“DISPATCHES”
May
2016
Already May
is here and, in a few weeks, yours truly and Helen, K&C’s Managing
Director, will be flying off to San Antonio for the 10th. Annual Texas Toy Soldier Show.
K&C and
Kings X have been jointly running this show for the past 5 years and it
continues to grow and grow! This year will be the biggest event yet with an
increase of almost 20 percent in the number of dealers and vendors taking
part.
At the
show itself King & Country will be
previewing a number of upcoming releases as well as quite a few of this month’s
latest pieces. So without further ado let’s see what’s in the bag…
1. ON
RELEASE THIS MONTH…
A. “A
little Bit of Everything…”
There’s no shortage of variety in this month’s
releases… Let’s begin with a pair of extremely useful additions to a recent
Pacific War debut…
AF036 “U.S. Marine Corps
Jeep”
Some
of you may have seen this useful airfield vehicle on our publicity pix for “Pappy”
Boyington’s F4U Corsair… Well, here it
is in person and ready for duty on any Pacific Island airstrip.. Mud and dust-covered it has a “Campaign-hat-wearing-Leatherneck”
at the wheel.
AF037 “The Sheep Pen
Tent”
The
standard U.S. Military Tent of WW2 and beyond. Perfect as part of the
background for your F4U Corsair or on any battlefield or barracks whether it’s the
Pacific ,
Europe, Korea or even… Vietnam!!!
AVAILABLE: Early May
B. “The
Royal Navy in the Tropics”
Back
in the days when Britannia ruled the waves and a quarter of the world
map was still painted pink the Royal Navy and its sailors served
in many of the globe’s hottest spots. When serving and sailing in warmer waters
the Navy adopted “Tropical Whites” for all officers and men.
Here
in Hong Kong, pre 1997 and the Chinese hand-over, British sailors most often
wore “Tropical Whites” when on ceremonial duties or “going ashore”.
These
sailors can be used for both wartime and peacetime scenarios.
GA030 “Oarsmen Rowing Set A,
Gallipoli 1915”
Two clean-shaven Matelots.
GA030(B)“Oarsmen
Rowing Set B, Gallipoli 1915”
Two more
sailors… both bearded.
GA031 “Sitting Oarsmen Set A,
Gallipoli 1915”
Two clean-shaven sailors at the “Up-Oars” position.
GA031(B)“Sitting
Oarsmen Set B, Gallipoli 1915”
As above but sporting full beards.
GA032 “Sailor w/ Telescope, Gallipoli
1915”
GA033 “Sailor w/ Boathook,
Gallipoli 1915”
GA034 “Whale Boat, Gallipoli
1915”
The
ever-useful Royal Navy “Whale Boat” complete with cox’n
in“Tropical Whites”.
AVAILABLE: Early May
C. “Supreme
Allied Commander”
Over the years it has been
popular, in some quarters, to question and complain about the military
qualities and abilities of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme
Allied Commander of all Allied Forces in Europe from before D.Day until the end of the “German War” in May 1945.
K&C firmly believes
this to be wrong! No other commander (British or American) had the
skill, patience and overall understanding of what was required and necessary to
hold the coalition together and forge a fighting force that ultimately helped
defeat Hitler’s armies.
Over the years we’ve
produced two other miniature portrayals of “IKE” and now we’re happy and proud to
produce three more… in a choice of uniforms.
DD284 “Eisenhower wearing IKE”
Here,
the General is seen wearing the short, battledress-dress style jacket (modelled
on the original British one) that he had specially tailored for himself in
London when he took up his European command in 1943.
In
this version his “IKE” jacket, as it came to be known, is
tailored in the same chocolate brown material as the regular U.S. Army
officers’ issue uniform of the period. When this colour
of jacket was worn it was usually teamed with the “pink”( more beige khaki actually) trousers of the
standard officers’ uniform.
DD291 “D.DAY IKE”
Here
is the General wearing the standard U.S. Army Officers’ Uniform combination of full,
four-pocketed jacket, again with a pair of “Pinks”.
Behind
the General’s back he holds a sets of plans for the
upcoming “Operation Overlord”, the invasion of Normandy in June
1944.
AVAILABLE: Mid May
Special Note: A “third” General Eisenhower
is being specially issued for the 10th. Texas
Toy Soldier Show.
DD294 “Texas Toy Soldier Show “IKE”
This
particular Texas Show “Ike” is wearing the all-olive drab
jacket and trousers uniform which the General also wore before and after D.Day.
Just
200 pieces of this” Texas” version are being produced.
AVAILABLE: Late May at the Texas Toy Soldier
Show and while limited stocks last.
D. “APACHE
TERRITORY”
It’s fair to say that “The
Apaches” proved to be one of the finest and fiercest opponents
of the U.S. Army during the “Indian Wars” that followed the end of the
Civil War.
From 1865 until
the mid 1880’s the various tribes that made up
the Apache Nation fought a long and skillful “guerilla” campaign
throughout the Southwestern part of the U.S.
Although their numbers
were never large they spread fear and terror throughout Texas, Arizona, New
Mexico and parts of Colorado wherever they raided and fought.
Never operating in large
numbers (like the Plains Tribes) they were particularly adept at
ambushes, skirmishing and then disappearing into nowhere as the U.S. Cavalry
found out time and time again.
Here are the first few
examples of a great new range of Apache warriors…
TRW090 “Geronimo”, The
Apaches
A mounted figure of probably the greatest Apache Warchief
“Geronimo was a “Mescalero/Chiricahua” born in
1829. He was a superb leader in raiding and revenge
attacks on both Mexican and American interlopers… In truth, he harboured more hatred for Mexicans who had killed many of
his extended family during this time.
Our
new figure shows him carrying a “Winchester” carbine and a holstered
pistol.
TRW091 “He’s Dead!”,
The Apaches
One of
the hated “Longknives” lies sprawled at
the feet of this Apache Warrior. His cartridge belt and revolver will find a
new owner! (2 figures)
TRW092 “Reloading”, The
Apaches
Reaching back to extract a fresh cartridge for his “Springfield”
rifle.
TRW093 “Taking Aim”, The
Apaches
A lying prone Apache “takes a bead” on one of the enemy.
TRW094 “Bows & Arrows”, The
Apaches
Although
most Apache warriors preferred to get their hands on firearms they were also
adapt in the use of the more traditional Indian weaponry.
TRW095 “Kneeling Firing”, The
Apaches
As ammunition
for their rifles and pistols was always in short supply each Apache rifleman
had to make every shot count… They were accurate marksmen, far better than
the average U.S. Cavalry trooper!
AVAILABLE: Mid May
E. “ONE
OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE MOVIES!”
Director Ridley
Scott’s first feature film “The Duellists” is, in my opinion, one of the
finest and most authentic historical films ever made!
The attention to detail
of the period (1800-1815) is second-to-none in the uniforms, the
attitudes and even the changing hair-styles of the two main protagonists.
The story is centred on a series of duels that take place between two
French Hussar officers during the last 15 years of Bonaparte’s reign.
Everything about this
small, intimate movie (it cost less than USD$1 million to make) is
exceptional – the military costumes, the settings, the actors (including
Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine) the script and
the music is simply superb! Please see it… and
you’ll see what I mean.
NA349 “The Duellists
Set#1”
Gabriel
Feraud (7th Hussars)
is a violent and fervent Bonapartist who loves to seek out trouble and
fight duels.
Armand
D’Hubert (3rd Hussars)
is serving on the staff of his general and is sent to reprimand Feraud on his latest duel where he has almost killed the
nephew of an important local town official.
Feraud is mightily offended and forces the first of
several ongoing duels onto the hapless D’Hubert,
who he believes, is “victimizing” him!
Here,
both officers are about to begin their first duelling
encounter in the courtyard of Feraud’s
lodgings… D’Hubert in his 3rd Hussars uniform minus
his dolman and sabretache of course and a similarly
attired Feraud of the 7th
Hussars.
AVAILABLE: Mid May
F. “LIGHT
GERMAN ARMOUR”
Where would K&C be
without a little German WW2 component for any month’s “DISPATCHES”.
WH049 “Sd.Kfz250/11 Panzerbuchse 41”
This
lightly armoured halftrack mounting a 2.8cm
gun was intended to be a close-support, anti-tank weapon for motorized
infantry.
The
first examples reached German units on the Eastern Front early in 1942.
Although an interesting development it never achieved major success because of
the low effective range of its 2.8cm gun. It remained in production for
just one year.
However,
as a representative German model of the war’s mid years… it’s a great little
addition to any WW2 German collection.
AVAILABLE: Mid May
G. “Pike
& Muskets & Cavaliers”
A few select additions to
this colourful and unique range that covers “The
English Civil War”… The Thirty Years War and even the
novels of Alexander Dumas and his “Three Musketeers”…
PnM055 “Cavalier
Ready, English Civil War”
A mounted Royalist trooper in the army of Charles I. Our
man holds his “Musketoon” at the ready.
“Musketoons” were short-barrelled versions of soldiers’ muskets first carried by
sailors and pirates and later adopted by cavalry as they were easy to carry (suspended
by a spring hook on a cross belt) and to shoot while mounted.
PnM056“Cavalier Shooting, English Civil War”
This Royalist
trooper shoulders his “Musketoon” as
he prepares to fire from the saddle.
PnM057 “Royalist
Trumpeter, English Civil War”
This
richly and colourfully-garbed cavalryman would, on
his officer’s command, sound the different trumpet calls that would let the
regiment of horse know what was required of them during the “din of battle” or
the many manoeuvers on parade or even while on the move.
Most
trumpeters would also ride a white steed, the better to be seen by both officer
and men.
PnM058 “The
King’s Lifeguard Standard, English Civil War”
An
advancing officer of the King Charles ‘ own “Lifeguard
Regiment of Foot”. Over his right shoulder he carries the Regimental
Colour… In his left hand a pistol.
PnM066 “The
Commonwealth Flag Bearer, English Civil War”
A
second version of the previous figure… This time, our Parliamentary Officer
carries the “Commonwealth Flag” of 1649, adopted by Cromwell’s Army two
years before the actual end of the Civil War in 1651.
AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May
H. “1914”
A few months back we came
upon some figures that were still on our “reserve list”. After reviewing
them… we painted them… liked the results… and so, here they are!
FW221 “Cuirassier studying
map”
A
mounted French Cuirassier, little different from his comrades of a
century before… except for a khaki cloth helmet cover consults his field map.
FW222 “Cuirassier w/ Sword
Drawn”
Even in
the age of the machine gun sabres were still carried.
FW223 “Cuirassier w/ Pistol”
Although
sabres were also carried a pistol might do more ”damage” at close quarters…
FW224 “Pointing Poilu, WWI
French”
A
traditional French Infantryman pointing the way…
FW225 “Boche
Prisoners,WWI German”
Two
German prisoners… one foot soldier and one “Uhlan”
make their way to the rear.
AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May
I. “SETTING
THE SCENE”
Battlefield and Diorama
accessories go a long way to helping collectors bring their displays “alive”
and adding an extra dimension to any collection.
Here are some great new
pieces…
Special Note: As you
can see we are offering these architectural items in both
“Sandstone” and “Greystone” colour finishes.
SP072 “Four Lions
Town Fountain (Sandstone)”
This
handsome ‘sandstone’ ornamental structure is a prefect
centerpiece
for any
European-style village or town square. Historically it can be used for
displays for a
wide range of different eras from Ancient Greece and Rome all the
way up to
the present day.
Dimensions: 11.5(L) x 11.5(W) x 8.8(H)cm
SP073 “The Lion’s
Head Wall Fountain (Sandstone)”
For
more compact spaces and displays this smaller “sandstone” wall
fountain adds an extra touch of realism.
Dimensions: 8.7(L) x 2.8(W) x
6.5(H)cm
SP074 “Square
Statue Plinth (Greystone)”
The perfect location for one of our K&C bronze-coloured
“statue” figures. Can also be used in a wide variety of historical
periods and settings
“Greystone”.
Dimensions: 5.7(L) x 5.7(W) x 5.4(H)cm
SP075 “Large
Equestrian Statue Plinth (Greystone)”
A
multi useful traditional European “greystone”
plinth perfect for our bronzed mounted statues. Two sides are undamaged… the
other two show extensive “battle-scarring”.
Dimensions:11.5(L) x
5.3(W) x 10.6(H)cm
SP078 “Square
Statue Plinth (Sandstone)”
As
SP074 but in “sandstone” finish.
SP079 “Large
Equestrian Statue Plinth (Sandstone)”
As SP075 but in “sandstone” finish…
also with two sides
“battle-scarred”.
SP080 “Four Lions
Town Fountain (Greystone)”
As SP072 but in “Greystone”.
SP081 “The Lion’s
Head Wall Fountain (Greystone)”
As SP073 but in “Greystone” finish.
AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May
And that boys and girls is that… except,
of course, for the “retirals”… Now,
read on… There’s quite a big bunch…
2. BEING
RETIRED
|
AG013 |
Fighting
Hoplite |
|
AL050 |
Charging
Turk w/ Rifle |
|
BBA047 |
Kneeling
Firing Rifle |
|
BBA061 |
Kneeling
Loading Rifle |
|
BBA062 |
Standing
Firing Rifle |
|
BBA063 |
Advancing
BAR Gunner |
|
BBA064 |
Advancing
Radio Man |
|
BBA067 |
M20
Commander |
|
BBA075 |
Bar
Gunner Set |
|
BBA077 |
Observing
The Battle |
|
DD211 |
Kneeling
Officer w/ Map |
|
DD215 |
Lying
Prone B.A.R. Man |
|
DD217 |
Bayonet
Fixed |
|
DD218 |
Tommy-Gunner |
|
FW154 |
Crouching
Wounded |
|
FW155 |
"Let's
Go!" |
|
HK166 |
Children
at Play |
|
HK182 |
Little
Dragon Boat |
|
HK222 |
The
Green Dragon Boat |
|
NA237 |
Mounted
Napoleon |
|
TRW025 |
Kneeling
Firing |
|
TRW026 |
Kneeling
Ready |
|
WoD019 |
The
Christmas Store |
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country