King & Country DISPATCHES MAY 2014 (2 Viewers)

[jazzeum]

Is this (the Stuart) the same model that was done last year but just painted differently?

Also, what does it mean that "model is typical of those that took part in post D.Day operations" (emphasis added). Does that mean it took part or it didn't.

Brad

 

[Naps...just Naps]

I'm glad to see that the recently retired fusiliers have been speedily replaced with the voliguiers.

Some nice looking poses there, so they all are now on my wish list.

Pity about the reduction of troops in Egypt, but the recent actions poses will satisfy .

John

I agree those Frenchies are great but I really like the German soldiers without bases. More manufacturers should try to produce balanced figures without bases or with the option to have the figure with or without a base. Especially dead or wounded figures.
Great move on K&C's part.
Paul

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Best dispatch of the year so far in 2014 IMO. I figured the Greeks weren't finished when we saw all the retirements. Nice idea to do different repaints for larger collections. Such a nice looking series I wish I could dabble into it more but space and money constrants. :redface2: Really like the new Voltigeurs (been awhile since K&C released the original series) and will likely get some. I was surprised that the D-Day series has had such little attention/releases this year however I do like what has been released. For me however the Commonwealth version of the Stuart is the version I like best. Now that we've seen American tank riders can it be just a matter of time before we FINALLY see some Commonwealth tank riders to compliment the vast array of D-Day Commonwealth armour K&C has released. It's nice to see the reemergence of the given up for dead SL series. Glad to see certificates of authenticity attached too. I've missed the SL releases and am hopeful more are to come.
Finally very very light on the retirements! That is a very welcome change. As always I look forward to future dispatches with greater focus on areas I collect.

 

[zulucollector]

I like the vigor in replenishing the ancient greeks. I am glad I held off buying multiples of the retired versions to build my greek phalanx

 

[zblang]

I know it's an older release, but what set # is that red car from (Citroen??)

 

[jazzeum]

I know it's an older release, but what set # is that red car from (Citroen??)

Zach,

It's LW 053, a Topolino. Very nicely done. Treefrog has it in stock; it's retired.

Brad

 

[zblang]

Thanks

 

[wwiibuff]

Andy,

This has to be one of the best dispatches I've ever seen from K&C. I want all of the WWII releases including US, RAF, and German (don't think I can afford all though )

The US and German figures without bases are most welcome and look great.

 

[Grognard]

D. “ON A FRENCH STREET…”
From the skies above Southern England to the streets of a Normandy village…

SP056 “La Cremerie”
Another addition to our beautiful series of French building facades…”La Cremerie ” is a typical 1940’s style family-owned and operated little shop selling all kinds dairy products such as cream, butter, milk and, of course, a wide variety of excellent French cheeses!

Despite some minor battle damage the store is still “open for business”.

AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May.

View attachment 151290

Looks nice! Just a point of detail but I never seen in France a store selling fruit called "Fruiterie". We just say "Fruits" in France or "Fruits et Légumes” since they are always combined in a store. “Fruiterie” is a French-Canadian term.

 

[villagehorse]

Looks nice! Just a point of detail but I never seen in France a store selling fruit called "Fruiterie". We just say "Fruits" in France or "Fruits et Légumes” since they are always combined in a store. “Fruiterie” is a French-Canadian term.

A little bit of scandal in this store, the French owner was forced to marry a Canadian lady, a very unseemly mess at the time by all accounts, as far as the family was concerned. However things did eventually work out as evident in the unusual signage. ^&grin:wink2: Robin.

 

[Grognard]

A little bit of scandal in this store, the French owner was forced to marry a Canadian lady, a very unseemly mess at the time by all accounts, as far as the family was concerned. However things did eventually work out as evident in the unusual signage. ^&grin:wink2: Robin.

Probably the right explanation since Google translate didn't exist back then so I cannot believe that the K&C French translator would have made such cultural snafu :rolleyes2:
:wink2:

 

[oberstoskar]

Some compliments and criticisms:

Nice diorama piece! The facade is a good option for limited display space

French napoleonic soldiers: poses are very very similar to the retired French grenadiers, and the backpacks are missing. Also less painted details on shakos/uniform. I know K&C can argue for less equipment and uniform decorations in combating soldiers, but it is really a cheap way to keep production cost low. On the other hand, price for individual figure is rising. I'm just glad that I collected the old K&C toy soldiers many years ago. These new products are not appealing to me, and it's unfortunate to new collectors!

Also, the current K&C Pacific Place shop saleswoman has really sloppy manners. The only occasion that I saw her with a welcoming attitude is when Helen the manager is standing next to her. I miss Ruby, the previous sales lady with excellent service and the friendly Filipino lady near her retirement.

 

[OldDragon]

I like the vigor in replenishing the ancient greeks. I am glad I held off buying multiples of the retired versions to build my greek phalanx

For me, I find it is the other way round. The prospect of say, building a 6-8 man wide rank with just one example holds little appeal. However, with additional variant being available it's more appealing to use more multiples of each variant. IMHO this lends itself to greater authenticity.

So I will welcome a third or even fourth variant of the phalanx hoplites, and hopefully before this second variant becomes retired and no longer available.

Bests
OD

 

[Hatman]

Love the Panther Tank! I'm hoping the one to be released later this year is for "Bastogne". I'm keeping my fingers crossed………..

 

[jberto18]

While I understand a push for nice detail, does every French skirmisher need a 5 o'clock shadow?

 

[waynepoo]

While I understand a push for nice detail, does every French skirmisher need a 5 o'clock shadow?

I doubt that they managed to shave everyday back then.....{sm3}:wink2:
Wayne.

 

[Sentaapua]

Brilliant WWII releases! The only problem I see is with my credit card...^&grin:wink2:

 

[spartan71]

DD224 “M3A3 Stuart”
The M3A3 served alongside the M5 in the “scouting and screening role” in most U.S. Army tank battalions. Usually these battalions comprised 3 x companies of “Shermans” and 1 x company of “Stuarts”.
Our model is typical of those that took part in post D.Day operations.

WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Come on Andy, you know better than this! The M3A3 was NOT taken into combat in the ETO by the US Army. In fact the only use of the M3A3 by US forces was by "peripheral" units like the US-Chinese composite tank battalion. The M3A3 was produced for Lend-Lease customers. The US Army standardized on the M5 in 1942. The M3 Stuarts that went to North Africa were only there because M5 production had not ramped up yet. The M5A1 had superseded the M5 in all units in England by early 1944. The supply of light tanks wasn't subject to the shortfalls like the Shermans so there was no need to take M3A3s into service in US units. The M5A1 was the standard US light tank in NW Europe from 6 June 44 to VE day. In 1945 hundreds of M24 "Chaffees" started arriving to take the place of the obsolete M5A1, but NO M3A3s were used. I realize that it is not popular when facts get in the way of "art" but this one is just silly. UK forces = yes, Free French = yes, Chinese = yes, US training units in the USA = yes, but M3A3 in US tank units in France, Belgium or Germany? NO!

OK, Nomex suit is in place. flame away...

Gary B.

I have to stop reading some posts from the Forum, I was totally enjoying the M3a3 tank that I bought. Have not bought any K&C product for almost a couple of years. Just because of something might find something wrong with it. And with that comes a great disappointment. And now the M3a3 is getting returned. Thanks guys really, thanks for killing the enjoyment.

 

[spartan71]

I just wonder, how many figures/ tanks/ has been returned because of it being criticized, And how much it translates to the added costs, of these not selling. To the cost of the next buy? Can Polystone be recycled?

 

[Desertkiwi]

I have to stop reading some posts from the Forum, I was totally enjoying the M3a3 tank that I bought. Have not bought any K&C product for almost a couple of years. Just because of something might find something wrong with it. And with that comes a great disappointment. And now the M3a3 is getting returned. Thanks guys really, thanks for killing the enjoyment.

Funny you mention this, I was just watching a D'Day Doco in colour and during the 'Hedgerow, Bocage' part of the 2 part programme it clearly shows several Honey's in action.

One such M3 was pushing through a hedge with plenty of GI's nearby and it had the markings C-21 and underneath the 'USA 3051439 S.

Now I'm no expert, but I don't see why you couldn't use K&C's latest model in that same role in a Normandy display?

In the past I've made the mistake of letting other's spoil my fun, due to so called 'inaccuracies' of models and to be perfectly blunt, it's bollocks!! If you like it, buy it and enjoy it mate.......quite frankly in the chaos of war anything is possible and units regularly got mixed up and spread around and used a pile of different colours to disguise their tanks etc etc.....don't let anyone put ya off.{sm4}

Cheers Toddy