King & Country
DISPATCHES
OCTOBER 2005
By the time you get
this latest ‘DISPATCHES’
THE OLD TOY SOLDIER SHOW
TWENTY – FIVE GREAT YEARS!
CHICAGO 2005
As I
write this note right here in San Antonio, Texas the 25th Anniversary Show is
but a memory … but what a memory!
I
arrived on the Wednesday (a day earlier than usual) and that allowed me
plenty of time to set up my “mini displays” of upcoming product. A
special thanks to
Almost
immediately I began welcoming K&C dealers and collectors into my room to
see and ‘hear’ what’s coming out in the next few months.
During
breaks in the “private viewings” I wandered the floors of the Hyatt marvelling
at the variety and quality of what was on offer. In my view, over the 4
pre–show days there were more doors open than I’ve seen in recent years.
At the
same time more and more K&C fanatics and “toy soldier forum members”
began arriving. At several points my room felt like “Grand Central Station”
– but all in good fun. We had several late–night “jam” sessions as far
as discussing K&C’s future plans and K&C in
general.
SATURDAY NIGHT
SYMPOSIUM
On the
evening of Saturday, Treefrog Treasures and Sierra Toy Soldiers hosted a little
buffet supper gathering of dedicated K&C “diehards” at a restaurant
near the Hyatt Regency. After the meal I gave a brief talk on K&C – its
history, philosophy and general direction the company is going in.
After
that we opened it up for questions and had a frantic 45 minute “Q & A”
on virtually all aspects of K&C and our products.
The
evening was a great success and we hope to repeat it next year.
“IT’S IN THE BAG”
For
this special 25th Anniversary Show K&C, in association with Don Pielin, the Show Organizer, produced a great (and useful)
show “Giveaway” – a stylish black Shoulder Bag. On one
side, big and bold, the show’s logo. The reverse displayed a strong and
gutsy King & Country logo and “mission
statement”.
The
response to the “special” was extra special. Everybody but everybody had
to have the show special. It was our privilege to be associated with this great
event and be able to help in a small sponsorship way.
Should
you go to
Come
on, jump in, the water is fine.
See
you in
Now, as usual, down to
business …
1.
SO WHAT’S NEW?
A.
“FIELDS of
As I wrote last month, ‘FIELDS of BATTLE’ is
an attempt to go down the ‘less–travelled road’
as far as toy soldiers and military miniatures are concerned. I don’t expect it
to have the sales appeal of Waffen SS or D.Day figures but I do believe it will appeal to the
very serious collector who loves great quality and originality.
All nine of the first releases with their special
packaging are available in October:
FOB001 General's AIDE-DE-CAMP
FOB002 French
FOB003 Poilu Presenting Arms
FOB004 Poilu Marching
FOB005 British Naval
FOB006 Marching Bren Gunner
FOB007 Marching (No Helmet) Tommy
FOB008 Standing British Tommy
FOB009 Char B1 bis (French Tank)
AVAILABILITY : EARLY OCTOBER
B.
“
Our second big release in October
are the latest additions to one of our most successful ranges ever – “
This series featuring the black–clad ‘Leibstandarte
Adolf Hitler’ on parade as well as SA Brownshirts,
Hitler jugend and a whole desperate gang of Nazi ‘bigwigs’
is a sure–fire seller with collectors and dealers alike.
These newest pieces have a little something for
everyone who is interested in pre war
LAH58 Marching Algemeine SS Man
LAH59 Marching Algemeine
LAH60 Marching Algemeine w/
Standard
LAH61 Oath Taking Ceremony Set (3
figure + flag Leibstandarte SS)
LAH62 Taking the Oath (Single LAH
figure)
LAH63 Wehrmacht
Mounted
LAH64 Wehrmacht
Marching
LAH65 Wehrmacht
Marching Flagbearer
LAH66 Wehrmacht
Marching Drummer
LAH67 Wehrmacht
Marching Rifleman
AVAILABILITY : LATE OCTOBER
C.
“STREETS OF OLD
Five new additions to “Streets”
HK137 Policeman with Martini
Henry carbine standing on guard duty
HK138 Police Corporal with notebook taking notes
HK139 Policeman on Patrol. Chinese ‘Bobby’ on the beat.
HK141 The ‘New’
AVAILABILITY : EARLY OCTOBER
D.
“WINTER TIGER”
Since we announced the release of this very special
‘limited edition’ the response has been tremendous! Just a few pieces of
these snow covered predators are remaining and I expect them to go pretty
quickly!
Check out the
additional photos with this ‘DISPATCHES’ showing
the packaging and the special 4 page folder.
AVAILABILITY
: MID OCTOBER
E.
THE CHINESE
IMPERIAL COLLECTION
Since the retirement of many of our earlier ‘Imperial
Collection’ pieces we have been requested to produce redesigned and
upgraded new pieces. Well, here they are in all their ‘Imperial Glory’.
Six new sets based
around the Imperial Court of the last Dowager Empress Ci–Xi.
This lady ruled the ‘Middle Kingdom’ from 1865 till 1904 and presided
over some of the most tumultuous events in Chinese history. Probably the most
famous, in Western eyes, was the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.
All six sets are
beautifully sculpted and skillfully painted to represent this court and
courtiers at the time of the 1900 Rebellion.
IC005
IC006 Opera Soldier A walk–on extra to complete the scene.
IC007 The Musician Set Four traditional Chinese Court Musicians playing their age–old
instruments.
IC008 Dowager Empress Set Although physically feebled by age this ruler
was still able to instill fear and awe in her court and subjects by her
powerful personality and appetite for intrigue. Seated on her throne she is
attended by her senior Court Eunuch.
IC009
Ladies–in–Waiting Two of the many ladies of
the Imperial Chamber who served the many requests of the aging ruler.
IC010 Mandarin Set Three powerful Mandarins present petitions to the Empress accompanying
them is their body guard.
AVAILABILITY : EARLY OCTOBER
COMING SOON
At present we are working
on a mini Chinese Opera Stage Set to go with the players. We hope to have this
polystone accessory piece ready before Christmas.
F.
“HAVE YOURSELF A
MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS”
As dealers know every yuletide season K&C
produce a Santa Claus figure …
Well this year is no different although our
approach is a wee bit different …
XM05-01 “Santa in a
Jeep” is exactly that – Father Christmas, or rather a GI dressed up as
Santa has exchanged his reindeer and sled for a Willys
Jeep!
The scene is December
1944 … a little besieged town in Belgium … the place is deserted except for a
platoon of GI’s and an old priest looking after a dozen orphan kids.
In the midst of
battle the GI’s decide to give these kids the best Christmas they’ve ever had. All their extra rations plus a crate of
Only 600 sets have been
produced.
AVAILABILITY
: LATE OCTOBER
2.
COMING SOON
A.
“
As promised here are the add–on sets for our “Battle
of The Bulge” range.
Six sets with a “winter” theme and style
that is very unique.
(i)
BBA05 M21 HALFTRACK
This particular Halftrack (our
3rd K&C version) mounts an 81mm Mortar in the rear and comes with 3
full crew figures.
A slight winter dusting of
snow adds to the already battle–weary finish.
(ii)
BBA06 “RETURNING
PATROL”
Three greatcoat–clad GI’s
return from a fighting patrol … with them a captured German prisoner.
(iii)
BBA07 “THE PRICE OF
DECEPTION”
One of Otto Skorzeny’s “imitation”
American GI’s faces a firing squad.
Two rifle firing MP’s take aim … an army padre looks on.
(iv)
BBA08 “WOLF IN
SHEEP’S CLOTHING”
Another of Skorzeny’s deception plans … A German Stug
III disguised with extra plates and paint as a ‘phoney’
US Tank Destroyer. 3 ‘imitation’ GI’s complete the set. Note the blue
scarves.
(v)
BBA09 PACK HOWITZER
SET
75mm Airborne Pack
Howitzer firing over open sights. 3 paratroopers –
cold and hungry, man the gun.
(vi)
BBA10 “WELCOME TO
A grizzled, veteran 101
veteran of the battle greets a young replacement direct from the Depot. Between
then a “
AVAILABILITY : EARLY NOVEMBER
B.
NOVEMBER
NAPOLEONICS
A whole bunch of British and Allied Napoleonic
releases for late November. Among them are:
NA67 Black Watch - Kneeling to
Repel
NA68 Black Watch - Wounded
Highlander
King’s German Legion Rifle
Regiment
Very similar
uniform and equipment to
NA69 King's German Legion -
NA70 King's German Legion -
Sergeant Looking
NA71 King's German Legion -
Standing Firing
NA72 King's German Legion -
Kneeling Firing
NA73 King's German Legion -
Kneeling Loading
NA74 King's German Legion -
Moving Forward
NA75 King's German Legion -
Skirmisher
NA76 King's German Legion -
With Ramrod
And a special ‘Personality
Figure’ …
NA77 His Excellency The Duke of Wellington mounted
on his horse “
AVAILABILITY : LATE NOVEMBER / EARLY DECEMBER
C.
PANZER 1 Tank (LAH
68)
A little later than the rest of the LAH additions …
LAH68 Panzer 1 Tank This little ‘tankette’
was used extensively early in WW2 but was also frequently seen in pre war
parades in
AVAILABILITY : EARLY / MID NOVEMBER
3.
BRITISH SHERMAN
(DD65)
This
British Edition Sherman is a one-off production only; stocks will be supplied on a “first come – first served” basis.
AVAILABILITY : MID FEBRUARY 2006
Well that’s the story so far lots of goodies and, I hope, great sales!
All
the best.
Andy C. Neilson