DISPATCHES

SEPTEMBER2011

SEPTEMBER is upon us and that means … CHICAGO and the Old Toy Soldier Show. As many of you already know this particular event is the largest toy soldier show in the world. It’s also the longest, because it is a multi- day event with dealers and collectors (and manufacturers) arriving and “setting up shop” in the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg (near Chicago) for several days before the main Sunday event.

As both a manufacturer and collector myself I get to meet and talk with hundreds of K&C collectors throughout the week of the show. I get to hear what you like (and don’t like) and get to see what the opposition is up to (and vice versa). As I’ve said before it’s virtually eat, sleep and talk toy soldiers 24/7… and it’s hard work but great, great fun!

For toy soldier enthusiasts Chicago is like a Muslim going to Mecca… you have to do it at least once in your life.

This year will be my 25^th trip to the “Windy City”!!!

However before all that … there’s all this…

1. WHAT’S COMING IN SEPTEMBER

For Royal Air Force fans September is your special month…

A. RAF030 “The HAWKER TYPHOON MK.1B”

Widely recognized as the best and toughest ground /attack fighter bomber of WW2 the HAWKER TYPHOON is K&C’s most detailed warbird yet! Our version of this powerful aircraft carries 8 underwing, anti- tank rockets and has 4 hard- hitting Hispano cannon. A seated pilot is in the cockpit of this Typhoon from 257 squadron, Royal Air Force. It also bears the bold black and white “invasion stripes” of all Allied aircraft flying over the Normandy landing beaches on and after June 6, 1944.

NOTE: Just 500 are being manufactured.

Supporting this Typhoon are a selection of RAF ground crew…

RAF031 “Rocket Primers”

Two RAF Aircraftsmen assemble one of the tank-busting rockets.

RAF032 “Rocket Handler”

A single RAF ground crew member “shoulders” one of the rockets to the aircraft.

RAF033 “Sitting Airman”

Many wartime photos show airmen “perched” on the wing of an aircraft… including Typhoons.

RAF034 “Airman Radio Operator”

Equipped with a back pack radio this airman is in touch with other RAF ground / air units in the area.

RAF035 “Typhoon Pilot”

Enjoying a welcome “smoke” and a cup of “Char” this pilot is taking a welcome breather between ops!

RAF036 “Flight Sergeant”

A “new” version of an old favourite… from our Battle of Britain set of RAF Ground Crew dating back almost 20 years!

AVAILABLE: Early September

B. From Normandy ’44 to North Africa ’42… in one fell swoop!

AK077 “AK Captured Morris CS8 15cwt. Truck” (Series 250)

As virtually everyone knows the German Army made much use of “captured” enemy vehicles throughout the war… Rommel’s Afrika Korps were no exception!

Here, complete with driver, is one of the “liberated” vehicles, the classic British Morris 15cwt. Truck still in its 8^th Army colour scheme but with prominently displayed German crosses on the sides and on top of the engine.

Special Note: This little 15cwt truck is a “Series 250” release, three other versions will be available…

i) RAF (blue) with WRAF driver… more about this later in DISPATCHES!

ii) 8^th Army (desert splinter camo) with Aussie Driver

iii) British Army (black /Olive drab Mickey Mouse camo) with British Army driver.

AVAILABLE: Early September

C. “MOVING TOWARDS D. DAY”

Spring 1944, all over Britain the country has been turned into one giant army camp as hundreds of thousands of British, American, Canadian and other Allied nations prepare for “Operation Overlord”, the cross-channel invasion of Normandy,

As the troops train for the big day their commanders makes tours of inspection to see for themselves how it’s all progressing… No one takes these visits as seriously as the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

DD154(SL) “The Eisenhower Staff Car Set”

This latest “Strictly Limited” shows Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower on a tour of inspection somewhere in southern England in the spring of 1944. His U.S. Army Staff Car comes complete with a female WAC driver. At Eisenhower’s side is Kay Summersby, his personal driver when he arrived in Britain in1942. Over the next three years she proved invaluable to him and took care of many of his domestic and personal tasks.

During this time Summersby became a U.S. citizen and was commissioned into the U.S. Women’s Army Corps (WAC’s) leaving the service as a Captain in 1947.

Please Note: Just 750 of this special set have been produced.

DD155 “Saluting British ‘Redcap” M.P.”

DD156 “Escort Officer”

Wearing the famous “IKE” jacket this U.S. Army Officer is a perfect “add-on” to accompany any senior inspecting officer.

DD157 “Escort MP”

Where the “brass” go the MP’s are sure to follow…

DD158 “Gen. Omar Bradley”

Omar Bradley the “soldier’s general” inspecting the troops…

DD159 “US Soldier Port Arms”

A GI in his parade uniform being inspected.

AVAILABLE: Late September

D. “Luftwaffe Conference”

LW048 “A Squadron of Spitfires!”

At the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940 Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering was becoming increasingly impatient with his air force’s inability to decisively crush the Royal Air Force. At the same time the Luftwaffe was beginning to lose a growing number of aircraft to the British. He decided to pay a visit to his frontline squadrons in France to find out for himself what was going wrong…

Traveling on his private train the Reichsmarshall summoned Adolf Galland and Werner Molders, two of his top fighter aces, to meet him and discuss the worsening situation.

At first he berated the two leading pilots and accused them (and their fighter units) of not doing enough to protect his bombers. After a while, his mood softened and he asked them both how he might help them…and what they required?

Galland looked at Molders… Molders look to Galland… and finally Galland said, “A squadron of Spitfires!”

The Reichsmarshall was not amused. This little vignette set portrays the historic meeting…

AVAILABLE: Mid-September

E. “BERLIN ‘38”

One of K&C’s most popular ranges and, sometimes, one of its most controversial!

LAH139 “Marching Flagbearer”

A new-updated version of a now retired figure….

LAH140 “Marching SS Banner-man”

LAH142 “Standing with Banner”

This particular SS officer is wearing the dress “aiguillettes and gauntlets” of the 1^st company of the “SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”.

LAH143 “Standing-At-Ease SS Officer”

LAH144 “Father & Son”

An SS officer and his Hitlerjugend son.

LAH145 “Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler”

In 1938, with the war clouds gathering, Himmler decided that he and his men should also have field gray uniforms just like the German Army as well as their traditional, sinister black garb.

LAH146 “At-Ease “Sepp” Dietrich”

LAH149 “Panzerjager 1”

When the Leibstandarte was incorporated into the Waffen SS this was one of the first armoured vehicles they were equipped with. The set includes the vehicle commander.

LAH150 “Double Banner Street Lamps”

For any parade or Berlin Street scene the new Street Lamps make a useful addition… swastika banners on one side… SS rune banners on the reverse.

AVAILABLE: Late-September

F. “CHARACTERS FROM THE THREE KINGDOMS”

Two striking figures from Chinese History…

IC036 “Zhou Yu”

Plays an important role in defeating the enemy troops in the “Battle of Cliffs”. He’s also considered handsome, loyal and multi-talented, a poet and a musician.

IC037 “Zhuge Liang”

A well-known military strategist and statesman in the “Three Kingdoms” period. Our figure shows him in a typical pose holding a hand fan.

AVAILABLE: Late September

2. AND WHAT’S COMING IN OCTOBER…

A. This October sees the launch of a brand-new series… “ANCIENT GREECE”

Depicting the dramatic events of the 4^th and 5^th centuries B.C. this new range of colourful warriors (and some backdrop accessories) will depict the mighty struggle between Greece and its foremost enemy… Persia. The first release portrays these warriors of the ancient world preparing for battle.

AG001 “Standing Hoplite”

AG002 “Hoplite on Guard”

AG003 “Hoplite Officer w/Sword”

AG004 “Hoplite Soldier w/Sword”

AG005 “Hoplite w/ Long Spear (Horizontal)”

AG006 “Hoplite w/ Long Spear (45 Degrees)”

AG007 “Hoplite w/ Long Spear (Vertical)”

AG008 “Ancient Greece Entranceway”

This 4-piece assembly comes together to form a classical Greek backdrop for our warriors

AVAILABLE: Early October

B. “BACK TO BASTOGNE”

From the sun-drenched battlefields of Ancient Greece to the freezing cold of an Ardennes winter in December 1944! Our latest “Battle of the Bulge” G.I.s…

BBA045 “G.I. Chef”

Sitting by cooker this GI prepare a hot meal for the rest of his platoon. He’s taking no chances though… he still carries his MI over his shoulder. Is that because of the Germans… or is he worried his buddies won’t like his cooking!!!

BBA046 “Winter March”

Two well-wrapped-up GI’s make their way forward to the front line…

BBA047 “Kneeling Firing Rifle”

Another great ‘action’ figure

BBA048 “Lying Ready”

BBA049 “Truck Passenger Set#2”

The second installment of seated GI’s… two riflemen plus a BAR man.

BBA050 “U.S. Armoured Jeep” (Winter Version)

The ubiquitous jeep, but probably one you’re never seen before! Armour plate protects the front of the engine as well as three sides of the driver/ passenger area. A 30 cal. machine gun is mounted on a pole next to the driver.

The vehicle has also been “snow” camouflaged with a rough coat of whitewash.

Note the “snow chains” on the wheels… a nice little extra touch.

BBA051 “Supplies Trailer” (Winter)

This separate little trailer is the perfect “add-on” to the jeep… The supplies in the back of the trailer can also be removed if required.

BBA052 “Vehicle Scout”

This GI has dismounted from the Jeep with his binos and a field radio to get a better look at the enemy position and report back to headquarters.

BBA053 “Walking Officer”

Carbine over one shoulder this offer is a great little “companion” piece to BBA046’s foot sloggers.

AVAILABLE: Mid October

C. More RAF Vehicles…

As promised here is the latest “Series 250” version of the Morris CS8 truck.

RAF037 “Morris CS8 15cwt Truck (RAF)”

Complete with WRAF driver.

AVAILABLE: Late September / Early October

D. NAPOLEONIC REINFORCEMENTS

Several very useful additions for a few different regiments…

NA212 “Gordon Highlanders Sergeant Major”

Standing defiantly, claymore in hand, this senior Non Commissioned Officer is ready for all comers!

NA214 “Gordon Highlanders Officer with the King’s Colour”

Holding the great “Union” flag this officer shouts out commands over the heat and noise of battle.

NA215 “Gordon Highlanders Bagpiper”

Marching into battle with the skirl of the pipes.

NA216 “Seizing the Colours”

A great little vignette of a French Cuirassier capturing the Regimental Flag from a wounded officer while a guardsman wheels around to attack the Cuirassier (or his horse).

AVAILABLE: Late October

E. “A NAPOLOENIC CHRISTMAS”

Still in the era of Bonaparte but in a more light-hearted vein…

XM011-01 “The Napoleonic Snow Battle”

As two young French drummer boys do battle with snow balls… a brave Santa Claus tries in vain to keep them apart… this is K&C’s special Christmas set for 2011… Just 500 have been produced.

AVAILABLE: Late October

F. “SERIOUS BOMB DAMAGE?”

SP047 “The French House”

This is the second release of our new Normandy Village buildings and, as you can see, this is taller than the SHOP HOUSE and has endured considerably more battle damage.

These pieces are full of great detail and can be used in a variety of displays and settings for both First and Second World War figures and fighting vehicles.

AVAILABLE: Late October

3. BEING RETIRED

Yet again, a bumper crop of retirees with only limited amounts available so if you see something you and your collectors need… grab it now!

AK040 “Afrika Korp Panzer IV”

CW004 “Confederate Flagbearer (Mtd.)”

CW048 “Helping a friend”

EA026 “Pipes & Drums”

EA026(A) “Drum Major”

EA026(B) “Pipe Major”

EA026(C) “Piper”

EA026(D) “Big Drum”

EA026(E) “Bass Drum”

EA026(F) “Side Drum”

FW061 “General Foch”

HK106G/M “5 Lady Musicians (Gloss/ Matt)”

HK159G/M “The Metal Worker (Gloss/ Matt)”

HK176 “18 Ship Street”

LAH084 “LAH Motorcycle Combo”

MK009 “Standing Knight w/Sword & Shield”

MK010 “Standing Knight w/ Flag & Shield”

MK023 “Attacking w/Axe”

MK024 “Mounted Knight w/Axe”

MK045 “Saracen Standard Bearer”

MK049 “Charging Crusader w/Lancer”

NA087 “Seizing the Colour”

NA132 “CG Drummer Boy”

RTA032 “Texian Artillery”

And that my friends, as I always say is... that. I hope there’s something good for you among everything.

Best wishes!

Andy C. Neilson

Co-Founder & Creative Director

King & Country

STOP PRESS:

17 September 2011

“SIERRA TOY SOLDIERS MEET ‘N’ GREET”

Before the Chicago Show my brother Gordon and myself will be with Mike and Myszka Hall at their great toy soldier store in 29 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, California on Saturday 17 September (the Weekend before Chicago). We’ll be there all day and a good part of the night meeting and talking with collectors and we’d love to see you there. Come along and have some fun.