K&C June Dispatches (1 Viewer)

[Peter Reuss]

Here's the latest from K&C. I'll be getting the new items on the web site ASAP.

From Andy:

By the time most of you read this we will be celebrating the 62nd. Anniversary of the greatest amphibious operations ever mounted… “Operation Overload”- D. Day the invasion of occupied Europe. It’s entirely appropriate that we launch King & Country’s June “Dispatches” with news of our latest D. Day releases…



1. RETURN TO NORMANDY

As mentioned in last month’s “Dispatches”—



DD067 “M5 Stuart Tank”. This Normandy version of the US light reconnaissance tank boasts a set of bocage “hedgecutters” on the front of the hull and three crew figures. It’s a completely brand-new and upgraded model and comes complete with a nice “battleworn” appearance.



DD068 “Ambulance Jeep Set”. A long overdue piece of very necessary battlefield equipment. This specially-modified jeep carries two medics and a seriously wounded GI. In addition two extra stretchers are “on board” along with boxes of medical supplies. A superb little model.



DD069 “Brig Gen. Norman ‘Dutch’Cota”. The “real deal” not the Hollywood version. Deputy Commander of 29th. Infantry Division on Omaha Beach on June 6th.



DD070 “Lt.Col.Benjamin Vandervoort”. This officer was commander of the 2nd Btn, of the 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment of 82nd Airborne. Injured when he landed Vandervoort led the battle to defend Ste. Mere Eglise from German counter attacks.



DD071 “Horse Paratrooper”. Using captured German cavalry horses some American paras conducted mounted patrols in their area. This GI also carries a captured Schmeisser Machine Pistol.



DD072 “Paratrooper with Walking Horse”. This Para, wounded, walks alongside his “captured” steed.



DD073 “The Souvenir Hunters”. Three troopers celebrating in style with some good French wine-or is that some of the local Calvados Brandy? In addition they have “picked-up” a few choice German “Souvenirs” including an officer’s cap and a Nazi Flag.



DD074 “Reach For The Sky!” Based on a famous photograph this young trooper has captured a tough-looking crewman of an enemy Assault Gun. Even though disarmed and lightly wounded this GI, with rifle and fixed bayonet, is taking no chances!



AVAILABLE: LATE JUNE







2. “CHARGE!”…The Scots Greys at Waterloo

For quite some time now Napoleonic Collectors have been requesting British Cavalry to hold off all those French Dragoons and Chasseurs. Well, here they are…Seven individual pieces plus one dramatic little vignette that goes some way to redressing the balance…



NA083 “Standard Bearer”. Charging forward this trooper carries one of the Regimental Guidons.



NA084 “Bugler”. Wearing his distinctive reversed chevrons on both sleeves this Scots Grey bugler sounds the “Charge!”.



NA085 “Charging”. Another trooper at the full gallop.



NA086 “Slashing!”. A Scot Grey trooper, minus his distinctive bearskin, prepares to deliver a mighty blow.



NA087 “The Sgt. Ewart Set”. One of Waterloo’s most famous incidents - Troop Sgt. Ewart captures the flag of the French 45th Infantry of the Line regiment. As one French infantrymen lies wounded his companion makes a vain attempt to ‘recapture’ the standard.



NA088 “Hard Landings”. A Scots Grey trooper prepares for a “rough landing” as his horse is shot from under him.



NA089 “Rearing Horse”. A Corporal of Horse struggles to bring under control his rearing horse.



NA090 “Cutting Down”. Another trooper leans forward, sword downwards to engage a French infantryman.



AVAILABLE: MID JUNE





3. “Streets of Old Hong Kong” New MAHJONG Set

As usual we have a new addition to this long-running and colorful series…An all-new version of our Mahjong players.



HK150 The ‘New’ Mahjong Set

Three ladies, beautifully costumed and decorated face off against a lone male player across the mahjong table. This latest version has even more detail than the previous 4-figure set (HK095) and will make a useful addition to any gambling scene.



AVAILABLE: LATE JUNE





4. SO, WHAT’S COMING IN JULY…?

Well, a bit of a mixed bag, that’s for sure but a little something for most collectors’ tastes. Here goes…



A) GERMAN COUNTERATTACK!

If June sees the release of some Allied forces July is going to be showing off the opposition…



WS073 “German (39H) 10.5 Assault Gun”

After the Fall of France in 1940 large amounts of French armoured vehicles fell into German hands. Some of these were used “as is” while others were adapted and modified to suit German needs.

This Assault Gun was built on the chassis of a French Hotchkiss tank and mounted a 10.5 cm howitzer gun. Our K&C model comes with 3 crew figures and is painted in Normandy Campaign camouflage and is in the markings of the Wehrmacht’s famous “Panzer Lehr” Division.



WS074 “HJ Motorcycle Combo”

The German forces made more extensive use of motorcycles than any other Combatant of WW2. Here our BMW motorcycle combination has a driver and passenger out on a scouting reconnaissance. The divisional sign on the sidecar shows they belong to the 12th SS “Hitlerjugend” Division.



WS075 “Commander’s Conference”

Four individual Waffen SS officers meet together to discuss the tactical situation…Among them is Obestgruppenfuhrer “Sepp” Dietrich commander of the 1st SS Panzer Corps. Next to him is Brigadefuhrer Fritz Witt, Commanding Officer of the 12th SS “Hitlerjugend”. Next to them are two other senior Waffen SS officers.





“STRICTLY LIMITED”

WS077(SL) Making up the fourth summer release is our very latest “Strictly Limited” piece, “Panzer Meyer’s Command Vehicle”. This Sdkfz251/6 Halftrack is the personal command vehicle of Oberfurer Kurt “Panzer”Meyer who took over the command of the 12th SS “Hitlerjugend” after the death of Fritz Witt during the battle of Caen in June 16,1944.

Meyer was a brilliant and ruthless leader who became the youngest German divisional commander at just 33.

This K&C “Strictly Limited” piece comes with no less than 6 figures…!

“Panzer” Meyer himself, in his distinctive camouflage uniform, one of his battalion commanders holding a map. Inside the 251 are two radio operators and a driver as well as another signals officer leaning out of the vehicle.

A specially designed box and certificate leaflet is included in this “Strictly Limited” package.

Full production is just 1250 sets. To get your required allocation contact us now!



AVAILABLE: LATE JULY



.

B) FRENCH CAVALRY REINFORCEMENTS

Napoleon’s Chasseurs a Cheval have always been one of our favorites and July will see the release of no less than 5 great individual mounted figures of this regiment.

Dressed in their magnificent “parade” uniforms these Chasseurs were among the Emperor’s favourites. After all he often wore the simple green “undress coat” of a Chasseur General.



NA091 Chasseur Officer

Mounted on a thoroughbred steed this officer, sword drawn casts an appreciative eye over his troopers.



NA092 Chasseur

Sabre resting on shoulder this Chasseur is mounted on a ‘walking’ horse.



NA092 Chasseur Flagbearer

Another Chasseur officer carrying the Regimental Guidon.



NA093 Chasseur Trumpeter

Mounted on a white horse this colorfully clad bugler always rode next to his officer.



NA094 Chasseur Sergeant

A mounted senior Non Commissioned Officer with sabre resting on shoulder.

All of these fire mounted figures can, with multiples, make up a great looking display or collection.





5. Potential Texas Toy Soldier Show

Following last month’s info on this new potential show. Both Toy Soldiers of San Diego and ourselves met up in San Antonio just 2 weeks ago and vigorously explored the possibilities and opportunities of doing this show.

We’re still collating all the info and facts we got and will be going into more details as soon as we can. Bear with us.



6. TO BE RETIRED…

As usual, here comes the retired items:

CWP “Chinese Wedding Procession”

We will have a new version of Wedding Set coming out in the next couple of months, look out for it.

HK090 “Southern Lion and Clown”



In the meantime best wishes and great sales to one and all.

 

[Peter Reuss]

I just realized that K&C has not yet posted their images of these. We'll make the web pages once we have the images.

Pete

 

[Peter Reuss]

Even without the pictures, I went ahead and put the WS sets on the web site for pre-ordering (figuring one or two of you might be interested in the Strictly Limited set).

I'll list the others when we have images.

Pete

 

[binder001]

Thanks for the updates. Of course, I am awaiting my DDay American troops. The SS is of less interest to me, but I'm glad to see the new sets coming. It seems the Normandy campaign still has powerful draw!

That's one of the things I like about K&C, Andy keeps us informed and listens to our concerns.

 

[Joey]

WHOW! Some very exciting news in de Waffen SS sector! I can't wait to get my hands on that Strictly limited piece with SIX figures! I'm already excited...

 

[Eazy]

The Strictly Limited piece sounds very interesting. I like the idea of vehicles and figures coming together. It may be more expensive but you really feel you are getting something special.

I know i feel better about buying vehicles than just buying figure sets. Though that's just me.

Also good idea to bump up the numbers on it. 1250 means everyone who wants one will have a chance to get it.

 

[desk11desk12]

Thanks for the Peter for listing the new stuff,

I found this 1/35 model of what I belive the caputred French Hotchkiss tank and mounted a 10.5 cm howitzer gun might look like. Any of you guys know.

Carlos

 

[Combat]

All the German DD stuff sounds interesting, but another Sepp Dietrich? I also thought there was going to be a German "pillbox." Maybe later this summer.

 

[Eazy]

All the German DD stuff sounds interesting, but another Sepp Dietrich? I also thought there was going to be a German "pillbox." Maybe later this summer.

LOL yeah. Parade Dietrich, Winter Dietrich, Summer Dietrich.

Maybe we can make suggestions about what Dietrich we want next. You know maybe Pipe and Slippers Dietrich or maybe Pirate Dietrich? ( you know the time he went to the annual Nuremburg fancy dress party)

 

[CannonFodder1971]

LOL yeah. Parade Dietrich, Winter Dietrich, Summer Dietrich.

Maybe we can make suggestions about what Dietrich we want next. You know maybe Pipe and Slippers Dietrich or maybe Pirate Dietrich? ( you know the time he went to the annual Nuremburg fancy dress party)

I can remember a classic BBC children's series adapted form Susan Coolidge "What Katy did", which unsurprisingly was followed by "what Katy did next". Perhaps we'll have a Sepp for all seasons, or something similar. (Never in my collection though).

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Thanks Peter for the update on the new releases sent in this months dispatch. I realize Andy received a high number of complaints from the last SL release and its low production numbers but now we have the latest release set at 1250. Is this really strictly limited??? Every since the first SL release the numbers have increased with each new release. What I thought was a good idea in the beginning has certainly lost some of its collectable clout.Yes I view my collection as an investment to and I thought the whole idea of the SL sets were to have the opportunity to have a set in one's collection that very few people or a limited number of people could obtain. Its kind of like Louis ,Hans and some others having some of the original pieces or one of a kinds that no one else could get. Well at a production run of 500 I thought this was kind of like that. If you obtained one you could proudly say that you were one of 500 world wide that was lucky enough to get one. I would think a good communicationship with your K&C dealer could reserve you at least one. If dealers only sold one per customer than you would not have the hording that some people do or have been accussed of,thus increasing the odds of obtaining one of these sets.
Sorry for the negative rant but this whole SL business just doesn't seem that limited anymore. I'm sure there will be some good rebuttal on this topic..

 

[Combat]

LOL yeah. Parade Dietrich, Winter Dietrich, Summer Dietrich.

Maybe we can make suggestions about what Dietrich we want next. You know maybe Pipe and Slippers Dietrich or maybe Pirate Dietrich? ( you know the time he went to the annual Nuremburg fancy dress party)

Maybe they cloned him like in "The Boys from Brazil". Of course we now need more Michael Wittman figures to pair up with him.

 

[jazzeum]

I guess the criticism didn't take long in coming but I guess Andy can't win. First, he gets criticized for making too few and then he gets criticized for making too many. He's better off not doing anything.

 

[Fullyautomatic]

It's an opinion Brad and Andy has very broad shoulders I'm sure. Your comment in regards to "better off not doing anything" is a little harsh. I just see a trend in the SL numbers as increasing with every release. If its SL than it should be that. This topic was discussed before I know but in my opinion if its SL than the number should be the same each time. So will the next SL release be at 1500 because not everyone was able to get in on the 1250 number?

 

[Joey]

Just saw the pictures are online. These pieces look absolutely fabolous...

 

[Joey]

I couldn't help but noticing that the number WS076 is skipped. Could this be the bunker set, or is it comparable to the WS061, a set that never exsisted?

 

[jazzeum]

It's an opinion Brad and Andy has very broad shoulders I'm sure. Your comment in regards to "better off not doing anything" is a little harsh. I just see a trend in the SL numbers as increasing with every release. If its SL than it should be that. This topic was discussed before I know but in my opinion if its SL than the number should be the same each time. So will the next SL release be at 1500 because not everyone was able to get in on the 1250 number?

The numbers actually went down from the Winter Tiger, which was 999, to the Greif, which was in the 700 range (I don't remember the exact number). However, I still stand by my comment about "doing anything." Why subject yourself to the criticism he gets? It's a no win proposition.

 

[Peter Reuss]

Here are the images:

 

[Peter Reuss]

 

[Combat]

I guess the criticism didn't take long in coming but I guess Andy can't win. First, he gets criticized for making too few and then he gets criticized for making too many. He's better off not doing anything.

The dilemma here is that a strictly limited edition creates artifically high demand by limiting supply. The whole point seems to be to generate additional interest in a product line by limiting the numbers and rewarding those collectors that most closely follow the hobby. That necessitates that some who may want it will not be able to get it. You can't have it both ways. Otherwise it is just a normal release that anyone can buy. I think Brad has indicated that the highest production run was around 2000 for the Wittman Tiger. So this SL release is creeping very close to a normal production run. In fact, it has to be close to a typical production run if those numbers are correct.