King & Country

DISPATCHES

NOVEMBER 2005

 

            It’s back to the Ardennes this month and then off to Belgium and France before settling down to what I hope will be a great Christmas season for all of us!

 

1. WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH?

A. “Battle of The Bulge” Americans

First of all a big, big thank you to all those K&C dealers who joined our BBA Launch Promotion – it’s always good to give something back to you guys because I know how hard you work on our behalf.  Believe me it’s appreciated.

            So just to remind you once more…here’s what’s heading your way:

            BBA05            The M21 Mortar Carrier Set

            BBA06            “RETURNING PATROL”

            BBA07            “THE ULTIMATE PRICE”

            BBA08            “WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING” STUG

            BBA09            “PACK HOWITZER SET”

            BBA10            “WELCOME TO BASTOGNE”

 

B. “THE GI SANTA SET”

            As a special “add-on” to the above BBA sets and as a unique addition to our traditional annual “Santa” series we’ve produced this little beauty: XM05-01 “SANTA’S JEEP”

 

            Many years ago I heard a great story from a K&C collector whose Dad had served in the US Army at the time of the Battle of The Bulge.  His platoon was stationed in an almost abandoned Belgian village that December of 1944.  A few days before Christmas the GI’s discovered an old priest who was sheltering a whole bunch of orphan kids including some refugee Jewish children whose parents had already been deported.

            The old priest and the kids were cold and hungry and needed help.  So, the whole platoon pooled their rations and anything else they could get their hands on and delivered the “goodies” on Christmas Eve.

            Somehow, somewhere one of the GI’s found half of a St. Nicholas costume.  And that’s how an old priest…a bunch of starving kids had their best Christmas ever…right in the middle of a war.

            That’s what gave me the idea for this little set…I hope you like it.

 

2. COMING IN LATE NOVEMBER / EARLY DECEMBER…

Late in November we expect delivery of our latest Napoleonics.  Going from the reaction I got from dealers and collectors when I previewed them at Chicago they’re going to be popular…

A. BLACK WATCH ADD-ONS

NA67      Highlander kneeling to repel – perfect for making up that ‘British Square’.

NA68      Highlander being shot – war is hell and this proves it!  A Black Watch soldier reeling back from a musket ball to the head.

 

B. KING’S GERMAN LEGION LIGHT INFANTRY

            Dressed and equipped in the same style and fashion as Britain’s own Rifle Regiments (think the “Sharpe” television series) our KGL infantry come in a great variety of action poses…

NA69      KGL Officer with sword

NA70      KGL Sergeant looking on

NA71      KGL Standing firing

NA72      KGL Kneeling firing

NA73      KGL Kneeling loading

NA74      KGL Moving forward

NA75      KGL Skirmisher

NA76      KGL With ramrod

           

C. “THE IRON DUKE" (NA77)

            Finally in this latest Napoleonic release we have Bonaparte’s most dedicated foe…”The Iron Duke” himself – Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington mounted on his favourite horse “Copenhagen”.  A great figure and a great “personality” piece.

 

D. “THE FRENCH FARMHOUSE”

            To set off these and other Napoleonic figures we’re also releasing a terrific “Diorama” piece in two parts – “The French Farmhouse”.

            SP17 “The Farmhouse” itself and its accompanying base is typical of a rustic rural architecture of the 18th and 19th Centuries found all over France and Belgium.

            SP18 “The Courtyard” comprises 4 separate wall sections and a gateway (complete with swinging doors) that can be used in several different ways to make up a superb setting for your troops.

 

SPECIAL NOTE

            Not only does this look great with Napoleonics – see K&C’s website for the “diorama’s” use with WW2 scenarios.  It can just as easily be used for WWI and even some Revolutionary War scenes.

            The only limits are your own imagination.

 

AVAILABILITY : All Napoleonics and The French Farmhouse sets will be shipping in end November / early December.

 

3. BEING RETIRED…

            On the retirement list this month are the following.

            DD50 THE HELL CAT TANK DESTROYER

            Less than 100 in stock.

 

PLUS All of the Napoleonic French Voltigeurs…

            NA17  French Voltigeur Bugler

            NA18  French Sergeant with Flag

            NA19  French Corporal Crouching

            NA20  French Kneeling Firing

            NA21  French Kneeling Loading

            NA22  French Standing Firing

            NA23  French Mounted Officer

            NA24  French Wounded Officer

 

4. LAH NEW JANUARY RELEASE DATE

            As many of you already know we have postponed the release of the new LAH sets until January 2006.

            This is because we believe K&C have already plenty of new items for both dealers and collectors to absorb in the run-up to Christmas.

            At the same time because of LAH’s popularity we also believe it will help give all of us a good sales boost in the beginning of a new year.

 

5. NEWLY RETIRED ITEM LIST

 

AK24 SDKFZ 222 Armoured Car Set

AK25 Motorcycle Team

DD32 Mortar Set

DD34 82nd Bazooka Team

DD38 M8 Greyhound Armoured Car

HK075 Chinese Terrace House with Tailor Shop

HK076 Chinese Terrace House with Shoes Shop

NA27 Chasseur Aide de Camp

WS43 Tiger "007" with Michel Wittman

WS55 88mm Gun Crew (Set A)

WS56 88mm Gun Crew (Set B)

 

Please note: limited quantities only.  First come, first served.

 

            So, that’s the story so far… Thanks again for all your continued support we always appreciate it and your business. All the best and, of course, great, great sales!

 

Andy C. Neilson