KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- June 2022 (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
June 2022​

Hi Guys and welcome once more to a relatively modest selection of new releases this month.
As I’ve reported before the current difficulties with developing as well as producing new products in China remains a major challenge to say the least.
I won’t bore you with all the details instead we’ll get right down to business and show you what will be available this month...

1. BEING RELEASED THIS MONTH...

A. ‘Once Upon A Time In Egypt’
One of King & Country’s most popular releases of recent times has been the revitalization of our ‘Ancient Egypt’ series with the addition of the slightly more modern figures depicting the discovery of the Tomb of the boy pharaoh, TUTANKHAMUN by the Egyptologist, Howard Carter and his sponsor Lord Carnarvon in 1922.

As this year marks the centenary of that discovery and the ongoing interest in Tutankhamun and his ancient world K&C is pleased to present an unusual and unique display piece that was inspired by the story of the tomb’s discovery and perhaps a dash of the golden age of Hollywood...







AE087 “Tutankhamun’s Monument”
This large, carved monument was based on the actual design of the heavy, solid gold ‘death mask’ placed over the head and shoulders of the mummy containing the remains of Tutankhamun in the central burial chamber of his tomb.
Measuring in height, 10 3/4” (27.4cm) and with a width of 7 1/8” (18cm) this highly detailed polystone sculpture incorporates a doorway at its base decorated with Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Placed as the centre piece of any Egyptian collection it makes the perfect dramatic backdrop for many different historical periods in Egypt’s turbulent and exotic past.



AVAILABLE: Mid June

 

[King & Country]

B. “Forward The 83rd!”
The American Civil War created many young officers who rose rapidly through the ranks to become major military leaders playing vitally important roles in some of the most important battles of that war.

One such young officer was Strong Vincent...



CW139 “Brigadier General Strong Vincent”
Strong Vincent (1837-1863) was originally a lawyer who became famous as a senior U.S. Army officer who fought and died at the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
At the beginning of the Civil war in 1861, he joined the Union Army as a First Lieutenant. Within months he had been promoted to Lieut. Colonel of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry and led them through several battles.
By May 1863 he was promoted once more to command a brigade of the 1st Division, Ⅴ Corps of The Army of the Potomac.
During the Battle of Gettysburg later that same year Strong Vincent moved his entire brigade up to Little Round Top to thwart a major Confederate advance.
While directing some of his troops from atop a large boulder on the right flank of his defense line a rebel bullet found its mark and mortally wounded him. Carried from the field to a nearby farmhouse this brave, young officer lingered on for 5 more days.
The commander of the army, Gen. George Mead promoted Vincent to Brigadier General even as he lay on his death bed.
Brigadier General Strong Vincent has been memorialized by a statue on the 83rd Pennsylvania monument at Little Round Top on the Gettysburg battlefield.
Our King & Country figure is heavily influenced by the design of that statue.



AVAILABLE: Early June

 

[King & Country]

C. “On The Streets of Old Hong Kong”
Although modern Hong Kong has a skyline that could rival that of New York it was not so long ago that the buildings that lined its roads and thoughfares were much more modest and decidedly less futuristic than today’s towering glass and steel skyscrapers.
A century or more ago the average dwelling was just 2 or 3 storeys high and often the ground floor was used as some kind of a shop or commercial enterprise. Upper floors were sold or rented out as private residences for families and individuals.
These ‘Shop / House’ designs followed a general style and became familiar not only in Hong Kong but throughout the Far East.

Even today many surviving examples can still be seen in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and a few happily survive in Hong Kong itself, squeezed in between the high-rises!



HK302 “The Pawn Shop”
From the mid-nineteenth century until the mid-twentieth century pawn shops could be found in most commercial districts in Hong Kong.
Pawnbroking itself however was not legalized until 1926 although authorities usually turned a ‘blind eye’ to most operators.
This new SOOHK building has the ground floor pawn shop protected by decorative and sturdy metal grills and bars while an entrance way leads upwards to the first floor dwelling and terrace.
On this upper area figures and decorative plants can also be placed.



HK303 (G/M) “Watching The World Go By #1”
A young Hong Kong lady leans over the balcony to call out to a friend in the street below... An ideal figure to add a little ‘human touch’ to this new building.



HK304 (G/M) “Watching The World Go By #2”
An older Chinese gentleman, perhaps the owner of the Pawn Shop, observing the hustle and bustle of the street below.



AVAILABLE: Mid June

 

[King & Country]

D. “Fighting On Foot”
Here are the final four ‘Foot Dragoons’ of Napoleon’s ‘Dragons a’ Pied’ regiment as they join our previously – released figures to form a total of 17 dismounted dragoons plus 1 mounted Officer.



NA486 “Foot Dragoon Loading His Musket”
Holding his musket in his left hand as he reaches into his ammunition pouch for a fresh cartridge.



NA493 “Foot Dragoon Standing Ready”
Preparing for battle...



NA494 “Foot Dragoon Advancing Shoulder Arms”
Moving forward towards the enemy.



NA500 “Foot Dragoon Running Port Arms”



AVAILABLE: Early June

 

[King & Country]

E. “Vietnam Heavy Metal”
Since 2018, when K&C launched this ‘Vietnam’ series, there has been constant and regular releases of new figures and fighting vehicles showing many different aspects of the conflict and the people and machines than took part.
These three new additions provide a little extra firepower to both sides of the war...



VN134 “Viet Cong Heavy Machine Gun Set”
Last month we released the North Vietnamese Army version of the DShK 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun in the anti aircraft role.
These same guns were also supplied to the Viet Cong to be used in the ground defense role. As such most of them were mounted on small, wheeled carriages that could be man-handled around the battlefield and pulled by one or two men (and women too).
Our gunner here is a young female volunteer.

VN140 “Australian Army M113” (Two Zero Alpha)
This is the second version of the Aussie M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier . Our first version ‘sold out’ much faster than even we anticipated and since then K&C has had many request from ‘down-under’ and elsewhere for a suitable replacement M113 for all those collectors who did not manage to get one first time around or wanted on additional example for their collection.
So, here is the first example, with the call sign ‘Two Zero Alpha’ . As before this M113 carries the .50 calibre machine gun protected by an armoured shield and with 2 x crew figures including the driver wearing the American M1-style steel helmet.



VN144 “Australian Army M113” (Two Niner Juliet)
This particular M113 bears the call sign, “Two Niner Juliet” and would belong to the Troop Sergeant . At this time an M113 Troop comprised 3 sections of 3 vehicles plus a headquarters section that contained 4 vehicles and would include both the Troop Leader, usually a captain, in “Two Zero Alpha” and his second-in-command. (a Lieutenant or 2nd Lieutenant) in “Two Zero Bravo” .
The last of the 4 x M113s would be “Two Niner Mike” ... the Ambulance version of the Personnel Carrier.
“Two Niner Juliet” also has two original crew figures operating the vehicle.



AVAILABLE: Mid June

 

[King & Country]

BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH
Although this month’s releases are limited, the list of retirements is quite extensive. Take a closer look at what is available and see what might fill a few gaps in your own collection.

AE036	Wedding Guest Couple
AE042	Mother & Son
KX032	The Defender & The Lady
LAH255	LAHSS Officer at Attention
LOA014	Lieut. T.E. Lawrence
MK114	Mounted Bodyguard
MK117	Fighting Flagbearer
MK131	The Ballista
MK159	The Veteran, Teutonic Knight
MK167	Knight Standing Ready
NA339	Royal Mtd. Artillery Officer
NA340	Gunners Set A
NA341	Gunners Set B
NA343	Royal Artillery Corporal w/Fuse Rod
NA344	Sergeant w/ Pike
NA345	Battery Sergeant Major
NA346	Ready, aye ready!
NA347	Advance to the Front
SP072	Four Lions Town Fountain (Sandstone)
SP073	The Lion’s Head Wall Fountain (Sandstone)
SP074	Square Statue Plinth (Greystone)
SP075	Large Equestrian Statue Plinth (Greystone)
SP078	Square Statue Plinth (Sandstone)
SP079	Large Equestrian Statue Plinth (Sandstone)
SP080	Four Lions Town Fountain (Greystone)
SP081	The Lion’s Head Wall Fountain (Greystone)
SP084	The Mounted Kaiser
SP085	Brown Shirt Hitler 1933
SP086	King Philip of France
SP087	The Medieval Trumpeter
SP088	The Mounted Russian Officer
SP089	Mounted Napoleon
SP090	General Lasalle
SP091	Marshal Stalin
SP092	Australian Light Horse Bugler
TRW095	Kneeling Firing, The Apaches
VN021	VC Kneeling firing AK47
VN022	Kneeling Firing RPG
VN055	Hearts & Minds #1

[/tr]

And that my friends and fellow collectors is that for another 30 days or so.
Let’s hope there is something for you here... If not... well there’s always another month on the horizon.

Best wishes and, as ever, happy collecting!

Andy C. Neilson​

Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country Ltd.
​

 

[villagehorse]

Certainly something for me, was not expecting the M113’s just yet, a very pleasant surprise. Always like anything Ancient Egypt, so another must. Excellent all round Andy. Stay safe and many thanks. Robin.

 

[villagehorse]

Great video, a wonderful new concept Andy. Robin.

 

[Lo1863]

Absolutely LOVE the figure of General Strong Vincent! The fact that the design was influenced by his statue at Gettysburg makes it even more great. I wasn't expecting to see this figure until July when the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg is so this was a nice surprise. I'll definitely be picking him up to add to my collection. Please keep producing more American Civil War personalities!

 

[Northgate Woods]

Andy mate,

Sincerest compliments on this month's releases. Knowing how many serious problems that TS Manufacturers are having in HK and China, I think you have done extremely well with the breath of ranges released. Great to see the VC machine gun set and also the new Aussie M113s. Like Robin I didn't expect these yet for some months to come. I am sure it will be a hot seller. I am certainly up for two of each. Also a great video.

I am hoping by the large number of retirements you have this month that you will have plenty of room in your warehouse for heaps of new sets. i.e. Cattle Drive, Falklands, Kokoda, Vietnam, just to name a few. Maybe even room for an IDF M113 version.^&grin^&grin

Stay safe and well, Cheers Howard

 

[Horus]

Some great releases this month as usual ! :salute::

Yes the video was interesting to watch, as a side note the PSP were often used in the construction of bunkers.

 

[mikemiller1955]

an excellent looking Tutankhamun monument...
my Egyptian dio table is packed...
but a must have for me..