Gurkha Welfare (1 Viewer)

[RAMC]

I recently came across an organisation that supports these amazing fighting men in their retirement and it started me thinking. No manufacture that I know of makes Gurkha figures in 60mm matt to the standard of K&C. As troops of the British Empire they have fought in many theatres of operations and in both World Wars. In my humble opinion it would be a great addition to the range to represent these men.

 

[Rob]

Thats a very good suggestion,the only Gurkhas i've seen recently were WW1 Gurkhas from Toy Army Workshop that were really good.But as you say i'm sure K&C could make some excellant figures of these almost mythical troops.

I read Monte Cassino by Matthew parker on holiday last year.There is an account in the book involving the Gurkhas.He states that a British officer was inspecting the front line one evening when he entered the dugout of a company of Gurkhas.He found several of them in fits of hysterical laughter,he asked them to let him in on the joke.They told him they had just been out on patrol and had come across a German dugout containing three exhausted German soldiers who had fallen asleep together.They silently killed and decapitated the soldiers on either end and left the one in the middle asleep and unharmed.Can you imagine when he awoke?.

The effect these troops had on German morale was enourmous and far outweighed the number of Gurkhas on the ground.If you thought someone was going to come along and cut your head off while you slept!.

Glad they were on our side.

Rob

 

[johngambale]

Hello U.K. Gurka's also fought in Burma and N. Africa! So, you could Collect the Del Prado Gurkas, just like I have and using them in my N. Africa Dioarama! Hopefully Possible Next Year, Andy will be doing BURMA, and we then could get MORE Australians, and Gurkas, and British? CIAO!

 

[Louis Badolato]

I asked Andy about doing Gurkhas, who in my opinion are just about the best and toughest troops who ever fought, and although he wouldn't commit to anything, he did like one of my ideas to fit with something he was planning for a future release.

 

[Rob]

So what was your idea then Louis?

Rob

 

[Tony Neville]

Guys

My dad can tell some great stories of these guys as he was in charge of a group of them in the fareast in the 60's lets just say make sure you have your boots tied up the right way!!!!!!

Tony

 

[Rob]

I think you should elaborate on that one Tony!!

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

So what was your idea then Louis?

Rob

Sorry Rob, I am sworn to secrecy on this one.

 

[Tony Neville]

Rob

A Gurkha was trained to crawl though a Jungle in the far east without making a sound and to tell who was who the Allied forces were told to tie their boots in a certain way (cris cross or straight or with a not halfway down) This would be agreed amoungst the regiments in the field. The Gurkha would then feel the boots (so thick you would not notice) and if your boots were OK he would move off if not uuuuuuuuuurrrrggghhh you would be breathing out your adams apple!

Very nice people

Tony

 

[Rob]

Ok Louis thats fair enough.You've given us all lots of info so i don't want to push it!Cheers

Rob

 

[Rob]

Rob

A Gurkha was trained to crawl though a Jungle in the far east without making a sound and to tell who was who the Allied forces were told to tie their boots in a certain way (cris cross or straight or with a not halfway down) This would be agreed amoungst the regiments in the field. The Gurkha would then feel the boots (so thick you would not notice) and if your boots were OK he would move off if not uuuuuuuuuurrrrggghhh you would be breathing out your adams apple!

Very nice people

Tony

Lovely!.I'm sure i read in the First World war they would take heads during their trench raids,take them back to their own trench and hang them up!

Rob

 

[aujj65]

Rob

They used to collect Ears as well!

Jeff

 

[Rob]

Yes thats right isn't it,they had those special curved knives didn't they.How cool would K&C Gurkhas be?

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

Yes thats right isn't it,they had those special curved knives didn't they.How cool would K&C Gurkhas be?

Rob

The knives are called "Kukris".

 

[Rob]

Kukris,of course. I wonder if we are sensing the word Gurkhas in the air?.Hushly spoken barely audible,but the word is out there.I may be jumping gun on a massive scale but i wonder what theatre they might be from IF we ever got them?.

Rob

 

[Eazy]

North Africa would seem the best bet as part of the EA range. Burma would be good but as it seems the Far East conflict doesn't sell so well that would seem unlikely.

When i was a kid I had a great time with my Airfix Gurkhas. They were based in the Burma campaign with their shorts and bush hats. I have an urge to dig them out of the loft now!

 

[Rob]

I have them in 1/35 scale.They made an excellant Jungle hut and Aussie/Jap troops.They were great in the garden borders when i was a kid.The Bushes of Watford becoming the Bushes of Burma!

Rob