March 2015


By the time you guys read this month’s “DISPATCHES” I will be in Texas just about to fly out to Los Angeles and the annual “WESTCOASTER” held at the Irvine Marriott Hotel in Irvine Calif. Between the 4-8 March. As usual K&C will be showing a mix of the latest releases as well as a few upcoming ones. I hope to see and meet any of you who live in and around LA as well as a little further afield at the show itself.

In the meantime here’s the latest…

1. "Custer Had It Coming..."

General George Armstrong Custer was not one to be lacking in courage or, alas, foolhardiness!

Little Big Horn was his undoing and once more K&C returns to the grassy slopes above the little river in Eastern Montana to tell the story of the U.S. cavalry’s greatest defeat…

TRW077-82(P)

The Rescue

TRW077 "The Rescue "

A wounded trooper finds a temporary refuge as his buddy attempts to pull him up to safety...

Lonesome Charlie Reynolds

TRW078 "Lonesome Charlie Reynolds"

Reynolds had been a trader...a buffalo hunter and many other things before he became one of Custer’s guides and scouts. The night before the battle he had a premonition of disaster and stated that he had never felt so discouraged or depressed in his life! Some accounts have him protecting a wounded trooper when he was killed.

Crawling for Help

TRW079 "Crawling for Help"

A forlorn trooper tries to crawl into cover his right leg pierced by an Indian arrow.

"Massacre!"

TRW080 ""Massacre!""

A dismounted trooper pleads in vain as a Cheyenne “Dog Soldier” is about to deliver the fatal blow.

Lone Trooper

TRW081 "Lone Trooper"

Pistol in hand and defiant to the end...

The Plains Warrior

TRW082(P) "The Plains Warrior"

Holding onto the mane of his pony and using his horse’s body as a shield this brave warrior takes aim with his captured Cavalry carbine.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

2. "Halftrack To The Rescue"

WS230_group (2)

Demag Ambulance

WS230 "Demag Ambulance"

As you all know, the Germans were quick to adapt any vehicle to their specific needs as and when they arose. This camouflaged Demag sports prominent red cross markings but that still made it a target for Allied fighter/bombers

The Model comes with Medic Driver and detachable roof canvas.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

3. "Airborne Reinforcements"

A small batch of U.S. Paratroopers makes a welcome addition to any K&C Airborne Collection and here they are…

DD247-251

Wounded

DD247 "Wounded"

A kneeling airborne Medic tends to the arm wound of this paratrooper who refuses to put down or lay aside his trusty M1 “Garand” rifle.

Sitting Tommy Gunner

DD248 "Sitting Tommy Gunner"

This GI is taking a few minutes to sit down and relax before preparing for the next battle.

Drinking B.A.R. Gunner

DD249 "Drinking B.A.R. Gunner"

“Killing Krauts” is thirsty work as this paratrooper quenches his thirst... Now is that water in his canteen or some recently “Liberated” French Wine...? You decide.

Firing Tommy Gunner

DD250 "Firing Tommy Gunner"

Even if some guys get a little chance to relax others have be ready and on the lookout for the enemy.

Kneeling Bazooka Guy

DD251 "Kneeling Bazooka Guy"

The paratroopers’ very own portable little anti-tank weapon. It also worked equally well on enemy bunkers and pill boxes.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

4. "Sons of The Desert"

The Aussies major combat role within the British Eighth Army was to be the army’s “Shock Troops”…Australian Divisions in North Africa played a vital part in the eventual victory over Rommel in 1943. K&C has produced quite a few Aussies…Here’s some more…in action!

EA094-098_group

Aussie Vickers Gunner

EA094 "Aussie Vickers Gunner"

Seated behind the Vickers Heavy Machine Gun this Australian “Digger” will extract a heavy toll on the advancing enemy.

Aussie Grenadier

EA095 "Aussie Grenadier"

Each British and Commonwealth soldier, during WWII, carried at least two “Mills Bomb” hand grenades in his ammo pouches.

Our bloke prepares to hurl one of his at the enemy.

Aussie Kneeling Firing

EA096 "Aussie Kneeling Firing "

Classic infantryman’s position...taking careful aim with his Lee Enfield .303.

Aussie Anti-Aircraft Bren Gun Team

EA097 "Aussie Anti-Aircraft Bren Gun Team"

“Look out for them Stukas!”

Aussie Officer w/ Tommy Gun

EA098 "Aussie Officer w/ Tommy Gun"

Moving forward and preparing “covering fire” with his Thompson SMG.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

5. "“Take It Easy”...On the Streets of Old Hong Kong"

GA001-005 (1)

The New Rickshaw (Gloss)

HK229G "The New Rickshaw (Gloss)"

A seated driver with his rickshaw enjoys a quiet pipe while waiting for a customer.

The New Rickshaw (Matt)

HK229M "The New Rickshaw (Matt)"

A seated driver with his rickshaw enjoys a quiet pipe while waiting for a customer.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

6. "“Gang of Heroes”...The Opposition"

Imagine a small French town, miles behind the German lines that has a bank bursting with…gold bullion!

Then imagine it’s guarded by three nasty big “Tiger” tanks!!!

WS311

Karl Otto's Tiger 1

WS311 "Karl Otto's Tiger 1"

One of K&C’s favourite nasty, nazi villains was usually played by noted German actor Karl Otto Alberty...In movie after movie...”The Great Escape”...”The Battle of Britain”...”Kelly’s Heroes” he played the perfectly cold, calculating and often cruel Nazi officer.

Here he is dressed in the uniform of a Waffen SS tank commander.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

7. "The Streets of Old London"

“It’s a long way to Tipperary”…It’s an even longer way to the “World of Dickens” and London in mid Victorian times but we’ll try it anyway…

WoD006, 022-025

The Pie Girl

WoD006 "The Pie Girl"

A young girl carries her freshly-baked pie from the baker’s oven to the shop.

The Hot Chestnut Seller

WoD022 "The Hot Chestnut Seller"

Until the 1950’s you could still see street vendors selling hot chestnuts in winter time in most large British cities...Alas all gone now but in mid Victorian London a familiar and cheery sight on cold winter and autumn days.

The Muffin Man

WoD023 "The Muffin Man"

Balancing a wooden tray full of fresh, out-of-the-oven muffins on his head this street vendor announces his presence by ringing a hand-bell.

The Letter Girl

WoD024 "The Letter Girl "

In the London of the 1850’s a regular postal service was a relatively new phenomenon. Here, this young girl prepares to post a letter into...WoD020 The Post Box.

Charlie Foxtooth

WoD025 "Charlie Foxtooth"

One of Oliver Twist's big mates from the workhouse... "Charlie Foxtooth".

AVAILABILITY: Now!

8. "GALLIPOLI"

On this the 100th. Anniversary of the ill-fated but brave attempt to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in the Turkish Dardanelles and force Turkey out of the First World War K&C present the first of our ANZAC* fighting men…

*ANZACAustralian & New Zealand Army Corps

GA001-005

The Charging Major

GA001 "The Charging Major"

Webley Service Revolver in hand and leading from the front!

Fire & Run

GA002 "Fire & Run"

While his mate dashes forward a kneeling rifleman takes careful aim.

Run & Fire

GA003 "Run & Fire"

Same idea as GA002 “Fire & Run” but altogether different figures.

Charge!

GA004 "Charge!"

Two ANZACS charge forward bayonets at the ready!

Hold On Mate

GA005 "Hold On Mate"

Inevitably, in any battle, there are always casualties...An Aussie soldier “shoulders” a badly-wounded mate to safety.

AVAILABILITY: Now!

9. "Being Retired..."

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing At Attention

SOE004 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing At Attention"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing At Attention (Gloss)

SOE004(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing At Attention (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Firing Rifle

SOE005 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Firing Rifle"

This Sikh rifleman takes careful aim… Every bullet, well-aimed eliminates at least one of the Queen Empress many enemies.

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Firing Rifle(Gloss)

SOE005(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Firing Rifle(Gloss)"

This Sikh rifleman takes careful aim… Every bullet, well-aimed eliminates at least one of the Queen Empress many enemies.

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Ready

SOE006 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Ready"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Ready (Gloss)

SOE006(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Kneeling Ready (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Lying Firing

SOE007 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Lying Firing"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Lying Firing (Gloss)

SOE007(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Lying Firing (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing Firing

SOE008 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing Firing"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing Firing (Gloss)

SOE008(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Standing Firing (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Reloading

SOE009 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Reloading"

Another Sikh rifleman chambers a round into his rifle.

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Reloading (Gloss)

SOE009(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Reloading (Gloss)"

Another Sikh rifleman chambers a round into his rifle.

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Drummer Bugler

SOE010 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Drummer Bugler"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Drummer Bugler (Gloss)

SOE010(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Drummer Bugler (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Native Officer Saluting

SOE011 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Native Officer Saluting"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Native Officer Saluting (Gloss)

SOE011(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Native Officer Saluting (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment MTD. British Officer

SOE012 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment MTD. British Officer"

Although all Indian Army Regiments had a mix of both British and Indian Officers… All Colonials, Second-in-commanders, Adjutants and Squadron or Company Commanders remained British. Our mounted British officer is a Major (in charge of a Rifle Company).

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment MTD. British Officer (Gloss)

SOE012(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment MTD. British Officer (Gloss)"

Standing Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment British Officer

SOE013 "Standing Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment British Officer"

Cool, calm and collected this officer indicates to his men where the enemy positions are.

Standing Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment British Officer(Gloss)

SOE013(G) "Standing Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment British Officer(Gloss)"

Cool, calm and collected this officer indicates to his men where the enemy positions are.

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Queen's Colour Flagbearer

SOE014 "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Queen's Colour Flagbearer"

Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Queen's Colour Flagbearer (Gloss)

SOE014(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment Queen's Colour Flagbearer (Gloss)"

Indian Drum Major

SOE015 "Indian Drum Major"

Indian Drum Major (Gloss)

SOE015(G) "Indian Drum Major (Gloss)"

Marching Ludhiana

SOE016 "Marching Ludhiana"

Marching Ludhiana (Gloss)

SOE016(G) "Marching Ludhiana (Gloss)"

Big Drummer

SOE017 "Big Drummer"

Big Drummer (Gloss)

SOE017(G) "Big Drummer (Gloss)"

Ludhiana Sikhs' Piper

SOE018 "Ludhiana Sikhs' Piper"

Many Indian Army regiments adopted the Pipes & Drums for their Regimental Bands. Even today, after independence, both the Indian and Pakistani Armies boast many fine pipers and drummers.

Ludhiana Sikhs' Piper (Gloss)

SOE018(G) "Ludhiana Sikhs' Piper (Gloss)"


Best wishes and... Happy Collecting!

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