K&C April Dispatches (1 Viewer)

Peter Reuss

2nd Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 22, 2005
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KING & COUNTRY

DISPATCHES

APRIL 2007

I can’t believe it’s only a month since I last wrote you on the eve of our (Gordon and mine) departure for the “WestCoaster”...talk about time flying!!!

It was a great trip and a great show. A special thanks to Sierra Toy Soldiers’ Mike & Myszka Hall for their Saturday evening Q and A session. Also to Craig of the Old Toy Soldier Home for helping us out with our displays and organizing a terrific show.

A week after the “WestCoaster” we attended Louis Badolato’s K&C Symposium — this 2-day event was held in New York as well as at Louis’ great home where his entire loft has been converted into King & Country Museum that traces the history and heritage of the company from our earliest days right up to the present. It was also great to see K&C dealers Bill Sager and Tim Tyler at this event. The Sunday after the Symposium all “attendees” headed out to New Jersey for the toy soldier show there. K&C was again well represented by Matt Murphy of “Hobby Bunker” ...Donna and her Dad from “Left, Right, Left” and, of course, George Guerriero of “Minutemen” with his great displays.

A few days after getting back to Hong Kong I was off to Bangkok on family business but now, for the moment, I’m in Hong Kong and writing this issue of “DISPATCHES” ...So, without further ado, let’s get into it…

1A. “What’s available in April…?”

As mentioned in last month’s “DISPATCHES” April is a bumper month for great new items… among them our first, FIRST WORLD WAR RELEASES — The Germans!

We previewed these pieces at both the “WestCoaster” and the “Symposium” to much acclaim from dealers and collectors alike. I feel sure this is only the beginning of what will prove to be a very exciting and dramatic series that will do particularly well for our dealers…

FW001 “The Kaiser”

Kaiser Wilhelm II…“Kaiser Bill” to the British Tommies — dressed immaculately in his Feldmarshall’s uniform surveying his troops.

FW002 “Kaisers Aide De Camp”

The monarch’s ADC in typical relaxed pose.

FW003 “The Crown Prince”

“Little Willi”, the Kaiser’s eldest son…a military incompetent who was given, thanks to his father, a field command. He is dressed as an honorary colonel of a Lifeguard Cavalry Regiment.

FW004 “Hindenburg”

The fabled and imposing Paul Von Hindenburg — one of Germany’s greatest generals and future Chancellor of Germany before Hitler.

FW005 “Mounted Officer”

A mounted Major of the 13th Bavarian Rifles saluting.

FW006 “Marching Officer”

Sword drawn this officer of the 13th strides purposely onwards.

FW007 “Officer with Flag”

Another officer of the 13th carrying the German Battle Flag over his shoulder.

FW008 “Bugler”

This Drummer/Bugler marches at the head of the column keeping up the men’s spirits.

FW009 “Rifleman”

Marching to the front confident in his cause…his officers and…his country.

FW010 “Standing Rifleman”

About to be inspected or on guard duty…the choice is yours.

FW011 “Standing Officer”

Another officer of the 13th awaiting orders…

FW012 “Pvt. Hitler”

Although Austrian by birth Adolf Hitler eagerly joined the Bavarian Army on the outbreak of War. Personally brave he was awarded the Iron Cross First Class and rose to the dizzy heights of “Corporal”.

FW013 “The Kaiser’s Staff Car”

A handsome open-topped, automobile complete with military driver and military police bodyguard.

These few pieces are just the first of what K&C believe will be a very important project for collectors and dealers all over the world. Watch out for more…

AVAILABILITY: All the figures (FW001-012) will be ready by Early April

“The Kaiser’s Staff Car” (FW013) will be ready by Mid April

1B. “Also available in April”

“CHARGE”

As if World War One was not enough K&C has a major addition to its “Age of Napoleon” figures this April…Some real “heavy metal” in the form of no less than 13 French Cuirassiers and one beautiful little “Cantiniere”.

Here they are in all their glory…stabbing…slashing…cutting their way into collections everywhere!

NA111 “Cuirassier General”

Wearing a plumed and feathered officer’s hat this senior officer puts himself in harm’s way leading the charge.

NA112 “Wounder Flagbearer”

Carrying his Regiment’s Guidon this trooper has just received a blow to the head.

NA113 “Trumpeter”

Sword drawn…trumpet bugle to the rear this musician prepares to fight…

NA114 “Charging Sword Forward”

A typical Cavalryman’s action pose.

NA115 “Falling-off Horse”

An unfortunate trooper, his foot caught in the stirrup being dragged to his fate.

NA116 “Advancing Forward”

NA117 “Charging Sword Downward”

NA118 “Advance to the Front”

NA119 “Slashing with Sabre”

NA120 “Dead Cuirassier”

A fallen horse and his rider…casualties of war.

NA121 “Firing Pistol”

A cuirassier using one of his heavy cavalry pistols.

NA122 “Cuirassier with Saddle”

A standing cavalryman preparing to saddle his mount.

NA123 “Cuirassier Drinking”

Another standing trooper enjoying a well-earned drink. Fighting is thirsty work!

NA124 “Cantiniere”

In Napoleonic times most regiments, both foot and horse, had ladies of the Regiment (either wives, widows or camp followers) who made a living supplying wine and ale to the men. They often wore parts of military uniform along with their civilian dress.

AVAILABILITY: Mid April
 
1C. Plus “Streets of Old Hong Kong”

HK160 “The Shrine Offering”

Another charming little set from “Streets of Old Hong Kong”.

A woman and her daughter worship at a little street-side shrine.

AVAILABILITY: Mid April

1D. “Redcoat Reinforcement”

A late addition to our earlier release of Rev. War figures is BR060“16th Light Dragoon” — this dismounted Dragoon musket in hand is shouting to his comrades.

AVAILABILITY: Early April

2A. “Confederates coming in May!”

The merry month of May will see, at long last, King & Country re-entry into the American Civil War battlefield...

No less than 13 original figures in twelve individual offerings are available in this great new collection… and they are all CONFEDERATES*.

* Over the years many dealers and collectors have told me that the Rebel side is vastly more popular than their Union opponents…more variety…more colour and, perhaps, more romantic. That being the case K&C has decided to focus our initial release on the boys in gray and butternut. These new pieces portray the scene either before or after a great battle. The figures are reflective and at ease and either alone or together form up into superb little vignettes of that terrible war between the States.

Among the figures are, of course, several very famous personages among them…Nathan Bedford Forrest…Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson…the dashing and impetuous “J.E.B.” Stuart and their mighty leader…Robert E. Lee mounted on his favourite horse “Traveller”.

Here’s a full breakdown of this first “Civil War” release…

CW001 “General Nathan Bedford Forrest”

A mounted portrait in miniature of one of the Confederacy’s ablest and most daring Cavalry leaders.

CW002 “Soldier Pointing”

Clad in blue and gray this seasoned veteran points the way towards the Federal lines.

CW003 “General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson

Probably Lee’s most valuable lieutenant and a superb tactician in his own right. Jackson’s tragic loss was a terrible blow to the South.

CW004 “Confederate Flagbearer” (Mtd)

A troop sergeant of the 1st Virginia Cavalry proudly carries the great battle flag of the Confederacy.

CW005 “Confederate Bugler”

Standing at ease, rifle shouldered, this bugler observes the passing parade.

CW006 “Rebel Leaning on Rifle”

Another southern veteran watches the passing scene.

CW007 “Rebel on Guard”

Alert and awake this soldier stands ready to do his duty.

CW008 “Confederate Drummer boy”

Boys as young as ten years of age ran away from home to follow the colours. This young teenager has been lucky to find his place in a fine regiment…as his smart uniform testifies to.

CW009 “Confederate Officer”

This officer is, perhaps, attached to Gen. Lee’s staff headquarters or maybe about to march off with his company.

CW010 “J.E.B Stuart”

Lee’s most famous and most impetuous Cavalry commander. Known for his bravery and dash he was also known for his recklessness and, occasionally, unreliability.

CW011 “General Robert. E. Lee”

An outstanding officer and general and the South’s preeminent soldier. Lee often was outnumbered…outgunned…but seldom outmaneuvered. His leadership and concern for his men was legendary. Here, he “tips” his hat in salute as he sits on his favourite mount “Traveller”

CW012 “After The Battle”

A wounded officer is gently led away from the battle by one of his men who salutes a passing general.

Special Note: All of these new figures work equally well as individuals or as small groups making up a vignette or diorama. The quality of sculpting, painting and character is…second-to-none.

Look out for more American Civil War pieces later this year.

AVAILABILITY: Early May

2B. “ACHTUNG! GERMANS IN MAY!”

We don’t want our WW2 fans to feel neglected either so May will also see the release of some rather unusual additions to our German armed forces…

WS098 “German T34”

During the initial assaults on Soviet Russia in 1941 and 1942 the Germans captured massive amounts of Russian arms and equipment. One of the weapons that impressed them most was the recently revealed T34 tank. So enamoured of it were the Nazis that they incorporated hundreds of them into service with minimal changes. These included additional side skirts…some extra armour and, in certain instances, a new top turret hatch courtesy of the existing Panzer III’s and IV’s.

To ensure they were not attacked by their own side the Germans painted these “captured” T34’s in typical 3 colours camouflage and outsized “Balkan” crosses on the turret sides.

Our K&C model also has a Nazi recognition flag tied onto one of its rear appendages.

Three German tank crew figures accompany the vehicle which is in the familiar markings of the 2nd SS Armoured Division “DAS REICH”.

WS099 “German Tank Crew”

Another frequent collectors request is for “extra” German tank crew and…here they are…Five kneeling and standing Panzer Crew in a variety of useful poses that can accompany any of our armoured vehicles…or indeed any of our similarly sized competitors armoured units as well!

And now for something more than a wee bit different…read on…

WS100 “The Fuhrer’s Last Fighter”

By the latter stages of the war Hitler and his generals were desperate for “wonder weapons” that could reverse the unstoppable tide of Allied conquest.

One such “wonder weapon” was the Focke-Wulf “Rammjager”…a jet piloted by members of the Hitler jugend!

Pilots were to literally ram their aircraft towards large formations of enemy bombers before ejecting…if possible. To ensure no second thoughts the aircraft was provided with no landing gear…not even a skid!

This “Top Secret” K&C aircraft comes complete with a young pilot (in the cockpit), a Luftwaffe guard and a flight instructor. The “Rammjager” itself is mounted on a separate towing trolley.

** Photo & price will be uploaded on our website next week.

WS101 “SdKfZ.252 Transporter”

This little half track tractor was normally used to haul ammunition carts across the battlefield. Our Luftwaffe version can pull the “Rammjager” and its trolley or any other Luftwaffe aircraft. Vehicle includes Luftwaffe airman in top hatch.

WS102 “Normandy Kubelwagen”

Due to many requests we’ve produced a late war version of our gray, early war “Kubel”. This new “Normandy” version boasts three brand-new figures…a seated driver…a Panzer officer…and a standing Panzer Grenadier NCO — all of them from 1st SS “Leibstandarte”…somewhere in Normandy.

AVAILABILITY: WS098, WS099, WS102 will be ready by Mid May

WS100, WS101 will be ready in Late May/Early June

2C. “Back to Hong Kong”

As usual, there’s always a little taste of the Far East in “DISPATCHES”…

HK161 “Clock Repair Man”

They say you can buy anything or have it mended on the “Streets of Old Hong Kong”. Here, a clock and watch repairer is hard-at-work…an interested bystander (or customer) looks on.

AVAILABILITY: Late May

3. “So, what’s being retired?”

Well, a whole big bunch of our French Dragoons for a start! These superb mounted figures were among K&C’s first Napoleonic releases and have been deservedly popular. However with the imminent release of our heavy cavalry…The Cuirassiers coming out in April these colourful fellows have to move over and make room on our shelves as well, we hope, as yours.

Here’s what’s disappearing…

NA039 French Dragoon Officer Mounted

NA042 Dragoon on collapsing horse

NA043 Dragoon Bugler Mounted

NA044 Dragoon on the Ground

NA078 New Dragoon Guidon Bearer

NA079 New Dragoon Charging w/Sword

NA080 New Dragoon w/Pistol

NA081 New Dragoon Fighting w/Sword

If you need to fill out your or your collectors’ collections grab ‘em while you can. Limited numbers only. Don’t delay!

And that, as they say is that.

Best wishes for this coming month and…great sales!

Andy C. Neilson

Co-founder & Creative Director
 
Here's a photo of a Rammjager.
 

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Wow,

and I thought things were getting kind of boring and then zap, Andy makes this announcement. Man, that guy continues to amaze us all.

Carlos
 
Here are the images...

cw001.jpg

cw002.jpg

cw003.jpg

cw004.jpg

cw005.jpg
 
What is interesting about the Rammjager is that it is made of polystone and metal, not wood and metal. I'm thinking that may lower the price somewhat. This will be the third polystone plane he had made.
 
Wow!.Andy does it again!.How cool is all that stuff.The new Kubelwagon,T34 and transport all look wonderful.And the tank crew,thanks very much Andy that is much appreciated.Yep going to be an expensive May,and no WW2 retirements either!

Rob:)
 
What is interesting about the Rammjager is that it is made of polystone and metal, not wood and metal. I'm thinking that may lower the price somewhat. This will be the third polystone plane he had made.


Great - I am all about Cheaper Planes !! :D

You - rich New York City guys can afford those wood planes - us poor DC boys have get into something more affordable. :rolleyes:
 
Great - I am all about Cheaper Planes !! :D

You - rich New York City guys can afford those wood planes - us poor DC boys have get into something more affordable. :rolleyes:

Don't group me in that category. I'm hoping this is cheaper too.
 
The prices for the WW II items are as follows:

T34 $115
Tank Crew $115
Transporter $ 65
Kube $105

Just in case anyone is thinking that $115 is expensive for the tank crew, the pricing is in line with sets released last year and actually a little cheaper. Figures have been averaging about $24 or $25 and this is actually a little bit less.
 
Andy does it again and I love the SdKfZ.252 Transporter.
 
Brad,

That's not a RamJager, that's a photo of a Foche Wulf FW 190. I don't know whether Andy made the error or you did, but its not the correct photo.
 
That's not Andy's photo. I took it from the internet. All references I find it on the internet call it a FW 190 Rammjager so if anybody can provide a correction, please do. However, Andy's post does refer to it as a Focke Wulfe Rammjager. Ultimately, we'll have to wait to see what the photo looks like next week.
 
I thought that the Rammjagers were just FW190s modified for taking on the US four engine bombers and for ramming. The modifications included extra armour and sometimes a 30mm canon retrofitted under the wing.

Ken
 

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