KING & COUNTRY
MARCH 2006
I’m
writing this month’s DISPATCHES a couple of hours before I fly down to
As
soon as I get back next week I’ll be up in
And
by the time most of you will read this latest “missive” I’ll be in
So,
without further ado let’s get down to business.
1. WHAT’S NEW IN MARCH?
ROMMEL’S AFRIKA KORPS is what’s new and boy has it been getting a lot of renewed
interest from K&C dealers and collectors alike. As you all know the centrepiece
of this latest 4 set release is AK29(SL) Rommel’s
Command Halftrack. This
particular piece, which is “Strictly Limited” to just 750 pieces was sold out in less than 16 hours! That may be a record even for us.
We’ve
also seen a nice upsurge of interest and sales in the previously released
Afrika Korps sets so don’t miss out on these new ones…
AK26 Desert Transport
A 3-ton SdKfz
11 halftrack in typical battle-worn desert camouflage complete with full-body
driver and vehicle commander. Please
Note: This vehicle is perfect for pulling AK27.
AK27 The F18 Field Howitzer
This 10.5cm artillery piece comes
with a 5-man gun crew in action poses.
Also Note: The gun barrel elevates and depresses and the trail legs open
and close with moveable ‘spades’ for either “transport” or “firing”
positions.
AK28 “Questioning The Prisoner”
Two Afrika Korps officers
interrogate a recently captured British officer. Observing the scene is an AK Panzer
Grenadier.
AK29(SL) “Rommel’s
Command Halftrack”
As you all know this model is
already a complete “sell out”. We
could have produced twice as many and still “sold out”. Oh well such is life…
Anyway
for the record… An SdKfz 250/3 in the personal
markings of Rommel’s own “GREIF” (
AVAILABILITY
: NOW
2. COMING NEXT MONTH (APRIL)
April
‘06 is going to be a bumper month for colourful new
releases that have absolutely nothing to do with the Second World War…
Here’s
what’s in the works –
A) THE BARBARIANS
Celts,
Britons, Gauls and Huns…
At long,
long last we’ve finally got an enemy for our Roman Legions to fight. Apologies to all “Ancients” collectors
but its taken us a while to get back ‘round to this
era. But I think when you see the photos
you’ll reckon its been worth the wait!
These
new pieces (unpainted) were previewed back in September last year at the
Chicago Show but due to other releases had to be postponed till now. These are all-new sculpts and paint schemes
and really dynamic figures.
BAR001 Mounted Chieftain. This Celtic Chief on horseback
has a passing resemblance to a hirsute Sean Connery. Our hero carries a traditional “Dragon
Snake” banner and has prettily adorned his steed with the severed heads of
several of his enemies.
BAR002 “Attacking with Axe”. Running towards his enemy this warrior prepares to deal a
crushing blow.
BAR003 “Attacking with Sword and Shield”. Poised
ready for battle and seeking a likely victim.
BAR004 “Fighting Chief”. Wearing a captured Roman Auxiliary’s chain mail vest this
Gallic Chieftain has already dispatched at least one of his enemies.
BAR005 “Charge!” This tribesman rushes forward – long lance at the ready.
BAR006 “Gruesome Trophies”. Another
warrior attacks – his shield decorated with enemy heads.
BAR007 “Slashing Warrior”. About to strike a lethal blow this warrior has a captured
Roman dagger on his belt.
BAR008 “Running Warrior”. With sword and
shield yet one more ancient warrior rushes into the fight.
BAR009 “Wolfshead”. Over his Roman helmet this fighter has draped a wolf pelt
complete with wolf’s head.
BAR010 “Hacking Warrior”. With his richly
decorated shield and colourful helmet this particular
warrior makes a striking impression.
BAR011 “Barbarian Trumpeter”. Wielding this
strange looking musical instrument this half-naked warrior can signal to his
comrades as well as strike fear in his Roman enemies.
BAR012 “No Mercy!” Any captured Roman
Legionary could, at best, hope for a swift death. This Roman soldier is about to meet his Gods…
AVAILABLE : Early April
3. AND NOW FOR SOMETHING
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…
Continental Marines… Redcoats… and Redmen.
With
one mighty leap we bound from the dark forest in the middle of
Our
latest Rev. War releases should, I hope, have something for everyone whether
rebellious colonial or Tory loyalist.
The Redcoats :
BR048 “Standing Firing Musket”. One of King
George’s with his “Brown Bess” drawing a bead on the enemy.
BR049 “Running Rifleman”. Another Redcoat charging forward to greet the enemy with some cold
“
BR050 “Redcoat Casualty”. One of His Majesty’s
men that will never see Old Albion’s shores ever again.
The Redmen (Spoils of War) :
BR051 “Mounted Indian” with captured rifles, cartridge boxes, bedrolls, water
canteens and even… an early American flag.
Oh, and by the way, the horse is a battle trophy as well.
BR052 “Brand-New Coat”. This woodland warrior is trying on a Continental jacket whose
owner will no longer be needing it.
A
captured sabre also belongs to him.
BR053 “This
Gun is Mine!”. Bending
down to retrieve a discarded musket this warrior is well pleased with his “find”.
THE
AMERICANS :
K&C
has been wanting to produce “Continental Marines”
for a long time – here they are…
AR045 “Standing
Firing Marine”. This green-clad figure takes careful aim and…
AR046 “Standing
Loading Corporal”. Biting the paper wad of the cartridge
this NCO prepares for action.
AR047 “Standing
Ready”. This Marine is ready to repel all boarders…
AR048 “Presenting
Arms”. Rifle held resolutely in front in the traditional pose.
AR049 “Capt. Samuel Nicholas”. One of the Corps first officers and destined to be its first
Commandant saluting.
AR050 “Marine Drummer”. A
young teenage recruit who can “mark time” and “beat retreat”.
AR051 “Flag Bearer”. This young
officer bears one of the many flags adopted in the early stages of the
Revolution.
AR052 “Kneeling Firing”. Yet one more
extremely useful and popular pose.
AVAILABLE : Late April
4. ALSO IN APRIL…
From Revolutionary America to pre Revolutionary
Four legendary
Chinese beauties which will adorn any collection of K&C’s
Chinese figures.
IC022 “Wang Zhao-jun”
IC023 “Diao Chan”
IC024 “Xi Shi”
IC025 “Yang Guifei”
These four superbly
detailed and colourful pieces will look particularly
good in an “Imperial” setting.
AVAILABLE : Late April
5. A NAPOLEONIC INTERLUDE
For
Napoleonic collectors there’s something rather unique can distinctly different
for release at the end of April.
“Rest
‘n’ Recreation” in the time of Napoleon.
NA082 Four seated French Cavalrymen taking their
ease… sitting figures of a Chasseur … a Dragoon … a Hussar and a Dragoon Trumpeter. The perfect figures to fit
into a Napoleonic camp scene or our recent French Farmhouse diorama (SP017 and SP018).
To
add on extra touch of realism we’ve also got SP019 The Table and Chairs
Set – a sturdy farmyard table and three rustic chairs; SP020 The Barrel and Ladder set – wooden wine kegs … a wheel barrow with a basket
of ripe red apples … a knife sharpening wheel … a bucket … and two ladders.
Again,
these are great farmyard accessories can really help bring a scene “alive”.
AVAILABLE : Late April
6. TO BE RETIRED…
With
the release of Clint Eastwood’s movie of the Battle of Iwo
IWJ08 “Tough Opposition”
IWJ09 “Mortar and Machine Gun”
We
anticipate that the release of “Flap of our Fathers” will
definitely renew and reignite collector interest in the Pacific War in general
and K&C’s “
So,
take this opportunity to grab some of these original Japanese sets while you
can!
On
that cheerful note I’ll say a fond farewell and, of course, great sales!
Andy
C. Neilson