DISPATCHES
AUGUST 2010
AUGUST is one of the hottest months of the year in
So, at this time we’re working flat-out to get as much of our new and
upcoming products and offerings ready to display and preview in the “
In the meantime however here’s a little advance info on what you can
expect in August and September from King & Country…
1. BEING RELEASED THIS AUGUST
A. “SPITFIRE
SUMMER” During the summer of 1940
Only
Britain, its army narrowly escaping the clutches of Adolf Hitler at Dunkirk…
the ships of the Royal Navy and a handful of Spitfires and Hurricanes
were left to stand up to the might of the Nazi war machine…
This
August, the 70th. Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, K&C is
releasing the second iconic British fighter plane of that epic aerial struggle…
The Supermarine Spitfire.
Along
with our superb model of a Spitfire Mk.1 we are also launching a batch
of new “ace” pilot figures, several ground personnel and the RAF
airfield version of the Austin K2 Ambulance.
RAF015 “RAF
A
familiar and reassuring sight on dozens of RAF airfields across the length and
breadth of
Our model
carries the markings of “Biggin Hill”, one of
the most famous RAF fighter stations of WW2 and is driven by a female WAAF (Women’s
Auxiliary Air Force) driver.
Planned Production Run: Just
250 vehicles
RAF016 “Supermarine
Spitfire Mk
A
superbly detailed model of R.J. Mitchell’s magnificent fighter aircraft.
Although twice as many Hawker Hurricanes actually fought in the
Our
K&C “Spit” is in the personal markings of Flight Lieutenant Alan
“AL” Deere, a young New Zealander, flying with 54 Squadron during
the
His
Spitfire Mk.1, complete with smoke stains from the gun ports and engine
exhausts makes a worthy companion to our earlier released Hawker Hurricanes.
Planned Production Run: 750
models
RAF018 “WAAF Officer”
All the Women’s
Auxiliary Air Force personnel played a vital ground support role during the
RAF019 “WAAF Sergeant”
Clipboard
in hand this female NCO is on an “inspection tour” of the
airfield.
RAF020 “Sergeant Pilot George Unwin”
George “Grumpy” Unwin enlisted in the RAF in 1929. In
1935 he was selected for pilot training and was eventually posted to 19
Squadron as a Spitfire pilot. By the end of the Battle of Britain he was
credited with 14 enemy aircraft.
He was
commissioned in 1941 and survived the war. He died in 2006.
RAF021 “Sergeant Pilot Antoni Glowacki”
Toni Glowacki was a Free Polish Air
Force pilot who shot down 5 German aircraft on one day (
RAF022 “Flying Officer Andy Mamedoff”
Andy Mamedoff was one of the first American
pilots to fly with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain. Initially Mamedoff came to Europe to fly for
When
RAF023 “Flying Officer John “Pancho” Villa”
“Pancho” flew with 72 Squadron throughout the
RAF024 “RAF
Policeman”
Providing
airfield security was the main responsibility of the RAF’s own Military Police.
In addition ordinary airmen NCO’s could be “drafted in” to act as Gate
Guards
RAF025 “RAF
Kneeling Armourer”
During
the Battle of Britain and beyond these RAF armourers
helped keep the Hurricanes and Spitfires flying and ready for action...
SPECIAL NOTE:
Look out for another RAF Airfield vehicle in, September’s release
schedule.
AVAILABILITY: Early Aug
B. “THE REGIMENT WILL ADVANCE”
As our
existing Revolutionary War British line regiment is being retired another takes
to the field… And it’s a famous one too!
The Royal
Welch Fusiliers
During
the America Revolution this regiment saw action in virtually every major
campaign (except Burgoyne’s). It fought from
BACKGROUND:
For many
years now K&C has been a “permanent fixture” at the annual “WestCoaster” Toy Soldier Show held in
The show
always begins with a parade around the hall of “living history re enactors” usually
led by a contingent of 23rd Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers). Two years ago
the members of this fine regiment stopped by the K&C tables and we got
talking… There and then we decided that they would be our next Rev. War British
regiment… And so we took lots of reference photos of the guys in a multitude of
poses and attitudes and here are the first results… enjoy!
BR075 “RWF Officer with Gloves”
A senior
of the Regiment, very cool and calm (as British senior officers invariably
are) prepares for battle!
BR076 “RWF Officer Saluting”
A junior
officer reports to his superior that the men are “standing to” and ready
for action.
BR077 “Fusilier Presenting Arms”
Fusilier
in a “classic” pose.
BR078 “Fusilier Making Ready”
BR079 “Fusilier Standing Firing”
BR080 “Fusilier Kneeling Firing”
BR081 “Fusilier Kneeling Ready”
BR082 “RWF Officer with King’s Colour”
A
standing Fusilier Ensign holding the great Union Standard (Jack) that is
the King’s Colour
AVAILABILITY: Mid August
BR
The same
officer as above but holding the 23rd’s Regimental Standard.
AVAILABILITY: Mid September
C.
“HITLERJUGEND IN
Raised in
1943 this Waffen SS Division (the 12th.)
comprised almost 20,000 seventeen-year old members of the Nazi Party’s Youth
Organization… all volunteers.
The
Division’s veteran officers and NCO’s were mostly seconded or transferred from
the premier Waffen SS unit, 1st SS “Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”.
In the
Spring of 1944 after it completed its training and received its full quota of
arms and equipment it was transferred to
On
This is
the first of two releases showing the “HJ in action” during the
early days of the fighting in
WS175 “Summer Raupenschlepper”
Two years
ago K&C released a very popular “winter” version of this great
little tracked transporter. We received many requests to produce a “summer”
one… and here it is!
But, this
new version is a brand-new sculpt with several additional features…
First of all, the “canvas” top is removable and can be replaced
with the steel metal frame in its place.
Also
included a load of supplies that can either be put into the vehicles (or
stand by its side). This Raupenschlepper
has a towing hook as well allowing collectors to pull an artillery piece
or trailer. Finally there is also an all-new driver as well.
AVAILABILITY: Mid
August
WS176 “Hitlerjugend Panther Ausf.
A”
Another
essential part of the division’s fighting inventory was a company of Panther
tanks.
This
latest Panther Ausf. A tank is definitely
K&C’s most detailed Panther to date. Covered in “zimmerit”
paste and battle-worn, two crew members can be seen with the vehicle as it
prepares to engage the enemy.
WS163 “Talking Tankers”
Two Waffen SS Panzer officers discuss the
tactical situation.
WS164 “Kneeling HJ Officer”
One of
the veteran 1st SS officers transferred to lead the young inexperienced HJ
boys into battle.
WS165 “Pak 97/38 Anti Tank Gun”
This was
a typical German combination of utilizing a captured enemy weapon (in this
case the French canon de 75 model 1897) and the carriage of their proven
German Pak 38.
Entering
wide-spread service in 1942 it was one of the principal anti tank guns supplied
to the Hitlerjugend Division just
before
Our model
comes with a three-man crew in action poses.
SPECIAL NOTE:
This gun
can also be “pulled” behind by the new Raupenschlepper.
WS166 “Laying the MG42 Gun Set”
Providing
the extra fire power to keep the Allied heads down this three-man set takes
careful aim.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Look out for more “HJ” infantrymen in action in September.
Waffen SS on Parade
WS162 “Waffen
SS Officer w/Sword”
This 2nd
SS “DAS REICH” armoured division officer in
full Panzer black uniform w/ sword.
WS178 ““DAS REICH” Banner Bearer”
Another
marching officer in full Panzer black uniform with Divisional Banner.
AVAILABILITY: Late August
2. COMING IN SEPTEMBER
A. As
mentioned in July’s “DISPATCHES” our latest “Hitlerjugend
in
WS167 “MP40 Set”
Two lying
prone young Panzer Grenadiers armed with the classic MP40 (Machine Pistol
40) usually called the “Schmeisser”. As
one Grenadier watches the front his mate calls out for reinforcements to move
up quickly and get in position. A great little set for dioramas!
WS168 “Kneeling Grenadier”
Another
young rifleman of the HJ Division somewhere in
WS169 “Ready… Aim… Fire!”
Another
of our 2-man sets… As one rifleman takes careful aim another sends a “silent”
signal to the rest of their section.
Note the Panzerfaust next to the firing
Grenadier.
WS170 “Dead HJ Grenadier”
The
deadly cost of war… Two thirds of the HJ Division fighting in
WS171 “Running Officer”
“Schmeisser” in hand this young HJ officer crouches low as he
moves around his boy’s defensive positions.
WS172 “Casualty Evacuation”
One HJ
Grenadier shoulders a wounded comrade and takes him out of the line and back to
the nearest aid station.
WS173 “Panzer Meyer Set”
Our
second version of this famous HJ officer (the first was part of a “Strictly
Limited” set a few years back). Here, he instructs one of his NCO’s on
exactly where he wants him and his men to go to.
WS174 “Walking Wounded”
A German
Medic escorts another wounded SS Panzer Grenadier away from the frontline and,
hopefully, out of further harm’s way!
AVAILABILITY: Early September
B. INTRODUCING “SERIES
“SERIES
The
thought behind it is that there are certain vehicles (both Allied and Axis)
that lend themselves to multiple paint schemes for different “Theatres of
War”. At the same time the appeal of these kinds of vehicle may be more restricted
to the dedicated K&C collector who likes something “out-of-the-ordinary”.
So, here’s the first… “The AUSTIN Light Utility”.
More than
65,000 of these little pickup trucks were produced and were used by British and
Empire forces throughout the war in every part of the world where British
troops fought. Of that number the AUSTIN MOTOR COMPANY built the largest single
amount (30,000). K&C are offering 3 different versions…
RAF026 “Austin Light Utility” (RAF Version)
Perfect
for any airfield scene. This model comes with detachable rear canvas canopy and
a seated Women’s Auxiliary Air Force driver.
EA056 “Austin Light Utility” (Eighth Army Version)
Complete
with female ATS driver this desert “Tilly”
fits into Monty’s H.Q…. a familiar sight on the wartime streets of
DD146 “Austin Light Utility” (
Painted
up in “Mickey Mouse” colours of black and
olive drab and sporting the Allied star this little “Tilly”
and its ATS driver are ready to disembark on the beaches of
Note: Just
250 of each vehicle have been produced.
AVAILABILITY: RAF026 and EA056 Early September
DD
C. MORE DESERT TRANSPORT
EA057 “
K&C
has received quite a few requests to have a “desert” version of our
popular “Field of Battle”
We’re
produced just 150 of this 8th. Army adaptation… so if you want one grab’em while you can! Remember just 150!!!
AVAILABILITY: Early
September
D. “TALKING OF THE DESERT…”
During
the “DESERT WAR” waged between 1940-1943 across the vast expanse of the
North African coastal plain the frontline moved almost constantly… From one
week to the next the battle see-sawed between Rommel’s vaunted AFRIKA
KORPS and
K&C’s
latest Afrika Korps
release reflects that kind of fluid military situation… and that explains the
unique mix of Allied and Axis buildings…
AK059 “Control Tower”
Raised
high above the ground, from this vantage point, you can see the entire desert
airstrip. Our German Control Tower comes complete with searchlight and
machine gun as well as a desk and a field radio inside the hut atop the wooden
trestles. A camouflaged corrugated tin roof shields at least some of the hut
from the blinding sun. A nazi flag hangs limply on
one side of the tower.
DIMENSIONS:
LENGTH:
WIDTH:
HEIGHT:
AK060 “Water Set”
Two Afrika Korps take a
well-earned and thirsty “water break”.
AK061 “Soldier drinking from the Jerry
Can”
Water is
always a precious and life-giving necessity in the desert… Here this AK
trooper drinks his fill.
AK062 “Fuel Transporter”
Another
bare-chested Afrika Korps
soldier brings up some much-needed fuel for a vehicle.
SPECIAL NOTE:
German Forces in
AK063 “Field Marshal
Albert “Smiling Albert” Kesselring”
This
senior officer was one of Hitler’s best and most able commanders. Never a Nazi
himself he could just as easily command an air fleet in Goring’s Luftwaffe or a
whole army fighting in the field. A superb organizer and tactician his
reputation for good humour and common sense won him a
special place in the hearts of the men he commanded.
In
November 1941 he was given control of “Luftwaffe Sud”…
the Southern Command of the Luftwaffe with responsibility for
He died
in 1960.
AK064 “Leutnant Hans-Arnold
Stahlschmidt”
This
officer, holding his life jacket, was a member of the Luftwaffe’s most famous
fighter squadron in
AK065 “Leutnant
Gunter Steinhausen”
Steinhausen is taking a break from flying duties and is in the
control tower for a few hours. This ace shot down 40 British aircraft
(mostly Hurricanes and P40 Tomahawks) before being himself shot down by an
AK066 “Desert Dispatch Rider”
Bringing
the latest orders and instructions from Afrika
Korps Headquarters.
The desert can be boiling hot during the day and freezing cold during
the night… At other times it can even be the reverse with flash floods and
torrential rain into the bargain.
Many actual wartime photos show Rommel’s men wearing their heavy wool
greatcoats in the middle of the day… And here they are
AK067 “AK rifleman in Greatcoat marching”
Wearing
the AK desert brown coat and carrying his K98 Mauser
this infantryman trudges across the sand.
AK068 “AK rifleman in Greatcoat on Guard Duty”
AK069 “AK rifleman in Greatcoat marching”
An
alternative (or addition) to AK067.
AK070 “AK Feldwebel
marching”
Another
marching figure with shouldered MP40 “Schmeisser”
and… a determined look.
AK071(SL) “Hans-Joachim (Jochen) Marseille & his Bf
“The Star of
By the
time he was killed in a flying accident in September 1942, Marseille had shot
down 158 enemy aircraft, most of them in
Another
member of JG27 and flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109 “F” Marseille
reached the zenith of his flying career when on
During
his all-too short career in
This
particular one features the colourful partly blood red
tail complete with “kill” markings and light weathering.
Just 999 of this
very special STRICLY LIMITED “Jochen” Marseille
Bf 109 are being produced. It comes with a detailed (and numbered)
summary of Marseille’s career and in a specially-designed box.
It is
sure to be a much sought-after piece and will fit into any “Desert War”
collection. A standing figure of Marseille is also, of course, included.
AK072 “Afrika
Korps Kubelwagen”
Yet
another much-requested addition to our Desert series… The desert Kubelwagen. This great looking little run-around
sports the special bulbous desert tires and has an MG34 machine
gun pole mounted in the centre of the vehicle. A seated driver and assorted
equipment can be seen as well.
The
perfect way to get around the desert (or a desert airfield).
AK073 “Afrika
Korps Airfield Hut”
Obviously,
one of the Allied Quonset/Nissen Huts obtained as a “spoil
of war” by the Germans and put to good practical use!
AVAILABILITY: Mid
September
3. “HEADING FOR THE HAPPY HUNTING
GROUNDS!”
BEING RETIRED…
As usual,
to help make room for all the new stuff we have to, sadly, let go of some of
the older stuff…
a) “
BBA022 “Walking Wounded”
b) “
DD077 “War Correspondent Ernie Pyle”
c) “
LAH079 “LAH Recce Truck”
LAH089 “Feldmarschall Werner Von Blomberg”
d) “The Crusaders”
MK007 “
MK050 “Gruesome Trophy Set”
MK054 “Sir Walter De La Mer”
MK055 “Robert of Abbotsinch”
e) “The Age of Napoleon”
NA048 “Standing Firing”
NA049 “Standing Ready”
NA050 “Kneeling Firing”
NA051 “Sergeant Attacking w/Pike”
NA054 “Lunging w/Bayonet”
NA067 “Black Watch - Kneeling to Repel”
NA068 “Black Watch - Wounded Highlander”
NA098 “Gun Crew”
NA099 “Gun Corporal with Sword”
f) “
WS099 “German Tank Crew”
Now,
that’s quite a little list but if you look at the prices they are all great
value… grab ‘em while you can.
And
that’s that for another 30 days or so… We thank you for your continued support
and business and we never forget how important you and our K&C collectors
are. Very best wishes!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative
Director
King & Country