King & Country
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KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
June 2025
June 2025
Hi Guys,
JUNE, being the first real month of summer out here in the Tropics it is a slightly less busy time for the release of new items. This particular month sees just 20 x figure releases divided between 3 different series and… an extra special and very cute little trio of feathered friends from the Animal Kingdom.
And so, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what’s in store for June…
1. BEING RELEASED THIS MONTH
A. “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina!”
As well as being the memorable theme song of the highly popular film and stage musical ‘EVITA’ this particular song also formed part of the soundtrack to the 1982 Falklands War fought between Britain and Argentina.
When that war erupted in April 1982 with the Argentine invasion of this small group of rugged and remote British islands few people suspected that a brief but bloody conflict would follow.
As is well known a powerful naval task force was rapidly dispatched from Britain with the firm intention of retaking the islands, evicting the invaders and liberating the small British community who had lived and worked there for almost 150 years.
As the land force element of the Task Force was loaded aboard the ships sailing to the South Atlantic they were serenaded up the gangplanks by a familiar sound…
“Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, the memorable theme song from ‘EVITA’.
On these occasions the song was often played somewhat sarcastically by several of the regimental bands of the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment much to the amusement of the boarding ‘Bootnecks’ and ‘Paras’.
Keep this enjoyable tune humming around your head as you inspect these latest K&C Falklands War figures…
TF015 “Fix Bayonets!”
During this conflict, the humble but very sharp bayonet came once more to the front when British troops on several occasions ‘fixed bayonets’ and charged the enemy most notably when 3 PARA attacked Argentine positions during the Battle of Mount Longdon on the 11/12 June 1982.
Elsewhere, marines from 42 Commando also assaulted defensive outposts on Mount Harriet at the point of their bayonets while other marines from 45 Commando captured Two Sisters.
This 2-man set shows a British paratrooper from 3 PARA about to inflict a very serious bayonet wound on a very surprised Argentine soldier!
TF016 “Butting Heads”
After running out of ammunition this British ‘Para’ violently thrusts the butt of his L1A1 SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) into the face of his Argentine opponent.
TF017 “Time For Some Scran & A Wet”
Royal Marines ‘Slang’ is made up of particular words and phrases that ‘Bootnecks’ (Royal Marines) have used throughout the Corps’ 350 year history and are still in common usage today.
Here, two of our K&C ‘Booties’ (Marines) are taking a brief break from ‘yomping’ (a long forced march with a heavy load) across the Falklands to Port Stanley. This sitting ‘bootneck’ heats up his ‘Scran’ (food of any description) on his little portable stove. Also check out the L4A1 ‘Bren’ Gun resting on the ground next to the sitting ‘chef’s left side.
His standing mate is enjoying a ‘Wet’, (a drink, hot or cold of any description) while cradling his SLR in his left hand.
SIDENOTE: The venerable Bren Gun included a series of Light Machine Guns based on an earlier Czech design, adapted and improved by the Royal Small Arms Co., at Enfield in the U.K..
This gun provided excellent service throughout WW2 primarily for British and Commonwealth armies serving well into the 1950s. It was then rebarrelled and adapted to fire the new Nato 7.62mm round as opposed to its original .303 British ammunition.
During the Falklands campaign hundreds of these additional L4A1 ‘Brens’ were taken out of stores to provide additional much-needed firepower for the British marines and paras in particular.
.JPG)
TF018 “What Are You Lookin’ At?”
Here we have a uniquely Falklands War image… a lone British ‘Tommy’ … he might be a ‘bootneck’ or a ‘para’ having a halt to take a closer look at one of the islands original inhabitants – a humble but still proud Penguin.
The Falkland Islands represent one of the world’s great penguin capitals. As many as 1,000,000 of these delightful creatures ‘nest’ every summer in the islands along its sandy beaches, sheep paddocks and broad open landscape. Five of the world’s seventeen species of penguin call these islands home – ‘King’… ‘Gentoo’… ‘Rockhopper’… ‘Magellanic’ and… ‘Macaroni’.
Our bold little feathered friend is a ‘King Penguin’ and joins with his British ‘liberator’ to make a unique K&C 2-figure set.
TF019 “Kneeling Para w/Sterling S.M.G.”
This ‘Para’ takes the knee to deliver a short burst of 9mm rounds from his Sterling Submachine Gun.
This automatic weapon began to replace the WW2 era ‘STEN’ gun in 1953 and remained standard issue to British forces until 1994. Much more reliable than its predecessor, ‘Sterling SMG’s’ were usually but not exclusively carried by officers, some NCO’s, Radio Operators and armoured vehicle crews.
TF021 “The Original Falkland Islanders”
Putting aside, for a moment, the different territorial claims to the Falkland Islands by both the British and Argentine Governments it should be said that those with the longest and most original claim to this group of windswept islands in the cold, cold South Atlantic must be these little guys.
This handsome trio of ‘King Penguins’ will enhance any Falklands display or diorama and provide that extra touch of local authenticity!
AVAILABLE: Early June
