King and Country Dispatches

Tuesday April 2nd and it is time once again for the latest news from K&C. We begin with those figures previewed last month and available either now or a little later in the month
 

1.      APPEARING IN APRIL 2012

A: “Mounted Roman Auxiliary Cavalry in the time of Jesus”

LOJ018 “Auxiliary on Drinking Horse”
LOJ019 “Auxiliary on Standing Horse”

B. RAF038 “V for VICTORY!”

Prime Minister Winston Churchill in a very typical Churchillian pose

C. “BERLIN 1938”

The latest “BERLIN ‘38” releases include a great new display piece plus five figures… and a guard dog set

LAH151 “The Nazi Eagle Archway”
LAH152 “SA Man marching with Rifle”
LAH153 “SA Honour Guard with Rifle”
LAH 154 ”SS Dog Handler”
LAH 164 “Pre-1933 SS Man marching with Rifle”
LAH 165 “Pre-1933 SS Honour Guard with Rifle”

D. “THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!”

Finally, they are here… and this is just the “Advance Guard”! All of these new figures and tanks were previewed to great acclaim and enthusiasm at the recent “WEST COASTER” show near Los Angeles. We look forward to adding more in the future!

RA016 “Shouting Red Army Officer”
RA017 “Red Army Soldier Standing Charging”
RA018 "Red Army Soldier firing from the Waist"
RA019 "Red Army Soldier Running"
RA020 "Red Army Soldier Lying Prone"
RA021 “Red Army Soldier Standing Firing”

IMPORTANT! ARMOUR SUPPORT

RA025-1 “Soviet T34/76 (#23)”
RA025-2 “Soviet T34/76 (#25)”
RA025-3 “Soviet T34/76 (“For the Motherland”)”

The last of the trio has the Russian slogan painted on the side of the turret… Unfortunately in our preview sample K&C got the Russian spelling WRONG! Fortunately for us several of our Russian collectors spotted this and we were able to “correct” the spelling (in Russian)

E. “K&C’s DESERT AIR FORCE”

RAF039 “Curtiss P40 “Tomahawk”
RAF040 “RAF Medic & Wounded Pilot”


2. “AND NOW… FOR MAY!”

A.“PLAYING FOR THE OPPOSITE SIDE”



WS199 “T34/76 (German Version)”

As most K&C collectors already know the German Army in the first 18 months after their invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941 captured vast numbers of prisoners as well as huge amounts of weapons and fighting vehicles. The vehicles in particular proved useful and many were hastily repainted, given German markings and pushed back into action…only this time with German crews. Among the most famous were the T34’s…

Our grey-painted version is in the markings of the Third Waffen SS Division “TOTENKOPF” (“Death ’s head”). Decorated with several large “Balkan” crosses (for easy recognition) this fighting vehicle comes with a new German tank commander figure

SPECIAL NOTE: Planned Production is just 250 vehicles. In addition, a “winterized” T34/76 is scheduled for release later in the year

B.“IN A FRENCH VILLAGE”

SP050 “French Shop/House”

Here we’ve combined sections from two of our older Normandy Village Shop/Houses… made them bigger, added more detail and, we believe, made them even better than before… I hope you like this first one featuring a “Pharmacie”… Look out for more later in the year!

C.“JACK TAR”

Hong Kong has always been a favourite “port-of-call” for sailors of all nations for many years and so we decided to add another “Matelot” to our “Streets of Old Hong Kong” series

HK204 “Sailor at-ease”

Jolly “Jack Tar” on a run-ashore looking to down a few pints of beer and maybe seek out a little feminine company…

D.“VIVE L’EMPEREUR!”

Recently K&C has spent a bit more of its Napoleonic energies helping Bonaparte explore the wonders of Egypt… Now we’re moving back to Europe and the Emperor's heyday in the middle years of his reign with these two figures

NA237 “Mounted Napoleon”

The all-time, classic image of the Emperor showing him as he and his armies traversed the length and breadth of Europe… winning countless battles and making many enemies!

NA238 “Mounted LaSalle”

One of Napoleon’s most trusted, loyal and bravest commanders. He was also one of the most colourful… his self-designed uniforms were very noticeable on the battlefield … both to his men and to his opponents… he was killed leading his cavalry at the battle of WAGRAM in 1809 

E.“TWO MORE FIGHTING SCOTS”

Two late reinforcements for our 92nd. (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment…

NA241 “92nd Highlander marching w/Rifle”
NA242 “92nd Bagpiper Marching”
 
F.“BRITISH TOMMIES AT WAR”

Another of the series we previewed in America recently was our Second World War British Forces in Normandy and Holland during the latter part of the hostilities. Here are the first of a two-part release of “P.B.I” (Poor Bloody Infantry) and a fantastic new British armoured car…

DD165 “BT turning w/ Sten Gun”

 

This walking sergeant keeps a sharp lookout on his men as well as an even sharper lookout for the enemy!

DD166 “BT Stretcher Bearer”
DD167 “BT Port Arms”
DD168 “BT Rifle at the Trail”
 
DIVISIONAL NOTE: All of these latest soldiers belong to the famous British 3rd Infantry Division which fought in France in 1940. Evacuated at Dunkirk it returned to Europe on D-Day and fought all through France, Holland and into Germany in 1945

“FIRE SUPPORT”

Providing additional eyes, ears and gun support for our latest infantry is this great-looking addition to K&C ’s fighting vehicle collection…

DD176 “The Humber MKII Armoured Car”

This vehicle could only be designed in Britain … it is so ”British- looking” in style and a great model.
It first saw action in North Africa with the 8th Army (K&C will release a “desert-version” later this year). Our new K&C model is a “tribute” to the men of the Free Polish Army who fought alongside the British during the war

This Humber belongs to the Reconnaissance Regiment of the famous 1st Polish Armoured Division who fought in Normandy, Holland and Germany. Many of the “Free Poles” stayed on in Britain after the war marrying British girls and raising families rather than return to their Communist-dominated homeland

This vehicle set is dedicated to them, their country…and their service

SPECIAL NOTE: More D-Day/ Holland “Tommies” and another British vehicle will be released in June

G.“GUARDING THE FORBIDDEN CITY”

NOW, we journey back to imperial Peking with two more sets of the Emperor’s personal bodyguard regiment

IC041 “Imperial Match Lock Gun Team A”

IC042 “Imperial Match Lock Gun Team B”

Both two-man sets portray the large and unwieldy early fire arms of the Ching Dynasty… in action!


H.”TAKING TO THE SKIES”

At last … our three colourful Fokker DVII’s arrive ready for combat…

FW111 “Fokker DVII of Leut. August Reben, Jasta 18”

FW112 “Fokker DVII of Leut. Josef Jacobs, Jasta 7”

FW 113 “o/ Leut. Harald Auffarth, Jasta 29”

All three aircraft come complete with different seated pilots in the cockpits and just 150 of each model have been produced


3.”BEING RETIRED…”

BBA021 ”Winter Bazooka Team”
BBA023 ”Winter Sniper Team”
BBA024 “Real “MP””
BBA025 “Moving Up the Line”
BBG012 ”Radio Group”
BBG013 ”Mountain Troopers”
DD130 ”US Navy Officer”
DD131 ”Standing Sailor”
DD137 ”Normandy LCVP Landing Craft (#PA26-21)“
DD138 “Normandy LCVP Landing Craft (#PA26-22)”
DD139 “Sailor w/ Binos”
DD140 “Sailor Putting on Lifejacket”
DD144 “Crewman w/ Radio”
DD145 “Crewman Shouting”
RAF003 “Flying Officer ”Moggy” Cattermole & Reilly”
RAF004 “Sgt.Pilot Ginger Lacey”
RAF006 “Waiting…And Ready”

Nothing much for me here this month, just the captured T34, and I'm thankful for that to be honest. The old wallet has taken a bit of a hammering lately!

Until next time. Happy hunting!

TM Terrain

Hi there, and welcome to April

Later this morning I will be travelling up to Loughborough in Leicestershire to collect my Wittmann Diorama from Dave at TM Terrain. As soon as I can I will be setting it all up back at the ranch and taking some photos for the inevitable blog post

In the mean time, if you care to follow this link http://terrainandtoysoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/ you will be able to see for yourself what Dave has to say about it in terms of where he has sourced some of the materials from etc. Alternatively you could click on the link to the same article that you will find in my blog roll gadget further down the page

Catch you later!

Latest Additions

The latest batch of figures from across the pond in Canada arrived safe and sound a few days ago, and here they are

First up is the recently retired machine gun set from K&C's late period WW1 series. This will go very nicely with the Thomas Gunn flamethrower figure I bought recently and I'll be taking receipt of a few more K&C storm troopers very soon

From WW1 to WW2 and the following two figure sets have also recently been retired by K&C. The first consists of a two man flame thrower team and the second shows a trio of troops, led by a nervous looking NCO, gingerly edging their way closer to the action. Well, that's what they look like to me!

The base on this figure is unusually thin. You can probably just about get an idea of that from the photo. The upshot is that it doesn't allow the figure to stand particularly steadily. I don't know whether this is a design fault or something which affects the odd figure only. Nothing serious enough to warrant sending it all the way back to Canada but it is a little disappointing

 

Last, but by no means least, is the final piece I've been after for my Michael Wittmann diorama which comes in the form of the cute little VW Beetle with its wood-gas powered engine and typical three colour camo scheme, perfect for the Normandy summer!

In the diorama, this vehicle is going to act as the press car carrying the SS photographer and movie cameraman to and from the scene of the famous photoshoot. I'll be picking the finished diorama up next week and can hardly wait to get it home and put it all together. I'll post a whole series of photos up on the blog as soon as I can after that so watch this space

Until next time, happy hunting!

Lovely Landsknechts!

Hello fellow First Legion Collectors 

The next 7 figures in their relatively new Renaissance range are now available for pre-order and depict more German Landsknechts at the Battle of Pavia. The release includes four mounted command figures and 3 additional foot figures to add to any Landsknecht pike blocks you may have created using the 13 figures already released. The new figures will be shipping to dealers and customers at the end of March

REN014 German Landsknecht Mounted Colonel - $159.95
REN015 German Landsknecht Von Frundsberg Standard Bearer - $169.95
REN016 Georg Von Frundsberg - $159.95
REN017 German Landsknecht Holy Roman Empire Standard Bearer - $169.95
REN018 German Landsknecht Arquebusier - $64.95
REN019 German Landsknecht Doppelsöldner - $64.95
REN020 German Landsknecht Arquebusier - $64.95

Georg Von Frundsberg was a German Knight and general fighting in the service of the Holy Roman Empire. He assisted in the formation of the German Landsknechts and quickly rose to command that force. He eventually rose to command all German fighting forces and won his greatest victory at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 where, though outnumbered almost two to one, he defeated the French and captured their king

REN015 German Landsknecht Von Frundsberg Standard Bearer

The Renaissance is a fascinating period of history, spanning several hundred years. Though primarily a cultural movement witnessing a resurgence in art, science, and literature, as well as an age of great exploration, it was also a period marred by military conflict as the great European powers of the time vied for control and dominance

REN014 German Landsknecht Mounted Colonel

REN017 German Landsknecht Holy Roman Empire Standard Bearer

It was an age of military innovation where the use of gun powder and cannons first came to prominence being used alongside the heavy cavalry from previous centuries. As such, it is typically referred to as the "Age of Pike and Shot" as the pike and the arquebus/musket were two of the primary weapons of the period

REN019 German Landsknecht Doppelsöldner

  

The Battle of Pavia in 1525 marked the culmination of the Italian Wars between France and the Spanish Empire which resulted in Spanish dominance of the Italian States for the next 200 years

From the Italian Wars to the conflict in the Soviet Union during the 1940s, here is a sneak peak of some casualty figures for the Battle of Stalingrad range, due for release very soon!

Until next time, happy hunting!

Thank You One and All

 
Hi there. I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has logged on to the site, read any of the posts and contributed in any way to breaking through the 20, 000 page views mile stone

I sincerely hope you have found something of interest on the blog, and that you continue to do so

Until next time, happy hunting!

King and Country Dispatches

Once again I apologise for being a little slow off the mark this month but here are the latest K&C dispatches together with one or two pictures of forthcoming releases to whet your insatiable appetites. To get the ball rolling, here's a reminder of the figure sets being released in March, most of which were mentioned and illustrated in last month's post

DISPATCHES
MARCH 2012

1.      APPEARING IN MARCH 2012…

A.     “Long Live the French Army of 1914”

Seven all-new red and blue-clad French “Poilus” in action make their appearance this month. Led by an officer with a pistol and sword these soldiers are going to kick the Kaiser all the way back to Berlin!

FW074 “Officer w/ Pistol and Sword”
FW075 “Kneeling firing Rifleman”
FW076 “Poilu Charging”
FW077 “With Rifle & Bayonet”
FW078 “Standing Firing Rifleman”
FW079 “Machine Gun Set”

In addition to our seven Frenchmen we’ve added two more German infantry…

FW109 “Marching Rifleman w/ Hat”
FW110 “Marching Rifleman w/Pickelhaub”

B.     “SOMEWHERE IN NORMANDY”

DD163 “Dingo Armoured Car” (Series 250)
DD164 “Dingo Commander”

C.     “Remember The Alamo!”

Every March sees K&C release a small group of additional figures for our KINGS X “Signature Series” about the heroic defense of the Alamo in March 1836

This year we’re beginning a new Mexican regiment… “The Cazadores”. These elite infantrymen were modeled on the British “rifle” regiments of the Napoleonic Wars and used surplus British weapons and equipment including the famous “Baker Rifle”

RTA061 “Cazadores loading Rifle”
RTA062 “Cazadores standing Firing”
RTA063 “Cazsadores with Ramrod”
RTA064 “Cazadores Officer with Pistol”

RTA065 “Almeron Dickinson”

The husband and father of two of the Alamo’s few survivors. This figure has Dickinson firing his old blunderbuss at the advancing Mexicans

D.    “VIVA ITALIA!”

IF010 “Air Marshal Balbo”
IF011 “Il Duce Saluting”
IF023 “Fiat Mod. 500A “Topolino” (Series 250)
IF024 “Carabinieri holding Carbine”
IF025 “Carabinieri checking Papers”
IF026 “Carabinieri standing at Attention”

E.     “Another Great Fighting Jeep”

DD161 “US Armoured Jeep”
DD162 “US Trailer”

So, what can we look forward to in April? You will find the answer to this question right here so read on and enjoy the prospect of adding a few more goodies to your expanding collection

2.      ARRIVING IN APRIL

A.     “God Save The King!”

One of seven figures being released for the AWI series

Additional reinforcements for the Forces of the Crown fighting the American rebels are about to sail in… All of them 23rd Royal Welch Fusileers

BR083 “Marching Drummer”
BR084 “Marching Fifer”
BR085 “Marching Officer”
BR086 “Marching Fusileer”
BR087 “Marching Fusileer”
BR088 “Marching Fusileer”
BR089 “Charging Fusileer”

B.         “Mounted Auxiliary Cavalry in the time of Jesus”

Following the successful launch of our other Roman Auxiliaries in our “LOJ” series we’re adding two more… on horseback

LoJ018 “Auxiliary on Drinking Horse”
LoJ019 “Auxiliary on Standing Horse”

C.     “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many… to so few.”

These words were dedicated to the handful of pilots and ground crew of Britain’s Royal Air Force after their Battle of Britain victory over Hitler’s Luftwaffe in 1940

The man who wrote and said them was Britain’s finest Prime Minister… Winston S. Churchill. This is our latest tribute in miniature to him and the heroes of the R.A.F.

RAF038 “V for Victory!”

Prime Minister Churchill in a typical wartime pose

D.    “From London to Berlin in one fell swoop! From the good guys to the Baddies!”

The Nazi Eagle Archway together with some of the figures accompanying its release

LAH151 “Nazi Eagle Archway”

This ceremonial arch provides an ideal setting for a large parade or just a small group of figures on guard duty

LAH152 “SA Man Marching w/Rifle”

 

LAH153 “SA Honour Guard w/Rifle”

LAH154 “SS Dog Handler”

LAH164 “Pre 1933 SS Man Marching w/Rifle”

LAH165 “Pre 1933 SS Honour Guard w/Rifle”

Before 1933 and the adoption of the all black uniform the SS were similar in style to the SA… substituting brown kepis and trousers for black ones

E.     “THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!”

One of six Red Army infantry being released

Well, after what seems an awful long time K&C is returning to the “OST-FRONT”… with this first Red Army release in several years

RA016 “Shouting Red Army Officer”
RA017 “Red Army Soldier Charging”
RA018 “Red Army Soldier firing form the Waist”
RA019 “Red Army Soldier Running”
RA020 “Red Army Soldier Lying Prone”
RA021 “Red Army Soldier Standing Firing”

Uniform note: These new Red Army soldiers are kitted-out in the ubiquitous padded jackets with folded blankets over the shoulder and all carrying the famous Russian SMG

ARMOUR SUPPORT

The Soviet Union manufactured one of the finest and most durable tanks of the Second World War… The T34

Our latest K&C version is the early/mid war T34/76 and we are producing three different options for collectors… with a different figure to accompany each tank…

RA025-1 “Soviet T34/76 (#23)”

This battle-stained T34 has an opening top hatch and a kneeling figure that can be positioned on the rear engine cover of the vehicle 

RA025-2 “Soviet T34/76 (#25)”

Another T34 from the same tank unit as #23. Also with a kneeling figure

RA025-3 “Soviet T34/76 (3A POAHHY!)”

The last of the trio has the Russian slogan painted on the side of the turret which means “For the Fatherland” and again comes complete with a tank commander figure

QUANTITIES: 150 of each T34/76 are being produced

SPECIAL NOTE: K&C will also release two other versions of this T34/76… a captured German vehicle and a snow-camouflaged Russian one… in the following months and 250 of each of these versions is planned

F.      “K&C’S DESERT AIR FORCE”

RAF039 “Curtiss P40 “Tomahawk”
             
This particular “Warbird” is in the personal markings of Squadron Leader Neville Duke of 112 Squadron R.A.F. Duke was the RAF Desert Air Force’s top-scoring pilot in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations during WW2

The stone and earth-coloured P40 carries the famous “Shark-mouth” decoration which originated with 112 Squadron in 1941

Just 250 of this Desert Air Force P40 will be produced

RAF040 “RAF Medic & Wounded Pilot”

This little two figure-vignette is a great add-on to any display or diorama featuring our Royal Air Force figures, vehicles and aircraft

Last, but by no means least, here are the figures heading off into the sunset. Personally, this is the bit I always pay particular attention to and I've chosen to accompany the listing with pictures of the figures I will be purchasing from it very soon 

3.      “On The Retirement List”

DD135 “British Sherman Firefly”
EA009 “Advance Under Fire”
EA015 “Returning Fire”
FW044 “Attack!”
FW050 “Officer with Pistol & Field Telephone”
FW052 “Machine Gun Set”
FW053 “Kneeling Firing Rifleman”

FW054 “Standing Firing Rifleman”

FW055 “Advancing with Rifle”

FW056 “Standing Sniper”

FW057 “77mm Artillery Set (1917)”

LW006 “Ground Crew with Bomb”
LW007 “Luftwaffe-Helfein”
NA200 “RHA Officer Shouting Orders”
NA201 “RHA Gun Set in Action”
WS093 “Standing Saluting German Officer”
WS094 “Standing German Guard”
WS095 “Marching German Officer”
WS096 “Marching German Soldier”


Hopefully there has been something here of interest for you. Until next time, happy hunting!