KING & COUNTRY
“DISPATCHES”
SEPTEMBER 2012
SEPTEMBER MEANS CHICAGO! Both Gordon and myself leave for the “Windy
City” on Friday, 14th September.
Actually we head to San Francisco first to do a “meet ‘n’ greet”
weekend at “Sierra Toy Soldiers” in Los Gatos before flying on to
Chicago the following Monday, 17th September.
Then it’s a whole week at the Show itself meeting and talking with K&C
dealers and collectors from all over the world. As always it’s a lot of hard
work but…it’s a whole lot of fun too!
So, without further ado, let’s get down to business…
1. BEING RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER…
A. “SONS of the EMPIRE”
Three more colourful additions to a very colourful
series featuring one of the
Raj’s most famous cavalry regiments… “SKINNER’ S HORSE”
SOE024
“Skinner’s Horse Flagbearer”
Carrying the “Union Jack” this trooper looks every inch the proud
cavalryman.
SOE025
“Skinner’s Horse Bugler”
SOE026 “Skinner’s Horse Scout”
Although most Skinner’s Horse troopers carried the famous long
bamboo lance they also carried Martini- Henry carbines… just like this
fellow.
AVAILABLE: NOW!
B. “THE THREE KINGDOMS”
Continuing this new series with a few useful
additions…
IC047
“Chinese Banner Type #1”
IC048 “Chinese
Banner Type #2”
IC049
“Chinese Spearman”
IC050
“Chinese officer w/ Sword”
AVAILABLE: NOW!
C. “BACK TO THE MAHJONG TABLES”
One of the most popular “Streets of Old
Hong Kong” Sets… Here is the latest
edition…
HK208 “The NEW
Mahjong Set”
AVAILABLE: NOW!
D. “SS-HAUPTAMT”
After retiring our old SS Headquarters
Building a while back we had many collectors request a replacement… and here
it is…
LAH169 “SS-Hauptampt” SS Central Command H.Q.
This 2-storey façade has been specially –
designed to go with our earlier façade releases but boasts a far larger upper
balcony (to accommodate more of the Berlin ’38 personalities).
Additional side pieces (to
extend a display) will be released later.
LAH156
“Brown-Shirt Hitler 1933”
Throughout the period of the late 1920’s and
into the first half of the 1930’s Hitler most often appeared in public
in this simple version of the SA brown-shirt uniform. The pose is also
typical …
AVAILABLE: Mid September
E. “CLASSIC GERMAN SOLDIERS”
For many years K&C has
produced many different kinds of different WW2 German soldiers wearing a
variety of camouflage uniforms that the Wehrmacht
and the Waffen SS pioneered.
Now we feel it’s time to “get
back to basics” i.e. return to the classic image of the German soldier from
the first half of the Second World War… the simple, unadorned steel
helmet, the grey/ green jacket, the field-grey trousers tucked into the long
jackboots. All covered in the fine dust of France and the Low Countries and the
endless steppes of Russia…
But first, one of our favourite German generals… Erwin Rommel.
WS196 “Rommel
in France 1940”
K&C has produced several Rommel
figures, mostly in his Afrika Korps uniform but never one as he appeared in France in
1940 during his command of the 7th. Panzer Division.
Here he pauses at the side of a country road
perhaps enjoying a sandwich and a
cup of coffee.
WS200
“Walking Officer”
With his Schmeisser
Machine Pistol slung over his back this confident officer could be
somewhere in France in 1940… or anywhere in western Russia in 1941.
WS201 “Marching MG42 Gunner”
Many photos of the early – war
period show German infantry on the march looking tired but still successful…
WS202 “The
Ammo Carrier”
All Machine Guns used up prodigious amounts
of belted ammo and so other soldiers in the gunner’s section were detailed to “hump”
additional boxes of ammunition.
WS203 “NCO w/ Binos”
It was not just officers that were
issued with expensive field binoculars. Even junior NCO’s managed to beg,
borrow or steal a good pair of binos for their
personal use.
WS209 “Sd. Kfz. 222 Armoured Car”
Another great German classic! The 222 has long been a favourite
of K&C and now we’re going to release a small varied selection for
different “theatres of war”.
Here’s our first…
Dust-covered and in
field-grey this early/ mid war version has the vehicle commander carefully
protected inside the gun cupola.
Two other versions are
being released later.
AVAILABLE: Mid September
2. “COMING IN OCTOBER”
A. …”Winter is Approaching!”
On September 6, 1941, Hitler boasted, “Today begins the last great
battle of this year!” But the Fuhrer had reckoned without the treacherous
Russian weather… the mud of Autumn and the approach of “General Winter ”
were to become his mortal enemies.
For two more months the
German armies continued to advance and win battles despite the almost
continuous rain and sleet that flooded rivers, turned fields into quagmires and
once dusty roods into knee-deep mud.
Tracks and wheels churned the
ground into axle-deep “glue” that sucked the boots off marching troops
and stuck and stalled thousands of trucks and tanks.
Then, on the night of 6/7
November 1941, the first frosts arrived… followed a few days later by early
flurries of snow… “General Winter” had struck!
Following the highly
successful release, earlier this year, of our first Russian troops and T34
tanks, K&C has been hard at work on a “second-release” for this
coming winter… And here it is…
RA026 “Soviet
T34/76 “Crush The Fascists.”
This first “winter” T34/76 bears
the slogn “Crush The Fascists” painted
in red on both sides of the turretand comes with a
suitably-clad Russian tank commander in the open turret hatch. (Just 150
made)
RA039 “Soviet
T34/76 “Moscow!”
A second “winterized T34/76
is also available for those collectors who might like another second model for
their displays or dioramas. This one carries the number “4” and “Moscow!”
on both sides of the turret and has NO commander. (Just 150 made)
Therefore, it’s a little
bit cheaper!
RA030
“Lend-Lease Russian Jeep”
As soon as Hitler attacked the Soviet Union both Britain (and later
America)provided, Free-of-Charge, huge quantities of weapons, trucks
and tanks to the Russians.
Among the most valued were
the Willys and Ford-built Jeeps which
arrived by the hundreds and were immediately put into action. Here is one such
example complete with Red Army driver.
RA031 “Red
Army Officer w/Burp Gun”
Scanning the enemy position
through his binos this officer also clutches his
iconic PPSh41 machine gun.
RA032 “Kneeling
Ready”
This kneeling figure, clad in
his long, Russian-style greatcoat holds the Mosin-Nagant
Model 1891/30 rifle.
RA033
“Standing Ready”
When we released our first batch of Russian infantry
there were a few complaints that everyone had a PPSh
“Burp Gun” and there were no riflemen! Well here is another rifleman
advancing cautiously forward.
RA034
“Kneeling Firing Rifle”
RA035
“Standing Firing Rifle”
RA036 “Lying
Prone Machine Gunner”
Taking aim from the lying-prone position is
this infantryman with his Degtyarev 7.62
machine gun. Another very useful (and important) member of the
assault team.
RA037 “The
Scout”
Armed with both a PPSh-41 and a
hand-grenade this Soviet is ready for anything!
AVAILABLE: Late September/ Early October
B. “WINTER IS HERE!”
German soldiers fought through six “winters of war” between 1939
and 1945 on both the Eastern and Western fronts. Here at K&C we though it might be a good idea to portray a selection of “Classic
Germans” dressed for battling it out in the worst winter weathers… We
made the figures… You choose in which campaign or battle you think most
suitable for your display or collection.
BBG054 “Sd. Kfz. 222 Armoured Car (Winter
camouflage)”
Another great version of a great-looking vehicle. Set includes a
commander seen just inside the 222’s turret.
BBG055
“Winter Guards”
A pair of greatcoat-clad “soldaten”
perfect for guarding a strong-point, a bridge crossing or anything you like.
One carries the obsolete (but still used) Bergmann submachine gun .
BBG056
“Advancing w/Rifle #1”
Looking straight ahead, left leg forward, and ready for battle…
BBG057
“Advancing w/Rifle #2”
Looking to the left, right leg forward, going into action…
BBG058 “Shouting
Officer”
This officer is urging his men to speed up and stay together… despite
the terrible weather conditions.
BBG059
“Winter MG34 Gunner”
Carrying his MG34 machine gun over his shoulder plus an extra box of
ammunition.
BBG060 “I hate
this weather!”
Rifle slung over the shoulder and other hand thrust deep into his
greatcoat pocket this soldier seems to say “I wish I was anywhere but here!”
BBG061
“Advancing, well-wrapped up!”
This soldier is doing his best to stay warm and alert… all at the same
time.
BBG062
“Sergeant w/MP40”
Machine Pistol at the ready this NCO knows some enemy might be in the
vicinity.
AVAILABLE: Mid October
C. “EARLY TIGER ON THE PROWL”
As all of you guys know K&C “loves” the Panzerkampfwagen
VI better known of course as the “Tiger”… Over the years
we’ve done quite a few…but still not every kind of variant!
One particular variant, and
much requested, is the early field-grey “Tiger”… and here, at long last,
it is…
WS216 “Tiger 1
(Early Production)”
This particular Tiger, the first of two “Early Production” models
is #”213” belonging to the famous Abteilung
503, the 503 rd. Heavy Panzer Battalion. This grey, battle-weary
veteran has already seen some “hard-action” on the Russian Front. Both
track guards have been lost and its missing a front left wheel cover!
Another unique feature is the
rear baggage bin behind the turret… “cannibalized” from a Panzer III.
This allows us to place this tank operational in Russia between August and
November 1942. A shirt-sleeved commander completes the model.
AVAILABLE: Mid October
D. “…AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT.”
Never were Monty Python’s words written with more meaning…
Much as K&C has built its
reputation on World War Two and its many campaigns and battles its nice, now
and then, to design and produce something that’s not khaki, field grey or olive
drab!
And so, we decided to return
to our roots so to speak and do something traditional and colourful…
but in the K&C way.
“SECOND-TO-NONE”
That’s the motto of the Queen’s 2nd. Regiment of Foot
Guards – The Coldstream Guards.
Here to begin our new “Ceremonial Series” are a selection of “Coldstreamers” on parade.
CE001
“Shoulder Arms”
CE002
“Saluting Guards Officer”
CE003
“Marching Guards Officer”
CE004
“Marching Guardsman w/Rifle”
CE005 “Marching Officer w/King’s Colour”
CE006 “Drum Sergeant”
CE007 “Guards
Drummer”
CE008 “Guards
Fifer”
CE009
“Stand-At-Ease”
SPECIAL UNIFORM NOTE: All of the previous 9x Coldstream Guards
figures are in the Parade and Style Dress of the mid 1930’s. At that time Guardsmen wore the by then
obsolete Slade-Wallace white fighting order and carried the Lee
Enfield .303 rifle with sword bayonet.
Officers and Musicians uniforms today are
virtually identical to the 1930’s period.
Like millions of television
viewers the world over I was transfixed by the Royal Wedding of Prince
William to Miss Catherine Middleton back in 2011.
I thought then (and now)
it would be nice to produce a figure of both of them on their big day.
CE011
“William & Kate”
Kate in her traditional-style
wedding dress and Prince William in his uniform as Honorary Colonel of the
Irish Guards make a handsome couple… I hope you agree.
AVAILABLE: Mid October
E. “CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR”
As always around this time K&C produces its “SPECIAL YULETIDE
SET.” This year we’ve returned to that famous “Christmas Truce” of
1914 where British and German troops left their trenches and met each other in
“No Man’s Land” and fraternized for the one and only time during that
terrible conflict.
XM012-01
“Christmas 1914”
A British “Tommy” has brought out a Xmas
Pudding and a jar of Rum to share with some of the “Opposing Team”. One
of his German opponents has in turn brought a wicker hamper full of wine, beer,
Schnapps and good old German sausage.
One of his comrades takes a
photo of the memorable occasion.
AVAILABLE: Mid October
3. “FINALLY THE RETIREMENTS”
And quite a bunch this time around… grab’em
while stocks last!
AL005
“Australian Lighthorse Charging w/ Bayonet (to the
rear)”
CW026 “Union
Officer w/ Binos”
CW027 “Union
Chasseur Standing w/ Rifle”
CW028 “Union
Kneeling Firing Rifleman”
CW029 “Union
Standing Firing Rifleman”
CW030 “Union
Kneeling Ready”
CW031 “Union
Standing Ready”
CW032 “Union
Kneeling Loading”
CW033 “Union
Standing Loading”
CW034 “Union
Standing Ramrod”
CW035 “Union
Advancing”
CW036 “Union
Sergeant w/ Flag”
CW037 “Union
Bugler”
CW038 “Union
Mounted Officer”
CW039
“Thirsty Work”
CW054 “The
Photographer, Mathew Brady”
CW055
“General Lee's Belongings”
CW058 “Maj.
Gen. John Buford Jr.”
CW059 “Union Guidon Bearer”
CW060 “Union
Bugler”
CW061
“Officer Firing Pistol”
CW062
“Trooper Aiming Carbine”
CW063
“Prisoner and Escort”
CW064
“Trooper Kneeling Loading Carbine”
CW065
“Trooper Kneeling Cocking Carbine”
CW066
“Trooper Kneeling Firing Carbine”
CW067
“Trooper Standing Firing Carbine”
CW068
“Trooper Firing Pistol”
IF002 “Consul
General of the Chaplains Dept.”
IF003
“Italian Forces, Marching Officer”
KM012 “Admiral Karl Donitz”
LAH105 “Heinrich
Himmler Relaxing”
LAH108 “Sun
Loungers”
MK036
“Charging Saracen w/Sword & Shield”
MK038
“Defending Saracen w/Sword & Axe”
MK051 “Fight
to the Death”
MK068
“Fighting Priest w/ Axe”
RTA036
“Mexican Soldier Running w/ Ladder”
And that my friends is that… far another
month. Until some of us meet up in the ‘States in a few weeks time…
Best wishes to one and all!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country