|
DISPATCHES November
2018 WELCOME
to this month’s ‘DISPATCHES’ and again a fair number of releases that stretch
back to Roman times and then reach forward to the world we live in today... In
between of course we have a few diversions towards the Battle of the Alamo,
the latter days of the First World War, into the Second great conflict and on
to Vietnam in ’68. Add to
that our latest ‘Santa Claus’ figure and a very famous, fictional Belgian
detective and you have a typically unusual and original K&C mixture. Now,
read on... 1.
BEING
RELEASED IN NOVEMBER... A.
‘WINTER
COMES’ As
regular collectors of K&C vehicles know we often, whenever possible, like
to release at least 2 versions of most German WW2 vehicles in order that
collectors can have at least one for summer campaigns on the Eastern
or Western Fronts and another that can be utilized in a ‘Battle of the
Bulge’ scenario or a ‘Winter’ display in Russia. Here
is one such example... WS350
“DEMAG AMBULANCE” (Winter
Version) The
Sd.Kfz.10 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug or Special Motorized Vehicle) was a WW2 half-track that
saw widespread use in all German Theatres of Operations. Its
main role was as a prime mover of smaller towed artillery pieces
however it could also carry up to 8 infantry troops. Among
its many other uses this vehicle was a ‘battlefield ambulance.’ It had
excellent cross country capabilities that allowed it to get right up to the
frontlines and help evacuate wounded soldiers back to base hospitals and
first aid posts. Our
K&C model has had its original summer camouflage painted over with a coat
of winter ‘whitewash’ by its crew but is already showing ‘wear and
tear’ through the vehicles constant use in difficult cold weather
conditions. The
model includes a seated driver and a removable ‘canvas’ cover. SPECIAL NOTE: This is a ‘LIMITED
RELEASE’ with just 100 vehicles being available on a ‘first-come-first
served’ basis. AVAILABLE: Early November B.
M. Hercule Poirot... Another great
detective Following
the great popularity of K&C’s Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson several
of our collectors suggested a range of other famous fictional sleuths that we
could replicate in miniature. One
year ago, one of our Singapore Collector friends, Mr. Raman
Pillay not only put forward M. Poirot’s
name but also presented me with one of the books written by Poirot’s creator Agatha Christie at our Singapore
Annual Event. After reading the book and watching several TV
episodes of the Belgian detective’s adventures plus a recent movie K&C
got to work on the figure and, so you have... WoD060
“M. Hercule Poirot” This
fictional Belgian detective, created by English author, Agatha Christie
has appeared in more than 33 novels, several films and television series and
on radio. He has
been memorably portrayed by Albert Finney, Peter Ustinov, Orson
Welles, David Suchet and most recently,
Kenneth Brannaugh. And
now he is immortalized in miniature by King & Country. As you see
the dapper and fastidious M. Poirot stands
confidently addressing his audience and obviously making a point of, perhaps,
declaring who is the murderer or person behind the crime! AVAILABLE: Early November C.
Still on
the subject of crime... Singapore’s
Gurkha Contingent plays
an important role in helping to keep the island city /state of Singapore safe
and secure for ALL its citizens and visitors. The
Contingent’s origins go back many years to even before Singapore became one
of Asia’s foremost ‘dragon economies’. Singapore
although primarily a Chinese city has fairly substantial Indian
and Malay minorities. One of the main advantages of having the ‘Gurkha
Contingent’ is that they are racially impartial and treat all
of Singapore’s different peoples fairly and equally. In addition, this
paramilitary force is the only unit in Singapore that still has a number of
British officers in charge alongside their Singaporean comrades. Many
of the small island state’s most secure areas and facilities are guarded and
protected by these Gurkha policeman.
They also provide a strong and reliable counter terrorist force that is among
the finest in Asia. On the
streets of Singapore they are easily recognized by their traditional Gurkha
slouch hats and Kukri fighting knives worn at the rear of their pistol
belts. These
2 particular figures were first made available to all our collectors at
K&C’s recent Event at the Singapore Cricket Club and are now ready for
general release. SAF002
“Standing Gurkha Contingent Policeman” Dressed
in the smart and practical everyday navy blue uniform of the Singapore
Police and carrying the Heckler Koch Mp5 Sub Machine Gun. SAF003
“Patrolling Gurkha Contingent Police Officer” One of
the SGC Police officers on patrol duty, ever watchful... ever ready, also carrying his MP5 and a side arm (Sig Sauer 9mm)
and his kukri fighting knife. AVAILABLE:
Early November D.
“Remember
The Alamo... Again!” In
October K&C released the first batch of new Mexican Infantry about
to storm the Alamo in the early hours of March 6, 1836. Now, we add on
the first group of Mexican casualties... RTA097
“Two Dead Mexicans” RTA100
“Wounded Mexican Soldier” RTA101
“Lying Dead Mexican Soldier” (face
up) RTA102
“Lying Dead Mexican Soldier”
(face down) AVAILABLE:
Early November E.
SANTA
CLAUS 2018 As
regular readers of ‘COLLECTOR’ know, K&C has a special ‘Santa’
figure that we release each year... Here is 2018’s... XM018
“Christmas Eve Santa” The presents
are all packed, the heavily-laden ‘Santa Sacks’ are all loaded, onto
his sled, the elves are enjoying a well-earned break and Santa is doing a
final check of the addresses of all the good little boys and girls he will be
visiting on his epic journey around the globe... AVAILABLE: Mid November F.
THE
ORIGINAL STORMTROOPERS Although
the name ‘Stormtroopers’ has come to be associated with the nickname
of Hitler’s ‘Sturmabteilung’ better known as the ‘SA’
or the ‘Brownshirts’ the actual
German derivation of ‘Sturmtruppen’
dates back before the Nazis to the latter days of the First World War. These
were among the first ‘Assault Troops’ trained to move swiftly
across the battlefield with deadly force using hand grenades, portable
machine guns and... plenty of individual initiative! FW-S01
“Guarding The Tank” This
combination set brings together a captured British Mk. IV tank
and its brand-new vehicle commander plus a standing Stormtrooper
on guard. FW232
“The Sturmtruppen Set” (4 figure set) Three heavily-armed stormtroopers with an assortment of weapons gather
around their officer... Perfect for a pre battle WW1 scene near the
frontline trenches OR perhaps a street scenario in revolutionary postwar
Munich in the turmoil that follow the 1918 Armistice. AVAILABLE:
Mid November G.
Roman-Style
Crime & Punishment The
Roman Empire did not take kindly to those of their subject peoples who
rebelled against their rule... Those bold enough to take up arms fully
realized that they would need huge reserves of courage and fortitude to face
up to the cruel and often barbaric punishments they would suffer should they
fall into Roman hands... RnB018
“Crucifixion of a Tribal Chief” Crucifixion was a method of capital
punishment in which the victim was tied and / or nailed to a large wooden
cross and left to hang for several days and nights. Usually the
eventual cause of death was exhaustion and asphyxiation. Although
the crucifixion of Jesus is the most famous example of this
form of lethal punishment it was a fairly common execution method for
thieves, murderers and rebel chieftains. RnB019
“Scourging The Prisoner” Prior
to execution it was normal Roman procedure to flog the prisoner... The usual
instrument was a short whip with several single or braided leather thongs of
various lengths. Into these thongs would be tied small iron balls and sharp
pieces of bone at irregular intervals. For
scourging, the prisoner was stripped of most of his clothing (women were
never scourged) and tied to a large wooden or stone post. Two
Roman soldiers would be on either side of the victim and would take it in
turn to flog him. Extreme pain and blood loss would soon follow and it was
not uncommon for the prisoner to even die of shock at the post. Should
the prisoner survive his ordeal the soldiers would often taunt their victim
adding extreme insult to injury! RnB021
“Life or Death...?” The
fate of captured rank and file rebels was usually decided in the immediate
aftermath of a battle... If slaves were required either to be worked to death
in the Roman quarries or as ‘gallery-slaves’ they lived (for a
time). Similarly, they might be spared to be trained as gladiators
to fight in the arenas that had sprung up across the empire and in Rome
itself. If,
alas, they were unsuitable for any of these destinations or were declared “surplus
to requirements” a quick sword thrust was usually the end result! RnB023
“The Sitting Centurion” Sitting,
observing his soldiers go about their duties is this sitting Centurion.
As he rests, both hands on his sword, his helmet by his side he ensures that
all punishments are carried out with cruel efficiency. AVAILABLE: Mid November H.
“Good
Morning Vietnam” This
small group of ‘VIETNAM’ soldiers once more focus on the fighting that erupted
during the Lunar New Year celebrations of TET1968 when the Viet
Cong and North Vietnamese Army attacked all major towns and cities
across South Vietnam... VN034
“Saigon Embassy Trio” This
trio of figures portrays one of the most famous incidents of the entire TET
Offensive... In the early hours of January 30, 1968 a Viet Cong guerrilla
group attacked the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. Blasting holes in the
perimeter wall V.C. sappers broke into the embassy compound and took
over several outlying buildings but did not actually get into the central multistorey complex. Although
the V.C. caused severe damage and killed and wounded a number of embassy
military policeman and personnel they themselves were, after several hours,
all killed, wounded or captured. One of
the most famous photos of the battle in and around the Embassy shows a young
walking wounded V.C. guerrilla being marched outside the compound wall by two
American MP’s... I’ve often wondered what happened to him. (3 figure set). VN036
“Running For Cover” Meanwhile
in Hue City, further north from Saigon, this young ‘Grunt’
sprints for cover, one hand gripping his M16, the other holding onto his
steel helmet. VN037
“Shouting Instructions” As
VN036 sprints for cover his kneeling buddy shouts over to him. VN041
“Standing Firing V.C.” Both
Marines take shelter as this female Viet Cong guerrilla fires off a
fusillade of rounds from her AK47. AVAILABLE:
Mid-Late November I.
Kubelwagen Ambulances (3) The
Kubelwagen was a light military vehicle designed by Ferdinand
Porsche and built by Volkswagen during WW2 for use by the
German military (both Wehrmacht and Waffen SS). Originally
conceived in 1938 and called the ‘Kubelsitzwagen’,
because it had no doors and bucket seats, it soon went into full
production in 1940 and had its name shortened to the VW Kubelwagen. Although
the majority of Kubelwagens were built by Volkswagen
other German makers such as Mercedes, Opel and Tatra also produced them. Over
the years K&C has produced quite a few of our own... but never the ‘ambulance’
version until now. Here is the first of three ambulance kubelwagens that will be available... WH087
“Ambulance Kubelwagen” (Mid-Late War) This
particular kubelwagen has had ‘dunkelgelb’ yellow oversprayed
in a camouflage pattern on top of the original ‘feldgrau’
field grey. A
wounded German soldier lies on the stretcher as the driver/ medic prepares to
ferry him back to the nearest field dressing station. The
painting and ‘weathering’ on this vehicle is particularly good! AVAILABLE:
Mid-Late November 2.
BEING
RETIRED THIS MONTH... Quite
a number of items on the retirement list this month so, I hope, there’s one
or two that you might well want to get before they disappear.... IF044
The Desert Sahariana JN031
Kneeling Firing LAH184
SS Sentry LAH187
Marching SS Officer LAH209
Lederhosen Heini LAH212
Like Father... Like Son LAH215
Bavarian Nazi LAH216
Veteran Mountain Guide PnM032 The 3
Musketeers & D’ Artagnan TRW076
Shocked and Stunned And
that my friends, is that for another month or so... Best wishes and happy
collecting to one and all! Andy C. Neilson Co-founder & Creative
Director King & Country Ltd. |