King & Country Dispatches -- September 2025 (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

King & Country DISPATCHES
September 2025​

Hi Guys,

Welcome once more to a fairly diverse collection of new releases that will be time travelling to four different time zones in history and four very different locations… and so without further ado let’s jump into the King & Country ‘Time Machine’ and go back to our first port of call – Colonial America when Europeans, primarily the British, established settlements that became the 13 Colonies until the Revolution began in 1776 that then turned the world upside down…

As I wrote about last month 2026 marks the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and K&C is marking the event by delving back into the Revolutionary War with a whole new collection of both British and American troops that fought in it.

In August we introduced our ‘Redcoats’ and so, it’s only fair, that this month we also present some of the ‘Rebels’ and, perhaps, one of the most interesting units that fought for the American cause…

1. BEING RELEASED THIS MONTH

A. ‘The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard’

This elite military unit, commonly known as ‘Washington’s Life Guard’ was a unit of the Continental Army that protected General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Formed in early 1776, the Guard was with the future first president in all of his battles and was disbanded in 1783 at the end of the war.
The Guard itself was authorized on 11 March 1776 at Cambridge, Massachusetts with not only the task of protecting General Washington but also safeguarding the money and official papers of the Continental Army.
To that end, Washington directed that this corps of soldiers be made up of “sober, intelligent and reliable men”.
The original unit was relatively small, just four men from each of the Continental Army regiments then present at the siege of Boston.
The strength of this small corps then grew to number about 180 men until the winter of 1779-1780 when the whole army was encamped at Morristown, New Jersey in very close proximity to the British forces. The Guard was temporarily increased to 250.
For the first three years of its existence the Guard was commanded by Major Caleb Gibbs of Rhode Island. (K&C will release a mounted figure of the major later this year). Gibbs official title was ‘Captain Commandant’.
During the Guard’s relatively short existence several different accounts have been given about their uniform and general appearance.
King & Country considered several options before choosing the uniform details and descriptions provided by the Company of Military Historians and their excellent illustrated volume on ‘The Era of the American Revolution’. This book shows the soldiers of the Guard wearing blue coats faced with buff and a striking red waistcoat. On their heads they wore a round cap crested with black bearskin fur and decorated with a blue and white feathered plume. All in all a very striking appearance worthy of their position as the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard.

Here are the first 11 figures with more to follow…

AR076 ‘Washington’s Guard Company Standing Firing’

AR077 ‘W.G.C. Reaching For A Fresh Cartridge’

AR078 ‘W.G.C. Kneeling Firing’

AR079 ‘W.G.C. Kneeling Ready’

AR080 ‘W.G.C. Kneeling Reaching For A Cartridge’

AR081 ‘W.G.C. Standing Corporal shouting Orders’

AR082 ‘W.G.C. Standing w/Ramrod’

AR085 ‘W.G.C. Drummer Boy’
Typically young boys, marched and fought alongside their older fellow soldiers. Their drums alongwith fifes provided loud, clear signals that could by heard over the ‘din of battle’ signaling troop movements and actions.

AR088 ‘W.G.C. Present Arms!’

AR089 ‘W.G.C. Kneeling w/Ramrod’
An essential procedure in reloading your musket… see also AR082.

AR091 ‘General George Washington’
The great general himself standing proud and confident among his men. A previously released figure but with a greatly enhanced painting style.

AVAILABEL: Mid September



SPECIAL NOTE: As you can see there are several ‘missing numbers’ in the sequence of releases these include such figures as the Guard’s first commander, Major Caleb Gibbs and a Guard Flagbearer carrying one of General Washington’s own personal standards plus one or two other surprises… watch out for them in the coming months.

 

[King & Country]

B. ON THE HONG KONG BEAT

From Colonial America at the time of the Revolution to Colonial Hong Kong in the 1960’s and ‘70s… with a little reminder of what originally brought me to this ‘Pearl of the Orient’ in June 1977.

As many of you know I came to his amazing city to join The Royal Hong Kong Police as a trainee Inspector on a three year contract. Being a Colonial Police Force the R.H.K.P. was very British in its uniforms, equipment and vehicles.

Hong Kong has a very distinctive landscape, it’s not all towering skyscrapers but also steep mountains, hillsides and lots of rural countryside, towns and villages.

Over the years, the Police have used a wide range of transport to get around all of these diverse areas.

Among the most capable and useful vehicles for both urban and rural patrolling was the sturdy British-made Land Rover.

When I joined the force in 1977 the most visible and numerous were the long-wheelbase Series 3 Land Rovers. The R.H.K.P. had hundreds of them and you saw them everywhere… on city streets… in little villages in the New Territories… and all over the huge sprawling Kowloon district and even on some of Hong Kong’s outlying island communities.

These distinctive blue and white Land Rovers would normally carry a driver plus an inspector or a sergeant sitting next to him plus two or more constables in the back.

That was just one of the many reasons why Hong Kong was, and still is, such a safe city all day and all night for all its people and its millions of foreigner visitors. The police presence on the street is both visible and yet not intrusive. Those old dark blue and white Land Rovers were an impressive part of that.

And now, here is the latest addition to K&C’s ‘Hong Kong All Our Yesterdays’ series and our fond memory of a great looking vehicle…

A choice of two are available:

HKY026 R.H.K.P. Land Rover (Western District)
This long-wheel base Land Rover carries the markings of “Western District”, on the western portion of Hong Kong Island. This area includes Kennedy Town, Sai Ying Poon and Shek Tong Tsui. It’s a vibrant area where traditional Chinese culture in bustling street markets and old buildings meets towering, high rise modern developments. It’s also well known for its many diverse restaurants and bars.

HKY027 R.H.K.P. Land Rover (Emergency Unit / Hong Kong)
This second long-wheel base Land Rover bears the markings EU/HK. These units can be placed at different police stations around Hong Kong Island.
Their duty is to provide a rapid response to any emergency situation, including 999 calls as well as speedy and additional presence of uniformed police on the ground to combat all kinds of criminal activity.

PLEASE NOTE: Both vehicle models include a seated police officer figure in the driving position.

AVAILABLE: Mid September

 

[King & Country]

C. ‘SHARPE’S 95TH RIFLES’

Over the years K&C has explored many different aspects of the Napoleonic Wars as well as some of the most famous regiments that fought on both sides of the conflict.

Now we are returning to one particular formation that played a vital role in a six year campaign called… The Peninsular War. This mighty struggle (1808-1814) was fought across the length and breadth of the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal, Spain and Britain fighting against the invading and occupying forces of Napoleon’s Empire.

The focus of this new collection are soldiers of the 95th Rifles, at that time a relatively new regiment of the British Army. As one senior officer noted, “All officers and men of this new corps wore dark green uniforms with their belts and trim in black. They were also expert marksmen and skilled in fieldcraft and rapid movement on the battlefield!”

Another major difference was the rifle the 95th carried… The Baker Rifle. This weapon had groves inside the barrel which spun the bullet when fired which was much more accurate and… deadly.

INTRODUCING RICHARD SHARPE​

For the general public the exploits of the 95th Rifles became much better known because of a successful series of novels about the fictional exploits of a young officer who had risen from the ranks called… Richard Sharpe.

These highly popular novels were the inspired creation of Bernard Cornwell and it was not long before the books and its hero were turned into an outstanding television series which initially ran from 1993 until 1997 and has been repeated many times.

All featured the talent and skill of actor Sean Bean along with a large number of excellent British character actors in many supporting roles.

Thanks to the success and popularity of both Bernard Cornwell’s books and the television adaptations interest in the 95th Rifles has never been greater. As a devoted enthusiast for both the books and TV series K&C was inspired to design and produce this latest series of action figures depicting the men of the 95th and, one of their fictional officers.

As you can see when you view the photos in this month’s DISPATCHES these new 95th Rifles figures definitely look battle-worn, bruised and battered… but they will never be defeated!

NA537 “Captain Richard Sharpe of the 95th”
Sean Bean as Sharpe himself, proud, defiant and ready for battle with his Baker rifle.

NA538 95th Rifles “Ready, Aim, Fire” (Set of 2)
A pair of Riflemen prepare to fire on the enemy.

NA539 95th Rifles “Loading & Reloading” (Set of 2)
Another two Riflemen, one kneeling, one standing

NA540 95th Rifles “Taking Careful Aim” (Set of 2)
Two more Riflemen adopting two very different and original firing positions.

NA541 95th Rifles “Reaching for a Fresh Cartridge”

NA542 95th Rifles “Fix Sword Bayonets”
All rank and file of the 95th carried the unique ‘Sword / Bayonet’ which could be attached to the end of the Baker rifle.

NA543 95th Rifles “Walking Wounded”
Despite having a head wound this Rifleman can still report for duty.

AVAILABLE: Mid-Late September

Special Note: Additional 95th Riflemen are already in production for release later this year.

 

[King & Country]

D. “ACHTUNG SPITFIRE!”

From land battles in Spain and Portugal during the early 19th Century to aerial battles in the skies over southern Britain in the summer of 1940…
Here, at long last, are K&C’s latest two Supermarine Spitfires that battled Hitler’s mighty Luftwaffe during and beyond The Battle of Britain.
K&C warbird collectors probably know that the Spitfire is, by far, the most popular WW2 fighter aircraft we have ever produced!
These two ‘Spits’ are brand-new sculpts and have several new features including opening cockpit doors… radio wire between the antenna and the tail plane plus fast-spinning propellors and, of course, each has its own standing pilot figure to go with each aircraft.

RAF101 ‘Supermarine SPITFIRE MK II A’(Flown by F. Lieut. Eric Lock)
Eric Lock flew with No. 41 Squadron, part of RAF Fighter Command during the battle shooting down 21 German aircraft.
After the Battle of Britain he flew on the Channel Front, flying offensive sweeps over occupied France where he shot down another 5 enemy planes bringing his final score to 26 aircraft.
On 3 August 1941 he was presumed shot down by German flak after strafing enemy troops. Alas never to be seen again.

RAF102 ‘Supermarine SPITFIRE MKⅡ A’(Flown by Sqdn. Ldr. Brian Lane)
Brian Lane (1917-1942) was a flying ace who while serving as a flight leader with No. 19 Squadron shot down a number of enemy aircraft flying over the evacuation of the British Army from Dunkirk. For this he was awarded the D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross).
He later wrote the book ‘Spitfire!’ an excellent, first-hand account of his experience during the Battle of Britain. After this time he served briefly in North Africa before returning to the U.K. to command No. 167 Squadron in late 1942 flying the newer Spitfire MK. VBs.
On 13 December 1942 Squadron Leader Lane was leading a flight of four Spitfires on a sortie over Holland when they encountered enemy Focke Wulf 190s. He was last seen in pursuit of one FW190 and failed to return.

AVAILABLE: Late September


And that, my friends is September for you. I hope there is something for you in this little collection, if not well it’s not the end of the world…

In the meantime, all the best and happy collecting,

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

 

[Obee]

Sharpe's RIfles ..... BRILLIANT!!!

I love that the lads are in their campaign clothing, just like in the Peninsular Wars, some with soft hats, a bare head too, instead of the shako, and all wearing dirty / dusty trousers with patches.

Richard Sharpe is there too, leading his team 'over the hills and far away' !

The posed laying supported rifleman is most unique seeing his balancing his rifle on his foot, and the absence of bases on two of the guys will be valuable to pose them on the rocky dioramas.

AND there are more coming later this year, so now my Christmas presents are on the list!

Well done Andy !!

 

[Desertkiwi]

The 95th blokes are outstanding and the Sharpe figure a must.

Great pic of young Andy in HK uniform.

Really like the AWI chaps and the Spits are very cool too.

 

[villagehorse]

Particularly like the free spinning props for the Spits, very impressive. Robin.

 

[Panzer ace]

The George Washington figure looks excellent!

 

[MLH13]

Beautiful Spitfires, Andy!

Mark

 

[jazzeum]

I’d love one of these Rovers but it’s a bit more than I wish to spend.

 

[Stug]

The 95th look nice but wish they were Prussians or Nassau.

 

[Northwest Hussar]

I think I will be adding all of these to my Christmas list! Awesome!

 

[damian]

Sean B

C. ‘SHARPE’S 95TH RIFLES’

Over the years K&C has explored many different aspects of the Napoleonic Wars as well as some of the most famous regiments that fought on both sides of the conflict.

Now we are returning to one particular formation that played a vital role in a six year campaign called… The Peninsular War. This mighty struggle (1808-1814) was fought across the length and breadth of the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal, Spain and Britain fighting against the invading and occupying forces of Napoleon’s Empire.

The focus of this new collection are soldiers of the 95th Rifles, at that time a relatively new regiment of the British Army. As one senior officer noted, “All officers and men of this new corps wore dark green uniforms with their belts and trim in black. They were also expert marksmen and skilled in fieldcraft and rapid movement on the battlefield!”

Another major difference was the rifle the 95th carried… The Baker Rifle. This weapon had groves inside the barrel which spun the bullet when fired which was much more accurate and… deadly.

INTRODUCING RICHARD SHARPE​

For the general public the exploits of the 95th Rifles became much better known because of a successful series of novels about the fictional exploits of a young officer who had risen from the ranks called… Richard Sharpe.

These highly popular novels were the inspired creation of Bernard Cornwell and it was not long before the books and its hero were turned into an outstanding television series which initially ran from 1993 until 1997 and has been repeated many times.

All featured the talent and skill of actor Sean Bean along with a large number of excellent British character actors in many supporting roles.

Thanks to the success and popularity of both Bernard Cornwell’s books and the television adaptations interest in the 95th Rifles has never been greater. As a devoted enthusiast for both the books and TV series K&C was inspired to design and produce this latest series of action figures depicting the men of the 95th and, one of their fictional officers.

As you can see when you view the photos in this month’s DISPATCHES these new 95th Rifles figures definitely look battle-worn, bruised and battered… but they will never be defeated!

NA537 “Captain Richard Sharpe of the 95th”
Sean Bean as Sharpe himself, proud, defiant and ready for battle with his Baker rifle.

NA538 95th Rifles “Ready, Aim, Fire” (Set of 2)
A pair of Riflemen prepare to fire on the enemy.

NA539 95th Rifles “Loading & Reloading” (Set of 2)
Another two Riflemen, one kneeling, one standing

NA540 95th Rifles “Taking Careful Aim” (Set of 2)
Two more Riflemen adopting two very different and original firing positions.

NA541 95th Rifles “Reaching for a Fresh Cartridge”

NA542 95th Rifles “Fix Sword Bayonets”
All rank and file of the 95th carried the unique ‘Sword / Bayonet’ which could be attached to the end of the Baker rifle.

NA543 95th Rifles “Walking Wounded”
Despite having a head wound this Rifleman can still report for duty.

AVAILABLE: Mid-Late September

Special Note: Additional 95th Riflemen are already in production for release later this yea

Sean Bean such a Legend

 

[bridport]

Great to see these 95th are dressed for campaign and not parade.

I’m definitely in for these!

 

[Barkmann]

Sean B

Sure is, the new book is out on October 21st 2025, Sharpe's Storm.
Those than hunger for more fiction and the 9th try
CS Forester Death To French
The Hawkswood books by James McGee - Ex 95th Rifles Officer now a Bow Street Runner.

 

[oberstoskar]

One of the best releases in recent years! RHKP Land Rover is super awesome! Looking forward to more colonial HK themed releases. I hope for the new version of the early gwai Lo police officer with white pith helmet and colorful puggaree!

Sharpe is another long anticipated release! Where’s sergeant Harper?

 

[paxtoysoldier]

I’d love one of these Rovers but it’s a bit more than I wish to spend.

Great if you have the RHKP sets though. And cheaper than the real thing by far!

 

[jazzeum]

Great if you have the RHKP sets though. And cheaper than the real thing by far!

I have the glossy figures (except one) so it would be nice to add a Rover but it’s not a burning desire.

 

[Barkmann]

Great looking Spitfires, will they come in the same style box as the latest ME109 winter?
Same question for the recently released Hurricanes?

Cheers.