KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- May 2021 (1 Viewer)

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Where was this mate?

Scott

Hello Scott

It is a common picture, see below, it is on a few websites, plus i have seen it in a few books, it from operations in Holland,

Canada WW2 Tanks (Page 6) - Line.17QQ.com


See another picture of a Canadian Firefly in Holland, there are loads of pictures of Canadian Sherman Fireflys with track all over them,
 

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That is not a British Firefly, it is Canadian Firefly, it is from the 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment, Sherbrooke Fusiliers, 3nd Canadian Armoured Brigade.
There was no decision at a high level on tank tracks position on tanks in the British armoured regiments, as with many of these things it was done at operational levels, be it regiment, squadron or troop. Most did of course, originally as replacements more than added protection. I have read that some officers did not like it on turret as it masked the turret markings, there was also a problem with any turret mountings, which added weight that could effect the turret rotation, putting weight pressure on the power drive or more effort and/or slower if the turret was hand cranked. If up there on the turret they would be used mainly as extra armour as there would be problems getting tracks up there and off again, they are quite heavy. Plus there no brackets on the turret to hang them off.

Increased armour was a bit of an obsession, which is understandable, especially against panzerfaust and bazookas, but it was thought they were a waste of time as the attacks by such weapons was done at such a short range, under 70 yards they aimed at the tank hull and very few hit the turret and they would would ineffectual again anti tank shells.

The Canadians appeared to have really gone for it and there are many pictures of Canadian units where the tanks are awash with track links.

If we are looking at the 23rd Hussars Sherman Fireflys in Normandy [they did not land until several days after D Day] the answer is no, simply by research through pictures I have from books and internet searches, none of the tanks have track attached to their turrets, all Sherman tanks not just Fireflys. There are very few attached to hull sides and the ones I have seen it cannot be confirmed the tank is from that regiment.

I for one greatly appreciate your contributions to this forum; your WWII knowledge is impressive, kudos to you for being such a student of history, I am so sorry COVID mucked up your plans to be a guide over in France, perhaps as things return to some sort of normalcy you can revisit the idea, perhaps in the Spring of 2022?

Thank you again for all the information you provide.
 
Just a suggestion. Perhaps we will see Anastasia and Rasputin.
 
I for one greatly appreciate your contributions to this forum; your WWII knowledge is impressive, kudos to you for being such a student of history, I am so sorry COVID mucked up your plans to be a guide over in France, perhaps as things return to some sort of normalcy you can revisit the idea, perhaps in the Spring of 2022?

Thank you again for all the information you provide.

I second this mate! I can only wish to be as knowledgeable as you are one day!

Scorr
 
KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES
MAY 2021


Hi Guys,
Welcome to the ‘Merry Month of May’ and our latest K&C edition of ‘DISPATCHES’.
This month’s offerings provide a broad and expansive mixture of all-new items and a few fresh renditions of very popular K&C favourites from our huge inventory.
Also, please take note of this month’s ‘Retirement List’... It’s a long one and contains some very special items that are only available in small numbers... So don’t miss out on them!
Well, without further ado, let’s get on with the show...

1. WHAT’S NEW IN MAY...?
A. “The Skirl o’ The Pipes and The Beat o’ The Drum”

The origins of the British military’s pipe bands can be traced back to the early 1800’s as soldier / musicians were tasked with keeping pace and morale up on long marches with their respective regiments.
This inevitably led to the global spread and popularity of ‘piping’ as the British Empire expanded and the British Army’s Scottish Regiments ranged far and wide both building and defending its colonies and citizens.
By the 18th Century, the highland bagpiper would perform as a soloist or as a member of a Regiment’s ‘Pipes & Drums’ band.
Army pipe bands were officially recognized by the British War Office in 1854 and thereafter became a permanent fixture and addition to all Scottish regiments.
The leading piper became known as the ‘Pipe Major’ while the mace wielding NCO In the front of the band was the ‘Drum Major’.
With Scots, both military and civilian at the forefront of Britain’s colonial adventures so its national music and its pipers and drummers spread Scottish culture and music to the four corners of the world.
Among the most famous ‘exporters’ and ‘exponents’ of Scotland’s national music were the men of The Black Watch.
Here is our tribute in miniature to a fine old Scots regiment...

View attachment 275025

CE028 ‘The Black Watch Pipes & Drums’
This magnificent 13 figure set , laid out in its own large box contains the following...
1 x ‘Drum Major’
6 x ‘Pipers’
(which includes a ‘Pipe Major’ )
2 x ‘Tenor Drummers’
1 x ‘Bass Drummer’ and
3 x ‘Side Drummers’

Points to note, all six Pipers wear the ‘Royal Stewart’ tartan and the black doublet jacket. All drummers and the Drum Major wear the regiment’s scarlett tunics and the traditional ‘Black Watch Government Tartan’
Although K&C has produced this 13-man set most military ‘pipes & drum’ bands are actually larger... Anywhere from 8-16 pipers and 4-6 side drummers which is why we have also made available...

CE061 ‘The Black Watch Piper’
These individual bagpipers can be purchased as ‘solo’ pieces to add on to and increase your ‘pipes & drums’ or… stand alone.

CE062 ‘The Black Watch Drummer’
A superb little figure complete with his bugle and side drum.

AVAILABLE: Early May

Absolutely knocked out by the new D day figures and Firefly. Saw them in an advert somewhere a week ago and I must say I will be buying all of them and the two new landing craft. Well done King & Country!
 
Oh dear, here we go again, another release of an older set of figures.

There seems to have been some re-mounting as the horses are different, but the same 3 poses for the troopers are being used again.

If they had a head transplant and got a brass helmet, they could be used a another dragoon regiment, but even more Scots Greys is going too far for me.

Give me the Inniskilling Dragoons instead and I'd be happy, must be my Irish ancestry and then we could have another regiment that fought at Waterloo who Wellington called 'the poor bloody Irish' :) :)

By the way, NA478 “The Scots Greys Galloper” states he's a trooper ... but he sure looks like an officer going on his gold braid and pouch belt and pouch.

Maybe Andy needs to correct that description ???

John

I'll be passing on these too, since I collected all of the Scots Greys from the initial release several years ago. I understand why it makes sense to keep the iconic regiments of Waterloo i.e. the Old Guard, Scots Greys, highlanders available for newer collectors to the series, but I do wish that K&C would diversify its Napoleonic coverage to the other units in Wellington's Anglo-Allied army and Napoleon's Armée du Nord. Not mention Blücher and the Prussians!

Brendan
 
I'll be passing on these too, since I collected all of the Scots Greys from the initial release several years ago. I understand why it makes sense to keep the iconic regiments of Waterloo i.e. the Old Guard, Scots Greys, highlanders available for newer collectors to the series, but I do wish that K&C would diversify its Napoleonic coverage to the other units in Wellington's Anglo-Allied army and Napoleon's Armée du Nord. Not mention Blücher and the Prussians!

Brendan

many thanks for your comments Brendan...My choice of ‘Napoleonics’ are influenced by two main points...What sells...and, importantly, what I like!
Best wishes,
Andy.
 
What happened to just playing and enjoying your Toy Soldiers.
It seems there are so many arm chair warriors here that know everything,
Gentlemen go and serve, then you will find out what happens to vehicles and
equipment under combat conditions.
Seems such a shame this hobby cant be fun anymore.
For those that havent. Bosnia, Kosavo, Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan.
Ive seen lots of equipment and vehicles that have been modified.
 
I have not bought a tank for a good while, I have ordered my Firefly. :wink2:
 
John,
I clearly remember when the original Scots Greys were released as I was in old shop. We are talking about 16 years ago. Not sure when they retired but quite a few years now.
Have to confess I was one of the ones who asked Andy to re-release them. The reason being there are newer collectors who missed the original ones or did not get them all. K&C currently has no British cavalry so made sense to me to go for the most famous Regiment. Looks like a new pose at 2nd right in the group photo and Ewart is a new version.
Brett


I agree. Give the newer collector a chance. Nothing wrong with a re-release.
 
many thanks for your comments Brendan...My choice of ‘Napoleonics’ are influenced by two main points...What sells...and, importantly, what I like!
Best wishes,
Andy.

Fair enough. They are great looking figures, and it's hard to beat the élan of the Scots Greys at the charge.

Brendan
 
many thanks for your comments Brendan...My choice of ‘Napoleonics’ are influenced by two main points...What sells...and, importantly, what I like!
Best wishes,
Andy.

Good answer.
Could you hurry up and like some more dead Naps please
British, Scottish and Cuirassiers separate from their horses.
Cheers
Rob
 
Gents

I hate that I must take time to delete posts on a thread about new soldiers coming out. If you don't like it keep your critiques professional and refrain from Personal Attacks please. If there are any objections to this action please feel free to PM me or any of the other moderators and we will be happy to discuss it.

Dave
 
I like Sejanus. I see no problems with the new releases. The Firefly is awesome. Just wish it was less expensive, but I have loved every K&C vehicle I have ever bought. Some models have more detail but K&C does vehicles right; accurate + fun.
Paddy
 
Fair enough. They are great looking figures, and it's hard to beat the élan of the Scots Greys at the charge.

Brendan


Many thanks Brendan and to you and the many other guys for your positive and appreciative comments on this month’s Dispatches...Enjoy the weekend and all the best,
Andy.
 
Great stuff, but taking it back to May 3rd for a bit - Enjoy the Dispatches from K & C every month ( and the weekly updates from Julie at Treefrog, also the updates from John at JJD and Blake at TGM).
This is a great hobby with some great people. Although, if I did not start collecting in 2007, I would most likely be driving a nicer car and have a lot more space in my house without all those pesky boxes around.:)
In the last month or so, I have purchased 10 K & C sets, 5 TGM sets, 3 JJD, 2 Last Post sets, and 2 New Model Army ( remember them?). It is a great problem as a buyer to have too many choices.
 
Gentle Friends,

It seems some of you enjoy keeping the moderators busy. This thread is intended to present K&C's list of currently new releases and, while it if fair game to evaluate the new figures, it is not fair game to throw insults back and forth. Doubtless, if insulting personal interaction continues, it will become necessary to lock the thread. I suggest everyone calm down and remember we are engaged in a meaningful hobby that is intended to bring fun, relaxation, and relief into our lives.

Please continue enjoying the thread while demonstrating respect for individual differences, differing opinions, and individual values.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :)
 
Thanks for cleaning up the thread, was getting a bit out of hand.
I/we or any of us meet at a show or whereever, let’s remember these social media forums are great, but not real life, they can be a drip sesh [time where complaints can be aired], but sometimes, like this, they get out of hand. If/when Tfroggers meet over a beer or a brew, we can share our love of Toy Soldiers and what brings us together. Pondering the real thing we do not understand "Why doesn't everyone collect Toy Soldiers? What is wrong with them?"
 
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