Bits ‘n’ Pieces (1 Viewer)

King & Country

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May 23, 2005
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Hi Guys,

Just a few points from the last few days...

1) Andy’s Cartoon...

Many thanks for the appreciative comments. I don’t know what made me do it but maybe it was the Forum getting a little bit “too hot” for comfort...for all of us. This hobby and business is meant to be fun but occasionally we take things too personally (me included). So, it seemed right to crack a few jokes and have a wee laugh or two. Glad you liked it...I hope from time to time to post the odd scribble when and where I get the time and inspiration...


2) Fields of Battle New Troops

Re the discussion on the wearing of British Army battle dress in the desert. I remember when I was in the Marines back in the mid 70’s we took part in a live-firing exercise in Morocco (North Africa) with the Moroccan Army...during the day it was blistering hot...and at night it would “freeze the balls off a brass monkey”. So, wearing BD in the desert was definitely right on...here’s some pix to prove it.

andy3.jpg

andy4.jpg

andy5.jpg

andy6.jpg






3) HACHETTE/K&C

As most of you know K&C designed many, many figures for both companies...Occasionally, their own production teams either ran out of ideas or needed something in a hurry so would utilize one of K&C’s own designs or masters with minimal changes. That’s why on a rare few figures there is the similarity.

4) Difference In Detail Quality...

Personally speaking I always identify two particular points when K&C made giant leaps forward in quality...

A) 1994/1995...

As stated previously I went to Chicago in 1994 and was “gobsmacked” by Frontline’s superb “Charge of The Light Brigade” series. I returned from that show both exhilarated and determined that K&C would develop and go down its own unique path in creating an entire series in an original way. That range was, of course, “ARNHEM’44” and it was the first MATT painted range created by any company in China or elsewhere.

B) The Second Turning Point 2000/01

K&C had realized for quite some time that we had to improve our sculpting. So, in 2000/01 we started to recruit our own sculpting team for a K&C studio in China itself. Up until that point we had used “freelance” sculptors in HK (among them Gerard and Howard of Frontline in K&C’s very early days).

Once we had our own boys (and girls) in place in China big improvements in quality began to be seen in K&C.

Now, we have six figure sculptors (with 2 more in training), two Vehicle Engineers (with 1 in training), 3 x Master Painters (plus seeking 1 more) all based in China itself. In Hong Kong we have a creative team of six led by me...this now includes Gordon’s Diorama workshop. All of us are involved in figure conception and design (but no sculpting)...graphic design (advertising, promotion material, packaging) and...Internet development.

In building up our infrastructure K&C have an admin staff of eight plus a warehouse/dispatch team of four. Our involvement with and in China is total...I am still totally amazed how some of our competitors who also produce in China rarely, if ever, visit their production facilities in the People’s Republic. Myself and our guys are in and out of China on a weekly (and sometimes) a daily basis!

Oh well such is life...

5) Left-Handed Guns...

On a lighter note to finish talking of “Lefties” one of our brand-new “Fields of Battle” British Tommies is firing his Lee Enfield left-handed! So there...

Best wishes and...happy collecting!

Andy C.
 
I can appreciate those swings in desert temps- when I did my rotation out at NTC (National Training Center, Ft. Irwin California), we experienced the same phenomenon- hot in the day, freezing at night. As soon as the sun would pass down behind the mountains, we would put on our MOPP suits (suits worn to protect the body in case of chemical or biological attack)- of course, as the morning rolled back in, it would warm up and you would have this nice "swampy" feeling from having sweat up in that suit all night long.

Of course, it was always fun cruising around in the Hummers- none of them had any windshields on them so when you would roll at 20-25 miles per hour, you would get the added affects of the wind in your face!!

It makes it really difficult to get the body acclimated with those wild temperature swings- I have read of this in Viet Nam as well- sometimes during the monsoon seasons the days would be unearthly hot and humid and the nights would dip to the low 70's-60's and the troops would suffer from hypothermia.

CC
 
I liked the cartoon, and thanks for the info on the behind the scenes of K & C.
 
Hi Guys,

1) Andy’s Cartoon...

Many thanks for the appreciative comments. I don’t know what made me do it but maybe it was the Forum getting a little bit “too hot” for comfort...for all of us. This hobby and business is meant to be fun but occasionally we take things too personally (me included). So, it seemed right to crack a few jokes and have a wee laugh or two. Glad you liked it...I hope from time to time to post the odd scribble when and where I get the time and inspiration...

...
...
...

Best wishes and...happy collecting!

Andy C.

Thanks for this post.

Me too, I went too personnal and want to present you my earnest apologies.

And don't worry, the collecting is happy :D

Best regards,
Pierre Bousquet.
 
thanks andy. fob027 is a lefty. i can finally relate... and put to sleep my quest.
 
Great photos.

These look uncannily like some of K&Cs EA releases. Are these some of the sources for historical references (EA1, 2, Indian Vickers, eccentric looking Vickers Tank Commander)?

Simon
 
The two world wars and serving the General Public,two of my greatest interests.Well one of them is!.

Rob
 
:D
The two world wars and serving the General Public,two of my greatest interests.Well one of them is!.

Rob
:DYes Sir Rob. General Public can be quite demanding. But,,Then thats officers for ya'. As we in the rank and file can vouch to.
I've been of service to Gen. Public for over 35 years, and am finally effecting a transfere to Gen.PUB. In 17 months 6 days I should be at my new posting.
"the Duke of Argyles" Wish me Bitters!
O.C.:D:D:D
 
:D:DYes Sir Rob. General Public can be quite demanding. But,,Then thats officers for ya'. As we in the rank and file can vouch to.
I've been of service to Gen. Public for over 35 years, and am finally effecting a transfere to Gen.PUB. In 17 months 6 days I should be at my new posting.
"the Duke of Argyles" Wish me Bitters!
O.C.:D


:D Glad you've been called to the Bar mate!
 

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