Thomas Gunn Miniatures: May Releases

The latest releases from TGM, including a couple of German soldiers who have definitely seen better days. For more detailed images and information, visit the website by clicking on the following LINK!

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King and Country: May Dispatches

 

The latest releases from King and Country

King & Country May 2014 Releases!

Ancient Greek Alternative Additions When 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)  Ancient Greece "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 Voltigeurs Officer Shouting  NA274 -- French Voltigeurs Flagbearer Advancing  NA275 -- French Voltigeurs Charging Port Arms  NA276 -- French Voltigeurs Trumpeter - This voltigeur is carrying the hunting horn and wears the lighter blue uniform NA277 -- French Voltigeurs Advancing Firing  NA278 -- French Voltigeurs Kneeling Firing  NA279 -- French Voltigeurs Advancing Loading  NA280 -- French Voltigeurs Charging with Bayonet  NA281 -- French Voltigeurs Advancing with Rifle Up  NA282 -- French Voltigeurs Advancing Pointing  French Artillery, Infantry, and Dragoons.   D-Day - American 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 -- US 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 -- US 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. D-Day '44 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  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. Royal Airforce "ON A FRENCH STREET..." 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". Diorama and Scenic Building Collection "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. Note: All of the above figures can be utilized in or on vehicles as well as on the ground in action. 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. 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  Normandy '44 - Waffen-SS & Wehrmacht

King & Country - Being Retired

BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH A large batch this month... Please note we only Hyperlink the categories in case an individual piece has already sold out! Berlin 1938 LAH119 Walking Drum Horse LAH120 Officer on Walking Horse LAH121 Mounted Flag Bearer Berlin'38 Leibstandarte Luftwaffe LW041A Major Walter"Nowi" Novotny LW041B Major Heinz Bar Luftwaffe Napoleon In Egypt NE002 Arab Guide on foot NE006 Soldiers drinking NE007 Standing Dragoon NE008 Kneeling soldier NE010 The Artist NE014 The Graffiti Artist> Napoleon In Egypt Retirements

Thomas Gunn Miniatures: Latest Releases

All the latest releases from Thomas Gunn Miniatures, courtesy of Sierra Toy Soldiers in California

In Stock Now!
The French Foreign Legion

A few more additions to the FFL range in the form of a 'C Version' from last months releases in very limited numbers wearing Pith hats. The Pith hat was very common headwear in the Legion from the late 1800 onwards and despite Hollywood's best efforts to portray Legionnaires only wearing Kepis, this is not historically accurate. We have therefore made FFL 17/18/19/24 all in Pith hats with FFL16 HMG set also to follow in this format. These figures will make an interesting addition to your fighting square/ firing line and give it that extra touch of authenticity. Please note that very shortly we expect to see more Tuareg's make an appearance to balance things out slightly. Designs have been submitted to the sculptor and will be ready soon.

• FFL017C -- Standing and Kneeling Firing legionnaires wearing backpacks - Limited to an initial release of 50 sets
• FFL018C -- Standing and Kneeling Repel with bayonets fixed. - Limited to an initial release of 50 sets
• FFL019C -- Standing Firing Legionnaire. - Limited to an initial release of 50 sets
• FFL024C -- Reload - Limited to an initial release of 50 sets

French Foreign Legion

African Wars

Another successful series for us with some great looking additions this month as below.  Some mounted figures and personalities to follow shortly but as they say loose lips sink ships so no more information at present! However I can announce that a remake of SFA001 is on its way with a whole host of other redcoats which will be available in May/June 2014.

• SFA004 -- Running 60th Rifles - Our first Zulu War 60th Rifles release with many more to follow. Two soldiers charging and dressed in their distinctive green uniforms with black webbing, the 60th Rifles will make a great addition to your Zulu War battlefield diorama. Limited to 100 in number.
• SFA007 -- British Infantry firing downwards - Switching back to the more traditional 24th Regiment of Foot we have 2 firing downwards riflemen. These will look great on top of a building or firing down from the William Britains sandbag redoubt, which is still available from us. Limited to 100 in number.

African Wars

The Great War

• GW019A -- Corporal York - Moving on with the Americans we are delighted to introduce Cpl Alvin York in action winning his Medal of Honour for action in France. York's unit the 328th Infantry Regiment was a member of the 82nd All American Division, the forerunners of the now world famous 82nd Airborne Division. During this action York along with 7 other members of his platoon managed to capture 132 Germans, kill 28 more and take possession of 32 machine guns. York seemed to lead a charmed life during this engagement and despite having a German officer empty his pistol at York, whilst York was busy shooting 6 Germans with his pistol, all the German officers shots missed! The German officer then promptly offered to surrender along with the remainder of his men. After the engagement York was promoted to Sgt and went onto worldwide fame. We have limited this edition of York to 100 in number.
• GW020A -- Sergeant Early - Sgt Early was the platoon leader during the engagement but was wounded forcing York to take command. Our all action 'All American' figure shows Early about to throw a grenade, limited to 100 in number.
• GW021A -- Private Percy Beardsley - Lying in the prone position Beardsley provides covering fire during the epic action. Limited once more to 100 in number.
• GW022A -- Private Fred Waring - Unfortunately Waring was one of the platoon casualties during the assault and did not make it back 'Stateside.' Our depiction of Waring is limited to 100 in number

We have made a B version of all of the above American figures wearing gasmasks and as such can be used in any late war action featuring American troops. I am not sure if any American troops have been made in 1/30 scale wearing gasmasks so these will make a very unique offering for sure!

Priced as per the A versions and once more limited to 100 in number. More 82nd 'All American' troops are in the pipeline, enabling you to build a full battle scene in the near future. An American aircraft is also planned to accompany this series and should be available very soon.

• GW019B -- US Corporal (Gas Mask) 
• GW020B -- US Sergeant (Gas Mask) 
• GW021B -- US Private Prone Firing 
• GW022B -- US Private Casualty 

World War One

World War 2

• SS037 -- Maiale manned torpedo - Developed by the Italians prior to WW2 and used with some success against British warships in Alexandria harbour, with 3 British ships being badly damaged during the action. Other raids were not so successful but the British thought there was enough merit in the idea to copy the Maiale and renamed it 'Chariot' where they also had some minor successes.
  The Germans trained with their Italian Allies on the Maiale, but decided to develop their own manned torpedo which they named the Neger, used with limited success during the latter stages of the war. Two Axis Diver figure compliment the set and as such rarely seen in 1/30 scale. One of them features Friederich Hummel an SS officer awarded the Knights Cross for his actions as a diver during the Allied Market Garden operation. Hummel trained with the Italians from their base outside Venice during WW2 and here we depict him suiting up for another training mission.
  Limited to 130 in number. A British version will be available later on in the year for all you Allied fans.
• SS042 -- Politzei Staff Car - A wartime variant of our recently released BER009 staff car, this time complete with SS driver and plenty of mud! Vehicle also comes with a spare steering wheel in order that the driver can be removed and displayed without driver if required. Will make a great accessory as a standalone piece or with the Feldgendarmerie officer from V007! A guardhouse, barrier and plenty of other accessories are due to follow for this series in the near future. Limited to 100 in number
• V007A -- Light Staff Car 1937 Model Normandy - A beautiful little staff car complete with driver and a Wehrmacht Feldgendarmerie officer waiting patiently to see the drivers papers. This product is the first vehicle from our new factory and is a very high quality product. The A version comes in a late war 3 tone camouflage pattern with the benefit of rotating wheels. Limited to 100 in number. The B version  comes in a fantastic looking winter camouflage whitewash over grey, with SS officer and is limited to 100 in number. Our final 'C Version' comes in a desert colour scheme and is limited to 50 in number. All of these models are beautifully made and as such will take Thomas Gunn into a new era of quality not seen before.
• V007B -- Light Staff Car 1937 Model Winter 
• V007C -- Light Staff Car 1937 Model Desert 

WWII German forces

Club Figure

The Carabinieres were famous in Belgian for their dark green coats and black webbing, much like other Rifle Regiments around the world. This uniform was quickly replaced in 1915 when the reality of trench warfare and even basic cloth shortages made such beautiful pre-war uniforms untenable. Our Carabiniere proudly marches off to war with his French and British Allies to take on the Hun! More Belgians to follow and also some Eastern Front figures later on in the year as the war slowly spreads around the globe! Please note a yellow line has now been added down the side of the trousers, the above photo is a preproduction shot and has not been amended yet.

• TG-FREE010 -- Belgian Carabiniere 

 

 

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John Jenkins Designs: June Releases

All the latest releases from JJD

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First Legion: Latest Update

The first figures in the company's new range, The Anglo-Zulu War, are now available for pre-order and there are a number of imminent releases due to be added to already well established ranges. Images courtesy of First Legion and The Toy Soldiers Club of Canada

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BTSS: News!

Apparently there's been a bit of a question mark hanging over this year's Birmingham Toy Soldier Show, a question mark concerning firstly whether it's going to be held at all and secondly concerning the venue for it, should it be going ahead

I've been completely oblivious to all this and my attention was only drawn to it thanks to the K&C UK Collectors Club newsletter that dropped through my letter box a few days ago

Thankfully, according to the newsletter, the show is back on, albeit with a different organiser at the helm and located in a different venue

The show has been taken over by Patrick Adams of the British Toy Soldier Company and will be held at Edgbaston Stadium on Sunday 12th October. In addition to this, the show will be sponsored and promoted by Bachmann Europe PLC, the new distributors for William Britain's toy soldiers

You may find the following information, which appears on the following website, [http://toysoldierfairbirmingham.com/] of some interest

Maybe I'll see you at the show in October, and in the meantime.....

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