Early K&C AK Set's (6 Viewers)

[Louis Badolato]

Here's some text from a yet to be published K&C Desert War volume about these early Afrika Corps sets:

By September, 1997, the first release of nine sets of Afrika Corps (including a Kubelwagon, side car cycle, & dispatch cycle), as well as a desert Hanomag and a one of a kind Diorama with a one of a kind knocked out metal Humber 8th Army staff car) had occurred. Simultaneously, Andy released the first wood Quad Gun & Limber as well as a Cromwell Tank (both in olive green European theater (ETO) camo).

The first nine Afrika Corps sets were matt repaints of existing Waffen SS sets, the figures now wearing tan pants, green tunics, and tan helmets or caps. This is yet another example of Andy’s predilection for issuing repaints of existing sculptings as different regiments or different theaters, to, in effect, get the maximum bang for his original investment in the castings. Set AK01 (prone MG42 crew with standing officer) and AK02 (attacking grenadiers) were repaints of WS01 and WS02. AK03 (military police) was a repaint of WS05. AK04 (dismounted dispatch rider) was a repaint of WS07. AK05 (advancing grenadiers) was a repaint of WS08. AK06 (sitting/crouching grenadiers) was a repaint of WS09. AK07 (Kneeling MG42 crew with wall) was a repaint of WS10. AK08 (sidecar cycle) is a repaint of WS06. AK09 was a tan with brown camo resin and metal Kubelwagon with a diver, a repaint of TK05.

I don't have exact numbers on these releases, but would estimate about 500 of each of the figure sets was produced. AK09, the Kubelwagon was the rarest set. It took me about 5 years to find mine, and considering only about 100 of the resin Kubelwagons were made in total, I would estimate no more than 20 Afrika Corps versions were made, probably less.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Here is some text on the wood Hanomag:

The Wood Hanomag (released in 1996) came in both European (three-tone green and brown on tan) and desert (two-tone reddish brown on tan) camouflage schemes. These vehicles were marked with three digit numbers beginning with 1 or 2 (i.e. 114 or 217). There were wheels under the rear portion of the chassis to allow the half-tracked vehicle to roll like a child’s toy (I guess some collectors like to play with their toy soldiers like John LaRoquette’s character in Stripes). There was a wood machine gun set in a shield at the front of passenger compartment, and a pickaxe, axe and shovel mounted on the sides. This vehicle came with a full figure of a commander wearing a green tunic with the sleeves rolled up and a soft cap with earphones, holding binoculars to his eyes. This vehicle, designated TK04, originally retailed for $256. Approximately 100 to 200 of these vehicles were produced.

 

[jager7080]

Here's some text from a yet to be published K&C Desert War volume about these early Afrika Corps sets:

By September, 1997, the first release of nine sets of Afrika Corps (including a Kubelwagon, side car cycle, & dispatch cycle), as well as a desert Hanomag and a one of a kind Diorama with a one of a kind knocked out metal Humber 8th Army staff car) had occurred. Simultaneously, Andy released the first wood Quad Gun & Limber as well as a Cromwell Tank (both in olive green European theater (ETO) camo).

The first nine Afrika Corps sets were matt repaints of existing Waffen SS sets, the figures now wearing tan pants, green tunics, and tan helmets or caps. This is yet another example of Andy’s predilection for issuing repaints of existing sculptings as different regiments or different theaters, to, in effect, get the maximum bang for his original investment in the castings. Set AK01 (prone MG42 crew with standing officer) and AK02 (attacking grenadiers) were repaints of WS01 and WS02. AK03 (military police) was a repaint of WS05. AK04 (dismounted dispatch rider) was a repaint of WS07. AK05 (advancing grenadiers) was a repaint of WS08. AK06 (sitting/crouching grenadiers) was a repaint of WS09. AK07 (Kneeling MG42 crew with wall) was a repaint of WS10. AK08 (sidecar cycle) is a repaint of WS06. AK09 was a tan with brown camo resin and metal Kubelwagon with a diver, a repaint of TK05.

I don't have exact numbers on these releases, but would estimate about 500 of each of the figure sets was produced. AK09, the Kubelwagon was the rarest set. It took me about 5 years to find mine, and considering only about 100 of the resin Kubelwagons were made in total, I would estimate no more than 20 Afrika Corps versions were made, probably less.

Louis ,

Thank You , for taking the time to give out such useful information...The AK series by K&C brought me into the world of Toy Soldier collecting from the 1/35 scale modeling world...I would like to own this K&C desert War volume when it is available , when is the release date & how can it be obtained...?

Joe

 

[King Tiger II]

Me ,

im still looking for that AK009 set.

So, if anybody has 1 in spare to sell. ^&grin


Serge

 

[Panzer ace]

heres the AK006 for you Panzer Ace,


Serge

Serge:

Thanks! Great set and great pictures

Not buying the set is among my biggest toy soldier regrets.

-Jason

 

[panda1gen]

Here is some text on the wood Hanomag:

The Wood Hanomag (released in 1996) came in both European (three-tone green and brown on tan) and desert (two-tone reddish brown on tan) camouflage schemes. These vehicles were marked with three digit numbers beginning with 1 or 2 (i.e. 114 or 217). There were wheels under the rear portion of the chassis to allow the half-tracked vehicle to roll like a child’s toy (I guess some collectors like to play with their toy soldiers like John LaRoquette’s character in Stripes). There was a wood machine gun set in a shield at the front of passenger compartment, and a pickaxe, axe and shovel mounted on the sides. This vehicle came with a full figure of a commander wearing a green tunic with the sleeves rolled up and a soft cap with earphones, holding binoculars to his eyes. This vehicle, designated TK04, originally retailed for $256. Approximately 100 to 200 of these vehicles were produced.

I'll take this as a friendly kick up the ......

tasters



If you organise and send me the text I could drop in the photos

 

[Louis Badolato]

I'll take this as a friendly kick up the ......

tasters

View attachment 136789 View attachment 136790 View attachment 136791 View attachment 136792 View attachment 136793

If you organise and send me the text I could drop in the photos

I will break the text down and organize it for you in chronological order of production, as we did for the other volumes. I will try to get it to you by the end of the month.:wink2:

 

[Louis Badolato]

I will break the text down and organize it for you in chronological order of production, as we did for the other volumes. I will try to get it to you by the end of the month.:wink2:

Did it already, Kevin. All the text, in proper chronological order, of K&C's 19th through 21st Century Desert Warfare Releases from 1990 through 2007 was just emailed. Its all you now . . . :wink2:

 

[Wraith]

Did it already, Kevin. All the text, in proper chronological order, of K&C's 19th through 21st Century Desert Warfare Releases from 1990 through 2007 was just emailed. Its all you now . . . :wink2:

2 hours and 4 minutes for Louis to sort all of the text out. How long will it take to stick a few photos on?
Kevin? No pressure.....,{sm4}

 

[Louis Badolato]

2 hours and 4 minutes for Louis to sort all of the text out. How long will it take to stick a few photos on?
Kevin? No pressure.....,{sm4}

In all fairness to Kevin, I had the text written years ago. It was just taking the time to cut and paste it into the format Kevin has been using for the various volumes . . . :wink2:

 

[Wraith]

In all fairness to Kevin, I had the text written years ago. It was just taking the time to cut and paste it into the format Kevin has been using for the various volumes . . . :wink2:

As you know Louis, there is absolutely no requirement to be fair to Kevin, in fact, abuse is to be positively encouraged. He works best that way.:wink2:

 

[Louis Badolato]

As you know Louis, there is absolutely no requirement to be fair to Kevin, in fact, abuse is to be positively encouraged. He works best that way.:wink2:

Well in that case, if I could research 17 years of K&C production, draft all of the text, get it organized in his format and e-mail it in 2 hours and 4 minutes, what's taking so long camera boy!?!{sm4}