K&C May 2013 Dispatch (1 Viewer)

[Peter Reuss]

MAY 2013
“DISPATCHES”

Hi Guys,
Welcome to a “DISPATCHES” with a difference…From this month we’ve decided to limit “DISPATCHES” to news of what will be appearing in just that particular month.
So no advance warning on what will be available the following month…sorry! This way we hope to keep collectors and dealers focused on what will actually be ready and available for shipping over the next 30 days…plus why provide competitors with additional info on what we’ve got in the pipeline!
Of course with all rules there will be exceptions and from time to time, if and when we have something unique, we will announce it in advance either with “DISPATCHES” or in a special announcement at any time during the month.

And now let’s get back to May’s releases…Read on…
1. “Life & Death On The Nile”
As you can see from Gordon’s K&C Workshop diorama our “Ancient Egypt” series is one of King & Country’s most extensive and colourful ranges of figures, building and accessories…And now we’ve added a number of papyrus boats to the scene!
As you know the River Nile was the lifeblood of Ancient Egypt. On its waters were hunters, fishermen and travelers going about their business. On its banks merchants, market traders and peasants tilled the soil and walked the streets of its villages and great cities. These latest releases are a welcome addition to a lively and vibrant series…

AE048 “The Anubis Set”
“Anubis” was the jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the after life in ancient Egyptian religious practices.
In this new set two Nubian slaves carry a likeness of the canine god mounted on a golden casket. This particular “Anubis’ statue is based on a similar effigy found in the tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun.

AE049 “The Papyrus Boat Set”
The first of our Papyrus water craft portrays a boatman guiding his boat along the river accompanied by a female passenger.


AE050 “The Fishermen”
As one man steers the boat the other “spears” the fish…an almost full basket of fish is included.

AE051 “Hunting The Hippo!”
Elsewhere on the river other boatmen are seeking more dangerous prey the mighty, magnificent Hippopotamus. As the huge beast rears its massive head out of the water the Nubian hunter takes careful aim.

AE052 “Small Papyrus Boat”
A single unmanned craft sits along the river’s edge.

SP059 “Baskets & Jars”
A great and handy little addition…a collection of various sizes of stone jars and fruit baskets. Perfect for a market place scene…or on board one of our papyrus boats… or even just sitting next to the river…the choice is yours!

AVAILABLE : NOW

2. “From Ancient Egypt…to Ancient Greece”
Still well into ancient times but to a decidedly more violent scene…
Our warrior Greeks…

AG013 “Fighting Hoplite”

AG014 “Standing Officer”

AG015 “Crouching Hoplite”

AVAILABLE : Mid May

Special Note : Later this year we hope to release the “enemy” for our Greek warriors to fight…Look out for ‘em!

3. “Vive L’Empereur!”
From the sun-baked battlefields of Ancient Greece to the lush green fields of northern Europe in the early nineteenth century…”The Age of Napoleon”.

By popular demand we have designed and produced SEVEN additional, brand-new fighting Cuirassiers of the 7th. Regiment.
Our original Cuirassiers came from the same regiment…
NA249 “New Cuirassier Officer”

NA250 “Charging Flagbearer”

NA251 “Charging Bugler”

NA252 “Charging Trooper”

NA253 “Charging…Sword Down”

NA254 Charging…Sans Helmet!”

NA255 Charging…and Hacking!”

AVAILABLE : Mid May

4. “On The Harbour of Old Hong Kong”
Earlier in this month’s “DISPATCHES” we were on the River Nile…now we’ve ventured into the waters of Hong Kong’s world-famous harbour…
HK222 G/M “The Green Dragon Boat”
A third contender to join our two previously released dragon boats…makes for more of a competition…and a colourful spectacle.
This new team belongs to “The Victors”

AVAILABLE : Mid May

 

[Peter Reuss]

5. “ARNHEM…Four Days Into The Battle”
By Wednesday 20 September 1944, Lieut.Colonel John Frost and the men of 2 Para had held the northern end of the Arnhem bridge for four long bloody days…
With no resupply of food, water or ammunition and no reinforcements the already precarious military situation was getting steadily worse…Still however the British paratroopers fought on…
This desperate 4-day struggle is the point in the battle that King & Country has chosen to portray with our first six “Pathfinder” releases. During a brief lull in the fighting our tired but still defiant warriors take stock of their situation…A young officer observes an enemy position…the Battalion’s second-in-command sits and studies his map while in contact with one of his units…Another para even brews up some hot tea.
All of these latest figures show the strain and stress of battle in an authentic and realistic style that is typically King & Country.
As many of you know today’s collectors are constantly seeking more variety…better quality…and ever more detail in their figures and fighting vehicles. At K&C we want to meet those challenges and expectations by continuing to innovate and introduce fresh new concepts across all of our many ranges…and at differing price levels our collectors around the world can afford.
‘PATHFINDERS” is for those collectors who want and appreciate an even higher level of detail in their figures and are willing to pay the extra premium to obtain it.

PATHFINDER PARAS
Back in 1995 when K&C launched their very first Arnhem ’44 series of British Paras we were the original innovators…Matt-painted, 1:30 scale, Second World War toy soldiers were the exception…not the rule. Those little paratroopers crated a mini-revolution in the toy soldier world that still continues to this day and our new “Pathfinders” opens up a whole new chapter of that story.
It’s appropriate therefore that, once more, the Paras lead the way!

MG033(P) “Lieut.Jack Grayburn V.C.”
John “Jack” Grayburn was a 26 years old platoon commander with 2 Para during the Battle of Arnhem. His citation of his posthumous Victoria Cross reads, “For supreme courage leadership and devotion to duty. Lieut. Grayburn led an assault to capture the southern end of the Arnhem bridge. Although attacking with great determination he and his men were forced to withdraw under heavy enemy fire. Jack Grayburn was wounded in the process. Throughout the next day and night him and his men occupied one of the approaches to the northern side of the bridge and repulsed several attacks on their position by enemy infantry, mortars and self-propelled guns.
On the 19th and 20th September he took command of the remainder of his company and other elements and fought off more German attacks. He even organized offensive fighting patrols to harass and ambush the surrounding enemy in their own locations.
During this period he was wounded a second time but still refused to be evacuated. Finally as a German tank approached his position he organized the safe withdrawal of his remaining men to a new defensive position.
Later that same day, 20 September, 1944, he was killed.
This is our small tribute to a great soldier…
MG034(P) “Major Frederick Gough M.C.”
When Lieut.Colonel John Frost of 2 Para was seriously wounded at the Arnhem bridge on 20 September 1944 he handed over command of his battalion to “Freddie” Gough, the unit’s senior major. Major Gough was taken prisoner with the rost of 2 Para when their position was overrun but managed later to escape German captivity in April 1945 and join up with American forces in Bavaria.
After the war he became a successful Member of Parliament and lived to see himself portrayed in the movie epic of the Arnhem battle, “A Bridge Too Far”.
Our “Pathfinder” figure has him seated with a map and field telephone.

MG035(P) “The Airborne Cyclist”
This member of 2 Para has somehow managed to bring his “Airborne Folding Bicycle” up to the bridge…Unfortunately that’s where it will remain!

MG036(P) “A Cup of Tea, Sir”
The British soldier, even in the worst of situations, can usually make time for a quick brew-up. This paratrooper offers up a “cuppa” to one of his officers.

MG041(P) “Walkie-Talkie”
At Arnhem, because of its unique location, there was a serious problem with the British radio communications. Fortunately the American made hand-held “walkie-talkies”, although limited in range, were also available.
This Lee-Enfield armed Para tries to get his message across.

MG043(P) “Lieut. Denis Boiteux-Buchanan M.C.”
Known to his brother officers as “Bucky” this officer had seen a fair bit of action before Arnhem including being captured and successfully escaping from both the Germans and the Italians!
He jumped into Arnhem with the rest of 2 Para on 17 September, 1944 as Battalion Intelligence Officer. He was often in the thick of the fighting with Lieut.Col.Frost and sadly was killed in the final hours of the battle at the bridge on 20 September. He is buried at Oosterbeek War Cemetery in Arnhem.
Here we show him kneeling studying the deteriorating situation.

Special Note: Another batch of “Pathfinder” paras, including one more Victoria Cross winner will be released in the coming months. Look out for them!!

AVAILABLE : Mid May

 

[Peter Reuss]

6. “ACHTUNG BLITZKRIEG!”
During the Polish Campaign of September 1939 and the Fall of France and the Low Countries in May and June 1940 the German Army deployed their armored “blitzkrieg” to great effect. Among the most effective tanks was one that was not even designed or manufactured by themselves…The Czechoslovak 38T, originally a pre war design, it was incorporated into the Wehrmacht’s arsenal after its country of origin was annexed by Hitler in 1938.
Although production ended in 1942 it also saw plenty of action during “Operation Barbarossa”, the invasion of Russia in mid 1941.
K&C are releasing three models in this first launch…

WS224-1 “Pz.Kpfw.38 (T)#201”
This first model #201, painted in typical early-war field grey and dust-covered comes with a 3/4 body tank commander and is perfect for any battles and campaigns during 1940-1942…From Western Europe to the Eastern Front and all points in between!

WS224-2 “Pz.Kpfw.38(T)#202”
A second 38T is also available for those that like to build up their armored column…No tank commander but at a great price…and you can always add any of our other K&C Panzer crewmen as you wish.

WS224-3 “Pz.Kpfw.38(T)#204”
If you think how good two 38 T’s look…imagine a third option…Now you’re talking! Again no commander but plenty of other options are available so #204 will look great anyway you feature it in your collection.
AVAILABLE : Mid-Late May

7. “The Fuhrer’s Wheels”
It is said that Adolf Hitler only really loved two things in his life…his dog and his cars! That may be a slight exaggeration but not by much!!!
Over the years K&C has produced several of the Fuhrer’s favorite limos…but never, until now, this one – the Mercedes Benz 770K.

LAH170 “The Fuhrer’s 770K”
This new model, in high gloss black and silver finish has the Fuhrer standing in the front seat passenger position giving his familiar straight-arm salute to the “Party Faithfull”. Based on several photographs taken in 1935 and 1936 he still wears the simple brown shirt uniform with his gold party badge and Iron Cross (First Class) on his breast.
Seated next to him is his personal driver and close friend SS-Standartenfuhrer Julius Schrek who also joined the Nazi Party in 1920, about the same time as Hitler himself. The two developed a strong bond of friendship that continued to grow throughout the Party’s ascent to power.
Schrek died after a short illness in May 1936 and was given a state funeral.
This, I believe, is the first car model by any company to feature Hitler and his personal friend and driver together.

AVAILABLE : Mid-Late May

8. “MEDICS HELPING MEDICS”
These two new sets of World War Two medics in action are part of the promotion for the upcoming 2013 TEXAS TOY SOLDIER SHOW which is being held at the Menger Hotel San Antonio Tx. over Memorial Day Weekend, 25 and 26 May 2013. One of the special themes of this year’s event is to honor the U.S. Army’s Medics who have served their country from the Civil War all the way up to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston is the Headquarters and principal training base for all of the Army’s medics and is also the site of a superb museum that tells the story of U.S. Army medicine since its earliest beginnings up until the present day.
KINGS X and KING & COUNTRY have designed and produced these very special 2-man sets to help raise funds for “Operation Comfort” and “Help For Heroes”, two excellent charities that assist wounded American and British servicemen from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
These first two sets will be released at the TEXAS SHOW and will also be available to all K&C dealers and collectors around the world a few days later.
It is our hope that K&C will continue to produce, once a year, other “MEDIC” sets covering different wars and campaigns that American and British forces have been involved in during the last two centuries…Each of these first two sets will only be available for one year until the next is released.
DD209 “The Rescue”
A lone Medic assists a badly wounded G.I. off the battlefield and towards a nearby aid station.

DD210 “Blood Transfusion”
Countless lives were saved during WW2 by the speedy availability of fresh plasma that could even be administered in the midst of a battle.

AVAILABLE : Late May

9. “CUSTER HAD IT COMING!”
In the few months since their release our new “REAL WEST” cavalry figures depicting the “Battle of the Little Bighorn,” better known as “Custer’s Last Stand”, have proved to be a resounding success!
One constant reminder has also been said and emailed to us frequently…”Where are the Indians?”
Well, wait no more, here are the first batch of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors ready to wreak havoc on Custer and his “lost command”
This initial release of 5 x mounted Indians plus 3 x fighting on foot includes some very well-known names…

TRW034(P) “Buffalo Calf Road Woman”
Illustrates one of the many females who took part in the battle. A Northern Cheyenne she fought alongside her husband at the Little Bighorn and is said to have knocked Custer himself off his horse during the fight. Here she fires her revolver at a dismounted “Long Knife”…


TRW035(P) “Crazy Horse”
Next to “Sitting Bull”, probably the most famous of the Sioux war chiefs was Crazy Horse. An Oglala Lakota he took up arms against the U.S. government because of their many broken treaties and constant encroachment on Indian lands. A skilled leader and a brave warrior, it is said that he led the attack that out-flanked Custer and his men at the Little Bighorn and sealed their fate. Our figure shows him carrying his Winchester repeating rifle and charging his pony towards the battle.

TRW036(P) “Gall”
Chief Gall was another Lakota Sioux war chief who has been credited with being instrumental in the Indians’ victory over Custer. He anticipated a typical Custer “two-pronged” attack on the Indian village…First he helped repulse Major Reno’s assault on the southeast of the Indian encampment… Then he moved his forces north towards the center to halt Custer’s attack across the Little Bighorn river.
Finally he chased the cavalrymen back up and onto the bluffs where many made their last stand. Gall is simply dressed and armed with tomahawk.

TRW037(P) “Rain-In-The-Face”
Another of the great Lakota Sioux war chiefs and a close friend of “Sitting Bull”. In the spring of 1876 he joined sitting Sitting Bull’s band and traveled with them to the Little Bighorn River.
During the battle itself it is said he shot several troopers with his Winchester repeating rifle while riding in the saddle. It is also rumored that he personally cut out the heart of Tom Custer, the general’s brother.
In addition to his rifle Rain-In-The-Face also carries a Colt revolver.

TRW039(P) “American Horse”
Not the famous Oglala Sioux chief but a Northern Cheyenne who had his favorite pony shot from under him and fought the rest of the battle on foot.

TRW042(P) “Beaver Heart”
A kneeling Cheyenne with his carbine about to take aim.

TRW044(P) “Little Wolf”
This well armed Cheyenne warrior carries both bow and arrows…and a captured U.S. Army carbine.
TRW047(P) “Running Buffalo”
Proudly wearing a buffalo head dress (complete with horns) this running Sioux brave carries his war shield, club and…a U.S. Army revolver.

Special Note: Six additional Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, both on foot and mounted are scheduled to be released in June/July. Even more cavalry and other Indians will be available later in 2013.

AVAILABLE : Late May

10. HEADING FOR THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS…OR…BEING RETIRED!
Quite a formidable list of retirements again this month… grab ‘em while you can!
AL013 Turkish Soldier Reaching for Bayonet
AL020 Fighting Duo
AL022 Turkish Casualty
BBA041 Fire Team
BBA042 Kneeling Officer w/ Bino
BBA043 Teen-age Prisoners
BBA044 Kneeling NCO w/ Tommy Gun
BBG034 "Over There!"
BBG036 Gun Commander
BBG037 "Walking Forward"
BBG044 Bastogne Signpost
BBG045 Malmedy Signpost
EA032 Saluting Scottish Officer
EA033 Presenting Arms Scottish Soldier
EA034 Saluting Gurkha Officer
EA035 Standing at attention Gurkha Soldier
EA036 Marching Indian Army Officer
EA037 Marching Indian Soldier
EA038 Guards Sergeant
EA039 Guardsman Shoulder Arms
FOB062 The Refugee Cart
FOB063 Old Woman by the Road
FOB064 The Pram Sets
FOB065 Father & Son
FOB066 The Old Couple
LAH090 SA Chief-of-Staff Viktor Lutze
LAH133 The Bill Posters
LAH134 Nazi Billboard
NA195 Cannon Set
NA196 Artillery Commander Set
NA197 Alternative Gun Crew
NA198 Howitzer Cannon
RAF001 Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding
RAF002 Squadron Leader Douglas Bader


And so, we come to the end of another “DISPATCHES”…probably our biggest ever number of monthly K&C releases. I hope there’s something (or a few things) that will interest you and your customers.
Best wishes…Until next month.



Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country