KING & COUNTRY
DISPATCHES
AUGUST 2007
By the time you guys (and gals)
get this latest “DISPATCHES” myself, wife and child will be in
Anyway
let’s get down to business.
1.
AVAILABLE IN AUGUST
A. “Fields
of
FoB038
“Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.
B” (
Here’s a great little late
addition to all of those July “Fields of
WS104 (SL) “ASSASSINATION
OF HEYDRICH”
One of August’s
big surprises will be this dramatic set depicting the well-deserved fate of one
of the Third Reich’s most feared and despised characters…Reinhard
Heydrich.
Himmler’s own right-hand man,
Chief of the dreaded SD and Reichsprotektor of
Bohemia Moravia, Heydrich was also one of the main
architects of “The Final Solution”. He was stalked and attacked by two
very brave Czech patriots in May 1942. Although his assassination led to the
deaths of many thousands of innocent men, women and children this was proof,
even to the Nazis, that they were not “invulnerable”.
This, our first “Strictly
Limited” of 2007 depicts the actual moment of the attack on Heydrich when he was fatally injured by the bomb thrown by
one of the assassins. This special set includes Heydrich
himself…his SD driver…and the two brave Czech patriots Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik
and a superb model of the Reichsprotektor’s
Staff Car.
Also inside the “Strictly
Limited” box is a four-page summary of Heydrich’s
infamous career and important background details on the attack and its tragic
aftermath.
This particular “Limited
Edition” comprises just 999 sets.
** For dealers who have committed
to the standing orders of the Strictly Limited Sets, we will automatically put
these on order.
Here at last, the long-awaited
and much-requested German Fallschirmjagers (or
paratroopers).
Almost a platoon’s worth and
they’re ready for action.
These new pieces are in the
standard two-tone “jump” uniforms of 1939-1942 and are perfect for the
campaigns in the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxemburg and Holland) as well
as France and, of course their most famous battle, the Capture of CRETE in 1941.
These airborne troopers also fought in
Here’s the set breakdown…
FJ001-07
“MG34 Machine Gun Team”
A machine
gunner and his “spotter” laying down a belt of covering fire with their
excellent MG34 gun.
FJ002-07
“Mortar Team”
A two-man team provide mortar support with their small,
portable leGrW36 weapon. This little mortar fired either a 2-inch high
explosive round or a “smoke” canister.
FJ003-07
“Weapons Container”
Most German paratroopers jumped with only
their personal side arm (usually a Luger or P38
pistol) as protection. Rifles and submachine guns (as well as heavier
troop weapons) were dropped separately in airborne containers.
Here, one is being unloaded and weapons
distributed by a shouting Fallschirmjager.
FJ004-07
“FJ Bugler”
Battlefields are, by definition, noisy and
often radios don’t work so…bugles are simple and easy to operate and can be
used to help gather and organize widely dispersed landing forces.
FJ005-07
“Returning Fire”
A great little fighting
section of 4 Fallschirmjagers in action.
FJ006-07
“Prisoner & Escort”
A well-armed and aggressive paratrooper
brings in his British prisoner-of-war. Could be northern
FJ007-07
“Anti Tank Gun Set”
Three FJ operate an easily air-portable 37mm
anti tank gun.
FJ008-07
“FJ Motorcycle Combo”
A highly mobile “fire team”
on their BMW add extra firepower to the assault. Heavier transport and
equipment was ferried into the landing zone by specially adapted aircraft (JU52’s)
and gliders.
FJ009-07
“FJ Dispatch Rider”
Good communications are vital to
any battle or campaign especially involving airborne forces…here is a typical
FJ rider on his bike.
Special Note: Many
collectors have been contacting K&C direct asking what troops can be used
to oppose these new Fallschirmjagers either in
the Battle of France in May and June 1940 and the Battle for Crete
in 1941.
Our “Fields of
HK163 “Herbal
Tea Set”
HK164 “Fish Seller Set”
Two more colourful (and delightful) add-ons to this, our
longest and largest series.
AVAILABILITY: “FoB Stug III” Early
Next Week
“Assassination
of Heydrich”(SL) Mid August
“Fallschirmjager” Mid / Late August
“Streets of Old HK” NOW
The war in the North African
desert from 1940 to 1943 threw up many unusual and unique “freelance”
fighting units that played a vital role in the ultimate defeat of Rommel’s Axis
forces...Two of these units in particular became world-famous for their daring
and dangerous exploits behind German lines during the conflict...The
Special Air Service (SAS) and The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG).
King & Country is proud and privileged to produce
a companion series (to our 8th Army range) of sets of fighting vehicles
and figures that vividly and dramatically illustrate their actions.
EA017 “Major
David Stirling”
Originally a Scots Guards
officer the tall
EA018 “The Watchers”
Another major role of both the
SAS and LRDG was to observe and report on enemy positions and troop movements.
These could then be “radioed” back to HQ for analysis or...action.
As one of this 2-man set observes the enemy through his binos
the other observes the landscape around them.
EA019 “The
Imposter”
Among both the SAS and LRDG were
fluent German-speaking refugees from
EA020 “The
Attackers”
Sometimes action speaks louder
than words...Two of our “Free-lancers” prepare to take on the enemy.
EA021 “On
Guard”
Here, is the “classic” SAS
figure...arab
headdress...British tropical uniform...full beard and “Tommy Gun” at the
ready.
EA022 “SAS
Mortar Team”
While an attack is about to go in
these two SAS Mortarmen prepare to lay down a
little diversion for the enemy.
EA023 “LRDG 30cwt. Chevrolet
Uncamouflaged”
The “Classic” image of the
Long Range Desert Group is the 30cwt. Chevrolet Truck...In the beginning these
were bought from the Egyptian branch of General Motors and customized by LRDG
men themselves. Mounted with an eclectic ar
EA023 comes in plain “sand”
finish and mounts two machine guns...a Bren and a Lewis Gun. A crew of three in
a motley variety of British,
EA024 “LRDG 30cwt.
Chevrolet Camouflaged”
Another “Chevy”, this time
partly camouflaged with a pale sky blue pattern on basic “sand” colour.
This vehicle mounts a “Boyes” anti tank rifle
on the rear and also carries a “Bren” just in case…
Three crew
accompany the vehicle and like EA023 wear the typical assortment of uniform and
head gear much favoured by the Long Range Desert
Group.
Special Note: Most LRDG
patrols consisted of at least two (and usually three) vehicles. US made
Jeeps were also incorporated into these patrols as they became available.
EA025 “The
SAS Recce Jeep”
The favourite
mode of transport for the SAS was the Jeep, albeit heavily armed, and ready for
any trouble that might come their way.
AVAILABILITY: EA017 – EA022 Early
September
EA023,
EA025 Mid September
EA024 Mid October
With all this British inspired
mayhem going on around them we do have to provide some additional help for our
Afrika Korps men…
AK038 “Sturmgeschutz III (Afrika Korps)
When we announced the release of
our Fob “Stug” we received more than a few
requests for a “Desert” version. Well, here it is, complete with our 2
tank crew in AK uniform. A great little model!
AVAILABILITY: Mid
September
It’s been a wee while since we
released our last Saracens and Crusaders. So, we thought it was
about time to “freshen-up” that colourful
little series...
This time round we’ve got some “extra
special” figures that we think will be pretty popular...Saracen Cavalry
and the odd “personality” or two…
MK043 “Mounted Saracen
with Lance down”
MK045 “Saracen
Standard Bearer” (photo available next week)
A simply
stunning, mounted flag-bearer of Saladin’s own bodyguard regiment.
MK046 “Knight
w/Axe”
MK047 “Man-At-Arms
w/Dagger”
MK049 “Mounted
charging Crusader w/Lance”
MK050 “Gruesome
Trophy Set”
A victorious Saracen and an unfortunate Crusader opponent.
MK051
“Fight to the Death” (photo available next week)
MK052
“The Bishop of
A superb study of another
fighting man-of-the-church and finally, the “piece de resistance”…
MK053
“Richard The Lionheart”
A magnificent mounted portrait of
the English monarch most closely associated with the Crusades and Crusaders.
Here, he charges into battle fearing nothing but his God…
AVAILABILITY: Mid
September
3. SO, WHAT’S BEING
RETIRED?
Well quite a few things this
month...for a start…
Here are the first four sets of
our very popular “Bulge” series to be retired as we prepare for the next
new “Bulge” sets later this year…
BBA003
“NUTS!”
BBA005 “Mortar Half
Track Set”
BBA007 “The Price of
Deception”
BBA008 “Wolf in
Sheep’s Clothing”
These “Bulge” sets are
part of one of K&C’s most popular ranges...Don’t
miss out on getting them.
Also being retired in August are four of our “Streets of Old
HK103 “Two Kitchen
Helpers”
HK108 “Grandmother & Child”
HK118 “Chicken &
Geese Seller”
So that’s the story for another
month...In finishing, let me just say we always appreciate your business and
support...we know you have difficult choices...and thank you for choosing
K&C.
Best
personal wishes and...great sales!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder &
Creative Director