King & Country
DISPATCHES
NOVEMBER 2003
As I write this October is almost over and November is just around the
corner. Before we know it Christmas will be upon us! So now’s
the time to
stock up on all those K&C goodies. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
1. CREATIVE BRAIN STORMING & HEAD BASHING SESSION
Now I know some of you think we just gaze into space and think up new ideas
at random. However, believe it or not, we actually sit down and bash out
ideas for the coming year in an all-day creative meeting that we hold at
least twice a year.
At these sessions everyone throws in ideas and we also add to the recipe
those suggestions and “wish lists” from K&C collectors and dealers alike.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those dealers who took the
time and trouble to send us their thoughts and wishes. These are always
useful and some of you will, I hope, be delighted to see your concepts
actually became toy soldier reality in the coming months.
There were some excellent ideas came out of the session and all of us are
very excited about the new release schedule for the first 6 months of 2004.
2. SO WHAT’S NEW?
“HAVOC IN THE HEDGEROWS”
That’s the title of our latest advertisement showing off the 5 great new
sets of Waffen SS figures and our brand-new (but
battle-worn) German Assault
Gun.
There are the figures you’ve been waiting for. Your World War Two fans will
love them. Here’s the details…
(a) WS47 “STURMGESCHUTZ IV”
Based on the famous Panzer IV chassis this tracked German Assault Gun with
its 7.5cm gun was introduced in mid 1943. Our battle-worn version comes
complete with missing side skirts and a great action MG42 machine gunner,
vehicle commander and a kneeling Panzer Grenadier.
(b) WS48 “ADVANCE TO ATTACK”
Led by a pistol carrying officer three SS Panzer Grenadiers cautiously move
forward. Great detailed colouring on their camouflage
smocks and jackets…
even the bottom of their great coats is mud and dust stained.
(c) WS49 “PREPARE TO AMBUSH”
“Brought back by popular demand”. A while back we produced two German
figures with panzerfausts and a knocked-out Russian
Assault Gun. Well that
sold out pretty quickly and many dealers requested how they could get those
two figures. Now we’ve combined them (with a new paint job) and two
brand-new Waffen SS soldiers - a kneeling firing
trooper and a standing
firing rifleman - check out his sniper scope on his Gewehr
43 rifle. They’
re all-action and looking for trouble.
(d) WS50 “THE PATROL”
A great-coat clad officer with pistol and map in hand
strides purposely
forward after briefing his men.
Backing him up is a pointing sergeant, a standing MG42 gunner - weapon slung
and festooned with ammo and a watching rifleman. Again superb SS camouflage
paint jobs and extra detailing.
(e) WS51 “MG42 GUN GROUP”
Some of you may remember the long-discontinued WS10 kneeling machine gun
group. Here’s the updated, totally upgraded version…a kneeling MG42 gunner
steadies his weapon on the shoulder of his number two. In front of them the
lying prone gun group commander raises his head, binos
in hand, to better
observe the effect of their fire. In support is a kneeling rifleman.
Once again great camo painting, lots of character and
plenty of
realism!
AVAILABILITY: We expect all the figure sets to be ready for shipping by
early November.
We’re pushing our tank factory to supply our STUG’s
ASAP. However we
expect deliveries by late November or at worst early December.
3. ITEMS BEING RETIRED
Here’s the “skinny” on what will be retired over the coming month.
(a) DD35 M16 HALFTRACK
This well-known vehicle with the Quad .50 cal. machine guns is running down
fast - around 40 models remaining.
(b) WS37 KRUPP TRUCK
This g
riflemen in the back is also being retired.
Just over 40 left.
(c)WS41 PANZER II SET
The early-war tank with the 2 Classic German
infantrymen in support is
almost sold out. Only 30 left.
4. SANTA COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR!
Another gentle reminder that this year’s new SANTA 2003 is now available!
This standing Santa comes with a bumper bagful of toys and a cute little
brother and sister gazing up in wonderment.
Please remember supplies are limited to this Festive Season only. We’re
still getting some requests for last year’s Santa - one dealer wanted 20 of
them! So don’t delay… order now.
Well that’s the story so far.
Best wishes to all and a big thank you for your continued support and
business,
Andy C Neilson
Co-founder and Creative Director