August King & Country Dispatch Pt1 (1 Viewer)

[Shannon Reuss]

News from Andy AUGUST 2006


Well, that’s my summer holidays over! Two fabulous weeks in Scotland and England where, for once, the weather was simply great. It must be the global warming…
Anyway, without further ado let’s get into this month’s news – and there’s a lot of it to get into…

1. WHAT’S NEW IN AUGUST?


A. “PANZER” MEYER BREAKS OUT!
At long last, the eagerly awaited WS077(Strictly Limited) piece “Panzer” Meyer’s Command Vehicle will be available very soon. Like our earlier “Strictly Limiteds” this piece sold out to dealers within hours of it being announced. Many of the dealers I have spoken to have already “sold out” their allocation to dedicated K&C collectors. I’m sure all of you will do well with this exciting piece.

AVAILABILITY: End of this week

B. “THE ROMAN GATEWAY”
This new “backdrop” piece RO041 looks set to become popular with fans of our ancient Romans and recently released Barbarians. Sturdy and strong the polystone structure has a walkway behind the parapet and opening and closing doors.

AVAILABILITY: End of this week

C. “CHINESE BANGS”
IC026 Imperial Chinese Cannon Setcomprises three gunners of the Ching Dynasty Imperial forces manning an ancient muzzle-loading cannon mounted on a wooden carriage.
Used until the late 19th Century these formidable looking guns made a very loud bang but were totally obsolete and could inflict little damage against an enemy.

IC027 Chinese Gateway.A variation of our Roman Gateway (RO041) but adapted with a Chinese “twist”. The perfect display piece go with any of our “Imperial Chinese” collection or even “Streets of Old Hong Kong”.

AVAILABILITY: End of this week

D. “WALLS, GATES & DEPOTS”
If an army marches on its stomach it’s no less true that a real K&C collector needs great display accessories to show his/ her collection off to its best advantage.
Nothing adds authenticity and realism to a group of soldiers or fighting vehicles like a well-designed battlefield diorama.

SP023 “European Walls and Gate”.A really great and versatile piece that can work equally well with 18th , 19th and 20th century battle scenes.
Journey to Europe, especially France, and you can still see the same centuries – old style of walls and gates all over the countryside.

SP024 “Supply Depot”. Every modern army needs fuel and ammunition and this really useful group of battlefield accessories works great with any WW2 scenario – Allied or Axis.

AVAILABILITY: End of this week

E. “ONTO THE STREETS”
“Streets of Old Hong Kong” has a couple of interesting little add-ons this month – HK151 “The Suckling Pig Set” shows off one of Chinese cuisine’s favorite dishes being prepared. Here a young Chef delicately prepares a young piglet ready for roasting over an open fire pit. Next to him is another pig already laid out and ready for banquet.
Mmmm…finger lickin’ good!

HK152 “The Curios Seller”. Selling items “on the street” is still a popular past time even in Hong Kong today. In the old days you might be looking at a pile of junk or a treasured antiquity. Here a customer carefully scrutinizes a possible purchase from a vender of ceramics – all his goods before him on a richly decorated rug.

AVAILABILITY: End of this week

F. “FIELDS OF BATTLE” and the Road to Dunkirk
It’s June 1940 and the British and French armies are reeling back from the German onslaught simply known as… “BLITZKRIEG”.
When K&C launched the “FoB” series back in the summer of 2005 it was a little bit of a leap in the dark. We believed, because of the subject matter… early war French and British, it should be popular in Europe…less so in America.
Well, we misjudged the American market. “FoB”did very well in Europe and totally beyond our early expectations in the U.S. It seems quality and originality will always sell and so here we are with the next batch of figures and fighting vehicles to expand this unique collection.

FoB011 “French General”. One of our first figures which we held over from the original release. He can be seen on the “FoB” leaflet though.

FoB012 “French Marching Officer”.A great companion piece to the marching “Poilus” of the first release.

FoB013 “French Cavalry Officer”.A superb mounted figure, saber resting on shoulder on a walking horse.

FoB014 “French Cavalry Trooper”.Even in 1940, France still had thousands of horse-mounted Cavalrymen. They fought many gallant delaying actions against the advancing German infantry and armour.

FoB015 “French Officer w/Flag”.Almost a throwback to an earlier era. This proud French officer holds the Regimental Tricolour.

FoB016 ‘Poilu’ Standing Ready.Here, like his father at Verdun, this young “Poilu” defiantly prepares to take on the hated Boches.

FoB017 ‘Poilu’ Kneeling Firing.Taking careful aim at the enemy.

FoB018 ‘Poilu’ Machine Gunner.Kneeling behind his venerable Hotchkiss machine gun this “Poilu” intends to make every bullet count.

FoB019 “Vickers MK. VI Light Tank”.Used primarily in the reconnaissance role this already obsolete British tank is a great looking little model and quite unique.Virtually all of the British Expeditionary Force’s armour was either ‘knocked-out’ or abandoned on the beaches of Dunkirk.
Set includes 2 crew figures.

FoB020 “Kubelwagen”.A long, long awaited and long overdue new version of an old favourite – the VW “Kubelwagen”. The German answer to Jeep. Seen in every WW2 movie and documentary our great new model comes with 3 great figures! A seated driver plus a German General and his Adjutant – both standing next to the vehicle.

FoB021 “Wehrmacht Officer w/Binos”.A really nice “FoB” addition to the above set – a standing German officer with binos. Please note the cavalry-style jodhpurs (breeches) of the officer and the others. Obviously all cavalry.

FoB022 “British Rifleman w/helmet”. Another weary ‘Tommy’ trudges back towards Dunkirk.

FoB023 “British Sergeant Major”.Officers may think they run the army but we know who really runs it! A tough old Sarn’t. Major points the way to the beaches and…hopefully Blighty.

AVAILABILITY: Mid August

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Re: August King & Country Dispatch Pt2

G. “BANZAI!”
In advance of the opening of Clint Eastwood’s epic “Flags of our Fathers” comes our all-new…redesigned…resculpted Japanese Infantry. Six dynamic sets of single, double and treble figure groups that make into twelve great fighting figures. A worthy opponent to our World War Two U.S. Marines on IWO JIMA.

IWJ025 “General Kuribayashi”. This brave but doomed commander of the Japanese Garrison on IWO JIMA. Kuribayashi planned the amazing network of underground tunnels, bunkers and firing positions that made the Marines task so difficult and the taking of IWO so long and arduous.

IWJ026 “Rifle Grenade Team”. A two-man set of Japanese infantryman using their rifle grenades as a kind of mini mortar.

IWJ027 “Mortar Team”. Another two-man set using the Japanese small infantry mortar to lay down a constant bombardment on the attacking Marines.

IWJ028 “Machine Gun Team”. Two more Japanese using the famous Type92 machine gun nicknamed “The Woodpecker” (because of its sound) by American Troops.

IWJ029 “Anti Tank Team”. Preparing to fire their unwieldy (but still lethal)…anti tank rifle these two infantrymen aim to take out at least some of the enemy’s assault vehicles.

IWJ030 “Sniper Team”. Two riflemen, one sitting, one lying prone together with their officer “spotter” take careful aim at the advancing Marines.

AVAILABILITY: Late August


2. WHAT’S COMING IN SEPTEMBER
September is a hugely important month for “King & Country”. Not only do we have some great new additions to existing collections but we’re announcing the launch of a dramatic and important new series…
First the add-ons –

A. “IT’S GOING TO BE A COLD, COLD WINTER!”
Following the great success of last year’s release of “Winter Germans” which can be used in either “Russian Front” or “Battle of the Bulge” scenarios we decided to add some more “Winter Warriors” and here they are…

WS082 “MG42 Set”. Three decidedly cold-looking German “Soldaten” man this MG42 set up in its “fixed-firing” tripod.

WS083 “Hasso von Manteuffel”. This General was one of Germany’s best and most able officers and in command of the famed “Grossdeutschland” Division in 1944. Here, he stands next to a tripod-mounted set of long-distance field telescopes.

WS084 “Winter Sledge”. A well-wrapped up “Soldaten” manfully pulls one of his wounded colleagues to a battlefield aid station.

WS085 “Prepare to Fire!”.A kneeling officer, flare pistol in hand, prepares to give the order to fire to a standing sniper.

WS086 “Moving Forward”.Whilst a kneeling rifleman covers him another “soldaten” moves forward with his machine pistol ready.

AVAILABILITY: Early September

B. “DEFENCE WORKS FOR DEFENDERS”

SP025 “ Machine Gun Bunker” . A hand-painted polystone rendition of an earth and log defencework that can accommodate kneeling and lying prone defenders. This piece has several gun ports and a detachable roof. It can be displayed uncovered if desired, the choice is yours.

SP026 “Mortar Pit”. A three-sided earth and log defencework ideal for positing a mortar pit or a small command/radio group.

SP027 “Tank/Artillery Bunker”. Another, much larger three-sided earth and log defencework suitable for housing a small tank, an artillery piece or even for storing supplies and ammunition.

AVAILABILITY: Mid September

C. “REMEMBER THE ALAMO”

THE DEFENDERS:
Following the launch of our Mexican soldados in July we were already putting the finishing touches on the Alamo’s gallant defenders.

All of these defenders (with just one exception) are sold as single pieces and are based on actual men who took part in the epic struggle. All of them are individually named…and where they came from.

RTA015 “Davy Crocket” of Tennessee. One the famous triumvirate (along with Bowie and Travis) who fought and died at the Alamo.

RTA016 “Jesse B. Bowman” of Tennessee

RTA017 “Robert Allen” of Virginia

RTA018 “William Johnson” of Pennsylvania

RTA019 “Colonel William B. Travis” of South Carolina. The young commander of the Alamo Garrison doomed to die at the beginning of the final assault.

RTA020 “Dolphin Ward Floyd” of North Carolina

RTA021 “Joseph Kerr” of Louisiana. One of a handful of “New Orleans Grays” – a volunteer militia unit.

RTA022 “John McGregor” of Scotland. Several Scots fought at the Alamo, McGregor was said to have played his bagpipes during the siege.

RTA023 “Juan Seguin” of Texas. A member of a notable Tejano family Seguin was one of the couriers Travis sent out of the Alamo to seek help and reinforcements.

RTA024 “John Forsyth” of New York

RTA025 “John W. Thomson” of North Carolina

RTA026 “Isaac Ryan” of Louisiana

RTA027 “Juan A. Badillo” of Texas

RTA028 “John Davis” of Kentucky

RTA032 “Texian Artillery” Set. Three defending artillerymen fire their captured Mexican field piece. Most of these cannon were either French or Spanish made and used by both sides.
RTA033A “James Butler Bonham” of South Carolina. Bonham stands defiantly, sword in one hand, rifle in the other supporting the “1824” Republic of Texas Flag.

RTA033B the same figure as above but this time the standard is the world-famous “Texas State Flag”.


“And a few more Mexicans”…
Since our July release of the Mexican Army we’ve added a few extras…and filled in a few gaps.

RTA029 “Mexican Soldier Advancing”

RTA030 “Mexican Artillery” Set. Three besieging Mexican Artillerymen man their cannon and maintain their bombardment of the little mission

RTA031 “Mexican Artillery Officer”. Standing proudly this officer directs the fire of his men.

AVAILABILITY: Mid September

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Re: August King & Country Dispatch Pt3

“AND NOW”, AS MONTY PYTHON WOULD SAY, “FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.”​

K&C announced earlier year that we were working on several major new projects that, we believed, would widen our appeal to collectors that, up until now, did not collect any of the present series…
Well this is the first to be publicly announced…

CRUSADER​

CROSS&CRESCENT​

An epic journey back in time to a series of violent events between two great civilizations that still shatter our world today.
Towards the end of last year the K&C creative team were holding one of our frequent “brain-storming” sessions to discuss future releases and ideas.
As usual there was no shortage of good ideas. The only problem was trying to select which we thought would be the most exciting for us to produce and the most popular for our collectors to buy. Lots of great proposals were batted back and forth with the “pros” and “cons” of each argued and discussed at length. Finally we narrowed it down to three main areas where we believed we could produce a major new series with “legs”. I.E. one which has an ongoing appeal that might be produced and extended for many years to come.
All three “finalists” met that criteria easily that was the hard part. Now we had to put them is some kind of “pecking order” by voting on each.
By a narrow majority “CRUSADER” won and then the real work began – researching, designing, selecting, carving, master painting, production samples and a hundred and one other tasks. Hard work but creatively – incredibly exciting and rewarding.
We made several key decisions early on. One was vitally important… “What scale would this new range be?”
We chose 1:32 and here’s why. Although K&C is best known for its 1:30 scale particularly our many World War Two figures and fighting vehicles we have always produced figures in a variety of sizes. (Our Napoleonics and recent Alamo series are closer to 1:32 than 1:30)
Because we are a relative “late-comer” to the “Medieval Scene” we realized that earlier producers focused primarily on 1:32. We could also see that our Russian friends with their multitude of medieval figures were also 1:32 scale. Therefore that was the scale we chose to go with.

​

TIME TRAVELLERS​

Choosing a historical era was just as important but eventually we decided on the period of the earlier crusades from 1096-1204. This effectively covers the first four Crusades up to and including the sacking of Constantinople.
One important point we discovered in our researches was that military fashions and equipment changed much less often than you might think today. Weapons…armour…and other fighting accessories were expensive to produce even then. Treasured swords, battleaxes, suits of chain mail even helmets were often passed down from father to son for several generations. That’s why it was not uncommon to see a knight or a man-at-arms dressed and equipped in a military fashion that might have existed fifty, sixty or even a hundred years before. As today the wealthiest armies could afford the very latest arms, armour and fighting accouterments to take to the field. The rest had to make do with what they had and what they could afford.

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY…​

And so does every figure…when making our final decisions on which sculpts to make it always helps to have a story in mind.
At K&C as most dealers and collectors know we like our figures to relate to each other both as single pieces and collectively. So, what were our “CRUSADER” men going to do?
Unlike the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” we decided that our Christian Crusaders would be attacking and our Moslem Saracens would be defending. In this particular case that means Crusaders laying siege to a Saracen defended castle.
With that little “story” in place we went to work designing the figures and accessories – a tall siege tower and the frontage of a castle being among them.

“A FIRST LOOK…”​

Here’s a look at our first (but by no means the last) pieces…
MK001 “Mounted Knight w/ Lance”
MK002 “Foot Knight w/Sword & Shield”
MK003 “Foot Knight w/Sword & Crucifix”
MK004 “Mounted Knight w/Shield”
MK005 “Foot Soldier w/Spear”
MK006 “Foot Soldier w/Spear & Shield”
MK007 “Siege Tower”
MK008 “Mounted Knight w/Flag”
MK009 “Standing Knight w/Sword & Shield”
MK010 “Standing Knight w/Flag & Shield”
MK011 “Fighting Knight w/Sword”
MK012 “Crossbowman Loading”
MK013 “Crossbowman Firing”
MK014 “Knight Fighting w/Axe & Shield”
MK015 “Charging Knight w/Axe & Shield”
MK016 “Fighting Bishop”
MK017 “Horn Blower”
MK018 “Attacking Knight w/Axe & Shield”
MK019 “Knight Drawing Sword”
MK020 “Man-at-arms Fighting w/Axe”
Believe me there’s a whole lot more still in the works that you’ll be seeing very soon. Look out for King & Country’s “CRUSADER – Cross & Crescent” coming soon to a K&C dealer like you.

AVAILABILITY: Mid September!

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Re: August King & Country Dispatch Pt4 - Retirements

3. BEING RETIRED
I know some of you have been waiting for this for a wee while so, let’s take it away…Get’em while stocks last!
a) D. DAY’44 – “U.S. Forces”
DD029 “Eisenhower”
DD031 “D-Day Minus One”
DD033 “Attacking”
DD036 “Covering Fire”
DD037 “Flank Attack”
DD042 “Standing MP w/Tommy Gun”
DD043 “Infantry Patrol”
DD044 “G.I. Tank Riders”
DD045 “Sherman 105”

b) Eighth Army – “British & Australian Forces”
EA001 “Scottish Patrol”
EA003 “Australian Attack”
EA004 “251b. Gun & Crew”
EA005 “Field Gun Tractor & Limber”
EA006 “Bren Gun Set”

c) BERLIN’38 – “Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”
LAH023 “Officer Presenting Sword”
LAH026 “Standing at Attention”
LAH036 “Drum Horse”

d) WAFFEN SS in action
WS044 “Crossing The River”
WS048 “Advance To Attack”
WS049 “Prepare to Ambush!”


4. K&C’s NEW WEBSITE
If you can take a few minutes to check out our great new website at WWW.KINGANDCOUNTRY.COM .
It’s taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get it up and going (thanks to Joanne especially) and I think it’s great – but, of course, I am biased.

5. THE CHICAGO SHOW
Finally this coming September is …Show Time! The Old Toy Soldier Show in Chicago at the Hyatt Woodfield on Sunday 24th September. Although that’s the official Show Day, Collectors and Dealers alike begin to arrive as early as the preceding Tuesday to take part in the “room-trading”.
The K&C gang, me and my brother Gordon included, hope to get in on Wednesday this year and will be bringing several major displays of new and upcoming products to show off.
The “Chicago Show” is by far the biggest of its kind in the world today. If you are serious about toy soldiers you just have to be there!
Well, that is the end of this humungous “DISPATCHES”…I can’t write anymore I’ve got writer’s cramp.

Best wishes

Andy C. Neilson
[FONT=新細明體] [/FONT]

 

[Fullyautomatic]

I think TreeFrog is going to need another trailer and George from Minuteman a bigger truck to get all this product to OTSN. Thats alot of new sets.

 

[Alexdakar]

Oh my God that is some awesome stuff. Except my wallet jumped out of my pocket and hid behind the desk. The good thing is that Xmas is around four months away.

 

[desk11desk12]

Wow Shannon,

This all looks exciting. I collect from many different WWII producers and I have to say, this is what a company with critical mass (production, R&D, financing, solid distribution channel) can do that creates enormous barriers of entry for new and existing competitors.

I'm actually contemplating getting some of his new "CRUSADER
CROSS & CRESCENT" series site unseen. It may be politically incorrect but it's intriguing.

Also, it nice to see that Andy is finally retiring some sets after the market has a sufficient enough supplies (hopefully) to minimize against speculators driving up the price on the hobby to the point of market collapse and eventual destruction of the hobby. Just my opinion, I might be wrong again.

Carlos

 

[jazzeum]

Don't think too many middle eastern buyers will be buying the Crusades line. That's a dirty word over there.

 

[gk5717]

$ $ $ "I'm drowning" $ $ $
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

$ $ $ "I'm drowning" $ $ $
Gary

You may have to rethink that retirement 'thing'.

 

[Peter Reuss]

Whew! I finally have most of the new web pages up and ready to view. I only have the Alamo left (which will be done tomorrow morning).

You can see them all at http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/new.shtml

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,



Many thanks for the enthusiastic response to the latest “DISPATCHES” and the new releases.



It’s amazing though (in a nice way) no matter how many items we release someone, somewhere will ask for something that’s not on the list…



Anyway for Napoleonic fans we’re releasing a British Horse Artillery gun in action with a crew and a mounted Royal Horse Artillery Officer later this year.



There’s also a whole big bundle of French Infantry in action I hope to release at the same time.



For our “CRUSADER” series there will be a large number of fighting Saracens and a mounted Saladin piece as well as more Crusaders.



To go with the new “Winter” Germans there will be no less than 3 vehicles – an armoured artillery piece…a mounted flak gun (in the ground attack role) and a Kettengrad motor / halftrack.



There’s going to be a great opportunity to see a lot of this at Chicago. Look out for us.



Best wishes and…happy collecting!

Andy

 

[sage742]

Wow this year keeps getting better and better but my piggy bank keeps getting smaller and smaller . Thanks Andy for the heads up on some upcoming releases. I can't wait to see the winterized flak vehicle. Chicago's going to be awesome.

 

[sceic2]

It’s amazing though (in a nice way) no matter how many items we release someone, somewhere will ask for something that’s not on the list… Andy

(AP) Hong Kong - Today the War Cabinet (on a tour of the Empire's far-eastern outposts) announced that a detachment of the Royal Horse Artillery has been dispatched from their home barracks to battle the French, much to the relief of the troops on the front lines.

On a side note, apparently the squeaky wheel does get attention first. Thank you Andy.

 

[jazzeum]

(AP) Hong Kong - Today the War Cabinet (on a tour of the Empire's far-eastern outposts) announced that a detachment of the Royal Horse Artillery has been dispatched from their home barracks to battle the French, much to the relief of the troops on the front lines.

On a side note, apparently the squeaky wheel does get attention first. Thank you Andy.

We may have members here from France or people who look at the Forum from France so I've edited out that reference.

 

[boot51]

Hi Guy









To go with the new “Winter” Germans there will be no less than 3 vehicles – an armoured artillery piece…a mounted flak gun (in the ground attack role) and a Kettengrad motor / halftrack.



There’s going to be a great opportunity to see a lot of this at Chicago. Look out for us.



Best wishes and…happy collecting!

Andy

Andy, the winter Germans look great and the promise of "no less than 3 vehicles" to accompany them sounds terrific, can't wait to get them, but at risk of sounding a tad ungrateful and somewhat demanding, how about getting your sculptor to work on some armor for the American BOB forces, oh like maybe a winter Sherman or M10 TD. I think the poor guys in the halftrack with the mortar in the back would very much appreciate some additional firepower. Thank you very much.

Fred

 

[Louis Badolato]

I can't believe I am saying this, but I am going to have to get the entire Crusader series. A mounted Saladin sounds too cool! And the three winter German vehicles also sound exciting. Boy am I going to be broke!

 

[Rob]

Yep got to get all three of those vehicles,just got to work out how to tell the wife she has to get a third job!

Rob

 

[Pierre]

I heard that there will be no more quarterly K&C Collector issues. It seems that it will be substituted by a monthly catalogue

More seriously, the new releases and new series are terrific.

I wasn't sure about RTA but after seeing the defendants, that serie is a must.

The upcoming FOB and winter german figures are simply stunning and I can't wait for the three vehicules to go with the latters.

And as Louis said, no choices than to collect the Medieval Knights... and the Saracens who's coming... Hope that there will be some dromaderies.

Pierre.

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys (especially Pierre),

Let me set your mind at ease on several points.

1. “COLLECTOR”

No more…no way! Who gave you that info? I’ll have them shot…no, in fact I’ll do it myself.

“COLLECTOR” is most definitely continuing – at this point in time I’m due to start writing and designing the next issue #15 beginning early next week.

It is a fact though that we are producing a whole bunch of new, updated catalogues that are and will be issued over the coming months.



2. “Remember The Alamo”

Many thanks for the kind words…The “official” launch of the series will be at KINGS X in San Antonio the week after the Chicago Show.

My brother Gordon has built a magnificent 6 ́x 4 ́ display which will be the centre piece of the entire store. Gordon is also hard at work on 4 major displays for the Chicago Show…and he’ll be there also.



3. F.O.B. and “Winter Germans”

The F.O.B.’s should be arriving from our factories in the next week or so. I’m also expecting the production paint samples of the 3 fighting vehicles for the “Winter Germans”. Once we check them out and inspect them I’ll try and post photos and prices.



4. “CRUSADER Cross & Crescent”

Apart from the initial batch of Knights…Men-at-Arms…and Siege Tower there’s a follow-up a couple of months later (well in time for Christmas) of Saladin (mounted) fighting Saracens (at least 15) and more Crusaders (including a catapult) and, I hope, several very special diorama pieces…

No dromedaries for this series…yet but a little surprise later in the year that does have dromedaries…hint! hint!



Anyway best wishes and…happy collecting!

Andy C. Neilson