Peter Reuss
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 3,775
DISPATCHES
SEPTEMBER2011
SEPTEMBER is upon us and that means … CHICAGO and the Old Toy Soldier Show. As many of you already know this particular event is the largest toy soldier show in the world. It’s also the longest, because it is a multi- day event with dealers and collectors (and manufacturers) arriving and “setting up shop” in the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg (near Chicago) for several days before the main Sunday event.
As both a manufacturer and collector myself I get to meet and talk with hundreds of K&C collectors throughout the week of the show. I get to hear what you like (and don’t like) and get to see what the opposition is up to (and vice versa). As I’ve said before it’s virtually eat, sleep and talk toy soldiers 24/7… and it’s hard work but great, great fun!
For toy soldier enthusiasts Chicago is like a Muslim going to Mecca… you have to do it at least once in your life.
This year will be my 25th trip to the “Windy City”!!!
However before all that … there’s all this…
1. WHAT’S COMING IN SEPTEMBER
For Royal Air Force fans September is your special month…
A. RAF030 “The HAWKER TYPHOON MK.1B”
Widely recognized as the best and toughest ground /attack fighter bomber of WW2 the HAWKER TYPHOON is K&C’s most detailed warbird yet! Our version of this powerful aircraft carries 8 underwing, anti- tank rockets and has 4 hard- hitting Hispano cannon. A seated pilot is in the cockpit of this Typhoon from 257 squadron, Royal Air Force. It also bears the bold black and white “invasion stripes” of all Allied aircraft flying over the Normandy landing beaches on and after June 6, 1944.
NOTE: Just 500 are being manufactured.
Supporting this Typhoon are a selection of RAF ground crew…
RAF031 “Rocket Primers”
Two RAF Aircraftsmen assemble one of the tank-busting rockets.
RAF032 “Rocket Handler”
A single RAF ground crew member “shoulders” one of the rockets to the aircraft.
RAF033 “Sitting Airman”
Many wartime photos show airmen “perched” on the wing of an aircraft… including Typhoons.
RAF034 “Airman Radio Operator”
Equipped with a back pack radio this airman is in touch with other RAF ground / air units in the area.
RAF035 “Typhoon Pilot”
Enjoying a welcome “smoke” and a cup of “Char” this pilot is taking a welcome breather between ops!
RAF036 “Flight Sergeant”
A “new” version of an old favourite… from our Battle of Britain set of RAF Ground Crew dating back almost 20 years!
AVAILABLE: Early September
B. From Normandy ’44 to North Africa ’42… in one fell swoop!
AK077 “AK Captured Morris CS8 15cwt. Truck” (Series 250)
As virtually everyone knows the German Army made much use of “captured” enemy vehicles throughout the war… Rommel’s Afrika Korps were no exception!
Here, complete with driver, is one of the “liberated” vehicles, the classic British Morris 15cwt. Truck still in its 8th Army colour scheme but with prominently displayed German crosses on the sides and on top of the engine.
Special Note: This little 15cwt truck is a “Series 250” release, three other versions will be available…
i) RAF (blue) with WRAF driver… more about this later in DISPATCHES!
ii) 8th Army (desert splinter camo) with Aussie Driver
iii) British Army (black /Olive drab Mickey Mouse camo) with British Army driver.
AVAILABLE: Early September
C. “MOVING TOWARDS D. DAY”
Spring 1944, all over Britain the country has been turned into one giant army camp as hundreds of thousands of British, American, Canadian and other Allied nations prepare for “Operation Overlord”, the cross-channel invasion of Normandy,
As the troops train for the big day their commanders makes tours of inspection to see for themselves how it’s all progressing… No one takes these visits as seriously as the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
DD154(SL) “The Eisenhower Staff Car Set”
This latest “Strictly Limited” shows Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower on a tour of inspection somewhere in southern England in the spring of 1944. His U.S. Army Staff Car comes complete with a female WAC driver. At Eisenhower’s side is Kay Summersby, his personal driver when he arrived in Britain in1942. Over the next three years she proved invaluable to him and took care of many of his domestic and personal tasks.
During this time Summersby became a U.S. citizen and was commissioned into the U.S. Women’s Army Corps (WAC’s) leaving the service as a Captain in 1947.
Please Note: Just 750 of this special set have been produced.
DD155 “Saluting British ‘Redcap” M.P.”
DD156 “Escort Officer”
Wearing the famous “IKE” jacket this U.S. Army Officer is a perfect “add-on” to accompany any senior inspecting officer.
DD157 “Escort MP”
Where the “brass” go the MP’s are sure to follow…
DD158 “Gen. Omar Bradley”
Omar Bradley the “soldier’s general” inspecting the troops…
DD159 “US Soldier Port Arms”
A GI in his parade uniform being inspected.
AVAILABLE: Late September
D. “Luftwaffe Conference”
LW048 “A Squadron of Spitfires!”
At the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940 Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering was becoming increasingly impatient with his air force’s inability to decisively crush the Royal Air Force. At the same time the Luftwaffe was beginning to lose a growing number of aircraft to the British. He decided to pay a visit to his frontline squadrons in France to find out for himself what was going wrong…
Traveling on his private train the Reichsmarshall summoned Adolf Galland and Werner Molders, two of his top fighter aces, to meet him and discuss the worsening situation.
At first he berated the two leading pilots and accused them (and their fighter units) of not doing enough to protect his bombers. After a while, his mood softened and he asked them both how he might help them…and what they required?
Galland looked at Molders… Molders look to Galland… and finally Galland said, “A squadron of Spitfires!”
The Reichsmarshall was not amused. This little vignette set portrays the historic meeting…
AVAILABLE: Mid-September
E. “BERLIN ‘38”
One of K&C’s most popular ranges and, sometimes, one of its most controversial!
LAH139 “Marching Flagbearer”
A new-updated version of a now retired figure….
LAH140 “Marching SS Banner-man”
LAH142 “Standing with Banner”
This particular SS officer is wearing the dress “aiguillettes and gauntlets” of the 1st company of the “SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”.
LAH143 “Standing-At-Ease SS Officer”
LAH144 “Father & Son”
An SS officer and his Hitlerjugend son.
LAH145 “Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler”
In 1938, with the war clouds gathering, Himmler decided that he and his men should also have field gray uniforms just like the German Army as well as their traditional, sinister black garb.
LAH146 “At-Ease “Sepp” Dietrich”
LAH149 “Panzerjager 1”
When the Leibstandarte was incorporated into the Waffen SS this was one of the first armoured vehicles they were equipped with. The set includes the vehicle commander.
LAH150 “Double Banner Street Lamps”
For any parade or Berlin Street scene the new Street Lamps make a useful addition… swastika banners on one side… SS rune banners on the reverse.
AVAILABLE: Late-September
F. “CHARACTERS FROM THE THREE KINGDOMS”
Two striking figures from Chinese History…
IC036 “Zhou Yu”
Plays an important role in defeating the enemy troops in the “Battle of Cliffs”. He’s also considered handsome, loyal and multi-talented, a poet and a musician.
IC037 “Zhuge Liang”
A well-known military strategist and statesman in the “Three Kingdoms” period. Our figure shows him in a typical pose holding a hand fan.
AVAILABLE: Late September
SEPTEMBER2011
SEPTEMBER is upon us and that means … CHICAGO and the Old Toy Soldier Show. As many of you already know this particular event is the largest toy soldier show in the world. It’s also the longest, because it is a multi- day event with dealers and collectors (and manufacturers) arriving and “setting up shop” in the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg (near Chicago) for several days before the main Sunday event.
As both a manufacturer and collector myself I get to meet and talk with hundreds of K&C collectors throughout the week of the show. I get to hear what you like (and don’t like) and get to see what the opposition is up to (and vice versa). As I’ve said before it’s virtually eat, sleep and talk toy soldiers 24/7… and it’s hard work but great, great fun!
For toy soldier enthusiasts Chicago is like a Muslim going to Mecca… you have to do it at least once in your life.
This year will be my 25th trip to the “Windy City”!!!
However before all that … there’s all this…
1. WHAT’S COMING IN SEPTEMBER
For Royal Air Force fans September is your special month…
A. RAF030 “The HAWKER TYPHOON MK.1B”
Widely recognized as the best and toughest ground /attack fighter bomber of WW2 the HAWKER TYPHOON is K&C’s most detailed warbird yet! Our version of this powerful aircraft carries 8 underwing, anti- tank rockets and has 4 hard- hitting Hispano cannon. A seated pilot is in the cockpit of this Typhoon from 257 squadron, Royal Air Force. It also bears the bold black and white “invasion stripes” of all Allied aircraft flying over the Normandy landing beaches on and after June 6, 1944.
NOTE: Just 500 are being manufactured.
Supporting this Typhoon are a selection of RAF ground crew…
RAF031 “Rocket Primers”
Two RAF Aircraftsmen assemble one of the tank-busting rockets.
RAF032 “Rocket Handler”
A single RAF ground crew member “shoulders” one of the rockets to the aircraft.
RAF033 “Sitting Airman”
Many wartime photos show airmen “perched” on the wing of an aircraft… including Typhoons.
RAF034 “Airman Radio Operator”
Equipped with a back pack radio this airman is in touch with other RAF ground / air units in the area.
RAF035 “Typhoon Pilot”
Enjoying a welcome “smoke” and a cup of “Char” this pilot is taking a welcome breather between ops!
RAF036 “Flight Sergeant”
A “new” version of an old favourite… from our Battle of Britain set of RAF Ground Crew dating back almost 20 years!
AVAILABLE: Early September
B. From Normandy ’44 to North Africa ’42… in one fell swoop!
AK077 “AK Captured Morris CS8 15cwt. Truck” (Series 250)
As virtually everyone knows the German Army made much use of “captured” enemy vehicles throughout the war… Rommel’s Afrika Korps were no exception!
Here, complete with driver, is one of the “liberated” vehicles, the classic British Morris 15cwt. Truck still in its 8th Army colour scheme but with prominently displayed German crosses on the sides and on top of the engine.
Special Note: This little 15cwt truck is a “Series 250” release, three other versions will be available…
i) RAF (blue) with WRAF driver… more about this later in DISPATCHES!
ii) 8th Army (desert splinter camo) with Aussie Driver
iii) British Army (black /Olive drab Mickey Mouse camo) with British Army driver.
AVAILABLE: Early September
C. “MOVING TOWARDS D. DAY”
Spring 1944, all over Britain the country has been turned into one giant army camp as hundreds of thousands of British, American, Canadian and other Allied nations prepare for “Operation Overlord”, the cross-channel invasion of Normandy,
As the troops train for the big day their commanders makes tours of inspection to see for themselves how it’s all progressing… No one takes these visits as seriously as the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
DD154(SL) “The Eisenhower Staff Car Set”
This latest “Strictly Limited” shows Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower on a tour of inspection somewhere in southern England in the spring of 1944. His U.S. Army Staff Car comes complete with a female WAC driver. At Eisenhower’s side is Kay Summersby, his personal driver when he arrived in Britain in1942. Over the next three years she proved invaluable to him and took care of many of his domestic and personal tasks.
During this time Summersby became a U.S. citizen and was commissioned into the U.S. Women’s Army Corps (WAC’s) leaving the service as a Captain in 1947.
Please Note: Just 750 of this special set have been produced.
DD155 “Saluting British ‘Redcap” M.P.”
DD156 “Escort Officer”
Wearing the famous “IKE” jacket this U.S. Army Officer is a perfect “add-on” to accompany any senior inspecting officer.
DD157 “Escort MP”
Where the “brass” go the MP’s are sure to follow…
DD158 “Gen. Omar Bradley”
Omar Bradley the “soldier’s general” inspecting the troops…
DD159 “US Soldier Port Arms”
A GI in his parade uniform being inspected.
AVAILABLE: Late September
D. “Luftwaffe Conference”
LW048 “A Squadron of Spitfires!”
At the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940 Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering was becoming increasingly impatient with his air force’s inability to decisively crush the Royal Air Force. At the same time the Luftwaffe was beginning to lose a growing number of aircraft to the British. He decided to pay a visit to his frontline squadrons in France to find out for himself what was going wrong…
Traveling on his private train the Reichsmarshall summoned Adolf Galland and Werner Molders, two of his top fighter aces, to meet him and discuss the worsening situation.
At first he berated the two leading pilots and accused them (and their fighter units) of not doing enough to protect his bombers. After a while, his mood softened and he asked them both how he might help them…and what they required?
Galland looked at Molders… Molders look to Galland… and finally Galland said, “A squadron of Spitfires!”
The Reichsmarshall was not amused. This little vignette set portrays the historic meeting…
AVAILABLE: Mid-September
E. “BERLIN ‘38”
One of K&C’s most popular ranges and, sometimes, one of its most controversial!
LAH139 “Marching Flagbearer”
A new-updated version of a now retired figure….
LAH140 “Marching SS Banner-man”
LAH142 “Standing with Banner”
This particular SS officer is wearing the dress “aiguillettes and gauntlets” of the 1st company of the “SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”.
LAH143 “Standing-At-Ease SS Officer”
LAH144 “Father & Son”
An SS officer and his Hitlerjugend son.
LAH145 “Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler”
In 1938, with the war clouds gathering, Himmler decided that he and his men should also have field gray uniforms just like the German Army as well as their traditional, sinister black garb.
LAH146 “At-Ease “Sepp” Dietrich”
LAH149 “Panzerjager 1”
When the Leibstandarte was incorporated into the Waffen SS this was one of the first armoured vehicles they were equipped with. The set includes the vehicle commander.
LAH150 “Double Banner Street Lamps”
For any parade or Berlin Street scene the new Street Lamps make a useful addition… swastika banners on one side… SS rune banners on the reverse.
AVAILABLE: Late-September
F. “CHARACTERS FROM THE THREE KINGDOMS”
Two striking figures from Chinese History…
IC036 “Zhou Yu”
Plays an important role in defeating the enemy troops in the “Battle of Cliffs”. He’s also considered handsome, loyal and multi-talented, a poet and a musician.
IC037 “Zhuge Liang”
A well-known military strategist and statesman in the “Three Kingdoms” period. Our figure shows him in a typical pose holding a hand fan.
AVAILABLE: Late September