KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES -- March 2023 (2 Viewers)

[King & Country]

KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
March 2023
​

Hi Guys,
Greetings from the ‘Pearl of The Orient’ and welcome once more to DISPATCHES and a collection of some very special figures which, I hope, will find a place in at least some of your own collections.
So, without further ado, let’s see what King & Country has in store for you this month…

1. BEING RELEASED THIS MARCH
A. “Outside Tutankhamun’s Tomb”
The discovery of the young pharaoh’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922 brought many visitors and spectators to the site from far and wide and included some notable characters among them…





AE096 “Sir Harry Perry Robinson Adventurer Extraordinaire”
Harry Perry Robinson’s life story unfolds like a ‘Boy’s Own’ adventure novel from a bygone age.
Born in India in 1859, he was sent off to boarding school in England before going on to Oxford and then devoting most of his adult life to writing and journalism.

Along the way he sailed across the Atlantic and travelled to the American West where he took part in the last great ‘Gold Rush’ of the 1880s.
After that, he ventured into the booming U.S. Railroad business and made himself wealthy before becoming involved in American politics and helping to elect Republican contender William McKinley into the White House.

During this same time he married, divorced, remarried and became, for a time, a U.S. citizen. Throughout this entire period he continued to write and his work appeared in leading journals and newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic as well as elsewhere in the English-speaking world.

By 1900, he decided to return to Britain and move into the book publishing business where he championed, among others, the noted American writer, Jack London.
As before, Harry continued his writing and was widely recognized for his reporting and his ‘ringside seat’ at some of the most exciting and dramatic events of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For most of his journalistic life his most successful professional partnership was with The Times of London which provided him with a roving commission to write about people, places and events the world over.

During the First World War he was the paper’s premier ‘War Correspondent’ and actually spent more time at the Front than any of his fellow journalists.
For his wartime service he was knighted by King George V and shortly thereafter was selected by TheTimes to report on Lord Carnarvon’s Expedition to uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

Sir Harry was present at the excavation site when Howard Carter, the famed archaeologist and Lord Carnarvon actually broke through into the almost intact burial chamber of the young Egyptian pharaoh.

This newest ‘King Tut’- related figure shows Sir Harry standing next to his camera and tripod as he photographs some of the ancient treasures as they were recovered from the tomb following the excavation.



AE097 “The Honourable Celia Molestrangler”
Another of the spectators observing the events surrounding the discovery of the Pharaoh’s tomb was this young and pretty Englishwoman, the Hon. Celia Molestrangler , the younger daughter of Viscount Nemesis Counterblast one of Lord Carnarvon’s closest friends.
This pretty young member of the Jazz Age’s ‘Bright Young Things’ shields her fair looks and features from the fierce Egyptian sun under a pretty, purple parasol as she observes the events unfolding.



AVAILABLE: Early March

 

[King & Country]

B. ‘HOME ON THE RANGE’
From the dry desert sands of Ancient Egypt to the long dusty trail of King & Country’s ‘CATTLE DRIVE’ series and… a few useful additions…







CD022 ‘The Town Sheriff’
As the wild and lawless ‘cowtowns’ of Kansas sprang up all along the main routes of the great cattle drives during the 1870s and 1880s law and order became an urgent necessity.
Helping to keep the peace as well as enforcing the law was often a lonely and dangerous occupation and demanded a special breed of lawmen who were as handy with their fists as they were with a six-gun.
In those days there were mainly two types of peace officer… One was a U.S. Marshal , normally appointed by a State or Territory’s Attorney General.
The other, much more numerous, was the Sheriff , commonly elected by a county’s residents or chosen by a local town council.
Many of these same Sheriffs received little or no pay but derived their income from a percentage of any money collected in fines or bounties raised on the heads of any ‘wanted’ criminals and desperados found in their jurisdictions.
In addition to this kind of uncertain income some Sheriffs also took a ‘second job’ or even held a financial interest in certain establishments frequented by the cowboys who drove the great herds passing through their towns. Saloons and bordellos being the most commercial… and profitable.
Our new Sheriff looks both well-dressed and well-armed with a fine shotgun in his hands and a Colt.45 ‘Peacemaker’ on his hip.



CD023 ‘Jake Ketchum Riding Drag’
This is not, as some might expect, a ‘cross-dressing’ cowboy but a young ‘cowpoke’ who rides at the rear of the herd, always on the lookout for any ‘strays’ that might fall behind or wander off the trail.
He wears his neckerchief ‘bandanna’ up over his nose and mouth to avoid the worst of the thick dust stirred up by the hooves of thousands of head of ‘Texas Longhorns’.

 

[King & Country]

CD024 ‘The Gunfighter’
Gunfighters, sometimes called ‘Gunslingers’ were men who in the American West of the late 19th and early 20th countries gained a reputation for being dangerous and deadly with a gun.
They participated in all kinds of gunfights and shoot-outs and often found themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Although ‘quick-on-the-draw’ with a pistol most of these gunmen were equally adept with a rifle or a shotgun.
Essentially gunfighters were ‘hired guns’ who made their living in the Old West thanks to their skills and accuracy with all types of firearms.
Our K&C gunfighter might be looking for a fight or maybe he’s just heading for the nearest saloon… you decide.



CD025 ‘The Standing Pinto’
Although we’ve produced quite a few ‘mounted’ cowboys in this series we’ve also had a number of requests for single, ‘unmounted’ horses that could help populate any ‘Cattle Drive’ scene or accompany any of our ‘dismounted’ or ‘standing’ cowboy figures.
Here is our brown and white ‘Pinto’ still saddled up and ready to go with whichever cowboy or Mexican figure you choose.



CD026 ‘The Marlin Cowboy’
Marlin Firearms was founded back in the 1870s and produced a large assortment of firearms including lever-action rifles, pump-action shotguns and single-shot rifles.
For many years it was considered to be the main competitor of the more famous Winchester.
At this time, Marlin produced a series of full-colour advertisements portraying a mounted cowboy with his own lever-action rifle in a ‘heroic’ pose. We thought this would make a great figure to add to our range… and here he is!





CD027 ‘Guarding The Herd’
Riding the range or patrolling the perimeters of the herd through the night it pays to keep your rifle at the ready.
One more mounted ‘cowpoke’ to add to your crew.



AVAILABLE: Mid March

 

[King & Country]

C. ‘THE MIGHTY BISMARCK’
Otto von Bismarck can easily lay claim to being one of the greatest giants of history of the 19th Century.
As the mastermind of the unification of Germany in 1871 he was to go on and dominate European affairs for almost two decades before resigning in 1890.



TR010 ‘Count Otto von Bismarck’
Otto Edouard Leopold von Bismarck was born in the year of Waterloo, 1815, as a member of the ruling upper class of Prussian Junker landowners.
Always interested in politics he rose rapidly through the ranks of government and held several of the most senior positions including minister president and Prussia’s foreign minister.
Bismarck also provoked three short, successful wars against Denmark, Austria and France which gained Prussia additional territory and the impetus to finally gather all the minor German states together under one leader with one aim… to be the leading power in continental Europe.
As a personality, away from the political sphere, Bismarck was strong-willed, outspoken and sometimes overbearing but he could also be polite, charming and witty when the situation demanded it.

MEMORIALS​

Even during his lifetime von Bismarck was widely recognized for his many achievements.
All over Germany during his life many citizens began to praise him and throughout the country, monies were donated to erect statues and monuments celebrating his work, some of which survive to this day.
This latest TR release is inspired by a statue of the great man which can still be seen in the Tiergarten Park in Berlin and depicts him in traditional German military uniform.



AVAILABLE: Mid March

 

[King & Country]

D. ‘ANCHORS AWEIGH!’
A couple of months back we introduced several new US Navy ‘Bluejackets’ including some in ‘parade poses’.
Well, now it’s time to add two more that help bring more than a little extra colour to any parade…





USN030 ‘U.S. Navy Stars Stripes’
A marching ‘Bluejacket’ sailor holding the 48-star national flag aloft.



USN033 ‘U.S. Navy Infantry Battalion Flagbearer’
The U.S. Navy Infantry Battalion flag was for many decades, the actual flag of the U.S. Navy as a whole.
The flag design of a navy blue, fouled anchor on a white diamond on top of a
navy blue field dates back to the mid-late 19th century.
Although it was superceded by a whole new design in 1959 this particular flag was in common usage throughout the period our K&C ‘Bluejackets’ represent i.e. the 1920s up until the late 1950s.



AVAILABLE: Mid March

 

[King & Country]

E. ‘HELICOPTER WARRIORS’
The Vietnam War is often known as the “Helicopter War” as it was the first time in human history large numbers of helicopters were used in all kinds of combat roles and employing many different types and sizes of helicopters.
Of all the different machines operated during the war the vast majority were the several variations of the Bell UH-1 ‘Iriquois’ better known as the ‘Huey’.

In recent years K&C has produced several different examples of these superb hand-carved, hand-painted wooden ‘Hueys’ but until now no suitable figures to go with them.
Well here are the first three…





VN162 ‘Helicopter Pilot & Copilot’
Two standing ‘Chopper’ pilots looking over a flight plan. The more senior is shown wearing the famous Stetson U.S. Cavalry hat and is obviously a member of the ‘AirCav’.
The other pilot is wearing his ‘bonedome’ and the standard flight suit complete with some body armour and a side arm.



Sidenote: At present K&C is also hard-at-work on our own mass-production UH-1 ‘Huey’ which we hope to release later in 2023 or early 2024.

VN164 ‘Maintenance Crew Chief’
Just as important as the aircrew that flew the Hueys were the groundcrew guys who serviced them and kept them in the air.
This Air Cav. Crew Chief is going through a check list on the ground before a flight.



AVAILABLE: Early March

 

[King & Country]

And that my friends is that for this month… apart from a few retirements.

BEING RETIRED

AE058	The New Fan Bearer
IC049	Chinese Spearman
IC050	Chinese officer w/Sword
IC055	Attacking w/spear
IC056	Standing Ready w/spear
IC057	Attacking w/Sword
IC058	Slashing w/Sword
IC059	Standing Firing Archer
IC060	Kneeling Firing Archer
IC061	Standing Ready Archer
IC062	Horesman charging w/sword
IC063	The Stretcher Party
IC064	Standing Guard w/Spear
IC065	Marching Guard w/Spear
IC066	Marching Flagbearer
IC067	Mounted Officer
IC068	Kneeling Officer Reporting
IC069	Mounted Lancer
IC070	Standing Guard Reporting
NA376	95th Rifles Officer w / Telescope
RTA056	General Sam Houston
RTA059	Robert McKinney
RTA072	John McGregor
RTA089	Mexican Officer w/Pistol
RTA090	Mexican Drummer
RTA091	Mexican Flagbearer

[tr]







Thanks once more for checking in and hope you find a little something for your
collection.
All the best and happy collecting!

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

 

[villagehorse]

All very nice Andy and back on track. Definitely some purchases coming my way. Thank you kindly. Robin.

 

[Obee]

This month looks like a VERY 'US centric' issue of new figures.

My favourite is Otto Von Bismark and I'm sure he will a valuable addition to Franco Prussian War collectors.

John

 

[Panzer ace]

This month looks like a VERY 'US centric' issue of new figures.

My favourite is Otto Von Bismark and I'm sure he will a valuable addition to Franco Prussian War collectors.

John

The Vietnam series should be VERY ‘US centric’.

58,220 Americans died in that war.

 

[GICOP]

D. ‘ANCHORS AWEIGH!’
A couple of months back we introduced several new US Navy ‘Bluejackets’ including some in ‘parade poses’.
Well, now it’s time to add two more that help bring more than a little extra colour to any parade…

View attachment 295008

View attachment 295009

USN030 ‘U.S. Navy Stars Stripes’
A marching ‘Bluejacket’ sailor holding the 48-star national flag aloft.

View attachment 295010

USN033 ‘U.S. Navy Infantry Battalion Flagbearer’
The U.S. Navy Infantry Battalion flag was for many decades, the actual flag of the U.S. Navy as a whole.
The flag design of a navy blue, fouled anchor on a white diamond on top of a
navy blue field dates back to the mid-late 19th century.
Although it was superceded by a whole new design in 1959 this particular flag was in common usage throughout the period our K&C ‘Bluejackets’ represent i.e. the 1920s up until the late 1950s.

View attachment 295011

AVAILABLE: Mid March

Great figures Andy:salute::...................and on my shopping list

Please, please, please can we have a marching Officer figure to go with the other "Bluejackets" already released

All the best

Martyn

 

[Horus]

That's interesting news Andy on K&C's Huey's going into mass production. I have two TCS ones but hopefully I'll be able to get a K&C one too !

 

[jazzeum]

The figure of Bismarck looks very nice. I will be adding that. Thanks. Might go well with a figure of Napoleon III for the Franco Prussian War.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Hi Andy,

Great to hear that you were able to visit the factories again. You're looking good as well.
Big thanks for continuing to expand the Ancient Egypt theme with the two latest pieces with some most enjoyable stories.
Interesting to hear about the Escape Artist and story of Harry Perry; always amazed at what you dig up from history. I'll have to check out Around the Horne. Both figures are on my list.
I also love the new Cattle Drive pieces to expand the Wild West collection.
Bismarck is a really impressive figure and I think a K&C mass-production UH-1 ‘Huey' is a great call.
New Navy infantry battalion flag bearing bluejacket looks fantastic.
So glad K&C is "back in the swim again".
Excellent!

PS. the picture on the cover of Escape Artist is what prompted my to purchase K&C's Turkish Staff Car a while back.

 

[Lo1863]

Very cool to see a Bismarck figure! I'll be adding him to my random personality collection.

 

[Barkmann]

Bismark figure impressive, not my era or specific interest but can appreciate the figure, however, looks nothing like the ship.

 

[tmanthegreat]

E. ‘HELICOPTER WARRIORS’
The Vietnam War is often known as the “Helicopter War” as it was the first time in human history large numbers of helicopters were used in all kinds of combat roles and employing many different types and sizes of helicopters.
Of all the different machines operated during the war the vast majority were the several variations of the Bell UH-1 ‘Iriquois’ better known as the ‘Huey’.

In recent years K&C has produced several different examples of these superb hand-carved, hand-painted wooden ‘Hueys’ but until now no suitable figures to go with them.
Well here are the first three…

View attachment 295012

View attachment 295013

VN162 ‘Helicopter Pilot & Copilot’
Two standing ‘Chopper’ pilots looking over a flight plan. The more senior is shown wearing the famous Stetson U.S. Cavalry hat and is obviously a member of the ‘AirCav’.
The other pilot is wearing his ‘bonedome’ and the standard flight suit complete with some body armour and a side arm.

View attachment 295014

Sidenote: At present K&C is also hard-at-work on our own mass-production UH-1 ‘Huey’ which we hope to release later in 2023 or early 2024.

VN164 ‘Maintenance Crew Chief’
Just as important as the aircrew that flew the Hueys were the groundcrew guys who serviced them and kept them in the air.
This Air Cav. Crew Chief is going through a check list on the ground before a flight.

View attachment 295015

AVAILABLE: Early March

Awesome to see some pilot figures and cool news on the eventual mass-produced Hueys as well. The new figures should also work well with the new Thomas Gunn Hueys too

 

[jason foote]

Great releases, nice to see a few more figures. Love the cowboys, might purchase one of those. Otherwise nothing for me. But i love looking and just think it gives me a chance to save for next month and the hope of some acw or kokoda figures. Great work Andy and team.
Jas

 

[Horus]

Hi Andy,

Great to hear that you were able to visit the factories again. You're looking good as well.
Big thanks for continuing to expand the Ancient Egypt theme with the two latest pieces with some most enjoyable stories.
Interesting to hear about the Escape Artist and story of Harry Perry; always amazed at what you dig up from history. I'll have to check out Around the Horne. Both figures are on my list.
I also love the new Cattle Drive pieces to expand the Wild West collection.
Bismarck is a really impressive figure and I think a K&C mass-production UH-1 ‘Huey' is a great call.
New Navy infantry battalion flag bearing bluejacket looks fantastic.
So glad K&C is "back in the swim again".
Excellent!

PS. the picture on the cover of Escape Artist is what prompted my to purchase K&C's Turkish Staff Car a while back.

Hey Rob
Not a K&C product or mine for that matter !
But I was looking at some new 3D printable releases and saw this, which would be right up your street I reckon !
Of course you'd need to have some one 3D print it for you and have someone paint it for you, still looks good !

https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-egyptian-tomb-king-s-rest-278404

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Hey Steve,

That is so cool. Would make one hell of a tomb for K&C's AE figures. Thanks for sharing.