DISPATCHES
September 2021
Hi Guys,
Welcome to
this particular ‘DISPATCHES’ which is a slight
departure from the norm... This month we’re actually ‘retiring’
more items than we are ‘releasing’.
A couple of
reasons for this... the first is, of course, the problems and delays, caused by
the pandemic which has meant sculpting and production continues to be much,
much slower than before when myself, and our team were able to personally go
into China to meet our sculptors and visit factories and conduct on-the-spot
inspections.
That has not
been possible for almost 18 months!
Secondly, somehow we have still managed to bring out new product and
going forward put many exciting projects into development that we (and you)
will see over the coming months. And that means as these come to fruition and completion they will make their way down to Hong Kong and
into our own warehouse here.
As anyone who
has visited the former British territory knows, HK is a very crowded space and
land is at a premium.
So, even
though we have our own 10,000 square foot storage and shipping facility it
can get pretty crowded and congested.
That
being said, we
have to ‘make space’... hence certain items have to move over and move
out to enable us to bring in the newer items we’ve been working on these past
18 months. And, believe me, there are whole host of figures and fighting
vehicles currently ‘in the works’ and ‘in development’ that are
demanding space.
And that’s
the story so far... Meanwhile here’s what’s coming this month...
1.
BEING RELEASED THIS SEPTEMBER...
A.
‘Hit The
Beach!’
In a 1964 interview former President and Supreme Allied Commander of the Normandy invasion, Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke about one of the most important war-winning weapons of the Second World War... the humble ‘Higgins Boat’ and the man who designed it.
“Andrew
Higgins is the man who won the war for us. He designed and built those Landing
Craft that could put troops onto an open beach anywhere, anytime. Without these
LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) the whole strategy of the
war would have been very different... and much more difficult!”
That is just one of the many reasons why this particular landing craft is such an essential part of any D. DAY collection and forms the central element of King & Country’s latest selection of figures and fighting vehicles that depict the events of 6 June 1944 and the battle for Normandy that followed it..
DD335
‘Royal Navy LCVP 1335’
Although the vast majority of the over 23,000 ‘Higgins Boats’ produced during WW2 went to the US Navy and Coastguard several hundred were also supplied to Britain’s Royal Navy which used them to supplement their own LCA’s (Landing Craft Assault).
Royal Navy LCVPS carried the same number of crew as their American counterparts (usually 3 or 4) and were painted in the distinctive RN camouflage colours of white and cold sea blue.
K&C’s LCVP carries a crew of 3 (1 x cox’n and 2 x gunners manning a pair of .30 cal. machine guns in armoured gun mounts). In addition, the ramp of the LCVP can be raised and lowered as the collector prefers.
DD336
‘Royal Navy LCVP 1324’
As above but with a different hull number (for those collectors wanting two LCVP’s for their collection). The standing cox’n with raised right arm is also unique to this second version. DD336 has a cox’n gripping the steering wheel with both hands.
All crew on both LCVPs are wearing the American supplied and much preferred U.S. Navy-style inflatable Life Vests together with their British steel helmets and white anti flash hoods, more for warmth than as a fire retardant protection.
And now after the Landing Craft here are some more of the soldiers they carried onto ‘Sword Beach’ on that epic morning of 6 June 1944.
DD342(B)
‘Lying Prone Bren Gunner’ w/Sand base
Here is the ‘classic’ fighting pose of the British Bren Gunner in action. For almost 50 years the Bren gave sterling service for the British Army since its introduction in 1938. It was so useful and popular that when the L1A1 Self Loading Rifle was brought into service in the late 1950’s the Bren was updated and upgraded to fire the same 7.62mm ammunition.
DD342(G)
‘Lying Prone Bren Gunner’ w/Grass base
The same figure as above but with a ‘grass’ base and very suitable for displays and dioramas depicting the battle for Normandy after the Allied troops moved away from the landing beaches and moved inland to capture towns, villages and other real estate.
DD343
‘Crawling Forward’ w/No base
This British ‘Tommy’ edges cautiously forward with his Lee Enfield rifle. This figure rests on no base therefore can be used equally well in both ‘beach’ and ‘inland’ battle scenes.
DD344
‘Crouching Rifleman’ w/No base
One more fighting ‘Tommy’ with no base so he can be easily positioned on a beach, in a field, on a tank or even inside a landing craft... very versatile!
DD345(B)
‘Advancing Set’ w/Sand base
These two riflemen are taking the fight to the enemy as they move across the beach.
DD345(G)
‘Advancing Set’ w/Grass base
After successfully defeating the enemy on the beach this deadly duo move inland across the Normandy fields and countryside.
DD353
‘Kneeling Ready’ w/No base
Similar to DD343 and 344 this ‘Tommy’ requires no base and can be used in a multitude of locations and positions.
DD354(B)
‘Standing Firing’ w/Sand base
Another essential action pose for any battle scene.
DD354(G)
‘Standing Firing’ w/Grass base
As above but suitable for a more rural setting.
AVAILABLE:
Early-Mid September
B.
THE VISTULA LANCERS
Originally known as the ‘Vistula Uhlans’, they were exceptionally well-trained Polish Lancers and first-class horsemen in the service of Napoleon and among his favourite regiments of light cavalry.
The regiment saw plenty of action during Napoleon’s campaign in Spain between 1808 and 1811. In 1812 they followed their Emperor into Russia and suffered accordingly. They also took part in his final ‘100 Days Campaign’ of 1815... Loyal to the end.
Here are the first three K&C ‘Vistula Lancers’ this month... with two more to follow.
NA470
‘Charging Vistula Lancer’
With his lance couched forward under his arm this ‘Vistula’ spurs his mount into a charging gallop.
NA472
‘Vistula Lancer About to Charge’
With lance held up and holding his horse in check this is the moment just prior to going into the ‘charge’.
NA474
‘Charging Vistula Lancer Officer’
Officers of the regiment carried only sabres. This officer leads his men, galloping into battle.
AVAILABLE:
Early September
C.
‘THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES’
‘The
Hound of the Baskervilles’ is
the third of the four crime novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and
featuring the noted detective, Sherlock Holmes.
The story is set largely on lonely, desolate Dartmoor in Devon in England’s West Country and tells the tale of an attempted murder by a fearsome, diabolical hound of supernatural origin.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes and his intrepid companion, Dr. John Watson are dispatched to Devon to investigate the case.
As one of Sherlock Holmes most enduring mysteries the story has been translated into more than 20 films and television series all over the world including Britain, of course, America, Germany, India and even the former Soviet Union as well as Australia, Italy and the Ukraine.
It’s fair to say that this particular Baskerville Hound gets around the world with amazing ease!
And
now it appears in the world of miniatures...
WoD070
‘Sherlock Holmes & The Hound of the Baskervilles’
This unique little set features the three principal characters of the story... Mr. Sherlock Holmes wearing his trademark ‘deerstalker’ hat with ‘Inverness’ cape and coat stands four square his right arm extended and aiming his .44 caliber revolver at the approaching beast.
Supporting his friend is the sturdy figure of Dr. Watson, suitably clad in his sensible ‘Harris Tweed’ Norfolk hunting suit. In his hands the good Doctor carries his trusty ‘Elephant Gun’.
And finally we come to the beast itself... a large and ugly
looking brute who none of us would like to meet on a dark night on Dartmoor... or anywhere else come to that!
Bright red glowing eyes sit above a gaping, snarling mouthful of sharp, vicious looking teeth sitting above a huge, werewolf-like body... a wild animal of nightmarish proportions!
However putting all that aside... a great little set and the perfect gift for any Sherlock Holmes enthusiast.
AVAILABLE:
Mid September
ALSO
AVAILABLE...
WOD068
‘Sherlock Holmes 221b Baker St., Townhouse’
Back by popular demand... London’s most famous address (after ‘Buckingham Palace’ that is.)
This handsome 3-storey residence is typical of many 19th Century townhouses which can still be seen all over London today.
It is also the perfect backdrop for our Sherlock Holmes characters or any from the ‘World of Dickens’.
WOD069
‘The London Townhouse’
As mentioned before, London is fortunate to still have many different variations of these styles of dwellings all over the capital.
This new version works well on its own or put alongside ‘221b Baker Street’.
Add
a few more and you can create a whole street!
AVAILABLE:
Mid September
D.
‘SWEET HOME CHICAGO’
Back in normal times, just after the 2019 ‘Chicago Toy Soldier Show’, I met up with show organizers, Roger & Jan Garfield to discuss designing and producing a ‘Special Commemorative Figure’ to mark the 40th Anniversary of this great toy soldier event.
I suggested, and they agreed, to design a G.I. figure that would fit in with K&C’s own very popular ‘VIETNAM’ series.
Together we
decided portray a typical G.I. in a more
relaxed ‘off-duty’ situation... perhaps enjoying one of the many USO
shows that went to Vietnam to entertain the troops.
THE ‘CHICAGO’ CONNECTION
To connect
the figure to Chicago I decided to make him from Woodfield Illinois, the
location of the Chicago Toy Soldier Show.
Our G.I. is
also a ‘Chicago Cubs’ fan, hence his baseball cap. And... we invited him
up on stage, to meet a real, live ‘Playboy Playmate’ who also
comes from Chicago.
Now, this
gorgeous little ‘bunny’ knows she’s in a real, live combat zone which is
why she’s wearing a specially-designed, ‘Tiger-Stripe’
camouflage bunny costume!
With a bit of
luck our boy will get her to autograph his copy of ‘Playboy’,
maybe even get a little kiss on the cheek and well... we’ll leave the rest
to your imagination! VN099 Many of these special 2-figure sets
will be going to Chicago and will be available from these three great K&C
Dealers attending the Show:
TREEFROG
TREASURES
A limited
number will also be available direct from King & Country and
other K&C Authorised Dealers AFTER THE
SHOW.
Order
yours now to avoid disappointment.
VN099
‘"Hi I'm From Chicago Too!"
AVAILABLE:
After Sunday 26 September 2021... Orders however can be placed NOW!
2.
And now... THE RETIREMENTS
No less than
32 different items across a broad area of K&C series. Check them out
and grab’em while you can!
Battle of
the Bulge
BBA079
Seriously Wounded Set
BBA085
Standing Military Policeman
BBG088
SS Obergruppenfuhrer Paul “Papa” Hausser
Age of
Napoleon
NA410
The Hussar Hussie #1 ‘Monique’
NA411
Hussar Hussie #2 ‘Sophie’
NA413
A Girl of The Old Guard
English
Civil War
PnM008
Oliver Cromwell
Pnm051
Le Comte De Rochefort
Royal Air
Force
RAF072
Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith Park
RAF075
A Trio Of Aces
US Marine
Corps
USMC020
Crouching Marine Firing Rifle
USMC026
Marine Sniper
USMC027
Crouching Marine
USMC030
Running w/BAR Marine
USMC039
Marine Casualty Set
USMC046
Kneeling Marine w/ Pistol
USMC047
Marine Casualties
Vietnam
War
VN016
The Loader
VN017
The U.S.M.C. M274 “MULE”
VN052
Charlie Don’t Surf!
VN058
Viet Cong Prisoner
VN078
NVA/VC Assault Team Set #1
Classic
Germans
WH024,
WH025,
WH067
are newly added in the ‘End of The Run Remainders‘.
WH024
Standing Engineer
WH025
Engineer w/Pickaxe
WH026
Engineer w/Land Mines
WH066
Propaganda Kompanien Kamerman
WH067
Bergepanther
WH069
Tank Repair Crew
WH081
Kneeling Panzer Grenadier
WH093
Hitler, His Generals & The Atlantic Wall
WS196
Rommel in France 1940
WS198
Feld Gendarmerie Dog Handler
Great Sales!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country Ltd.