February 2023
NEW RELEASES FROM KING & COUNTRY!
Hi Guys,
Due to Chinese New Year and unavoidable delays in receiving our latest releases from China there will be NO new items this month.
However, here is the latest info on our upcoming ‘Winter Tiger’ release for you to look at and several very interesting retirements for you to consider.
But first… About that TIGER.
1. "TIGER"
The Panzerkampfwagen VI better known as the ‘TIGER’ was one of the most powerful tanks of the Second World War… and, arguably, the most famous!
Conceived as a response to the heavily – armoured Soviet tanks the Germans encountered following their invasion of Russia in June 1941 the new ‘TIGER’ completely outclassed its Red Army opposition when it first appeared on the battlefield in 1942.
Its incredibly thick armour was almost impossible to penetrate by all existing anti-tank weapons of that time. Mounting a tank version of the superb 88mm Flak 36 its combination of a flat trajectory with a high muzzle velocity and an excellent Leitz gun sight made it both powerful and deadly accurate!
The gun’s range was also significantly longer than any of its opposition allowing it to engage the enemy well before any opponent could return fire.
As a battlefield superiority weapon the ‘Tiger’ was to see plenty of active service from the scorching desert sands of North Africa to the frozen wastes of the Eastern Front and onto the lush, green fields of Western Europe and many points in between.
Although constantly upgraded its service life was relatively short… full scale production ceased in August 1944 as the ‘Tiger II ‘ came onto the scene.
MOBILITY & RELIABILITY
Although enjoying many fighting advantages over its opponents the ‘TIGER’ also had more than its fair share of ‘disadvantages’ too…
It was heavy, around 55 tons and difficult to transport. TIGERS needed a high level of support and maintenance and very experienced crews to operate the vehicle.
Overall reliability of the tanks was similar to that of its fellow ‘big cat’… The Panther.
On the battlefield itself few TIGERS came to grief in direct tank-to-tank encounters with the enemy. Most German losses were due to mechanical failure, lack of fuel or ammunition… and even aerial bombardment and attacks by Allied aircraft.
All of that being said the Pzkpfw. VI or ‘TIGER’ has a military reputation and fame that is second-to-none and has only grown and expanded in the many decades since the end of the Second World War.
For those interested in the war, even with only a slight knowledge of the armoured fighting vehicles that fought in it, the one tank they everyone seems to know is… The ‘TIGER’.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
The retail price of each TIGER is US$400.00 and first deliveries will begin in April 2023.
TIGER! TIGER! TIGER!
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WS381(SL) "PzKpfw. VI ‘Winter Tiger’ Special Edition"
The Panzerkampfwagen VI better known by its nickname ‘THE TIGER’ was one of the most powerful tanks to see action during the Second World War.
Conceived in a response to the heavily armoured Soviet tanks the Germans encountered after their invasion of Russia in June 1941, the ‘TIGER’ completely outclassed all its opponents at the time of its introduction.
Its formidably thick frontal armour was almost impossible to penetrate with all existing anti-tank weapons systems of the period.
Armed with a superb tank version of the 88mm KwK 36 Flak Gun it was capable of destroying enemy targets at well over 2 kilometres.
These were even some reports of ‘kills’ at almost 4 kilometres!
As a battlefield superiority weapon the ‘TIGER’ served extensively from 1942 onwards across the frozen Eastern Front all the way to the blistering hot sands of North Africa and onto the lush, green fields of Western Europe.
Being a mighty armoured ‘breakthrough’ vehicle it was often employed as the spearhead of many German offensives. All the more incredible as only 1500 ‘TIGERS’ were actually constructed between 1942 and 1945.
This particular ‘TIGER’ is the 20th variant released by K&C since our very first in 1991.
Each of these Special Editions ‘Tigers’ is packaged in a sturdy, custom designed, full-colour box and comes with a numbered (001-500) Certificate of Authenticity.
2. "Being Retired in February…"
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HK207M "Big Sister / Little Brother (Matt)"
In the days before universal schooling young girls major priority in Chinese households was to help look after and care for their younger siblings.
This young girl is doing just that!
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HK207G "Big Sister / Little Brother (Gloss)"
In the days before universal schooling young girls major priority in Chinese households was to help look after and care for their younger siblings.
This young girl is doing just that!
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RTA030 "Mexican Artillery"
Three besieging Mexican Artillerymen man their cannon and maintain their bombardment of the little mission.
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RTA042 "Mrs. Dickinson & Daughter"
Santa Anna spared no male survivors of the battle however he did release, unharmed, several females and children. Susanna Dickinson and her small daughter are probably the most famous.
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RTA071 "Lieutenant Colonel Jose Enrique de la Pena"
Colonel de la Pena was one of the most interesting “personalities” of the Battle of the Alamo because he took part in the battle and wrote a record of it. Contained in his record was the first report of the execution of the few survivors of the siege (which may have included Davy Crockett). Much controversy surrounds the authenticity of de la Pena’s book however the majority of Alamo experts are convinced that it is genuine.
Our figure shows de la Pena in the uniform of an officer of the Toluca Battalion making notes in his journal as he observes the besieged mission.
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RTA083 "Jim Bowie"
The famous inventor of the knife and one of the Alamo’s most famous defenders was actually on his sick bed when the final battle took place...Even though weak Bowie puts on a brave face as he shoots one of his Mexican attackers...His famous knife lies at his side on the bed.
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WH098 "Panzer Lehr Command Vehicle"
One of the most famous German Panzer divisions taking part in the Battle of Normandy was the “Panzer Lehr”... Originally formed in Germany from training and demonstration troops (‘Lehr’ means ‘teach’) to provide additional armoured support for the anticipated Allied invasion of Europe. The division was in France when the invasion finally happened.
Here, you see the ‘Normandy’ version of our SdKfz 250/3 ‘Command Vehicle’ in typical 3-colour camouflage of the period. Inside the vehicle are 2 x full-body figures – a driver and a radio operator.
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WS351 "Panther Ausf. G."
This is the 9th Panther K&C has produced and the first one since 2014...
This latest Panther Ausf. G is painted in the colour scheme known as ‘Hinterhalt-Tarnung’ or ‘Ambush’ camouflage specifically designed to help conceal combat vehicles under trees and other kinds of foliage.
This particular colour scheme came about from the actual battlefield experience learned from the Normandy campaign where German vehicles and tanks suffered disastrous losses from Allied fighter bomber attacks.
That necessitated a new, improved camouflage of contrasting spots and colours that simulated the shadows and shards of light passing through and under a canopy of trees and woodland.
Together with the very-recently released TIGER this new PANTHER makes a welcome addition to King & Country’s ‘BIG CAT’ Collection.
The model includes the tank commander figure and is representative of a Panther of the 2nd SS Panzer Regiment of the 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”.
Looking forward to ‘DISPATCHES’ getting back to normal next month. In the meantime…
Best wishes and... Happy Collecting!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country
