KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- January 2021 (2 Viewers)

[King & Country]

KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
January 2021​

Well goodbye and good riddance to 2020 and welcome to 2021... Surely this New Year has to be better than this past one!
On the plus side of things this last twelve months has seen a major growth in online sales from many of our K&C Authorized Dealers and from private collectors all over the world.
So, although I’ve not been overseas since last February and precious few visitors have come into Hong Kong we’re still alive and kicking and, at the end of the day, it sure as hell beats the alternative...
Anyway, let’s get down to business... Here’s what’s coming this month.

1. APPEARING IN JANUARY
A. ‘Rebels On Horseback’



Fighting a battle is difficult enough but to fight it from a ‘moving platform’ in the shape of a horse is double the difficulty.
When the American Civil War began the Confederacy was fortunate in being a collection of largely rural and agricultural states.
Many of the men who flocked to join the new cavalry regiments being raised were natural horsemen who often brought their own mounts with them.
In addition, the vast majority enjoyed ‘hunting and shooting’ as a pastimes and were expert shots.
The 29th Texas Cavalry were typical of the kind of regiment these men joined. Here we see five of them, including an officer, in ‘skirmishing order’...

CW108 ‘The Confederate Cavalry Officer’
Wearing a ‘Canary Yellow’ kepi and brandishing his ‘Navy Colt’ revolver this officer is wearing a privately-purchased uniform set of ‘Confederate Grey’ shell jacket and yellow-striped riding breeches and long, over-the-knee black leather boots.
Many of the officers of the South’s cavalry regiments came from the local farming gentry and plantation owning community.

CW109 ‘Confederate Cavalry Sergeant Firing Carbine’
The Confederacy employed a wide range of Cavalry Carbines. Among the most readily available were the Burnside M1855 carbine... the Sharps carbine and... the P56 Enfield carbine.
Our sergeant is firing his Sharps model.

CW110 ‘Confederate Cavalry Corporal Holding Carbine’
Mounted on a coal-black mare this Corporal moves himself and his horse into a better firing position.

CW111 ‘Confederate Cavalry Trooper Loading Carbine’
After firing a round this trooper reaches back into his pouch for additional ammunition.

CW112 ‘Confederate Cavalry Trooper Aiming Carbine’
This particular trooper is resting his carbine on his left arm to ‘steady his aim’.

AVAILABLE: Early January

 

[King & Country]

cw108-112

 

[King & Country]

B. ‘AT THE AIRFIELD’
As two young fighter pilots enjoy for a few rare moments of relaxation during the Battle of Britain another RAF figure prepares to go on duty protecting the airfield itself.



RAF084 ‘Playing Drafts / Checkers’
Two RAF fighter pilots, during the ‘Battle of Britain’, sit down to enjoy the classic board game as their aircraft are rearmed and refueled before going back into the air to help defeat the might of Goering’s Luftwaffe.

RAF086 ‘RAF Police Dog Handler Set’
It was during WW2 that Dogs and their Handlers were first introduced into the security details guarding all Royal Air Force airfields and other secure installations.
Ever since RAF Police Dog Handlers and their animals have provided high levels of security in the UK and across the world for all RAF airfields.

AVAILABLE: Early January

 

[King & Country]

C. ‘TIME FOR TEA’
Tea and China seem to go well together and this colourful little set proves it...



HK295 ‘The Chinese Ladies ‘Tea Set’
Three well-dressed, upper-crust Hong Kong ladies enjoy a cup of
‘Yam Cha’ (tea) as they pass the time of day gossiping about their friends, husbands and... the local stock market!

AVAILABLE: Early January

 

[King & Country]

D. ‘THE RETURN OF THE EMPIRE’



During the time when ‘the sun never set’ on the British Empire few of the world’s armies could have equalled the sight and splendor of Queen Victoria’s ‘Indian Army’.
And in that army the Cavalry were the most splendid and colourful of all... especially in their dress uniforms.
Possible the most colourful and certainly one of the most famous mounted regiments was ‘Skinner’s Horse’ (The 1st Duke of York’s Own Cavalry).
The regiment was founded by James Skinner, the son of a Scotsman and the daughter of a Rajput landowner who after many adventures formed a new regiment called ‘Capt. Skinner’s Corps of Irregular Horse’ which eventually was abbreviated to simply ‘Skinner’s Horse’.
Today ‘Skinner’s Horse’ is the premier cavalry regiment in the modern Indian Army and follows the proud traditions of the same regiment that served the British before independence.
Even its modern full dress uniforms are an accurate representation of the original ‘parade’ uniform worn during the time of British rule.
The ‘yellow’ colour of the long ‘kurta’ – style jacket was and is worn with the striped turban and dark blue cummerbund by all ranks.
When K&C first introduced our ‘Sons of the Empire ’ series in 2009 it was always our intention to add some more dismounted figure to the ‘Skinner’s Horse’ collection and here they finally are...

SOE032 ‘Skinn1er’s Horse Havildar’
In the British Indian Army a ‘Havildar’ was and still is the equivalent of a senior non commissioned officer, usually a sergeant of many years experience.

SOE033 ‘Skinner’s Horse Sowar(Lancer)’
This rank came into use with the British Indian Army during the early 19th Century and refers to a ‘horse-soldier’ belonging to the cavalry in this particular case a ‘Lancer’.

SOE034 ‘Skinner’s Horse British Officer’
British officers serving in ‘Skinner’s Horse’ had a choice of TWO dress uniforms. They could wear the Indian-style, complete with turban and other Indian dress accoutrements or they could opt for the more traditional European-style ‘Lancer’ dress uniform in the regimental colours.
This officer has decided on the ‘European’ option. Some wealthy officers however had both.

AVAILABLE: Mid January

 

[King & Country]

E. ‘THE BEST 4 BY 4 BY FAR!’



At long last, here is the first of our two Australian Army, Series II, Land Rovers in service in South Vietnam during the war... The Military Police version.



Alongside and accompanying this great looking military vehicle model are a selection of really useful Australian, American and South Vietnamese soldiers that work well with the Land Rover and any roadside scenario...




VN092 ‘Australian Military Police’
Today’s Royal Australian Corps of Military Police is a corps within the regular Australian Army.
Originally known as the Australian Army Provost Corps it began in WW1 and was then (and today) responsible for traffic control, security duties, prisoner handling, investigation of service offences, maintenance of discipline and running military prisons.
It was granted the ‘Royal’ prefix in 1948 and adopted its current name in 1974.
During the Vietnam War it was an integral part of the Australian deployment with the first Aussie MP’s arriving in Saigon in mid 1965.
Eventually they operated in and around three separate areas, Vung Tau... Nui Dat... and Saigon of course.
Among their many duties were:
Armed Convoy Escort
Collection and Guarding Enemy Prisoners
Mobile Patrols and Road Surveillance
VIP Escorts
TAOR (Tactical Area of Responsibility) patrols checking base perimeter defences and strong points
and
Manning and Operating Road Check Points
Our two ‘Digger MP’s’ are doing just that... As the senior NCO stops traffic, his #2 covers him and the approaches to the check point with his M16.
The little ‘Check Point’ sign is also included.

VN097 ‘The Australian Military Police Land Rover’
This outstanding short wheel base, series II Land Rover is typical of the many Land Rovers that saw service in Vietnam.
Designed in the aftermath of World War Two the British-designed, four-wheel drive, 1/4 ton Land Rover incorporates many of the Australian-made improvements to their vehicles including an additional fuel tank and the reinforced front metal guard.
This K&C model also comes with a seated Military Police driver and a fully-fitted, canvas cover.

VN098 ‘The ARVN Military Policeman’
The ‘Quan Canh’ (military police) guarded army headquarters, government buildings and prisoner-of-war camps, escorted convoys and performed other typical military police duties... similar to their Autralian and U.S. counterparts.
He is shown with his steel helmet painted gloss black with red and white stripes and ‘QC’ on the front.
A black armband with the same letters and a white braided whistle-cord round his right shoulder can also be seen.
His pistol belt supports a black holster containing the ‘M1911’ .45 cal. pistol and a pair of handcuffs.
He wears standard US Army, but locally-made OD fatigues and black-shined boots.
QC’s would often accompany U.S. and Australian Military Police to act as interpreters with the local people.

VN100 ‘US Marine ‘Road-Sweeper’ Set’
During the Vietnam War not all transport between different bases was provided by helicopters, it was essential to use roads and tracks between locations and keep them securely open for all kinds of vehicles (military and civilian) and people.
That meant keeping hundreds of teams of soldiers out on the roads checking them regularly for mines and booby-traps set by both the local Viet Cong and their North Vietnamese comrades.
Here two U.S. Marines are carefully checking a suspicious patch of ground which the U.S. Army P-158 Mine Detector has alerted them to.
As the kneeling ‘Grunt’ gently prods the ground with his M16 bayonet his buddy carrying both of their M16’s looks on.

VN101 ‘Aussie Mine Clearing Set’
It wasn’t only the Americans who were on the lookout for mines, unexploded ordnance or I.E.D’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) ... The Australians were also conducting Mine-Sweeping operations.
As one Australian operates his U.S. made P-158 Mine Detector his ‘body-guard’ follows on carrying an M16.

AVAILABLE: Mid January

 

[King & Country]

vn land rover

 

[King & Country]

F.‘MARCHING INTO TROUBLE’
The Sturmabteilung (SA for short) was the Nazi Party’s original ‘stormtroopers’ and played a significant part in Hitler’s rise to power in the 1920’s and early 1930’s.
Among their many purposes were providing protection for Nazi leaders and their party rallies and assemblies.
In addition they also disrupted the meetings of their political opponents and this often led to violent confrontations on the street and other public places.
Another of their main functions was to intimidate and influence the German public at large by holding mass marches and parades in virtually every city, town and village throughout Germany. Wherever you lived or visited during those tumultuous years of the Nazis dramatic growth and development it was impossible to ignore alongwith the constant SA presence and threat.
In the forefront of any parade or demonstration were the Sturmabteilung’s own corps of musicians... Sometimes a full military-style band, more often a smaller self-contained group of drummers, trumpeters and usually led by a drum major who would announce the presence of the SA detachment.



LAH-S04 ‘The SA Drum & Trumpet Section’
This compact 7 x figure set contains three side drummers and three trumpeters led by a bellowing SA Drum Major. All together in their specially – designed box.

AVAILABLE: Early January

 

[King & Country]

G. RETURN OF THE MOUNTED MAJOR

NA475 ‘Gordon Highlanders Mounted Major’
This is an alternative version of our first mounted Gordon Highlanders Officer. Although the officer’s uniform is the same we’ve provided him with a different coloured horse.



AVAILABLE: Early January

 

[King & Country]

Finally, we had hoped to have more releases this month but alas with the problems of covid and being unable to go into China itself it takes longer to develop and check new items... except by internet... which is useful but cannot replace the speed and advantages gained by personal visits and inspections.

So, we ask for your patience and understanding and hope for better times later in 2021.

In the meantime here are this month’s Retiral's and ‘End of the Run Remainders’

BEING RETIRED

AK077	Morris CS8 British 15 Cwt. Truck
AK103	Desert Rommel
AK108	Rommel on Inspection
AK109	Rommel’ Aide de Camp
AK118	General Ramcke
AK119	“Attack!” (3x figure Set)
AK120	The Fire Support Team (2-man set)
AK121	Signals Officer
AK122	Kneeling Firing
AK123	Standing Firing
AK126	Standing Ready
AK127	Desert Trench Fighters
AK128	Battlefield Communications
AK129	MG42 Gun Support
AK130	Attacking AK Combat Team
EA081	Lying Prone Bren Gunner
EA104	Tommy Gun Sergeant
EA106	M3 Stuart “Honey” Desert Tank
EA109	General Bernard L.Montgomery
JN013	Aircraft Armourers
JN043	Japanese Soldier Carrying His Bicycle
JN044	Japanese Riding Their Bicycles
LAH166	SA Drum Major
LAH167	S.A. Trumpeter
LAH168	S.A. Drummer
PnM048	Bread and Beer Seller

All the best and many thanks... Happy Collecting and here’s wishing us all a happy, healthier 2021.

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

 

[villagehorse]

That Land Rover and supporting figures are a must. Still a nice variety of series offered in these trying times. Robin.

 

[Obee]

G. RETURN OF THE MOUNTED MAJOR

NA475 ‘Gordon Highlanders Mounted Major’
This is an alternative version of our first mounted Gordon Highlanders Officer. Although the officer’s uniform is the same we’ve provided him with a different coloured horse.

View attachment 270566

AVAILABLE: Early January

I'm NOT very pleased to see another repaint of NA208.

Marching infantry is useful, but mounted officers are not as we already have two from this regiment !!

John

 

[Old Bill]

One very nice Land Rover :salute:: Hopefully a Falklands War version will be in the offing at some point............

Roy

 

[waynepoo]

KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
January 2021​

Well goodbye and good riddance to 2020 and welcome to 2021... Surely this New Year has to be better than this past one!
On the plus side of things this last twelve months has seen a major growth in online sales from many of our K&C Authorized Dealers and from private collectors all over the world.
So, although I’ve not been overseas since last February and precious few visitors have come into Hong Kong we’re still alive and kicking and, at the end of the day, it sure as hell beats the alternative...
Anyway, let’s get down to business... Here’s what’s coming this month.

1. APPEARING IN JANUARY
A. ‘Rebels On Horseback’

View attachment 270541

Fighting a battle is difficult enough but to fight it from a ‘moving platform’ in the shape of a horse is double the difficulty.
When the American Civil War began the Confederacy was fortunate in being a collection of largely rural and agricultural states.
Many of the men who flocked to join the new cavalry regiments being raised were natural horsemen who often brought their own mounts with them.
In addition, the vast majority enjoyed ‘hunting and shooting’ as a pastimes and were expert shots.
The 29th Texas Cavalry were typical of the kind of regiment these men joined. Here we see five of them, including an officer, in ‘skirmishing order’...

CW108 ‘The Confederate Cavalry Officer’
Wearing a ‘Canary Yellow’ kepi and brandishing his ‘Navy Colt’ revolver this officer is wearing a privately-purchased uniform set of ‘Confederate Grey’ shell jacket and yellow-striped riding breeches and long, over-the-knee black leather boots.
Many of the officers of the South’s cavalry regiments came from the local farming gentry and plantation owning community.

CW109 ‘Confederate Cavalry Sergeant Firing Carbine’
The Confederacy employed a wide range of Cavalry Carbines. Among the most readily available were the Burnside M1855 carbine... the Sharps carbine and... the P56 Enfield carbine.
Our sergeant is firing his Sharps model.

CW110 ‘Confederate Cavalry Corporal Holding Carbine’
Mounted on a coal-black mare this Corporal moves himself and his horse into a better firing position.

CW111 ‘Confederate Cavalry Trooper Loading Carbine’
After firing a round this trooper reaches back into his pouch for additional ammunition.

CW112 ‘Confederate Cavalry Trooper Aiming Carbine’
This particular trooper is resting his carbine on his left arm to ‘steady his aim’.

AVAILABLE: Early January

Must haves, despite the budget....keep them coming.

 

[Horus]

Unsurprisingly this months budget has been blown on some of K&C's new Vietnam releases ! {sm4}

Steve

 

[Blackbob]

Hello The World,

Great to see such a wide range of figures being released. A welcome start, at least re miniatures ,for 2021.

Regarding the Skinner's Horse a comment or two is needed. The Indian Army at the time of the British Raj, is indeed very colourful, but the terminology is aT times arcane., and uniforms a bit of a minefield. Cavalry regiments did not have Havildars, they had Durffadar/Daffadars as the sergeant equivalent, basically the ranks were:- Sowar/trooper, Lance Daffadar/Corporal with 2 chevrons and the Daffadar/SNCOs with 3 chevrons. The figure SOE032 Skinner's Horse Havildar looks more like an Indian officer. Once again cavalry officers had different names for officers: Jemadar,Risaldar and the senior Indian officer - Risaldar-Major. Perhaps renaming of the figure should remove the problem. See below for image of a Risaldar 1896 from the www.The British Empire site.

No date is given for the period being represented, but note the red kullah and black cummerbund, perhaps someone with a fuller knowledge of Indian Army uniforms can make an observation/ hazard a guess to period.

Great to see this range being revisited.

 

[The Military Workshop]

I'm NOT very pleased to see another repaint of NA208.

Marching infantry is useful, but mounted officers are not as we already have two from this regiment !!

John

John,
Happy New Year. Have you guys over there seceded yet ^&grin
Minor point. Whilst you may have two mounted officers there would be more recent collectors who dont have the previous releases and can now get one to go with the recent re-releases of Highlanders.
As Wellington probably said "You cant have a British army without those crazy Highlanders" !

 

[Blackbob]

Please accept this post as Part 2 of my earlier message. I wold have inserted this info. in the original but was against a deadline for another task.
See below for info. for The British Indian Army rank structure:-
Indian Infantry Indian Cavalry British Infantry Rank
Sepoy Sowar Private
Lance Naik Acting Lance Duffadar Lance Corporal
Naik Lance Daffadar Corporal
Havildar Daffadar Sergeant
Havildar Major Kot Duffadar Sergeant Major
Jemadar Jemadar Lt.
Subedar Risaldar Captain
Subedar Major Risaldar Major Major.

Some of the above terms have different spellings, depending on local language, according to sources consulted.

Do note however, that no matter how senior an Indian Officer was he was always junior to the most junior British Officer, (until/unless the Indian received a King's or Queen's commission).

P.S. The above info. was in columns in draft but my tech skills are not good enough to keep them like that in published version.

P.P.S. Both parents lived in India prior to WW2, and for a time after. My mother was there during WW2. but as my father was in The British Army in India, not to be confused with The British Indian Army , though he did serve with it, he was elsewhere during the war.

 

[jomartvr]

SOE033 seems to be reissue of a collectors club 017? Guess some of the club figures are no longer limited editions. Thanks Andy.

 

[Guest]

B. ‘AT THE AIRFIELD’
As two young fighter pilots enjoy for a few rare moments of relaxation during the Battle of Britain another RAF figure prepares to go on duty protecting the airfield itself.

View attachment 270547

RAF084 ‘Playing Drafts / Checkers’
Two RAF fighter pilots, during the ‘Battle of Britain’, sit down to enjoy the classic board game as their aircraft are rearmed and refueled before going back into the air to help defeat the might of Goering’s Luftwaffe.

RAF086 ‘RAF Police Dog Handler Set’
It was during WW2 that Dogs and their Handlers were first introduced into the security details guarding all Royal Air Force airfields and other secure installations.
Ever since RAF Police Dog Handlers and their animals have provided high levels of security in the UK and across the world for all RAF airfields.

AVAILABLE: Early January

Like the Draught players [not Draft Players] but the Police Dog Handler uniform looks post war and from the early 1950s. So will not bother with that one.

Plus the towing hook on that caravan looks awful