DISPATCHES
November 2026
Hi Guys,
Welcome to one of the best and most diverse collections that we have presented through virtually all of 2026…
And so, let’s begin with something of a ‘first’, at least in the toy soldier world, a group of figures that are not military but are a tribute to the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ and one of the finest movies ever made…
1. BEING RELEASED THIS MONTH
A. “You Must Remember This…”
‘Casablanca’ (1942) is widely considered one of the greatest Americanmovies in cinema history. Filmed almost entirely at Warner Brothers studio in Burbank, California it was directed by Michael Curtiz, produced by Hal B. Wallis and starred Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
Set during the early years of World War II in Vichy-controlled French Morocco, the film follows Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical, detached American expat who runs an upscale nightclub / casino called ‘Rick’s Café Americain’.
Rick’s carefully maintained neutrality is completely upended when his former lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) arrives unexpectedly into his life again… complete with her husband!
The husband, Victor Laszlo is a famous Czech resistance leader fleeing from the Nazis. With the Germans closing in, Ilsa turns to Rick to help Laszlo flee to America.
Rick is faced with an agonizing dilemma: pathing a future with the woman he loves, or sacrificing his personal desires to do what is right in the global fight against fascism.
Over the years, the reputation of this relatively small movie has grown and grown in popularity to become a great Hollywood classic together with the characters portrayed in it.
As a major movie, buff and a World War II enthusiast myself, King & Country has been frequently inspired to create all kinds of 1:30 scale all-metal, hand-painted figures as tributes to many of the men (and some women) who played their part in this great conflict.
Our inspiration has come from the exploits, both factual and fictional, depicted in countless books, television series and on the big screen.
This first select group of figurines is our personal tribute to ‘Casablanca’ and some of the unique actors who appeared in it.
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| AE115 ‘Rick Blaine & Capt. Louis Renault’ Rick or Richard Blaine, if you prefer, is a man who has led a ‘chequered’ and ‘colourful’ life. He left America for reasons unknown, and also at one time, ran guns into Ethiopia and fought for the losing side in the Spanish Civil War. He now, by his own admission, is running a saloon in Casablanca. By contrast his friend, Capt. Louis Renault, describes himself as a pragmatic realist. He blows with the prevailing wind, which in this case, is the Vichy French government which collaborated with the Germans following France’s defeat in 1940. In addition to collaborating, Capt. Renault is also an opportunist, an extortionist, a gambler and a ‘hedonist’ always ready to take advantage of any attractive female that crosses his path. Expertly played in the film by noted British character actor, Claude Raines, he is the perfect foil to Rick Blaine. |
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| AE116 “Sam, The Piano Player” ‘Sam’ the iconic piano player in ‘Casablanca’ is the resident entertainer and close, personal confidant of Rick Blaine at ‘Rick’s Café Americain’. ‘Sam’ played memorably by Dooley Wilson serves as the emotional heart of the film. He also delivers the legendary rendition of “As Time Goes By” which, in various forms, is the musical motif and theme of the movie. Our figure portrays him in his stage, ‘gold-lame’ suit singing and playing his colourfully-decorated stand-up piano. A great character in the original film and a totally unique 1:30 scale figure in this first group of ‘Casablanca’ stars. |
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Special Note:
In case you are wondering where is ‘Ilsa Lund’ (Ingrid Bergman)? She is being
sculpted as I write this alongwith one or two others from the film and will appear in early 2027… Look out for them!
| SP136 “Rick’s Café Americain” (Backdrop) This 2-piece full-colour backdrop and floor is based on the actual movie set of the interior of ‘Rick’s Café American’ and provides the perfect setting for these figures as well as others in our AE ‘Tutankhamun’ series. |
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| AE-S02 ‘Casablanca’ Extra Value Combination Set Purchase all of the above available figures with the backdrop for a special price. |
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B. ‘Stalin’s Winter Warriors’
Now, it’s a long way from Vichy French Morocco in 1942 to the snow-coveredborderlands of Poland and Germany in the winter of 1944/45 but it’s a journey we are happy to make with our second K&C ‘Heritage Classics’ release of Red Army soldiers and a great-looking piece of Soviet mobile artillery…
| RA092 ‘SU-122 Self-Propelled Howitzer’ This is K&C’s second version of the Soviet answer to the German Sturmgeschutz IIIs which the Russians encountered following ‘Operation Barbarossa’ in the summer of 1941. The Soviet High command soon saw the rapid success of these turret-less German tracked vehicles. The lack of a turret made them cheaper and faster to manufacture with a much larger fighting compartment. In addition, this extra space could easily accommodate a larger and more powerful main gun. An extra advantage was that this new design could be easily mounted on the existing T34 tank chassis. After many trials and several modifications the SU-122 entered full-time service in January 1943 and proved particularly effective in a direct-fire role against pillboxes and strongholds. On a few occasions the SU-122’s massive high-explosive rounds reportedly blew off the turrets of several Tigers! Alas, few SU-122s survived the war and only one still exists on display in the Kubinka Tank Museum in Russia. To provide some infantry support for this model we are also providing a small squad of Red Army infantry as part of our ‘Heritage Classics’ series… And, here they are. |
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| RA093 ‘Red Army Squad Leader’ Holding his binos up to his eyes and clutching his PPSh-41 submachine gun this young NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) carefully guides his men (and two female soldiers) forward. |
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| RA094 ‘Red Army Rifleman Crouching’ Kneeling down but preparing to rise up this Red Army rifleman holds his Mosin-Nagant rifle in his right hand while waiting for the order to move out. |
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| RA095 ‘Red Army Rifleman Advancing’ Holding his Mosin-Nagant with both hands this other rifleman has absolute trust in his 5-shot, bolt-action rifle officially adopted by the Tsar’s army as far back as 1891! |
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| RA096 ‘Red Army Soldier w/PPSh-41 Advancing’ One more Soviet infantryman holding his PPSh-41 in one hand and a Russian-made ‘Stick-Grenade’ in the other. |
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| RA097 ‘Red Army Soldier w/PPSh-41 Moving Forward’ Ever-watchful, this young soldier carefully edges alongside a wall or perhaps a large, tracked Self-Propelled Gun! |
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| RA098 ‘Red Army Female Soldiers At The Ready’ Two young Red Army women both carrying their PPSh-41s cautiously ready to take the fight to the hated enemy. |
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| RA-S01 The Winter Warriors Set Gift Set at an Extra Great Special Price! Please Note: This offer is only valid until 31 December 2026 |
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AVAILABLE: Mid November
C.‘Santa Anna’s Cavalry Charge!’
In the predawn hours of 6 March, 1836 Gen. Santa Anna’s Infantry silentlymoved forward towards the walls of the old Spanish Mission called ‘The Alamo’. Elsewhere, hundreds of Mexican cavalry including Lancers and Dragoons led their horses away from those same walls to form an outer perimeter to ensure that no Texan defenders could escape the impending assault or break through the Mexican lines.
As dawn broke the Mexican Infantry charged forward shouting and cheering as they reached the walls and began climbing up and over them.
All too soon the Texan defenses were breached and the Mexican soldiers surged into the Alamo overcoming many defenders.
At this point a large group of the Texians (some say about 40-50) attempted to flee the old mission out of the low barrack walls and towards the San Antonio River.
Inevitably, the surrounding Mexican cavalry intercepted them in the open fields and narrow winding ditches of the perimeter. It was said, “a great many fell in these vicinities under the lances and sabres of the cavalrymen.”
A rare few found other hiding places in the scrub and bushes but, in turn, were soon discovered and killed by the same horsemen.
There were no successful evaders, all perished on that fateful morning.
Here are five of their mounted pursuers!
| RTA123 ‘Falling Mexican Lancer’ Not all the casualties were on the Texian side… A Mexican Lancer goes head over heels as his horse is shot from under him by one of the fleeing defenders. |
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| RTA144 ‘Mexican Lancer w/Cavalry Pistol’ Having already broken his lance on one of the running Texians this Lancer pulls out his pistol to fire at another fugitive from the Alamo. |
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| RTA147 ‘Mexican Lancer Trumpeter’ This galloping Trumpeter announces he has just cornered one more of the running Alamo defenders. |
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| RTA148 ‘Mexican Lancer Charging’ Lance lowered, horse galloping and a Mexican Lancer about to dispatch an unfortunate opponent. |
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| RTA149 ‘Mexican Lancer Slashing w/Sabre’ With a vicious downward swipe another lone fugitive meets his fate. |
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| RTA150 ‘Mexican Infantry Bugler’ After producing so many different infantry soldiers for Santa Anna’s Army we were shocked to find that we had forgotten to produce a humble ‘Bugler’!!! Well, our apologies, but better late than never… Here he is now running towards those old mission walls and blowing his bugle with all the might he can muster. With his musket and fixed bayonet over his left shoulder he is a very useful addition to the series. |
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AVAILABLE: Early-Mid November
D.‘Normandy Village House For Sale!’
For several years now K&C has been trying to find a range of different ways tomake backdrop buildings and all types of diorama accessories to accompany our figures and fighting vehicles and…at a price most collectors can afford!
And now I believe here is one of the newest and best.
| SP135 ‘The Normandy Town House’ This 3-Dimensional Model represents a typical, mid-late 19th century French family dwelling that can still be seen all over Normandy and other areas of rural France. Constructed from high quality, hi-density display board it comes ‘flat-packed’ in 17 x separate die-cut pieces with instructions for easy assembly. Also included is a 34.2cm (13 1/2”) x 19.9cm (7 13/16”) pavement base board. Here are the Dimensions for the fully-assembled ‘Normandy Town House’:
Height (Bottom of Floor – Top of Chimney): 33.0cm (13”)HH |
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All of the separate die-cut pieces can join together without adhesive however individual collectors may choose to use various glues for more permanent assembly.
AVAILABLE: Mid November
E.‘Two More Knights of Bushido’
Feudal Japan’s Samurai warriors lived and died by a unique honour code thatcame to be known as ‘Bushido’. This was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), the victor of the iconic ‘Battle of Sekigahara’ (1600) and the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
These two ‘Katanna’ wielding swordsmen belong to a group of warriors known as ‘Ronin’ which translates as ‘Masterless Samurai’ describing someone who has lost their master and is adrift like a wave on the ocean.
In Japan, at this time, these ‘Ronin’ often lived as drifters, outlaws and, quite often, ‘Mercenaries’ their skills and services on offer to the highest bidder. Here are two such examples…
| SW028 ‘The Red Devil’ Samurai Clutching his sword in both hands this ‘Red’ Samurai takes up a fighting pose ready to do battle whatever the odds! |
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| SW031 ‘Black & Blue Samurai Swordsman’ Another ‘Knight of Bushido’ this one is armed with an ‘Odachi’, the large, two-handed traditional Japanese sword. Originating in the 14th century they were mainly used to fight against enemy cavalry or to sweep down upon the ranks of their opposing foot soldiers. Unlike his fellow ‘Red Devil’ Samurai this warrior has chosen a more subdued and less flamboyant armour and accoutrements. Now, which side is he on…? I will leave that decision to the collector! |
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AVAILABLE: Mid November
F. “Have Guns Wil Travel”
During the Vietnam War a Huey “Slick” was a lightly-armed transport versionof the Bell UH-1 ‘Iroquois’ helicopter used to move troops and supplies all over the battlefields of South Vietnam from 1962 up until the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Stripped of heavy external weapon systems (such as rocket pods or chin turrets) the defense of these machines relied on crew-served M60 Machine Guns mounted on each side of the helicopters and manned by door-gunners.
The typical crew of each ‘Slick’ included a pilot, co-pilot, crew chief and door-gunner. The tactical role of these UH-1D “Slicks” was to operate in air assault formations – usually grouped in waves of up to 10 x machines carrying infantry they were accompanied by more heavily-armed gunships for protection, with a command and control aircraft flying overhead.
King & Country are releasing two version of the UH-1D ‘Slicks’, the first being this one…
| VN192(SE) Bell Iroquois UH-1D “Slick” 1/7th Air Cavalry THE AIR CAVALRY revolutionized combat during the Vietnam War by replacing armoured vehicles with helicopters to achieve unprecedented tactical mobility across the rugged landscape and rough road terrain of South Vietnam. Among the units involved in this revolution was 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) which was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia on July 1, 1965 and deployed to Vietnam in September of that same year. Unlike conventional divisions that relied on borrowed air support the 1st Cavalry operated its own organic aviation assets (with about 450 assorted aircraft of various types). Among the principal types flown by the 1st Air Cav. Were of course, the Bell Iroquois UH-1 “Hueys” along with light observation helicopters nicknamed “Loaches”, the OH-6 ‘Cayuse’. King & Country’s latest ‘Special Edition’ UH-1D “Slick” represents a helicopter belonging to the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment known as the ‘1st of the 7th. This is also one of the most historically famous regiments of the United States Army tracing their origins back to the 7th Cavalry Regiment which fought in the American Indian Wars under the command of the controversial George Armstrong Custer. EACH MODEL
Just 300 of these “1st of the 7th” UH-1D “Slicks” are being produced and each comes packed in its own strong, custom-made, full-colour, presentation box complete with a full 4-man crew, a numbered certificate and…a very special, Pre Order Offer. Order your Air Cavalry “Slick” from now until the 31 st December 2026 at the ‘Early Bird’ price of US$549.From 1st January 2027 the regular price will be US$599. So, don’t delay contact your favourite local K&C Dealer or King & Country direct. |
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Then a few days later I will be in Paris to visit the ladies at Solda’ Telis before joining ‘Figurines & Collectiones’ at the SEVRES SHOW on the outskirts of Paris on Saturday & Sunday 28/29 November before going to London for the December Toy Soldier Show on Saturday 5, December. I am already looking forward to meeting up with many of our European K&C collectors at one or more of these great events.
But before I go let’s take a closer look at some terrific King & Country figures that are on this month’s Retirements List.
2. BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH…
It’s one of our longest lists yet and there are some great items to pick up
while you can…
| FoB100 Woman Refugee Leading the Horse |
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| NA448 Planning the Battle |
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| NA449 Taking Notes ... Issuing Orders |
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| NA450 The Faithful Roustan |
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| NA451 Preparing the Table |
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| NA452 The Cantiniere |
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| NA453 The Apple Seller |
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| NA455 The Wellington Command Set |
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| TRW194 The Magnificent Seven |
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| HK112(G/M) Sitting Mother and Daughter |
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| HK151(G/M) Suckling Pig |
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| HK157(G/M) Street Barber Shop |
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| HK161(G/M) Clock Repair Man |
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| HK163(G/M) Herbal Tea Set |
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| HK178(G/M) Happy Day |
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| HK200(G/M) The Victors' Dragon Boat |
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| HK211(G/M) Tea Maid |
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| HK235(G/M) New Bride & Groom |
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| HK239(G/M) A Small Pack of Dogs |
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| HK250(G/M) The Tangerine Buyer |
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| HK251(G/M) The Shoe Shine Stand |
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| HK252(G/M) The Wonton Seller |
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| HK253(G/M) Mother & Child |
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| HK259(G/M) The Fisherman |
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| HK261(G/M) The Chinese Street Doctor Set |
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| HK264(G/M) The Street Doctor’s Helper |
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| HK265(G/M) The Flying Dragons |
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| HK277(G/M) The Bird Cage Maker |
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All the very best and happy collecting!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country Ltd.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country Ltd.