“DISPATCHES”

February 2014

 

FEBRUARY is normally a quieter month than usual in Hong Kong as Chinese New Year falls at this time of year and many folks leave the city for a well-earned vacation.

        This year however, at K&C, we’re busy with a whole big bunch of new releases that, I hope, will please more than a few collectors and dealers.

        So, Let’s get started…

 

1.      COMING THIS MONTH…

A.                     “Triumph Of The Will”

Or to give it the German title “Triumph Des Willens.”  This was the 1935 film by Leni Riefenstahl depicting the 1934 Nazi Party Congress held in Nuremberg.  In the film Hitler and over 700,000 of his supporters parade through its streets and sports grounds in a spectacular if frightening display of power and propaganda.

Because of its pioneering use of many original filming techniques blended with powerful music and speeches the film won many international awards.

It’s also extremely useful to anyone researching the many different uniforms worn by the leading Nazis and their followers during this period.

These latest LAH figures were adapted from figures and scenes in the film.

 

 LAH171   Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler 1934”

         The 34 year old Himmler wears the standard black “Algemeine SS” uniform (designed by Hugo Boss) and peak cap. Of minor interest is that he still wears the brown SA shirt under the jacket – a symbol (but not for long) of the SS originally being an offshoot of the SA (Sturmabteilung).

 

LAH172   “Deputy Fuhrer Rudolf Hess”

        This is our 2nd figure of Hitler’s deputy.  Like his master, Hess favoured relatively simple uniforms unadorned by everything except a Nazi armband.

 

LAH174   “S.A. Bannerman”

        This Sturmabteilungbrownshirt” belongs to one of the Munich S.A. units as his banner testifies.

 

 

LAH175   “Goose-stepping SS Man”

        One of the most chilling scenes in “Triumph Of The Will” is the moment when the legion of black-clad SS appear to goose-step past the saluting position of Hitler standing in his Mercedes staff car.

 

LAH176   “SS Officer Saluting”

        A senior SS Regimental Commander goose-steps past, his right arm in the familiar “Hitler Salute

 

LAH177   “SS Officer w/Sword”

        A junior SS subaltern, sword in right hand, eyes to the front, goose-steps past.

 

LAH178   “SS Bannerman Goose-Stepping

 

LAH179   “SS Flagbearer Goose-Stepping

        Another SS standard bearer with the National Flag.

 

AVAILABILITY: Early February

 

B.                      “UNSERE MÜTTER UNSERE VÄTER”

Last year in 2013, I discovered a unique German television drama series about 5 young Germans during WW2.  Unsere Mütter Unsere Väter

(“Our Mothers Our Fathers”) told the stories of what befell these young people during the years 1941-45.  Most of the story takes place on the Eastern Front where one of the characters is a Red Cross nurse in a German Field Hospital.  Several viewings convinced me and our creative team that it was about time to tell a different kind of war story in miniature…

 

WS258     “Opel Blitz Field Ambulance

         One of the iconic German wartime vehicles was the “Opel Blitz.” It performed a multitude of different tasks but perhaps none so important as a “Field Ambulance.”

              This new K&C vehicle, is I believe, one of the finest the company has ever produced and one of the most important for any WW2 collector.

              Skillfully hand-painted in dust-encrusted field grey and white this vehicle can be easily imagined on the roads of France in 1940…the Steppes of Russia in 1941…even among the ruins of the Third Reich in 1945.  Its versatility and usefulness is virtually second-to-none.

 

WS261     “Wehramcht Doctor

         Although wearing his white doctor’s coat this figure is still a military officer.  Here, he consults a patient’s chart.

 

WS262     “Red Cross Nurse”

                      As any nurse will tell you – “it’s not all about wiping the patient’s fevered brow”…This young nurse has rolled up her sleeves – the better to clear away the blood-stained bandages and used-wound dressings!

 

     WS263     “Writing Home”

                      A sitting nurse, pad and pen in hand, patiently writes a letter home on behalf of a young wounded, blind soldier.

 

    

     WS264     “Now This Might Hurt A Little!”

                      A sitting wounded soldier has his wound rebandaged by a standing Red Cross nurse.

 

     WS265     “We’ll Soon Have You Back At The Front.”

                      Another nurse bids farewell to a wounded soldier as he prepares to return to his unit.  Actually, he might not be as keen as her to get back into the action!

 

     WS266     “The Chest Wound”

                     A seriously wounded soldier lies peacefully on his hospital cot – only too happy to have clean sheets, a little peace and quiet and three hot meals a day.

 

     WS269     “The Empty Bed”

                      Perhaps the patient has returned to his unit…been transferred elsewhere…or succumbed to his wounds.  Whatever the reason…the bed will not be empty for long!

 

AVAILABILITY: Mid February

 

C.                   “WITH NAPOLEON IN EGYPT”     

  From the Steppes of Russia to the sands of Egypt…

 

NE042    “General Junot

       This senior officer takes careful aim with his pistol at an approaching enemy horseman.

 

NE043    Mameluke Duellist

       An unfortunate Mameluke mounted officer is quickly disposed of by his French opponent.

 

AVAILABILITY: Late February

 

D.                  “By The Shores Of Galilee”…

And on we move to another part of the Middle East many centuries before…With our latest installment of “The Life Of Jesus.”

 

LOJ030   “The Galilean Fishing Boat

       These small wooden fishing craft were a familiar sight throughout the Middle East, around the shores of the Mediterranean and on the banks, lakes and rivers of the Holy Land.  Up until the mid-19th Century they were still to be seen.  Here we have one of the most famous…

 

LOJ031   “Jesus”

       This, the first of our adult Jesus figures. It portrays him at the beginning of his ministry…calling to some of his earliest disciples – simple fishermen by the shores of Galilee.

 

LOJ032   “The Fishermen Set”

       These three men, surrounded by their nets and baskets of fish are just going about their everyday lives when they hear the call, “Follow Me!

 

AVAILABILITY: Late February

 

E.         “CRUSADER & SARACENS”

One final release, centred around events in the Middle East of old, brings some additional figures to one of K&C’s most popular and collected ranges…

 

               MK108   “Farewell My Lady”

              A kneeling knight takes his leave from his wife as he departs on his long and arduous journey to the Holy Land.

 

       MK110   “The Defender”

              A crouching Saracen warrior parries an opponent’s blow on his shield as he prepares to strike back with his scimitar.

 

       MK111   “Advancing”

      

       MK112   “Take That!”

              This Saracen has just dealt some enemy a lethal blow.

 

       MK113   “Wounded”

              Clutching his wounded sword arm this Saracen glares defiantly at his oncoming opponent.

 

AVAILABILITY: Late February

 

F.                  “ARMOUR ADD-ON”

  A very useful little addition for all kinds of armoured vehicles…

 

DD236    “Tank Back-Pack Set

  Three different sets of extra supplies.  Perfect for both Allied and Axis fighting vehicles.

 

AVAILABILITY: Late February

 

G.                 “STOP PRESS!” Soviet Armoured Car Changes Sides”

        

         WS245   “BA-64B Armoured Car (Captured German Version)”

        As K&C collectors know the Wehrmacht made much use of captured enemy vehicles whenever and wherever they were suitable…and available.

        This little Soviet-built armoured car was captured in quantity by the Germans and easily converted for their own use…particularly on Anti-Partisan Duties in the occupied territories of the East.  A coat of “feldgrau” and some large German crosses and…and you have another excellent addition to the war in the East.

 

AVAILABILITY: Mid February

 

2.      “BEING RETIRED”

         As per usual…as the new items arrive some others have to move over…and out!

         And there are some really great ones among this month’s retirees – don’t miss out on them…

       

 

AE037

Standing Pharaoh

AK076

Afrika Korps Feldgendarme

DD209

The Rescue

DD210

Blood Transfusion

HK101

The New Fortune Teller Set

HK102

The Opium Smokers Set

HK167

Lantern Set

LAH106

Eva Braun

LAH107

Heydrich Standing with Hat

LAH109

Baldur Von Schirach

LAH110

Dr. Robert Ley

LW040

Hauptmann Anton “Toni" Hackl

MK077

"Spoils of War"

NE004

Soldier Pointing

NE005

Soldier w/ Sun Canopy

SP033

The Stables

 

 

         And that my friends is that. So, without further ado let me wish you…”Kung Hei Fat Choy!” or “Happy Chinese New Year!” in this The Year Of The Horse…Good luck and Great Sales.

 

 

                                                                        Andy C. Neilson

                                                            Co-founder & Creative Director

                                                                        King & Country