"DISPATCHES”
OCTOBER 2014
IF SEPTEMBER was a “BUMPER MONTH” for K&C
releases then I think, and hope, OCTOBER is going to be even more “BUMPERER”!!!
I’m pretty sure that’s not
good English but it truly expresses what all of us at King
& Country feel about this month’s set of releases...
Of course by the time you
read this some of you will have seen a part of what is coming out, thanks to
the Chicago Show and our own preview but it’s still nice to know all the
details.
So here goes...
1.
Coming in October
A. FRANCE 1944!
After the
Normandy Invasion of June 6, 1944 there was still plenty of fighting to do
before the hated Boches were driven from
France.
As the
Allied Armies rapidly built up and advanced out of the Normandy “bocage” all kinds of situations (and
opportunities) arose that some soldiers were only too happy to take
advantage of...
DD239 “Gang of
Heroes”
In every
army, in every war there are always some individuals who are on the lookout for
ways to enrich themselves by one way...or another. The U.S. Army was no
exception!
Some
soldiers helped themselves to wine, women and song...Others
looted valuable jewelry, paintings, ornaments, silverware – virtually anything
they could lay their mitts on.
A few
had even bigger ambitions...they went after gold bullion!
Four GI’s have an appointment with a bank manager somewhere behind German lines
and intend to make a rather large withdrawal...
AVAILABLE: Early
October!
DD175
“Liberation!”
One of the more pleasant aspects of the Allied drive through France was the
rapturous welcome “Tommies” and “Yanks”
received when they liberated French towns and villages.
Here this
“Tom” is delighted to get an enthusiastic hug and a kiss from a pretty
young French girl.
DD241 “Walking
Wounded”
Even in
the midst of victory there are still “casualties”...One GI helps his
buddy to the nearest Aid Station.
DD242 “Sitting
Wounded”
Another
GI has caught a piece of shrapnell in his knee...He
sits down to take a closer look before applying a field dressing.
DD243
“Cheers!”
This GI, during a lull in the battle, takes out his canteen to refresh himself...Is
it water...or some of that fine French wine him and his buddies “liberated”
the day before?
DD244 “U.S. Army
Movie Cameraman”
A companion piece to our earlier released “Combat
Photographer” (DD076). This new guy belongs to the U.S. Army’s
Signal Corps who had hundreds of brave photographers and movie cameramen on
the front line covering all aspects of the war and “Theatres of Operations.”
Our guy is armed with a vintage Bell & Howell camera...and a .45.
DD245 “Back Thataways”
A walking GI indicates to the “Walking Wounded” (DD241) where the
nearest Aid Station is.
DD246 “Supplies
Medic”
This Medic is “humping” some “K Rations” to help feed the hungry
wounded.
AVAILABLE: Mid-October
B.
“A Jeep
will Never Let You Down!”
From France to Holland in one mighty jump...But
still World War Two.
MG053 “Airborne Jeep”
When it
comes to the Paras you can never have “too many jeeps”. Since all our
earlier Para Jeeps are retired we’ve had many requests for another...and
here it is. A simple, straight forward, regular “Airborne Jeep”
complete with Para driver.
AVAILABLE: Mid-October
C.
”And Now For Something Completely Different...”
INTRODUCING PIKE & MUSKET
For many, many years the English Civil War has been a passion of
mine. The mighty struggle between King Charles I and his rebellious parliament
is a subject myself and K&C have looked at
intensely from many different angles.
It’s also a subject few other toy soldier companies (or miniature makers)
have tackled in any great depth...until now.
The war, actually a series of three wars, began in 1642
and ended in 1651. It was fought between the King and his supporters (“Cavaliers”)
and Parliament, eventually led by Oliver Cromwell, and his side
(“Roundheads”).
The principal issue at hand was how and who should govern the
country...A monarch chosen by God or a parliament chosen by the people (at
least those who could vote).
The overall outcome was three-fold...The trial and execution of Charles
I and the exile of his son, the future Charles II...
The abolition of the Monarchy and
its replacement by a republican “Commonwealth”...
And the rise and rule of Oliver Cromwell, Lord
Protector of the Commonwealth.
This colourful and dramatic new series “Pike
& Musket” will cover many aspects of this epic struggle – both
military and civilian and promises to be one of the largest and most
extensive in King & Country’s history.
Our first release features Oliver Cromwell himself and men from
Parliament’s “New Model Army”...
PnM001 “Parliamentary Officer
w/Halberd and Pistol”
Among
Parliament’s troops many of the officers were chosen by their fellow soldiers.
Some had previous military experience, many did not...Trial and error and trial
by battle soon sorted out the “sheep from the goats”.
PnM002 “Crouching Pikeman”
A long
pike held in the left hand this Pikeman reaches across
with his right to draw his sword in a classic pose.
PnM003 “Present Pikeman”
With pike firmly held in the horizontal position this soldier prepares to
receive an enemy charge...either foot or mounted.
PnM004 “Vertical Pikeman”
As above but with the pike held upwards.
PnM005 “Advancing Pikeman”
With one hand holding his sword and the other the pike the soldier steps
forward.
PnM006 “Standing Pikeman”
At attention with a two-handed grip on the pike.
PnM008 “Oliver Cromwell”
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was the dominant personality of the English
Civil War. Originally from a modest country background he rose rapidly
through the Parliamentary ranks from a humble troop commander to a
regimental colonel and then a Lieutenant General of Horse all within
the space of two years.
Although lacking any formal military education he knew instinctively how to
lead and train men...and get the best from them.
Eventually he would be given the title “Lord Protector”. Our figure
shows him in typical military dress of the early part of the war as a Colonel
of Horse. The figure is based on the statue of Cromwell to be found outside
Parliament in London...Sword in one hand...bible in the other!
PnM009 “Firing Musketeer”
The majority of muskets used in the Civil War were “matchlocks”. Our “Musketeer”
uses his forked “rest” to steady his weapon. Extra ammunition was
carried in a cross belt “bandoleer” which usually had 12 or more small
wooden containers each with enough powder for a single round.
PnM010 “Advancing Musketeer”
Musket and Rest in hand this soldier prepares to move forward.
PnM011 “Loading Musketeer”
This musketeer pours the powder from its wooden container onto the barrel of
his matchlock.
PnM012 “Regimental Flagbearer”
The “Blew Regiment of the Cittie of London Trayned Bandes” was a militia
regiment of about 1200 musketeers and 800 pikemen
drawn from the citizens of the capitol. At the time England had no standing
army so, in times of war and strife, locally trained volunteers were virtually
all that was available.
Upon the outbreak of war London declared for Parliament and the regiment fought
in most of the notable battles of the conflict.
Our flagbearer holds the standard of the 5th
Captain of the Regiment.
PnM013 “Trooper w/Pistol”
This dismounted trooper carries both sword and pistol. He wears the distinctive
“lobster-pot” helmet with the protective steel face visor raised. Under
his armoured cuirass he wears the heavy buff leather
long jacket.
Special Uniform Note:
The soldiers who fought in the English Civil War had more uniformity
than their Continental contemporaries in the “Thirty Years War”...What
uniformity they had was very much up to the tastes and pockets of individual
colonels who raised each regiment.
Most officers wore their own personal civilian clothes. The rank and file
however was issued with certain items such as coats, breeches, various
headgear (including helmets) and of course, shoes, boots and
stockings – subject to availability.
Blue and red were the most common uniform colours
although white, grey and green were also seen in both armies. In effect this
means that what we call “Parliamentary” with this first release can
alternatively “change sides” as more soldiers appear to be released in
the future.
PRICE: TO BE ANNOUNCED
D. “From The Fields of
England to the Plains Of Montana...”
More Indian warriors join the battle against Custer
and his 7th Cavalry...
TRW068(P)
“Winchester Warrior”
A
Cheyenne “Dog Soldier” wheels around looking for his next “long
knife” opponent!
TRW069(P) “Red Knife”
This
well-known chief reins in his pony as he gets ready to fire.
TRW070(P)
“The Chief”
A sitting
leader hears the din of battle in the distance...His warriors already have the
white men on the run...There is no need to hurry.
TRW071(P) “Rain-In-The-Face”
One of
the Sioux’s most noted war-chiefs “Rain-In-The-Face” was a
Lakota and famous among the tribe for his fighting ability and
leadership.
Here he
is riding into battle, with his full eagle-feather war bonnet, rifle held over
his head...Totally unafraid of the “Long Knives” or their bullets!
AVAILABLE:
Early October
TRW064
“Sioux Indian Tepee (Version #1)”
The traditional
Plains Indian dwelling made out of buffalo hides and individually decorated.
TRW083
“Sioux Indian Tepee (Version #2)”
The
second of two tepees that can help make you an Indian village that Custer and
his men fatefully (for them) attacked.
AVAILABLE: End October/Early November
E.
“MORE
CASUALTIES OF WAR”
Since the
highly successful launch, earlier this year, of German Medics, Wounded &
Ambulances we decided to add a few more...
WH002 “Medic & Wounded”
A German
Medic drags a wounded “Soldaten” away from the
battle...
WH003
“Out of Danger!”
Another
Medic and a fellow soldier pull another seriously wounded comrade out of harm’s
way.
WH004 “Opel Blitz
Ambulance (camouflage)”
The second
version of this great ambulance model. This particular two-coloured Opel Blitz can be utilized in a wide
variety of “combat theatres” — North Africa...Italy...Normandy...even
the Eastern Front and all-points-in-between.
WS210 Sd.Kfz.222 Armoured Car (Normandy)
This
great little vehicle is perfect for any scenes and dioramas from 1943 onwards
on both East and West Fronts.
AVAILABLE: Mid-October
And finally...”Christmas Comes But Once A Year”
F.
Our Christmas Sets
Every
year we try and bring out something that captures the spirit of Christmas...with
a military flavor...
XM014-01
“Red Cross Santa”
A
fully-laden Santa has brought a fully-laden sack load of red cross parcels,
gifts and something to drink for the troops — Hope they like it!?!
XM014-02
“Merry Christmas Tommy!”
On
Christmas Day 1914, the guns on the Western Front fell silent as troops from
both sides left their trenches and crossed into “No Man’s Land”.
Here, a “Fritz” and a “Tommy” greet each other watched over by a
benevolent snowman. A poignant reminder that, for a few brief hours, peace and
harmony united the two warring sides...
AVAILABLE: Mid-October
2.
BEING RETIRED...
Not too many...but they are well worth getting
while you can!
NA202
Gordon Highlanders Kneeling to Repel
NA203 Gordon
Highlanders Kneeling Firing
NA204 Gordon
Highlanders Kneeling Loading
NA205 Gordon
Highlanders Standing Firing
NA206 Gordon
Highlanders Standing to Repel
NA207 Gordon
Highlanders Charging
NA208 Gordon
Highlanders Mounted Major
NA209
Gordon Highlanders Drummer
NA210 Gordon
Highlanders Advancing
NA211
“Gordons & Greys to the Front!”
MK076 Sir
Archibald Douglas
And that
my friends is that...Look out for our little “Pike
& Musket” film on Facebook and on the Treefrog Forum.
I hope there’s something for you.
All the
very best and happy collecting!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country
ADDENDUM
MID MONTH DISPATCH
OCTOBER 2014
As announced earlier this month, KING & COUNTRY is launching an exciting and colourful new series of miniatures based on the English
Civil War and the period surrounding Europe’s Thirty Years War...
“PIKE & MUSKET”
intends to show both the military and civilian side of these epic struggles by
portraying in miniature...the Kings and the Commoners...the soldiers and their
generals...plus everyday life in the often harsh, brutal world of the 17th
Century.
Among the first batch of
releases are five Pikemen in various positions
alongside three different Musketeers...an officer...a dismounted “Ironside” trooper...a standing figure of Oliver
Cromwell himself and...a Parliamentary Flagbearer.
PURCHASING OPTIONS
To give collectors the
maximum choice and outstanding value all of the figures are available as single
pieces as well as 4 x Two-Figure “Fighting Doubles” in
their own 2 figure boxes.
Here is the cost
breakdown...
PnM001 “Parliamentary Officer
w/Halberd & Pistol”
US$45
PnM002 “Crouching Pikeman”
US$45
PnM003 “Present Pikeman”
US$45
PnM004 “Vertical Pikeman”
US$45
PnM005 “Advancing Pikeman”
US$45
PnM006 “Standing Pikeman”
US$45
PnM008 “Oliver Cromwell”
US$45
PnM009 “Firing
Musketeer”
US$45
PnM010 “Advancing
Musketeer”
US$45
PnM011 “Loading
Musketeer”
US$45
PnM012 “Regimental Flagbearer”
US$49
PnM013 “Trooper
w/Pistol”
US$45
“FIGHTING DOUBLES” 2-man sets
PnM-S01 “Crouching Pikeman PLUS Present Pikeman”
US$79
PnM-S02 “Vertical Pikeman PLUS Advancing Pikeman”
US$79
PnM-S03 “Two
Standing Pikemen”
US$79
PnM-S04 “Firing
Musketeer PLUS Loading Musketeer”
US$79
Special Note: These 2-man sets are a perfect and
inexpensive way to build up a “Firing Line” or a Pike “Hedgehog”.
Additional Upcoming Figures & Accessories
Already “in the works” are
more infantry in action as well as artillery and cavalry and...special “personality” figures of many of the leading
characters of this epic struggle.
Should you have any question
about any of these new pieces, please get in touch.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country