
knot.
AVAILABLE: NOW!
As K&C dealers
and collectors already know we have produced a fairly large number of Australian
Light Horse figures as part of our depiction of the Battle of Beersheba
in 1917. With the great success of that range we’ve decided to expand and
develop more units that also fought in the campaigns in the Middle East during
the 1914/18 War. This first new release focuses on the British
infantry…
ME001 “Officer w/Pistol & Whistle”
Leading
his men forward this young British officer is armed with his .455 Webley service revolver…and a whistle!
ME002 “Kneeling Firing Rifle”
ME003 “Standing Firing Rifle”
ME004 “Charging”
ME005 “Attacking”
ME006 “Lying Prone Lewis Gunner”
Providing much
needed fire-support is this Lewis Gunner.
Special Uniform Details: All of our new infantry figures belong to
the 8th.Btn Lancashire Fusiliers who fought in Egypt,
Gallipoli and Palestine during the war. They are all
wearing the tropical solar “topi” sun helmet
with the regimental flash on the left side.
The men
are wearing a mix of heavy wool tunics (more suitable for the Western
Front) and KD (khaki drill) shorts with long sox and puttees.
The
officer wears a complete set of KD (tunic and trousers) in contrast to
his men.
AVAILABLE : Originally scheduled for
March release.
NOW RELEASED
IN FEBRUARY!
C.
“COMING IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER!”
Our latest United
States Army Air Force figures, aircraft and vehicle make a contrast to
our soldiers of the Middle East and are a nice little bonus for our “Warbird” collectors…
AF019 “Flight Commander”
Wearing
his jaunty “50 mission” hat this veteran pilot prepares to brief his
pilots on their next mission.
AF020 “Pilot w/Map”
This
young “fighter-jock” checks his map coordinates.
AF021 “Synchronize Your Watches!”
It’s
important that everyone is “on the same page” and “at the same time”
for any mission to be successful.
AF022 “Kneeling Pilot”
This
kneeling pilot is listening intently to the briefing.
THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
The
story of the first all-African American pilots in the U.S. Army Air Force has
been told in books, documentaries and movies…Rarely, if at all, have they ever
appeared in miniature…Until now…K&C have produced four separate
items that pay tribute to the officers and men who had to overcome many
obstacles both at home and overseas just to be allowed to fly and fight for
their country during WW2.
AF023 “Capt. Lee ‘Buddy’ Archer”
AF028 “Colonel Benjamin O. Davis”
The
commander of the all-black 332nd Fighter Group.
AF029 “The ‘Follow-Me’ Jeep”
Partly
decorated with the black and white chequer board this
airfield “runaround” has an African-American driver and is in the
markings of the 332nd Fighter Group.
AF030 “ North American P.51D Mustang”
Of all the Mustangs that flew it was the “D” model that was the most
famous….and most numerous with over 8,100 built and flown.
Easily recognized by the bubble-top canopy it was the perfect escort fighter
for the USAAF’s B17’s and B24’s bombing Hitler’s Third Reich.
Our latest K&C warbird belongs to the all-black 332nd
Fighter Group, the famous “Red Tails” and is one of the 301st.
Fighter Squadron’s P51’s. Nicknamed “Creamer’s Dream” it’s in
typical late war natural metal finish except for the red nose and tail plus
yellow wing stripes.
Just 250 have been
produced.
“KEEP ‘EM
FLYING!”
Finally
we introduce Two more groundcrew figures that help
bring any aircraft or airfield display alive….
AF026 “Standing Mechanic”
Carrying his box of tools in one hand and reaching out with the other this
mechanic can work on any of our “warbirds”.
AF027 “Sitting Mechanic”
This groundcrew figure perches neatly onto any of K&C’s
World War Two fighter planes….Please note the trestle platform is not
included.
AVAILABLE : AF019-022, 026-027, 029 -- NOW!
AF023, 028, 030
-- Mid March
D.
“Who’s Guarding The Home Guard? ”
After the Fall
of France when Britain stood alone against the might of Hitler’s war
machine a body of men came forward to help defend the country in its greatest
hour of need.
They were
originally called the Local Defence Volunteers
and were recruited from those too old…or too young to join the regular
army.
Soon however they
became better known as…”The Home Guard”.
Here at K&C
we’ve always had a “soft-spot” for these young and old warriors who made
up in real fighting spirit what they may have lacked in actual fighting
abilities….
FOB077 “Standing Home Guard Major”
Second-in-Command
of the Home Guard Battalion our volunteers belong to.
FOB081 “Marching Tommy”
When
the British Expeditionary Force were evacuated from France in June 1940 many of
its men came back with only their rifles and field kit.
Here,
our regular “Tommy” has arrived back at his regimental depot and is
undergoing some basic “square-bashing” i.e. foot and rifle drill.
FOB082 “The Captain”
Home
Guard Officers came from all walks of life…butchers, bakers…even bank
managers…but all eager and willing to defend their country against nasty
Adolf and his Nazi hordes!
FOB083 “The Sergeant”
As we
all know the backbone of any military unit are the NCO’s (non commissioned
officers) and the Home Guard was no exception. However not all
sergeants have to be nasty and ‘orrible….Some can
be really quite nice and awfully pleasant.
FOB084 “The Scrounger”
In any
military there is always the soldier who knows all the angles and is very good
at cutting corners…and never getting caught out!
FOB085 “The Mummy’s Boy”
For
some the military comes as a great shock to the system…For others it’s a huge
adventure…For a few it’s a chance to play with a real gun!
FOB088 “The Old Soldier”
The
Home Guard attracted army veterans from the First World War and the Boer
War…Even some who had served with the great Lord Kitchener in the Sudan
fighting the “Fuzzy-Wuzzies”.
VITAL TRANSPORT
Although
an army marches on its feet…it’s nice to get a lift now and then.
Here are two more new versions of our very
popular Morris CS8 15cwt. trucks.
FOB091 “Morris CS8 Truck (BEF)
When the
British Expeditionary Force went to France it took thousands of these 15cwt.
trucks with them…only a handful returned home after Dunkirk.
Our 3rd
Infantry Division Morris belongs to a Royal Artillery battery and
has the typical “Mickey Mouse” pattern camouflage. R.A. driver
included.
FOB097 “Bomb Disposal Morris CS8”
Our
second CS8 belongs to a Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Unit -
hence the bright red mudguards. A Royal Engineer lance-corporal is behind
the wheel.
AVAILABLE : Late March
2.
“LOOK OUT FOR APRIL!”
A. “With Lawrence In The
Desert”
Two additional special mounted figures to
accompany T.E. Lawrence on his desert campaign….
LoA003 “Sheikh Auda
Abu Tayi”
During
the Arab revolt against the Turks in 1916-1918 one of Lawrence’s staunchest
Arab allies was the Bedouin Leader, Auda
Abu Tayi. Portrayed in David
Lean’s 1962 epic by Anthony Quinn this dramatic figure sits astride his
magnificent captured Arab stallion with his revolver held aloft.
LoA004 “Arab Flagbearer”
Accompanying
Auda is his personal flagbearer
carrying the traditional Islamic green flag emblazoned with a verse from the
Koran, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah!”
AVAILABLE : Early April
B.
“Remember The Alamo!”
This is one of
K&C’s “signature” series and another that has produced a wealth of
great figures and “personalities”.
RTA066 “General Cos”
This
fine general wears an adaptation of a Mexican Hussar uniform complete with
feather adorned bicorne hat.
RTA067 “Captain John Baugh”
Capt. Baugh was the Adjutant of the Alamo Garrison and
a native of Virginia.
RTA068 “Antonio Fuentes”
Fuentes
was one of a small group of native Texans recruited by Juan Seguin
who fought and died during the final battle.
RTA069 “Dr. Polland
Amos”
Dr. Amos was the chief surgeon of the Alamo garrison during the 13-day
siege. He died defending the hospital and his patients.
RTA070 “Charles
Henry Clark”
A
member of the New Orleans Grays who, like his comrades-in-arms, died at the
Alamo.
AVAILABLE : Early April
C.
“FORWARD THE LIGHT HORSE”
Due to the
popularity of this series about the Australian Light Horse we are now
happy to have two releases each year. Here is the first batch of
2013….”Bring On The Empty Horses!”
AL045 “Standing Horse
#1”
AL046 “Standing Horse
#2”
Both of these horses can belong to any of
our “dismounted” Light Horsemen.
AL047 “Galloping Horse
#1”
AL048 “Galloping Horse
#2”
Another two “empty” horses charging
alongside their mounted brethren….
AL049 “Kneeling Turkish
Radioman”
This brave kneeling Turk, pistol in one
hand, frantically tries to use the field telephone to tell his superiors that
the Australians have already broken through the first line of defences.
AL050 “Charging Turk
w/Rifle”
AL051 “The Swordsman”
Legend
has it that at least one Light Horse officer carried a sabre
into the battle…
AL052 “Hang On Mate!”
A dismounted wounded trooper has been
rescued by one of his mates…. Here he hangs on for dear life under Turkish shot
and shell.
AL053 “The Shooter”
Reins in one hand, Lee Enfield
extended in the other this charging trooper is about to reach the Turkish front
line trenches.
AVAILABLE: Early to Mid-April
D.
“RED ARMY REVENGE”
Since returning to
the war on the Eastern Front K&C’s “Red Army” has continued
to grow and develop into one of our most popular series…Here are the latest
additions….
RA024
“Solider Holding burp gun”
RA038 “Red Army Valentine
MK.III”
Over 2,000 of these British built tanks were supplied to the Russians as
part of Allied “Lend-Lease” agreements. Our model bears the number
“39” and the slogan “Stalinets”.
It comes with a half-body Soviet tank commander.
RA040
“Combat Leader”
Cautiously moving forward
his PPSh-41 “Burp” gun at the ready.
RA041
“Female Warrior”
Of all the combatant nations during WW2 only the Russians used women as “fighters”
in front-line” units.
RA042
“Sniper”
Lying prone and aiming at the hated enemy.
RA043 “Kneeling Firing”
Wearing the ubiquitous side cap and
padded jacket this Red Army soldier is firing his “burp” gun. With no base this
figure can fit on top of any of our K&C armoured
vehicles.
RA044 “Advancing”
On the lookout for the Germans!
RA045 “Female Shooter”
Another woman warrior to accompany RA041.
RA046 “Sitting burp gunner”
A very useful “Tankrider”.
RA047 “Sitting w/Rifle”
AVAILABLE : Mid to Late April
E.
“PANZER COUNTER-ATTACK”
We’re definitely not letting the Red Army dominate the entire Eastern
Front battlefield this month…..We’ve found them some opposition!
WS219 “Panzer IV H”
One of the all-time great German battle
tanks of WW2 and one that is long overdue in the K&C catalogue.
Our
K&C “H” model Panzer IV is mounting the long-barreled 75mm
main gun and comes with the wrap-around turret shield armour.
First produced in mid 1943, Panzer IV H’s saw action on both East
and West fronts and in Italy. More than 3,000 were produced of this particular
variant and this, our first version, comes in typical three-colour
camouflage of the later war period. The K&C model includes the tank
commander in the top turret hatch.
WS223-1
“Tank Commanders #1”
Many collectors have suggested we
offer a range of different commanders for our armoured
vehicles. Here’s the first set….commanders. The first wears
the “classic” black Waffen SS Wrap around
Jacket and SS officers field gray service cap.
Figure
2 wears the reversible winter smock and the black Panzer Wehrmacht side cap.
WS223-2
“Tank Commanders #2”
These two commanders are another
contrast in style….One, all in black Wehrmacht Panzer
uniform and side cap. The other in Waffen
SS wrap around camouflage uniform topped off with a black ski cap.
These new half-body German
tank commanders will fit the vast majority of K&C’s armoured
vehicles…both German and Allied. And they’ll probably fit easily
into most of our competitors armour as well !!!
AVAILABLE : Mid to Late April
3.
“HEADING
FOR THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS….”
Retirements
Not too many….not too few but some I hope will be of interest to you and
your collectors.
NA114 Charging Sword Forward
NA116 Advancing Forward
NA117
Charging Sword Downward
NA118 Advance to the Front
NA119
Slashinig w/ Sabre
NA121
Cuirassier Firing
Pistol
NA124
Cantiniere
First World War
FW060 General Papa Joffre
FW062
French Mounted Officer
FW063
Marching Officer
FW064
Marching Poilus
FW065
Marching French Soldier
FW066 The Scout
FW067
Poilu attending to a General’s Horse
FW068 Drum Major
FW069
Drummer
FW070
Bugler Marching
The Crusades
MG010 Walking
Radioman
MG011 Lieutenant
w/ Sten Gun
MG012 Standing
Firing Sten Gun
MG013 Lying
Firing Bren Gun
MG016 Maj.
Gen. Roy Urquhart
MG020 Kneeling
Firing Sten Gun
MG022 Lying
Firing Rifleman
MG023
Major General Sosabowski
MG031 Mortar
Team
Most of these Para figures were produced back in 2007/8 and have remained at
their original price since. They are great value and well worth picking up especially
with the upcoming release of the new upgraded “ARNHEM PATHFINDERS” appearing
soon.
And, as they say, “That’s all for now folks”…Best wishes to one and all!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country