KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- October 2014 (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

“DISPATCHES”
OCTOBER 2014​

IF SEPTEMBER was a “BUMPER MONTH” for K&C releases then I think, and hope, OCTOBER is going to be even more “BUMPERER”!!!

I’m pretty sure that’s not good English but it truly expresses what all of us at King & Country feel about this month’s set of releases...

Of course by the time you read this some of you will have seen a part of what is coming out, thanks to the Chicago Show and our own preview but it’s still nice to know all the details.
So here goes...

1. Coming in October
A. FRANCE 1944!
After the Normandy Invasion of June 6, 1944 there was still plenty of fighting to do before the hated Boches were driven from France.

As the Allied Armies rapidly built up and advanced out of the Normandy “bocage” all kinds of situations (and opportunities) arose that some soldiers were only too happy to take advantage of...

DD239 “Gang of Heroes”
In every army, in every war there are always some individuals who are on the lookout for ways to enrich themselves by one way... or another. The U.S. Army was no exception!

Some soldiers helped themselves to wine, women and song...Others looted valuable jewelry, paintings, ornaments, silverware – virtually anything they could lay their mitts on.
A few had even bigger ambitions... they went after gold bullion!

Four GI’s have an appointment with a bank manager somewhere behind German lines and intend to make a rather large withdrawal...

AVAILABLE: Early October!

 

[King & Country]

DD175 “Liberation! ”
One of the more pleasant aspects of the Allied drive through France was the rapturous welcome “Tommies” and “Yanks” received when they liberated French towns and villages.
Here this “Tom” is delighted to get an enthusiastic hug and a kiss from a pretty young French girl.

DD241 “Walking Wounded”
Even in the midst of victory there are still “casualties”...One GI helps his buddy to the nearest Aid Station.

DD242 “Sitting Wounded”
Another GI has caught a piece of shrapnell in his knee...He sits down to take a closer look before applying a field dressing.

DD243 “Cheers!”
This GI, during a lull in the battle, takes out his canteen to refresh himself... Is it water...or some of that fine French wine him and his buddies “liberated” the day before?

DD244 “U.S. Army Movie Cameraman”
A companion piece to our earlier released “Combat Photographer” (DD076). This new guy belongs to the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps who had hundreds of brave photographers and movie cameramen on the front line covering all aspects of the war and “Theatres of Operations.” Our guy is armed with a vintage Bell & Howell camera... and a .45.

DD245 “Back Thataways”
A walking GI indicates to the “Walking Wounded” (DD241) where the nearest Aid Station is.

DD246 “Supplies Medic”
This Medic is “humping” some “K Rations” to help feed the hungry wounded.

AVAILABLE: Mid-October

 

[King & Country]

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[King & Country]

B. “A Jeep will Never Let You Down!”
From France to Holland in one mighty jump... But still World War Two.

MG053 “Airborne Jeep”
When it comes to the Paras you can never have “too many jeeps” . Since all our earlier Para Jeeps are retired we’ve had many requests for another... and here it is. A simple, straight forward, regular “Airborne Jeep” complete with Para driver.

AVAILABLE: Mid-October

 

[King & Country]

C. ”And Now For Something Completely Different...”

INTRODUCING PIKE & MUSKET

For many, many years the English Civil War has been a passion of mine. The mighty struggle between King Charles I and his rebellious parliament is a subject myself and K&C have looked at intensely from many different angles.

It’s also a subject few other toy soldier companies (or miniature makers) have tackled in any great depth... until now.

The war, actually a series of three wars, began in 1642 and ended in 1651. It was fought between the King and his supporters (“Cavaliers”) and Parliament, eventually led by Oliver Cromwell , and his side (“Roundheads”).
The principal issue at hand was how and who should govern the country...A monarch chosen by God or a parliament chosen by the people (at least those who could vote).

The overall outcome was three-fold...The trial and execution of Charles I and the exile of his son, the future Charles II...

The abolition of the Monarchy and its replacement by a republican “Commonwealth” ...
And the rise and rule of Oliver Cromwell , Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

This colourful and dramatic new series “ Pike & Musket ” will cover many aspects of this epic struggle –both military and civilian and promises to be one of the largest and most extensive in King & Country’s history.

Our first release features Oliver Cromwell himself and men from Parliament’s “New Model Army” ...

PnM001 “Parliamentary Officer w/Halberd and Pistol”
Among Parliament’s troops many of the officers were chosen by their fellow soldiers. Some had previous military experience, many did not...Trial and error and trial by battle soon sorted out the “sheep from the goats”.

PnM002 “Crouching Pikeman”
A long pike held in the left hand this Pikeman reaches across with his right to draw his sword in a classic pose.

PnM003 “Present Pikeman”
With pike firmly held in the horizontal position this soldier prepares to receive an enemy charge...either foot or mounted.

PnM004 “Vertical Pikeman”
As above but with the pike held upwards.

PnM005 “Advancing Pikman”
With one hand holding his sword and the other the pike the soldier steps forward.

PnM006 “Standing Pikeman”
At attention with a two-handed grip on the pike.

PnM008 “Oliver Cromwell”
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was the dominant personality of the English Civil War. Originally from a modest country background he rose rapidly through the Parliamentary ranks from a humble troop commander to a regimental colonel and then a Lieutenant General of Horse all within the space of two years.
Although lacking any formal military education he knew instinctively how to lead and train men...and get the best from them.
Eventually he would be given the title “Lord Protector”. Our figure shows him in typical military dress of the early part of the war as a Colonel of Horse. The figure is based on the statue of Cromwell to be found outside Parliament in London...Sword in one hand... bible in the other!

PnM009 “Firing Musketeer”
The majority of muskets used in the Civil War were “matchlocks”. Our “Musketeer” uses his forked “rest” to steady his weapon. Extra ammunition was carried in a cross belt “bandoleer” which usually had 12 or more small wooden containers each with enough powder for a single round.

PnM010 “Advancing Musketeer”
Musket and Rest in hand this soldier prepares to move forward.

PnM011 “Loading Musketeer”
This musketeer pours the powder from its wooden container onto the barrel of his matchlock.

PnM012 “Regimental Flagbearer”
The “Blew Regiment of the Cittie of London Trayned Bandes” was a militia regiment of about 1200 musketeers and 800 pikemen drawn from the citizens of the capitol. At the time England had no standing army so, in times of war and strife, locally trained volunteers were virtually all that was available.
Upon the outbreak of war London declared for Parliament and the regiment fought in most of the notable battles of the conflict.
Our flagbearer holds the standard of the 5th Captain of the Regiment.

PnM013 “Trooper w/Pistol”
This dismounted trooper carries both sword and pistol. He wears the distinctive “lobster-pot” helmet with the protective steel face visor raised. Under his armoured cuirass he wears the heavy buff leather long jacket.

Special Uniform Note:
The soldiers who fought in the English Civil War had more uniformity than their Continental contemporaries in the “Thirty Years War”...What uniformity they had was very much up to the tastes and pockets of individual colonels who raised each regiment.
Most officers wore their own personal civilian clothes. The rank and file however was issued with certain items such as coats, breeches, various headgear (including helmets) and of course, shoes, boots and stockings – subject to availability.
Blue and red were the most common uniform colours although white, grey and green were also seen in both armies. In effect this means that what we call “Parliamentary” with this first release can alternatively “change sides” as more soldiers appear to be released in the future.

AVAILABLE: Mid-October!

PRICE: TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

[King & Country]

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[King & Country]

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[King & Country]

D. “From The Fields of England to the Plains Of Montana...”
More Indian warriors join the battle against Custer and his 7th Cavalry...

TRW068(P) “Winchester Warrior”
A Cheyenne “ Dog Soldier ” wheels around looking for his next “long knife” opponent!

TRW069(P) “Red Knife”
This well-known chief reins in his pony as he gets ready to fire.

TRW070(P) “The Chief”
A sitting leader hears the din of battle in the distance...His warriors already have the white men on the run... There is no need to hurry.

TRW071(P) “Rain-In-The-Face”
One of the Sioux’s most noted war-chiefs “Rain-In-The-Face” was a Lakota and famous among the tribe for his fighting ability and leadership.

Here he is riding into battle, with his full eagle-feather war bonnet, rifle held over his head...Totally unafraid of the “Long Knives” or their bullets!

AVAILABLE: Early October

 

[King & Country]

TRW064 “Sioux Indian Tepee (Version #1)”
The traditional Plains Indian dwelling made out of buffalo hides and individually decorated.

TRW083 “Sioux Indian Tepee (Version #2)”
The second of two tepees that can help make you an Indian village that Custer and his men fatefully (for them) attacked.

AVAILABLE: End October/Early November

 

[King & Country]

E. “MORE CASUALTIES OF WAR”
Since the highly successful launch, earlier this year, of German Medics, Wounded & Ambulances we decided to add a few more...

WH002 “Medic & Wounded”
A German Medic drags a wounded “Soldaten” away from the battle...

WH003 “Out of Danger!”
Another Medic and a fellow soldier pull another seriously wounded comrade out of harm’s way.

WH004 “Opel Blitz Ambulance (camouflage)”
The second version of this great ambulance model. This particular two-coloured Opel Blitz can be utilized in a wide variety of “combat theatres” — North Africa...Italy...Normandy...even the Eastern Front and all-points-in-between.

WS210 Sd.Kfz.222 Armoured Car (Normandy)
This great little vehicle is perfect for any scenes and dioramas from 1943 onwards on both East and West Fronts.

AVAILABLE: Mid-October

 

[King & Country]

And finally...” Christmas Comes But Once A Year”
F. Our Christmas Sets
Every year we try and bring out something that captures the spirit of Christmas... with a military flavor...

XM014-01 “Red Cross Santa”
A fully-laden Santa has brought a fully-laden sack load of red cross parcels, gifts and something to drink for the troops — Hope they like it!?!

XM014-02 “Merry Christmas Tommy!”
On Christmas Day 1914, the guns on the Western Front fell silent as troops from both sides left their trenches and crossed into “No Man’s Land” .
Here, a “Fritz” and a “Tommy” greet each other watched over by a benevolent snowman. A poignant reminder that, for a few brief hours, peace and harmony united the two warring sides...

AVAILABLE: Mid-October

 

[King & Country]

2. BEING RETIRED...
Not too many...but they are well worth getting while you can!

NA202 Gordon Highlanders Kneeling to Repel
NA203 Gordon Highlanders Kneeling Firing
NA204 Gordon Highlanders Kneeling Loading
NA205 Gordon Highlanders Standing Firing
NA206 Gordon Highlanders Standing to Repel
NA207 Gordon Highlanders Charging
NA208 Gordon Highlanders Mounted Major
NA209 Gordon Highlanders Drummer
NA210 Gordon Highlanders Advancing
NA211 “Gordons & Greys to the Front!”
MK076 Sir Archibald Douglas


And that my friends is that...Look out for our little “Pike & Musket” film on Facebook and on the Treefrog Forum. I hope there’s something for you.
All the very best and happy collecting!

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

 

[wayne556517]

WH002 and 003 are classic sets a must have like the new line (PnM) as well another great set of releases.

 

[Mark IV]

Wayne,

You are certainly right about WH002 & WH003 being classic sets.

I particularly like the camouflage ambulance and the ability to use with desert figures which means I will get this rather than the grey version.

Regards
Mark

 

[villagehorse]

This is a big month of releases. Another Market Garden item so soon after the last lot is a surprise. More hospital Germans excellent. The English Civil War figures are too nice to pass up. Ouch this is going to hurt the pocket. Well done Andy. Do not forget that Arnhem Tram.:salute::, Robin.

 

[Obee]

I'm glad that I already have all of the retired NAPs....

So not an expensive month for me

I think that the Christmas set of the centenary of the 1914 in the trenches is very special... Well Done !!

John

 

[Rob]

Yep WW1 Centenary Christmas set will be in my hands asap along with that Jeep:salute:: Lovely releases, very pleased for Captain Grey too, some nice sets for you too mate:smile2:

Rob

 

[TomNT]

Oh dear, so many must haves amongst this lot! The camo 222, camo ambo, MG Jeep, G.I's, more wounded Jerries, I think im gunna be amongst the walking wounded financially this month! {sm2}

Tom

 

[Maccoy]

Oh dear, so many must haves amongst this lot! The camo 222, camo ambo, MG Jeep, G.I's, more wounded Jerries, I think im gunna be amongst the walking wounded financially this month! {sm2}

Tom

Money is a dangerous enemy to most collectors...{sm4}

To me too...Camo 222, the MG Jeep and some Gi's, beetween others ....lol

 

[jazzeum]

Yep WW1 Centenary Christmas set will be in my hands asap along with that Jeep:salute:: Lovely releases, very pleased for Captain Grey too, some nice sets for you too mate:smile2:

Rob

I will be oredering the WW I Xmas set as well, plus the Britain's version of two soldiers playing football (soccer for Yanks).

Brad