King
& Country
DISPATCHES
AUGUST 2004
Well the weather in Hong Kong is
a mixture of hot, wet and humid — typical August…roll on September, Chicago and
the cooler months!
Now, down to business…
(1)
COMING SOON — (WE HOPE)
D. DAY GERMANS
Our three 4-man sets of SS Panzer Grenadiers fighting in
WS 58
“Fighting Patrol” — A 4-man MG42 Gun Group heading towards the battle. This
set includes 2 Panzer Grenadiers carrying MP40 Schmeisser Machine
Pistols…another carrying the MG42 and the fourth with a Panzerfaust in one hand
and his Gewehr 43 rifle in the other.
WS 60
“Panzerschrek Team” in ambush mode…a lying prone NCO is in charge of a
kneeling Panzerschrek gunner and loader plus another Grenadier with machine
pistol and ‘stick’ grenade.
WS 62
“New Tank Riders” — This is another additional set of tankriders to add on
to WS31…four kneeling, sitting, crouching Panzer Grenadiers — perfect for the
new WS 59 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer.
AVAILABILITY : We’re pushing the factories to get at
least advance deliveries in late August — but it could be early September.
SPECIAL NOTE : WS 59 Jagdpanthers are now in stock and
available!
D.DAY BRITISH
The new British Forces sets are also almost ready…due for delivery
in the next few weeks.
DD 52
“Command Set” shows Brigadier Lord Lovat, probably the most famous
Commando leader, and his command section. With him are his personal bagpiper, Bill
Millin, a radio operator and his sergeant body-guard — remember “The
Longest Day” and Peter Lawford!
DD 53
“Gun Group” shows a lying prone Bren gunner backed up by three other ‘in
action’ Commandos armed with Lee Enfield rifles and a ‘Tommy gun’.
DD 54
“Beachmaster” accurately captures Royal Navy Commander Colin Maude
and his dog “Winston” directing traffic on “
DD 51
is our British armour element…a superbly detailed CHURCHILL Infantry Support
Tank. Our model represents one of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade’s
Churchills. It’s in the markings of the 3rd Btn. Scots Guards and
aptly named “
Finally
there is an excellent character study of
Churchill
is realistically depicted as he was on D.Day +6 when he landed in
AVAILABILITY : Early September
(2)
BEING RETIRED / REDESIGNED
A whole
raft of older “Streets of Old Hong Kong” sets are being retired in order
that many of them can be redesigned and replaced with upgraded sculpting and
painting.
Among the sets rapidly disappearing
are…
HK040 The
Tea Waiter
HK041 The
Mandarin Set
HK053 The
Lantern Makers Set
HK053D Individual
Lantern
HK065 2
Lady Customers
HK067 The
Tea House Set
As I said they
will not be disappearing forever but next time around you will see a big, big
difference.
(4)
K&C’s 20th ANNIVERSARY
As many of
you know 2004 marks twenty years since King & Country began in
Over these 20 years we’ve seen
the hobby and business grow and grow and there’s still plenty of
room for expansion. There are millions and millions of people out there who’ve
never heard or seen of a toy soldier. That’s one of the things that continues
to excite me and encourage me to push the limits of what we can do with these
little figures, vehicles and accessories.
What the
last 20 years have also taught me is that hard work, perseverance, quality,
value and originality still have an important part to play in the collectible
toy soldier business and hobby.
The last 20
years have been a ‘roller coaster ride’ but usually a lot of fun. In that time
K&C has made lots of friends…and a few enemies — but I’ve loved every
minute of it. And I’m looking forward to the next 20…
Before I
sign off I would like to thank all those K&C dealers who took the time and
effort to congratulate us in the latest Toy Soldier magazine. Thanks for your
kindness and support.
So, that’s
the story so far…Once more we appreciate your continued business and…all the best
and great sales.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder and
Creative Director