King & Country DISPATCHES MAY 2014 (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

King & Country DISPATCHES
MAY 2014
​

A couple of months ago I was getting ready to fly over to Los Angeles for the Annual West Coaster Show…Well today, as I write this, I’m preparing to head out again in just a few weeks’ time to the States but this time the destination is San Antonio for this year’s TEXAS TOY SOLDIER SHOW.

As anyone who reads these “DISPATCHES” knows King & Country and yours truly are big “believers” in and supporters of Toy Soldier Shows all over the world.

I’m fortunate to get to meet many of our collectors and also get to catch up with any of our K&C dealers who take part.

This particular “TEXAS” show is being held over two whole days (Saturday and Sunday) during Memorial Day Weekend and is the third that K&C and KINGS X have put on together and we hope will be the best one yet!

However, as usual, there’s a whole bunch of new items to review and release…So here goes…

1. Ancient Greek Alternative Additions

A. When we first released this series more than a few collectors suggested that they wanted to “build-up” multiples of many of the releases… and they requested alternative colour schemes and shield designs. Here they are…

AG026 “Standing Hoplite”

AG027 “Hoplite On Guard”

AG028 “Hoplite Officer w/Sword”

AG029 “Hoplite Soldier w/Sword”

AG030 “Hoplite w/Long Spear” (Horizontal)

AG031 “Hoplite w/Long Spear” ( 45 degree)

AG032 “Hoplite w/Long Spear” (Vertical)

Available: Early May

 

[King & Country]

B. “VIVE LES VOLTIGEURS!”

VOLTIGEURS played an important role in Napoleon’s Army. He decreed that each Infantry Line and Light Infantry Regiment should select their finest marksmen and most agile soldiers and form them into special units that would provide one company in each battalion.

These troops would act as “skirmishers” and “scouts” to help protect the main body as well as moving forward in loose order to be the “eyes and ears” of their commanders.

Ten all-new K&C “Voltigeurs” advance forward in “action” poses to get to grips with the enemy.

Special Uniform Note:
Although wearing the same basic French Infantry uniform of the period Voltigeurs could be distinguished by their green and yellow epaulettes and collars as well as their black shako with the yellow stripe.

NA273 “Mounted French V Officer Shouting

NA274 Fr. V Flagbearer Advancing

NA275 Fr. V Charging Port Arms

NA276 Fr. V Trumpeter
This voltigeur is carrying the hunting horn and wears the lighter blue uniform

NA277 Fr. V Advancing Firing

NA278 Fr. V Kneeling Firing

NA279 Fr. V Advancing Loading

NA280 Fr. V Charging with Bayonet

NA281 Fr. V Advancing with Rifle Up

NA282 “Fr. V. Advancing Pointing”

AVAILABLE: Mid May

 

[King & Country]

 

[King & Country]

 

[King & Country]

C. “FROM NAPOLEONIC FRANCE TO WW2 FRANCE!”
With the 70th Anniversary of D.DAY coming up in June we thought we would add a few extra pieces to collectors’ D.Day Collections.

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.

DD228 “U.S. Army Tank Riders Set #1”
Two kneeling GI’s, one with an “M1 Garand”, the other with the “M1 Carbine…can work equally well on the back of a fighting vehicle or on the ground.

DD229 “U.S. Army Tank Riders Set #2”
Two more GI’s, one kneeling, one sitting, armed with another “M1 Garand” and a “Browning Automatic Rifle” . As flexible as the previous two.

AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May

 

[King & Country]

D.THE RAF’s ONLY FIGHTER PILOT V.C.

During the Second World War Royal Air Force pilots and other aircrew won a number of Victoria Crosses, Britain’s highest military honor.

Most of those awarded went to men from RAF “Bomber Command” …Just one, surprisingly enough, was presented to RAF “Fighter Command” – to Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson.

RAF067(SL) “Hawker Hurricane GNA”

Last month we produced a new version of the Supermarine “Spitfire”. This month we are honoring the other great fighter aircraft that won the “Battle of Britain” …the Hawker “Hurricane” – and a very special Hurricane at that!

Flight Lieutant James Nicolson was a pilot with No.249 Squadron when on August 16, 1940 he was flying “GNA” on an operational sortie near Southampton when he was fired on by a Messerschmitt Bf.110. Enemy fire injured him in one eye and badly wounded his left foot. At the same time his engine was hit and the petrol tank set alight. As he struggled to bail out from the burning aircraft another Bf.110 flew in front of him…Struggling to get back into his blazing Hurricane he pressed the gun button and saw his bullets strike the German plane. After seeing the enemy aircraft crash into the ground, Nicolson successfully bailed out.

On his descent, painfully injured, he had the bad luck to be fired on by members of the “Home Guard”,…fortunately their accuracy was not as good as the young Flight Lieutenant’s!

On November 15, 1940, it was announced that Flt.Lt. Nicolson had been awarded the Victoria Cross for “Conspicuous gallantry and disregard for his own life”.

He was later promoted and sent out to fly in both India and Burma. By May 1945 he was now a Wing Commander but alas lost his life in a flying accident in the Bay of Bengal. His Victoria Cross can be seen at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, England.

Our 1:30 scale Hawker Hurricane “GNA” comes with an unoccupied cockpit and a standing figure of Flight Lieutenant Nicolson . A specially-designed, full colour box also includes a certificate about James Nicolson V.C.

This “SL” edition comprises just 300 aircraft and figures.

AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May

 

[King & Country]

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.

 

[King & Country]

D. “WATCH OUT FOR THE PROWLING PANTHER!”

Over the years, KING & COUNTRY has produced quite a number of different “Panthers” …Next to the “Tiger” it’s probably our most-produced German tank!

Originally designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V it soon became better known as “The Panther” to friend and foe alike. With this tank the Germans finally had a fighting vehicle that could counter the Soviet T34 . The Panther copied, adapted and improved many of the characteristics of its Russian opponent. It proved to be an excellent combination of firepower, mobility, a wider track and good armour protection. From 1943 until 1945 just over 6,700 of all variants were produced.

WS272 “Panther Ausf.G”
The “Ausf.G” version was reckoned, by most Panther crews, to be the best of all and the new K&C “Ausf.G.” is certainly the best we have manufactured!

Our model represents a late-war, battle-weary, two–colour camouflaged “G” and comes with a tank Commander and plenty of space for either extra supplies or a number of tank riders.

This is the first of two “G” models to be released…a second will be available later in the year.

 

[wayne556517]

A second PANTHER hopefully white washed.

 

[King & Country]

WS286 “Pointing Officer”
Armed with an MP40 “Schmeisser” machine pistol this officer points out a possible enemy position. This figure can stand easily on both a fighting vehicle or on the ground…The choice is yours…

WS287 “Kneeling Loading”

WS288 “Kneeling Grenadier”

WS289 “Kneeling w/Rifle”

WS290 “Kneeling w/Binos”

Note: All of the above figures can be utilized in or on vehicles as well as on the ground in action.

AVAILABLE: Mid to Late May







2.BEING RETIRED

Not too many this month but…still some great figures at their original issue price!!!
Check ‘em out and grab ‘em while you can.


LAH119 Walking Drum Horse
LAH120 Officer on Walking Horse
LAH121 Mounted Flag Bearer
LW041A Major Walter"Nowi" Novotny
LW041B Major Heinz Bar
NE002 Arab Guide on foot
NE006 Soldiers drinking
NE007 Standing Dragoon
NE008 Kneeling soldier
NE010 The Artist
NE014 The Graffiti Artist

And that my friends is that for another 30 or so days. I look forward to meeting up with at least some of you in San Antonio in a few weeks but in the meantime… all the very best and GREAT SALES!

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

 

[Guy]

On my list are :
The US tank riders,
The German tank riders
The Crémerie
The Staurt and
The Panther
I'm bankrupt
guy^&grin

 

[villagehorse]

Those kneeling Germans are on my list. Would like those civilians too, but they are no doubt some future release if ever. Light month for me. Robin.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

I like the figures without bases and they can be used in so many different ways. I have placed another order for some more commando's and can't wait to see were K&C take this range. Chris.{sm4}

 

[Hadrian]

Those kneeling Germans are on my list. Would like those civilians too, but they are no doubt some future release if ever. Light month for me. Robin.

May I give you some information:
The "new" civilians are made by kronprinz toysoldiers, these are not from K&C

Best regards

 

[ExRanger]

Love these new German releases. They have Stalingrad written all over them!!!!!

 

[Obee]

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

 

[mikemiller1955]

VERY NICE!!!

I just ordered the 7 new Hoplites...

I'm sure some Persians are right around the corner...

 

[binder001]

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.

 

[Mike97]

Really like the new German troops with no bases.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

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.

After such an excellent job on the British/Canadian version of the M3A3 http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?46924-M3A3-Stuart&highlight= this is really poor. Especially after a recent thread was entirely devoted to M3A3 vs M5 http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?45709-The-New-Stuart&highlight=m3a3

And that Gary is why I haven't bothered to post our work on identifying the many variations of the Sherman tank and where they saw combat.

Terry