DISPATCHES
DECEMBER 2013
Well, December is upon us and Christmas beckons in
the not-too-distant future…What Santa will bring us only he knows but what King
& Country has to offer I can, with reasonable accuracy, predict…Now read
on…
1.
BEING RELEASED THIS DECEMBER
A.
INTRODUCING “KnC”
This month we’re
officially announcing our new “KnC”
brand. At King & Country we’ve been working, for over 18 months, on
producing a line of figures and vehicles that will be complementary to our
existing main stream production but will provide collectors, old and new, with
a less expensive, more affordable line of products that we believe can fill a
gap in the 1:30 scale market. Pre painted and manufactured in high
quality, hard plastic resin the new figures and vehicles will provide collectors
with a way to purchase “multiples” and “add-ons” that can extend
and supplement existing K&C all-metal and mixed media collections and
displays…not replace them!
We also believe
that the more-affordable price-point will encourage younger collectors and even
some plastic enthusiasts to venture into our part of the toy soldier/military
miniature community…perhaps for the first time.
The first figure
line is centered around our existing “Remember The
Alamo” all-metal series and will be released in early 2014. However
for the moment the first actual “KnC” release
is…
KnC001 “The D.DAY SHERMAN”
This is one particular M4 Sherman that King &
Country has never produced before…the unique “Wading Sherman”.
For D.Day certain M4A3 Shermans
were fitted with tall wading stacks that were fixed on top and on the rear
of the tank’s engine compartment. This allowed the vehicles to be
launched off the beach and wade, under their own power, onto dry land. Once ashore the stacks would be jettisoned and the M4 could resume
its task and its normal profile appearance.
Our new “KnC” M4 comes with 2 x removable
stacks…1 x half-body tank commander…and a separate .50 calibre machine gun. Each tank is also carefully
packaged in a specially-designed, sturdy “window” box that allows
collectors to see exactly what they’re buying…when they’re buying it.
AVAILABLE : NOW!
B.
“ARDENNES MONSTER”
From Normandy in
the summer of ’44 we’re moving to Belgium and the Ardennes in the cruel mid winter of 1944 with our second and final version of our
latest Jagdpanther…
BBG072
“Jagdpanther Ausf.G1”
This really was a “monster”
with a very big “bite” in the shape of that mighty ’88 gun in the hull
of the Jagdpanther. This “Bulge” version
has had a field-applied coat of snow-camouflage whitewash which already is
showing signs of “wear and tear” on its “zimmerit”
coating.
Two great new crew
figures add even more character to the model.
AVAILABLE : NOW!
C.
“FROM BATTLEFIELDS TO BOUQUETS!”
How’s that for a contrast…From
the Ardennes in the middle of winter to a corner of a picturesque little town
in France on a pleasant summer’s day…
SP058 “The Corner
Flower Shop”
This little corner
shop is perfect for connecting any two of our new Normandy village facades and
makes a colourful display even on its own. Just
examine closely the exquisite detail.
AVAILABLE : NOW!
D.
“1914. The Brink of WAR”
As many of you
already know 2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War
– the War to end all Wars! Alas that was not to be. However
in the history of the planet that time alongwith the
people and events that dominated it still have a special place in our world
today.
To begin King & Country’s remembrance of 1914 we are having a double
release of all-new figures depicting part of Imperial Germany’s army as it
prepared for the conflict that would erupt in August 1914.
ON MANOEUVERS
The first half of
this 1914 release shows German infantry taking part in a “fire and
movement” exercise sometime in the early summer of 1914. As the
Kaiser is watching (a new mounted Wilhelm II is being released very soon)
these infantrymen form a firing line. Although dressed in one of the
varieties of “feldgrau” (field grey) their
uniforms still bear vestiges of peace time colour –
their traditional red collars and cuffs. Just as traditional are their
uncovered “Pickelhaub” helmets adorned with
the Prussian Eagle.
Among this initial
release are…
FW128 “Mounted
Infantry Officer w/Binos”
Turning in the saddle this officer raises his binoculars to observe the
progress of his men.
FW129 “Standing
Firing”
FW130 “Kneeling
Firing”
FW132 “Lying
Firing”
FW133 “Kneeling
Ready”
FW134 “Bugler”
FW138 “Machine
Gunner”
Uniform Notes:
These new WW1
German infantry are based on typical “soldaten” of
the Baden 114th Infantry Regiment of 1914.
Additional Figures: Among the upcoming figures for release in
January/February 2014 are a mounted Kaiser Wilhelm II and his Chief of
the German General Staff, Helmuth von Moltke plus more Baden Infantry in action.
FIRST RELEASE AVAILABLE
: Early December
E.
“NAPOLEONICS IN EGYPT…IN ACTION!”
As Napoleon was to
find out…his Egyptian Adventure was no “walk-in-the-park”! Almost
as soon as his army landed they were involved in skirmishes, ambushes and
full-scale battles…
They also quickly
realized that much of their equipment and especially their heavy European-style
uniforms were totally unsuitable for the Middle Eastern climate and
conditions. Here we see our latest “Napoleon In
Egypt” French troops in fighting formation defending their position.
Wearing the small “jockey”-type caps and locally-made cotton trousers
with shorter-cut jackets the soldiers can move and fight more easily.
Among these
soldiers from the 9th Demi Brigade are…
NE034
“Standing Firing”
NE035
“Kneeling Firing”
NE036
“Standing to Repel”
NE037
“Standing Ready”
NE038
“Standing Loading”
NE039
“Advancing”
NE040
“Kneeling to Repel”
NE041
“Standing Drummer”
NE044
“Officer”
AVAILABLE : Early
December
F.
“Somewhere In The
Balkans…”
With the coming of
WW2 Reichsfuhrer SS Heinrich Himmler
began the expansion of his Waffen SS
that would continue almost until the final weeks of the Third Reich. What
had initially been a solely “Germanic” and “Aryan” brotherhood
opened its doors to an increasing number of foreigners. Among those “outsiders”
who were now made welcome was a unique division made up of Bosnian and Croatian
moslems…
The 13th
Waffen SS Mountain Division “Handschar”. Designated a “Mountain”
division, it was mostly employed on anti partisan
duties in the Balkans. Easily recognized by their blood-red and grey “Fez”
headgear they quickly gained a reputation for brutality and savagery.
WS251 “German Officer
Prisoner”
Is this prisoner really a German officer or someone posing as one?
WS252 “Standing
Machine Gunner”
WS253 “Light Machine
Gunner”
The
Waffen SS were among the biggest users of foreign
weapons…This “Handschar” man is holding the
Czech-made “ZBvz26” light machine gun…the original of the British Bren
Gun.
WS254 “Pointing NCO”
This “Handschar” NCO is definitely making his
point!!!
WS255 “Advancing NCO”
Armed with a MP40 “Schmeisser”.
WS256 “Watching
Rifleman”
WS257 “Advancing
Rifleman”
WS268 “Standing
Firing”
AVAILABLE: Early December
G.
“Somewhere in Belgium, December ‘44”
Although the German
assault in the Ardennes in December 1944 caught the Allies by surprise
they were simply not strong enough to turn a retreat into a rout!
Towards the end of
that same month it was the Germans who were on the defensive as slowly but
surely American and British forces squeezed “The Bulge” from north and
south. And this is where our latest “Battle of the Bulge”
release comes to the fore…Now it’s Americans capturing Germans for a change!
BBA068 “Walking
Winter GI”
This corporal has seen some hard-fighting and is helping to escort the German
prisoners through the American front-line positions.
BBA069 “Winter
Escort w/Rifle”
Another GI, well wrapped up, with rifle at the ready.
BBA070 “German Prisoner #1”
This cold-looking prisoner wishes he still had his great coat!
BBA071 “German
Prisoner #2”
This other prisoner looks more fortunate…in his “snow” smock and warm
scarf and gloves.
BBA072 “MP
Checking Details”
This standing U.S. Military Policeman examines some documents
BBA073 “Prisoner
In Great Coat”
Already wounded, this future P.O.W. seems happy to get out of the fight and
hopefully, stay in one piece!
AVAILABLE : Mid
December
2.
BEING RETIRED…
A fairly eclectic bunch as usual…Grab ‘em while you can!
|
AF024 |
Flying Tiger Pilot David "Tex" Hill |
|
|
AF025 |
Flying
Tiger Pilot "Kenneth A.Jernstedt" |
|
|
BBA038 |
US Army WC63 11/2 Ton Truck |
|
|
BBA049 |
Truck Passengers Set #2 |
|
|
HK104G |
Chinese Kitchen Set (Gloss) |
|
|
HK104M |
Chinese Kitchen Set (Matt) |
|
|
HK105G |
Gift Givers(Gloss) |
|
|
HK105M |
Gift Givers(Matt) |
|
|
HK146G |
Flower Shop Set(Gloss) |
|
|
HK146M |
Flower Shop Set(Matt) |
|
|
HK171G |
Groom & Bride(Gloss) |
|
|
HK171M |
Groom & Bride(Matt) |
|
|
LAH139 |
Marching Flag Bearer |
|
|
LAH140 |
New Marching SS Banner Man |
|
|
LAH142 |
New Standing w/ Banner |
|
|
LAH144 |
Father & Son |
|
|
LAH147 |
Street Poster Drum |
|
|
MK078 |
The Ambush |
|
|
MK084 |
King Philip II of France |
|
|
MK085 |
The King's Banner Knight |
|
|
TRW001 |
Mounted Dragoon w/Rifle |
|
|
TRW002 |
Mounted Dragoon w/Guidon |
|
|
TRW003 |
Mounted Dragoon w/Sword |
And
that friends is that for the last “DISPATCHES’
of 2013. I’m looking forward to meeting a big bunch of K&C collectors
and dealers in Milan, Paris and London…I hope some of you are
among them. In the meantime very best Christmas wishes to you, your loved ones and…your collectors.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country