DISPATCHES
FEBRUARY
2010
FEBRUARY is upon
us and… it’s going to be one very busy month!!!! On the 24th of the month
Helen, Patrick and yours truly are off on our travels again… This time it’s the
“WESTCOASTER” and one of the two big U.S Collector events we take part
in every year. This year’s show is a wee bit earlier—on Sunday the 28th. Although K&C will be “on site” from Wednesday 24th.
After the Show
we’re flying direct to Boston to do a “meet ‘n’ greet” at Matt
Murphy’s “Hobby Bunker” store on Tuesday, 2nd. March.
After
From
After that I rejoin
the gang at Kings X in
And among all of
this on the 14, 15, 16 February it’s Chinese New Year…
the Year of the Tiger… “KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!” or put another way…
Happy Chinese New Year!
Now, down to
business…
1. WHAT’S BEING RELEASED IN FEBRUARY?
A. “Welcome to the Real Old West!”
At long last, the
long-awaited second release of “The REAL WEST” series… More Dragoons…
more Injuns… and even more action!!!
TRW009 “Standing Firing Dragoon”
A dismounted
Dragoon takes careful aim with his carbine.
TRW010 “Dismounted Dragoon w/Pistol”
Another foot
Dragoon… pistol in one hand trying hold on to his rearing mount.
TRW011 “Dismounted Dragoon w/Carbine”
Standing next to
his wounded horse this Dragoon spins around to face the enemy.
TRW012 “Mounted Dragoon Corporal w/Pistol”
TRW013 “Scout firing Carbine”
TRW014 “Mounted Warrior w/Bow and Arrow”
TRW015 “Mounted Warrior w/Lance”
TRW016 “Warrior firing Musket”
TRW017 “Running Warrior w/Carbine”
TRW018 “Charging Warrior w/Axe”
TRW019 “Warrior firing Bow and Arrow”
Note: All of our Indians are painted in
Southern Plains Indian style using Comanche, Sioux and
Available
NOW!
B. “Germany
Well, here it is
our newest and biggest release of German “KRIEGSMARINE” figures
and fighting accessories… if you can call a midget U boat an accessory! 13 individual figures (including 3 special personalities),
two very different vehicles and, of course, our first-ever submarine.
KM001 “Flag Signaller”
Whether
on sea or on dry land the ability to make signals using only flags was a time-honoured naval tradition.
KM002 “KorvettenKapitan
Gunther Prien”
Gunther Prien
was one of the outstanding U Boat aces of the early part of WW2 and the first
to win the coveted “Knight’s Cross”. His submarine U47 sank over 200,000
tons of Allied Shipping including the British battleship, “HMS
Prien and U47
went missing on
KM003 “Lookout”
This Kriegsmarine sailor is on watch… padded life jacket, steel
helmet and flash hood in place.
KM004 “Naval Field Police”
All branches of the
German armed forces had their own “chained-dogs” to enforce base
security and discipline.
Our Petty
KM005 “Petty Office r
with Whistle”
KM006 “Seaman on Guard”
Part
of a ship or naval base security detail.
KM007 “Patrolling Seaman”
Same
as above… but moving.
KM008 “Radioman”
KM009 “Sentry Duty” (Parade Dress)
This sailor is in
summer parade uniform.
KM010(SL) “SEEHUND”
Our very latest “Strictly
Limited” release… the type 127 U Boot “SEEHUND” (The Seal).
This was the most successful of Nazi Germany’s mini submarines created during
WW2.
Designed in 1944
and operated by a two-man crew the Kriegsmarine
operated these boats during the closing nine months of the war.
Each midget U boat
carried two “G7e torpedoes” on either side of the hull.
Although a total of
1,000 Seehunds were ordered just 285 entered
service. Our K&C model is finished in a typical mottled “leopard”
camouflage of sea green on a light sea g
Each boat comes
complete with its own special wheeled transport “cradle”
and towing rod.
Just 750 of this
unique little U Boat are being produced.
KM012 “Admiral Karl Donitz”
A
second K&C version of the venerated leader of the Kriegsmarine’s
submarine arm. Here the
admiral is dressed in his everyday working uniform and stands, arms folded,
talking to one of his men.
KM013 “Korvettenkapitan
Otto Kretschmer”
Another of Donitz’s
most famous U Boat aces, Kretschmer and boats
under his command sank almost 300,000 tons of Allied shipping between
1939 and 1941 when he was captured.
He rejoined the Bundesmarine in 1955 finally retiring in 1965 as a “Flotilla
Admiral”.
Sadly, he died in a
boating accident in 1998.
KM014 “Kapitanleutnant…
shouting”
Wearing typical
seagoing uniform this young officer is issuing orders.
KM015 “Submariner”
Wearing a life vest
and carrying his toolkit this U boat man is about to board his vessel.
KM016 “Kriegsmarine BMW327”
This German naval
officer sits comfortably in his BMW 327 Sports Car… Is he going on leave
or just returning to duty?
AVAILABILITY:
Mid February
KM017 “Sd.Kfz.9 Famo
Recovery Vehicle”
More than 2,500
of these heavy recovery vehicles were produced during the war in many various
versions. Although most were used in Artillery or Armoured
units a fair number were used by the Kriegsmarine
to move heavy items around naval bases and dockyards.
Our Famo is in field g
The Driver is
included.
AVAILABILITY:
Mid March
C. “KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!” (Happy Chinese New Year!)
Four
nice and colourful little sets to celebrate the Year
of the Tiger.
HK183 “The Clown”
Wearing a giant
paper mache mask this street clown is a familiar
sight at any Chinese celebration.
HK185 “Celebrating Chinese New Year”
A really
beautifully detailed set…
Two grandparents accept special gifts from their children and one of their
grandchildren.
This set includes
chairs and exquisite miniature Chinese furniture.
HK186 “Forbidden Delights”
A young child tries
to sneak up and get a taste of the delicious food presented on the table. This
set also includes four chairs.
HK187 “Gleesome Threesome”
Three little kids…
full of mischief.
Available
NOW!
D. “GERONIMO!”
It’s time to return to the early morning
skies over
DD122 “Jumping Screaming Eagles”
Two 101st. Airborne paratroopers in all-new poses descend on their
fully-deployed canopies… somewhere in
DD123 “Jumping All Americans”
Another two… completely
different… US 82nd. Airborne
troopers float down somewhere near Ste. Mere Eglise…
AVAILABILITY: Early March
2. ALSO BEING RELEASED IN MARCH…
A. “Meanwhile back at the BERGHOF”
Seven
very interesting “add-ons” to the Rogue’s Gallery of
attendees at Hitler’s little hideaway in the mountains…
LAH104 “REICH LABOUR LEADER”
Konstantin Hierl,
Reicharbeitsfuhrer of the paramilitary German Labour Service giving the Nazi “Heil
Hitler” salute.
LAH105 “Heinrich Himmler Relaxing”
One of the Third
Reich’s most feared and hated men… Reichsfuhrer
SS Himmler enjoying a cup of coffee while sitting on one of the Berghof’s sun loungers.
LAH106 “EVA BRAUN”
Hitler’s
long-time mistress and, briefly, wife. She met him when only 17 and working as an assistant to his personal
photographer. By all accounts, friendly, outgoing and totally disinterested in
politics.
LAH107 “Reinhard Heydrich”
Another of the most
feared and hated characters in the Third Reich. Doomed to
meet a well-deserved end at the hands of Czech patriots in 1942.
LAH108 “Berghof Sun Loungers”
Just
a little outdoor furniture for the patio of the Berghof. Accurately based on
photographs of the real thing. Two in the set.
LAH109 “Baldur Von Schirach”
Head
of the “Hitlerjugend” and “Gauleiter” of
LAH110 “Dr. Robert Ley”
Another
important man in the Third Reich and Head of the German Labour
Front. He killed himself
while awaiting trial in
AVAILABILITY: Early March
B. “From 1945 to 1914… Vive
la France !”
“France
Finally, K&C
has mobilized its “L’Armee francaise”
and les Poilus march off to battle resplendent
in their colourful uniforms of long blue coats, red
pantaloons and scarlet and blue kepis…
This first release
focuses on the soldiers marching to the front as they would have appeared in
those first days and weeks of the war to end all wars!
FW060 “General Joffre”
The ample figure of
“Papa” Joffre inspired confidence in the public, his men and his fellow
officers. Cool, calm and collected, Joffre was a “steady hand at the tiller”
of the French Army in those early days. He is best known for regrouping the
retreating Allied Armies and defeating the Germans at the First Battle of
the Marne in 1914.
FW061 “General Foch”
Foch, was recognized by many, as the “most
original mind in the French Army”. Initially serving as a subordinate to
Joffre he later became Supreme Commander of all Allied Armies in 1918.
FW062 “Mounted French Office r”
Proud and confident
this mounted figure leads his troops forward.
FW063 “Marching Office r”
A bearded
Lieutenant, sword in hand advances.
FW064 “Marching Poilus”
Three differently
posed “Poilus” journey to the front.
FW065 “Marching Soldier”
A
single “add-on” that can be collected in multiples to make a grand
parade.
FW066 “The Scout”
A handsome little
piece based on a Detaille illustration of a classic French Poilu.
FW067 “Poilu attending to a
General’s Horse”
This pensive
soldier holds the reins on his General’s mount.
FW068 “Drum Major”
Music plays an
important part in virtually every army… including the French. This Drum Major
instructs his musicians…
FW069 “Drummer”
FW070 “Bugler”
FW071 “Auf Wiedersen”
This is the first
of a unique series of poignant little vignettes depicting troops of three
countries departing for the War.
This German “Soldat” tries to comfort his weeping fiancé as his
Regiment departs.
FW072 “Au Revoir”
A different
country… a different parting… As his wife holds his rifle this Poilu fondly cradles his small baby. Will he ever
see them again?
FW073 “Goodbye-ee”
A Scottish soldier
embraces his sweetheart as he goes off to war.
AVAILABILITY: Mid March
C. “The Latest Desert Village
Two more great (and
useful looking) additions to the four already released pieces… Together
they make a fine setting for Ancient
SP035 “The Village House”
SP036 “The Wall”
AVAILABILITY: Mid March
D. “From
the
All over the
Eastern Front and behind the front lines the German Army fought a long and
increasingly bitter war against regular and irregular forces…
WS134 “PANZER III”
Another alternative
to our earlier released Afrika Korps version. This Panzer comes in the
distinctive 3-colour camouflage typical of the mid war period.
This particular
model is suitable for both East and West Front displays.
“COSSACKS”
Russian Cossack
cavalry have the distinction of having fought both for and against Stalin’s
Red Army.
On the German side
they fought with great valour and ruthlessness
especially on Anti-Partisan duties in
At the end of the
war most of these German Cossack units retreated westwards and surrendered to
the British Forces. They were then handed over to the Russians… expecting and
receiving little mercy.
WS142 “Cossack Feldgendarmerie
with Prisoner”
A
dismounted Cossack field policeman with an unfortunate Partisan suspect.
WS143 “Mounted Cossack Office r”
Wearing the
traditional Cossack costume (with German badges) this officer, sabre in hand, is issuing orders.
WS144 “Cossack Scout”
Scanning
the horizon for enemy activity.
WS145 “Cossack holding Rifle”
Looking to the
right this Cossack, rifle held steady, is on patrol.
WS146 “Cossack holding Rifle”
Looking to the Left
and with his rifle across the front of his saddle this is another member of the
patrol.
WS147 “Standing Cossack and Horse”
This young Cossack
is awaiting inspection.
WS148 “Cossack Pointing”
Another
member of the patrol indicating while making his report.
WS149 “Dismounted Cossack NCO”
WS150 “General Helmut Von Pannwitz”
This German cavalry
officer was the commander of the Cossack Cavalry Corps. Extremely
popular with his men he often wore Cossack uniform.
After the war he
chose to remain with his men when they were handed over to the Russians. He was
executed by the Soviets in 1947.
AVAILABILITY: Mid-Late March
3. BEING RETIRED
Nothing last month
but quite a little batch this month…
A. “Remember The Alamo
Three of our most
popular and famous
RTA015 “Davy Crockett”
RTA019 “Col. William B. Travis”
RTA034 “
Why the retirals of these best-sellers? Well, cos
we’ve got brand-new ones in the pipeline!
B. “First World War”
Our first British
WW1 troops are going West… plus a couple of Germans.
FW002 “Kaiser's Aide De Camp”
FW003 “Crown Prince”
FW024 “Sir John French”
FW025 “Office r
Holding Map”
FW026 “Kneeling Firing Rifle”
FW027 “Standing Firing Rifle”
FW028 “Standing Ready”
FW029 “Lying Loading Rifle”
FW030 “Lying Firing Rifle”
FW031 “Battlefield First-Aid”
FW032 “Pointing Subaltern”
FW033 “Vickers Machine Gun Set”
And that my friends is that… Hope you find something in there to
tickle your fancies.
In the meantime I
hope to see some of you guys in the States… Best wishes to one and all!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country