DISPATCHES
MARCH 2014
MARCH means “THE WESTCOASTER’ for King &
Country and yours truly. For 5 whole days (and nights) I am fortunate to
get to meet up with lots of old friends, talk all-things toy soldiers and even
buy some myself for my own collection!
On a business level it allows
K&C to preview some new and upcoming releases with Gordon’s great dioramas
and displays which he’s spent the last 3 months working on. And Just as importantly I get to talk to collectors and a few
dealers and hear what they might like to see in the future…But before all of
that, there is, as I usually say, all of this…
1.
“WHAT’S
NEW THIS MARCH”
March has a very colourful and eclectic mix of releases for collectors to
look at. These new pieces are going to take you on a journey in miniature
from Texas to the Holy Land…onto the Eastern Front in Soviet
Russia before moving to Ancient Greece and finally all the way back
to…our home Hong Kong!
A.
“Return To The Alamo”
Just two special “personality pieces”
for this Alamo series this time around —and both on opposing sides…
RTA071 “Lieutenant Colonel Jose Enrique de la Pena”
Colonel
de la Pena was one of the most interesting “personalities” of the
Battle of the Alamo because he took part in the battle and wrote a record of
it. Contained in his record was the first report of the execution of the
few survivors of the siege (which may have included Davy Crockett).
Much controversy surrounds the authenticity of de la Pena’s book however the
majority of Alamo experts are convinced that it is genuine.
Our figure shows de la Pena in the uniform of an officer of the Toluca
Battalion making notes in his journal as he observes the besieged mission.
RTA072 “John McGregor”
This
is the second figure of this Scottish Alamo defender K&C have made
and the “first” to show him playing the bag pipes. McGregor
born in Scotland in 1808, was living in Texas in
1836 when the Texians rebelled against Santa Anna’s
dictatorship. It is said that during the siege McGregor
engaged in “musical duels” with the fiddle-playing Davy Crockett to
entertain their fellow defenders. Alas, his ultimate fate was the same as
all the rest…
AVAILABLE: Early
March
B.
“Mounted Saracens”
Three brand-new fighting Saracens are led by
their most famous leader…
MK109 “Fighting
Saladin”
The Saracen general believed in “Leading from the front”…Here with
scimitar held aloft he charges into battle.
MK114 “Mounted
Bodyguard”
Saladin may have been brave but he was not foolhardy! A troop of mounted
bodyguards always rode with him…Here is one of them.
MK115 “Saracen Flagbearer”
Accompanying Saladin was his personal standard bearer with a richly decorated
triangular religious banner complete with a verse from the Koran.
AVAILABLE: Mid-March
C.
“From the Middle East to the Eastern Front…”
February’s release of the German Field
Hospital ambulances, medics and wounded has had a fantastic response from
dealers and collectors alike around the world. I am happy to say…here are
some extra additions…
WS275 “Ambulance
Driver”
This Opel Blitz Ambulance driver is enjoying a well-earned smoke and a bottle
of beer before returning to the front…and more casualties!
WS276 “The Stretcher
Set”
A
German medic assisted by another Wehrmacht soldier carry one of
the wounded to safety.
WS277 “Smoking General”
This senior officer listens as one of his subordinates briefs him on the
current battlefield situation.
WS278 “Officer w/Map”
A
steel-helmeted officer gives that briefing to the General.
WS279 “Aide de Camp w/Binos”
As the officer briefs the general his ADC has a closer look at the enemy
position.
WS280 “NCO Bodyguard”
Also holding a pair of binoculars is this battle-dusted NCO who has accompanies
the young officer giving the report.
AVAILABLE: Early
March
D.
“Ancient Persia versus Ancient Greece”
From twentieth
century battlefields to more ancient ones in Asia Minor…in one fell
swoop! At last our Ancient Greeks have an enemy to fight…
AG016 “The Army
of Darius Officer”
This fierce looking warrior wears typical layered armour
of the period and a gold-embossed helmet.
AG017 “Persian
Standard Bearer”
Carrying a richly-decorated
banner, similar to the ones later adopted by the Roman Army, this axe-wielding
standard bearer is also ready to do battle.
AG018
“Persian Warrior w/Axe”
AG019
“Persian Archer Ready”
AG020
“Persian Archer Firing”
AG021
“Persian Warrior w/Spear”
AG022
“Persian Warrior w/Sword”
AG023
“Persian Spearman Throwing”
AG024
“Persian Spearman Standing Ready”
AG025
“Persian Fighting Swordsman”
AVAILABLE:
Mid-March
E.
“…And Back To Hong Kong”
HK225(G)
/HK225(M) “Lullaby”
A
young mother sings a soothing folk song to her son while the child rests
contentedly in his rattan basket. Available in both matt and gloss
finishes.
AVAILABLE: Mid-March
F.
“LATE ADDITIONS”
Two other items which were supposed to
arrive later are now going to appear a little sooner!
WS259 “The Panzer
35(T)”
In March 1939 when the Nazis took over all of Czechoslovakia one of
their most important prizes was the Czech arms industry.
Among
the weapons of most use to the Wehrmacht were the Czech-made
tanks…notably the Panzer 38(T) and its earlier stable-mate the 35(T).
As K&C collectors and dealers know we’ve already released the 38(T) to
much acclaim so we thought it only fair to produce the 35(T) and here it
is…
The Germans seized 434 of this light tank and it saw extensive service
during the invasion of Poland, the attack in the West on Holland, Belgium
and France and “Operation Barbarossa”, the invasion of the USSR.
Although by 1942 it was obsolete it’s still a great addition for our “feld grau” collectors who like early-battles and campaigns.
Our new model comes with the tank commander and a removable
aircraft-recognition Nazi flag.
AVAILABLE: Late
March/Early April
“BY SPECIAL REQUEST”
And now the return of a much requested K&C Warbird…the
Battle of Britain Supermarine
Spitfire.
After we retired the previous two Spits we kept being asked in both our Hong
Kong shop and our San Antonio store, “Do you have a Spitfire in Battle of
Britain colour-scheme and markings?
Then when some dealers requested the same thing we thought, “Maybe we should
do a small-rerun to satisfy the obvious demand for this classic warbird”.
RAF066 “MKI/II 602
Squadron Spitfire”
This time we selected one of the most famous Royal Auxiliary Air Force Spitfires
to portray – a Spit belonging to No.602 “City of Glasgow” R. Aux. A.F.
flown by Squadron Leader “Sandy” Johnstone,
who became an “ace” during the battle and went on to have a very
distinguished air force career in the remainder of the war and afterwards.
We also chose “602” and “Sandy” Johnstone
for personal reasons…Many moons ago – 1962 to be exact, both Gordon and myself
lived right next to Royal Naval Air Station “Sanderling”. Today
it’s now Glasgow’s international airport.
Back then it was a military air-field and every year they held a NAVY DAY AIR
SHOW. In 1962 the Guest of Honor was Air Vice-Marshall “Sandy” Johnstone and we two small boys actually met him and
got his autograph!!!
K&C is proud to honor this great pilot and the aircraft he flew to help
protect our country during its darkest days.
Special Note: Just
250 of this special “Sandy” Johnstone, 602 Squadron
Spitfire have been produced.
AVAILABLE: Late
March/Early April, Reserve yours now to avoid disappointment!
2.
“ON
THE RETIREMENT LIST…”
As per usual…Out with some of
the old and not-so-old to help make room for all these new pieces
|
AL024 |
Collapsing Lighthorseman |
|
AL036(B) |
Imperial Camel Corps Officer (turning in saddle) |
|
AL037(B) |
Australian Camel Corps Trooper holding rifle up (walking
camel) |
|
AL038(B) |
Australian Camel Corps Trooper holding rifle across
saddle (walking camel) |
|
DD180 |
Universal Jeep |
|
RTA043 |
Lying Wounded Texian |
|
RTA045 |
Kneeling Firing Defender |
|
RTA046 |
Loading Mexican Soldier |
|
RTA047 |
Fighting Duo III |
|
WS181 |
Volksturm Old Man |
|
WS182 |
Volksturm "Off To Battle" |
|
WS183 |
Tank Killer |
|
WS184 |
Volksturm Heil Hitler |
|
WS185 |
"Panzerfaust
Warriors" |
|
WS187 |
HALT! SS trooper with MP44 |
|
WS188 |
Hitler Jugend Guard |
|
WS189 |
Wehrmacht Inspecting Officer |
|
WS190 |
MG42 Instruction |
|
WS191 |
Volksturm Walking w/ Bicycle |
|
WS192 |
Hitlerjugend with Bicycle |
|
WS209 |
Sd. Kfz. 222 Armoured Car |