KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- March 2022 (5 Viewers)

[King & Country]

KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
March 2022​

WELCOME to March and our latest little collection of offerings that cover a reasonably broad span of King & Country ranges... old and modern.
Without further ado let’s get down to business...

1. BEING RELEASED IN MARCH
A. “HOT DESERT SANDS & COOL, CLEAR WATER” As one of the great cradles of civilization Egypt has welcomed visitors and explorers into and onto its land for centuries. During this time all kinds of tradesmen, artists and workers have combined to provide all the necessary needs and requirements that these foreign guests and visitors might require.
Following the enthusiastic and successful introduction of our first four ‘DISCOVERING TUTANKHAMUN’ figures we decided to add a few more to help populate the scene and add a little more ‘local colour’ into the bargain.



AE089 ‘The Water Seller’
Cool, clean drinking water was always in short supply in Egypt until relatively modern times. To meet the obvious demand itinerant ‘Water Sellers’ carrying a large ceramic urn would be a familiar sight in most large Egyptian towns and cities.
They could also be found in areas where visitors and foreign tourists were likely to visit such as the famous ‘Valley of the Kings’ on the outskirts of Cairo.
Here is one such ‘Water Seller’ plying his wares to anyone with a few piasters * to spare and a thirst to be quenched.



AE090 ‘The Water Seller & His Customer’
As the seated customer enjoys a refreshing drink the seller pours another cup.



AE092 ‘Enjoying a Hookah’
A familiar sight throughout the Middle East and North Africa is the ‘Hookah’ This is a single or multi stemmed instrument for heating or vaporizing and then smoking either tobacco, flavoured tobacco or sometimes cannabis, hashish and even... opium. The smoke is passed through a water basin – often glass-based before inhalation.
In the Arab world and throughout the Middle East people smoke ‘hookahs’ as part of their culture and traditions. Social smoking is done with a single or double hose ‘hookah’ and even triple or quadruple versions on occasion.

Smoking a ‘hookah’ can be done at home privately or with company in cafes which are widespread social gathering places throughout the Arab world.



AVAILABLE: Mid-Late March

 

[King & Country]

B. ‘Rally Round The Flag Boys’
Here is the second installment of King & Country’s 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers going into battle in the first half of the Civil War.
These additional figures join up with our first release to dramatically move forward against the enemy.





CW120 ‘Infantry Lieutenant w/Sword’
Unlike his fellow soldiers this officer is wearing the standard Union Army’s dark blue, frock coat.
Sabre clutched tightly in his right hand, the scabbard in his left, this young officer bravely leads his men towards the enemy position.



CW122 ‘The Stars & Stripes Forever’
This Colour Sergeant carries the ‘National Flag’ proudly as he counters shot and shell to inspire the other 83rd Volunteers advancing and following alongside him. At his waist he carries a holstered Navy Colt revolver, his only weapon.



CW123 ‘Infantry Drummer Boy’
‘Drummer Boys’ played an important role in the American Civil War... on both sides of the conflict, with some becoming soldiers.
In the Union Army it was forbidden to recruit any boys under the age of 16 but many still joined eager and willing to do their part and join, what many thought would be a ‘great adventure’.
By and large, the most popular reason young boys joined up was to escape what they viewed as a dull boring life working on a farm. (In 1860 the population of the United States was more than 80% rural).
As drummers these young boys helped to issue commands on the battlefield using their drum rolls and bugle calls to send orders to different units and formations.
Soldiers marched to battle to the sound of drums and used their beat to regulate loading... firing... and reloading their weapons during the battle.
Our young K&C Drummer plays a steady beat as his comrades move into the attack.

 

[King & Country]

CW128 ‘Infantry Corporal Charging’




CW130 ‘Infantry Advancing Shooting’
Learning forward as he takes the shot.



CW134 ‘Infantry Biting The Cartridge’
During the American Civil War the most commonly used cartridge for muzzle loading weapons was the ‘paper cartridge’.
A paper cartridge contained a pre-measured amount of powder with the metal ball in a sealed unit often coated with beeswax, lard or tallow.
The standard procedure for loading a musket or rifled musket involved the follows:
1. Hold the musket level, place at half cock and open the flash pan.
2. Bite open the paper cartridge, pour a small quantity of powder into the pan and close it.
3. Hold the musket vertically and pour the remaining powder down the barrel.
4. Ram the ball and remaining paper down the barrel with the ramrod. The paper, typically a thick, sturdy type keeps the bullet centred in the bore and the weapon is now ready to fire.



CW135 ‘Infantry Reaching For A Cartridge’
Most infantryman on both the Union and Confederate sides carried a leather cartridge pouch suspended from a leather belt that crossed the chest and hung on the rear right side of the soldier.
Most of these pouches contained at least 40 x paper cartridge rounds.
Having fired his last round this soldier reaches back and into the open pouch to find another fresh cartridge.



AVAILABLE: Mid March

Special Note: A THIRD RELEASE of 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers will be available in April 2022.

 

[King & Country]

C. S.P.Q.R.
A fresh second look at a very popular previously-released figure.



ROM059 ‘The Senior Mounted Legate’
A ‘Legate’ was a very senior official who acted as a deputy general to governors of provinces conquered by Ancient Rome in the 1st and 2nd Centuries BC, during the period of the republic.
In the latter half of the 1st Century BC, Julius Caesar began appointing ‘Legates’ to command entire Legions in the Army.
This practice became customary under the Emperor Augustus who gave these commanders great power and influence not only over their personal areas of responsibility but also in Rome itself.
Our figure represents no particular personality but portrays a strong political soldier of wide experience and knowledge in leading a Legion in battle, protecting a Roman Province in peacetime and dealing with the trials and tribulations of Rome itself.



AVAILABLE: Early March

 

[King & Country]

D. ‘DESTINATION STANLEY!'
As many regular readers of ‘DISPATCHES’ know one of the most recent conflicts of the 20th Century I am most interested in is The Falklands War of 1982.
Although lasting just 10 weeks it was a unique chapter in Britain’s long history and had a lasting influence that can still be felt today almost exactly 40 years after the war ended with a resounding British victory.
One of the most important factors that resulted in that victory was the quality and sheer professionalism of the forces that went ‘down south’... Marines, Paras, Guardsmen and Gurkhas backed up and supported by other regular British army soldiers, sailors and airmen who had years and sometimes decades of experience and military knowledge that came into play when the going got tough and the odds were against us.
Nowhere was that kind of guts, grit and battlefield endurance shown better than when the British Marines and Paras ‘yomped’ and ‘tabbed’ their way on foot, in appalling weather, fighting a series of battles on their way to Port Stanley, the Falkland Islands capital.
Following the introductory ‘Flaklands’ release of ‘The Yomper’ last December we are pleased and proud to announce this follow-up set...



TF002 ‘Destination Stanley’
A great little set of THREE additional ‘Bootnecks’ (R.M. slang for Royal Marines) yomping their way across East Falklands on their way towards Stanley.
Each Marine carried over 80 pounds of equipment and supplies as well as their personal weapons and extra ammunition.
Originally the Marines and Paras had expected to be transported forward by helicopters, but after the ‘Atlantic Conveyor’ which carried these aircraft was sunk the troops had to march across the island carrying everything on their backs.
K&C’s 3 X ‘Booties’ are carrying an assortment of weapons... The ever-reliable L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle) , the venerable L4 Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun) and the Belgian – designed, British-built L7A2 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun).

All naturally are in their standard British military DPM uniform and proudly wearing their green commando berets.



AVAILABLE: Mid March

Special Note: More ‘Falklands War’ figures are ‘in the works’ including red beret Paras and a few Argentinians!

 

[King & Country]

C. ‘THE REAL WEST’
Three additional versions of well-armed Native American warriors...



TRW179 ‘Stands Tall’ firing Carbine
A dismounted Cheyenne ‘Dog soldier’ firing his Carbine.



TRW183 ‘Eagle’s Wing’
It’s not easy to shoot accurately from a galloping horse but this particular Sioux warrior is willing to try.



TRW184 ‘Crouching Apache’
Cautiously approaching an unsuspecting victim.



AVAILABLE: Early March

 

[King & Country]

F. ‘Good Morning Vietnam!’
As I often say, “What’s a DISPATCHES Without A Little Trip To Vietnam...?”

 

[King & Country]

VN130 ‘Kneeling NCO with Binos’
A ‘Grunt’ Non Commissioned Officer M16 in one hand takes a closer look at an enemy position through his binos.



VN131 ‘FMJ Rafterman’
A fully paid-up member of Full Metal Jacket’s ‘Lusthog Squad’. Lance Corporal ‘Rafterman’ Compton is ‘Joker’s’ buddy and companion when dispatched up to Hue during the TET Offensive.
As a ‘Combat Photographer’ he brings along his cameras to get some of the ‘action‘ on film. In this great movie he will see plenty of action!



VN132 ‘Smoke Break’
This Aussie infantryman enjoys a few minutes rest and a break from ‘humping’ his M60 Machine Gun.



VN137 ‘Cautiously Advancing’
Two ‘Grunts’ carefully move along a wall as one edges around a corner the other prepares to back him up.



AVAILABLE: Mid March

 

[King & Country]

2. Being Retired This Month...

As usual some come in... others move out.

AE032	Wedding Couple
AF013	Colonel Glenn Eagleston
AF015	Captain Donald J. Strait
AF019	Flight Commander
AF020	Pilot w/ Map
AF021	Synchronize Your Watches
AF022	Kneeling Pilot
AF026	Standing Mechanic
DD262	WarDaddy
FW218	Lieut. Col. Winston Churchill
SP069	BARBED WIRE
WS346	Dismounted Tank Crew #1

And that is that my friends, not too many items this month but I hope you find something interesting in there.
In the meantime all the very best and happy collecting!

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

 

[villagehorse]

Even all that time away, you still found time to put up the releases, brilliant. Another month waiting for those 2 missing Ancient Egypt figures, blast. Good variety once again. Robin.

 

[Obee]

AE089 ‘The Water Seller’
Cool, clean drinking water was always in short supply in Egypt until relatively modern times. To meet the obvious demand itinerant ‘Water Sellers’ carrying a large ceramic urn would be a familiar sight in most large Egyptian towns and cities.
They could also be found in areas where visitors and foreign tourists were likely to visit such as the famous ‘Valley of the Kings’ on the outskirts of Cairo.
Here is one such ‘Water Seller’ plying his wares to anyone with a few piasters * to spare and a thirst to be quenched.

View attachment 285682
AVAILABLE: Mid-Late March

He may go great with these two Frenchmen on "holidays' in 1800 ???



John

 

[Goldman007]

Poor month, for me nothing, poor monthly releases from K & C, which has been a trend for a while.

Not very diverse, 2 of the ranges only have a single set release. Very US focused, but as some other TFers have said, you can see why, US main market for K & C. European collectors have become a bit of a backwater. No vehicles of any kind this month, there has been few tanks/vehicles/planes released in the last couple of years. When both compared with T Gunn or John Jenkins, as well as compared to what K & C released in their heyday. The amount of releases has fallen, with T Gunn or John Jenkins Design month on month releasing more ranges and amount of figures than K & C.

Quality level are roughtly the same for me, but i agree when someone pointed it out on the forum K & C are becoming more like caricatures, the new Cowboy range looks more like Blazing Saddles than Shane or The Searches, whereas JJDs Fur Trade look 'real' and gritty. K & C Romans remind me of Asterix the Gaul cartoon rather than Gladiator or Centurion.

John Jenkins Design are way ahead of K & C at the minute and have been for 2/3 years. More releases, greater ranges and pushing quality. Thomas Gunn have also moved on leaps and bounds, diverse ranges and affordable tanks, the new Panzer IVs are great [sold out very quickly], the Brummbar was special, the Hetzer is a joy, while a new multi thearte/version Matilda will sell out quickly, as new Allied armour is as rare. Thomas Gunn planes are outstanding, as opposed to the recent K & C releases, we got yet more Hurricanes and Spitfires with different markings, yet the camo pattern is the same on all Spitfires, as it is on the Hurricanes. Check them out, i did not notice until it was pointed out to me by a TF member. Thats either a bit lazy or taking collectors for granted, just churning out the same old 'wet smelly brown sticky stuff'. Their new strapline when compared with the TS market leaders, JJD and TG, might as well be "That will do'

Had my whinge, will now contradict myself by looking at some of the WSS and WH0 stuff i am missing and order them.

When replying please do not show your weak argument by playing the man and not playing the ball. Argue the points, concerning recent releases, not how they were 5 or 10 years ago.

 

[desk11desk12]

Goldman,

Nice job there....you slam a release and a company, then you set up the rules for engagement. Then, you'll judge the content of replys to demonstrate your virtue and righteousness under the guise of seeking agreement of your point on recent releases.

Heck, it's an invitation to joust from higher ground of your making.

Shame on you!

Carlos

 

[Old Bill]

Here we go, here we go , here we go.......... ^&grin It's been a long wait - SO good to see the Falklands series getting into it's stride -

:salute:::salute:::salute:::salute:::salute::

My Falklands shelf awaits.

Roy

 

[Barkmann]

Goldman,

Nice job there....you slam a release and a company, then you set up the rules for engagement. Then, you'll judge the content of replys to demonstrate your virtue and righteousness under the guise of seeking agreement of your point on recent releases.

Heck, it's an invitation to joust from higher ground of your making.

Shame on you!

Carlos

Lets stay calm

 

[King & Country]

Goldman,

Nice job there....you slam a release and a company, then you set up the rules for engagement. Then, you'll judge the content of replys to demonstrate your virtue and righteousness under the guise of seeking agreement of your point on recent releases.

Heck, it's an invitation to joust from higher ground of your making.

Shame on you!

Carlos

Many thanks, Carlos…I could not have said it better!
It was also great to meet up once more at last weekend’s ‘West Coaster’….A very enjoyable time was had by a whole lot of people, including myself, thankyou again,
and… Happy Collecting,
Andy.

 

[Goldman007]

Goldman,

Nice job there....you slam a release and a company, then you set up the rules for engagement. Then, you'll judge the content of replys to demonstrate your virtue and righteousness under the guise of seeking agreement of your point on recent releases.

Heck, it's an invitation to joust from higher ground of your making.

Shame on you!

Carlos

You went deep into that reply there, i had to have a sit down and triple read your reply. You have supported and legitimised my argument i feel, by playing the man and not the ball, as i was trying to stop it turning personal by wanting a discussion on the opinions in the post. By 'setting up the rules of engagment' as you call them the post is looking at having a discussion on the merits of my opinion.

Slamming is a very emotional word to use, have you been on YouTube or watching too much awful US news. As that is a word used by the shock jocks or sensationalist TV anchors and someone trying to get clickbait. I simply stated my opinon on the merits of one TS company against other TS companies with whom they share a common marketplace.

Was there anything in the post defamatory? Or in a factual sense wrong? On the opinons and the details in the post you were very silent, come on lets have a discussion on the merits of the toy soldiers not the person that posted it, same goes for 2 of the 3 people who liked your post, they are not normally quiet when anyone is critical of K & C releases. Lets not turn this into the awful thread about the historically inaccurate British D-Day releases. As that turned into a pitched battle [everyone came out of that badly] and there was a failure to get any constructive argument, descussion or answers to the questions raised in the thread. There was a great job done by some on TF to deflect the critics with personal attacks.

Why don't you put in another reply countering the arguments in the post, instead of trying to deflect by attacking the individual. what is your opinion on below,

1- K & C Hurricanes and Spitfires having the same camo pattern [Hurricanes have 1 pattern and Spitfires have 1 pattern], is this historically accurate? Why do you think they are same, ask Andy, you know him.
2 - Do you agree or disagree that K & C are becoming more like caricatures? More cartoon like? That is a talking point opinon not a fact, which is open to discussion, what a forum is for, discussion. For example some of the figures are what we used to term 'a snipers dream', they have huge heads when compared to their bodies.
3 - Are K & C releases of the same amounts as they were in the past, 5 to 10 years ago? Is that wrong?
4 - Are the other manufacturers releasing more in terms of volume and different eras/series that K & C? Yes or No.
5 - Are K & C more US focused, thats an interesting one for me, as living in two different countries our outlook could be different. My argument for it is there appears to be a shift to more American themed releases in the last few years. Vietnam, Pacific, Cowboys, US Civil War etc. Plus we have far fewer direct sellers in the UK [only 1 with decent stock] and mainland Europe since K&C UK went bust in 2016 and the lack of representation at the main European Toy Show in London seems to also back up my opinion.

 

[rekp]

You went deep into that reply there, i had to have a sit down and triple read your reply. You have supported and legitimised my argument i feel, by playing the man and not the ball, as i was trying to stop it turning personal by wanting a discussion on the opinions in the post. By 'setting up the rules of engagment' as you call them the post is looking at having a discussion on the merits of my opinion.

Slamming is a very emotional word to use, have you been on YouTube or watching too much awful US news. As that is a word used by the shock jocks or sensationalist TV anchors and someone trying to get clickbait. I simply stated my opinon on the merits of one TS company against other TS companies with whom they share a common marketplace.

Was there anything in the post defamatory? Or in a factual sense wrong? On the opinons and the details in the post you were very silent, come on lets have a discussion on the merits of the toy soldiers not the person that posted it, same goes for 2 of the 3 people who liked your post, they are not normally quiet when anyone is critical of K & C releases. Lets not turn this into the awful thread about the historically inaccurate British D-Day releases. As that turned into a pitched battle [everyone came out of that badly] and there was a failure to get any constructive argument, descussion or answers to the questions raised in the thread. There was a great job done by some on TF to deflect the critics with personal attacks.

Why don't you put in another reply countering the arguments in the post, instead of trying to deflect by attacking the individual. what is your opinion on below,

1- K & C Hurricanes and Spitfires having the same camo pattern [Hurricanes have 1 pattern and Spitfires have 1 pattern], is this historically accurate? Why do you think they are same, ask Andy, you know him.
2 - Do you agree or disagree that K & C are becoming more like caricatures? More cartoon like? That is a talking point opinon not a fact, which is open to discussion, what a forum is for, discussion. For example some of the figures are what we used to term 'a snipers dream', they have huge heads when compared to their bodies.
3 - Are K & C releases of the same amounts as they were in the past, 5 to 10 years ago? Is that wrong?
4 - Are the other manufacturers releasing more in terms of volume and different eras/series that K & C? Yes or No.
5 - Are K & C more US focused, thats an interesting one for me, as living in two different countries our outlook could be different. My argument for it is there appears to be a shift to more American themed releases in the last few years. Vietnam, Pacific, Cowboys, US Civil War etc. Plus we have far fewer direct sellers in the UK [only 1 with decent stock] and mainland Europe since K&C UK went bust in 2016 and the lack of representation at the main European Toy Show in London seems to also back up my opinion.

So Walsingham returns .....

 

[Horus]

So Walsingham returns .....

{sm4}{sm4}{sm4}

Not to forget his other current multiple reincarnations !


Steve

 

[OzDigger]

You went deep into that reply there, i had to have a sit down and triple read your reply. You have supported and legitimised my argument i feel, by playing the man and not the ball, as i was trying to stop it turning personal by wanting a discussion on the opinions in the post. By 'setting up the rules of engagment' as you call them the post is looking at having a discussion on the merits of my opinion.

Slamming is a very emotional word to use, have you been on YouTube or watching too much awful US news. As that is a word used by the shock jocks or sensationalist TV anchors and someone trying to get clickbait. I simply stated my opinon on the merits of one TS company against other TS companies with whom they share a common marketplace.

Was there anything in the post defamatory? Or in a factual sense wrong? On the opinons and the details in the post you were very silent, come on lets have a discussion on the merits of the toy soldiers not the person that posted it, same goes for 2 of the 3 people who liked your post, they are not normally quiet when anyone is critical of K & C releases. Lets not turn this into the awful thread about the historically inaccurate British D-Day releases. As that turned into a pitched battle [everyone came out of that badly] and there was a failure to get any constructive argument, descussion or answers to the questions raised in the thread. There was a great job done by some on TF to deflect the critics with personal attacks.

Why don't you put in another reply countering the arguments in the post, instead of trying to deflect by attacking the individual. what is your opinion on below,

1- K & C Hurricanes and Spitfires having the same camo pattern [Hurricanes have 1 pattern and Spitfires have 1 pattern], is this historically accurate? Why do you think they are same, ask Andy, you know him.
2 - Do you agree or disagree that K & C are becoming more like caricatures? More cartoon like? That is a talking point opinon not a fact, which is open to discussion, what a forum is for, discussion. For example some of the figures are what we used to term 'a snipers dream', they have huge heads when compared to their bodies.
3 - Are K & C releases of the same amounts as they were in the past, 5 to 10 years ago? Is that wrong?
4 - Are the other manufacturers releasing more in terms of volume and different eras/series that K & C? Yes or No.
5 - Are K & C more US focused, thats an interesting one for me, as living in two different countries our outlook could be different. My argument for it is there appears to be a shift to more American themed releases in the last few years. Vietnam, Pacific, Cowboys, US Civil War etc. Plus we have far fewer direct sellers in the UK [only 1 with decent stock] and mainland Europe since K&C UK went bust in 2016 and the lack of representation at the main European Toy Show in London seems to also back up my opinion.

Monthly K & C dispatch time has traditionally been an opportunity for collectors to praise the new releases while others complain that 'their' collecting ranges are being ignored. I can relate to the later complaint as I mainly collect Australian based sets plus the occasional German 'Normandy' and Afrika Korps item. However they do appear from time to time, and as Andy has often said, you can't please everyone. Even if there's nothing new in 'my' range interests, I am still interested in new releases for other ranges despite not having the space, and of course unlimited resources to collect a wider variety of themes. As I haven't worked for several days due to inclement weather I do have some spare time to provide some comment regarding your listed gripes.

1) In the European theatre most British single engined aircraft used either Pattern A camo or pattern B being the reverse of Pattern A, be they Spitfires, Hurricanes Typhoons etc, similar policy was applied to Two winged or Four winged aircraft. Different camo patterns and colours were applied to aircraft serving in different theaters and operational specifics such as Night Fighters, Recon etc. Of course there are exceptions to every policy, and the patterns and some colours changed throughout the war, however I feel that explains why there is a lot of similarity in aircraft camo you mentioned.

2) Some early K & C figures did have relatively large heads, some early Jenkins figures had heads like cavemen, similar issue with early figures from most TS companies. I have noted significant improvements in the figures from K & C and JJD as well as most other companies.

3) I suspect (don't know) that K & C have reduced the production numbers for sets compared to earlier times, lets face it there seems to be fewer collectors each year. And of course JJD and TGM have never released large numbers, say around 100 to 150 of each set. Limited numbers create collector interest and reduces the potential for old stock remainders.

4) IMO K & C continues to have a wider number of ranges. However if interest in a range declines commercial imperatives require reduced releases or cancellations, such policies are used by all wise TS manufactures. I have seen the ALH range cancelled recently, sad but that's the way it is.

5) I understand most TS collectors, especially matt painted sets live in the US, and most K & C dealers are US based. However if you take the time to check the history of K & C Toy Soldier production you will notice that US based ranges, figures and vehicles, are actually underrepresented and suspect that will continue.