June 2019


JUNE to me has always meant D.DAY– The Invasion of Europe by British, American and Canadian Forces on the morning of June 6, 1944.

Those landings on 5 separate beaches in Normandy signaled the end of Hitler and his entire Third Reich.  Together with the Soviet armies in the East the Nazis were now caught in an unyielding vice that would, less than 12 months later, come together in the ruins of Berlin.

But first the landings had to be successful and that was going to be no ‘walk in the park’. King & Country is proud to celebrate that remarkable amphibious landing operation on this its 75th Anniversary with some very special releases… Now read on

1. "THIS MONTH’S ATTRACTIONS"

As many K&C collectors already know our Normandy ’44 range of Allied soldiers, fighting vehicles, aircraft and even landing craft is the most extensive and far reaching in the hobby. Over the years, since we first began releasing D.DAY related figures in the 1990’s the scope and variety is, I truly believe, second-to-none.

That being said, we always like to grow and develop certain ranges by adding new figures and other items that help continue the story… This is just one example.

“SEARCHING FOR PRIVATE RYAN”

Steven Spielberg’s epic 1998 film “Saving Pvt. Ryan” has always been a major source of inspiration for myself and K&C. Having watched the movie countless times and being able to meet and talk with Capt. Dale Dye, the films military trainer and adviser I have been struck with just how much care and attention was focused on the characters and the military action in the movie.  The attention to detail and historical accuracy set a new standard for ‘war films’ and the people who make them.

When I originally saw the movie I said to myself “I want to make toy soldiers / military miniatures that are as gritty and authentic as the guys in that movie!”

And, in the ensuring years, that’s what we have attempted to do.  I believe among the very best D.Day soldiers K&C has ever produced were the two “Searching For Pvt. Ryan” sets released in October 2017.  Most collectors must agree because they are on King & Country’s ‘Best-Seller’ list of all time!

Those seven US Army Rangers, PFC Ryan and the cowardly Cpl. Upham made me think about how we could extend the Rangers especially by designing extra GI’s in action on and after D.DAY.

What you will see this month is just the ‘Advance Guard’ of nine of the 19 US Army Rangers ‘in action’ on the morning of June 6, 1944 on OMAHA BEACH.

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D.DAY Command Set

DD319 "D.DAY Command Set"

A Ranger Sergeant takes careful aim with his M1 carbine as his Captain lets loose a burst of tommy-gun fire in support.

The Flame Thrower Team

DD324 "The Flame Thrower Team"

This 2-man set shows two kneeling Rangers, one carrying the “Man-Portable M2-2 Flamethrower”. This had a ‘burn-duration’ of just 9 seconds and could hurl a jet of flame up to 40 yards. It was mainly used against enemy bunkers and fixed defences. Backing up the ‘Flamethrower Guy’ is another Ranger rifleman.

The Bazooka Man

DD325 "The Bazooka Man"

Providing additional fire support for the rifle squad is this lying prone Ranger about to fire his M1 Rocket Launcher.

Measuring just over 5 feet long and firing a HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) round it was the best infantry anti tank weapon of its time and quickly copied by the Germans.

As well as ‘taking-out’ enemy armour it was also useful against bunkers and other defensive emplacements.

“Storming The Beach” Set No.1

DD327 "“Storming The Beach” Set No.1"

The first of TWO 4-MAN Ranger sets going into action.

These four Rangers include 2 x riflemen kneeling... 1 x kneeling ‘Tommy-Gun’ carrying Sergeant and a crouching NCO with an M1 Carbine and a ‘Walkie-Talkie’ radio.

SPECIAL NOTE: These are just the first nine Rangers-in-action… TEN more will follow shortly in a mix of single, 2-man and 4-man sets.

ALSO: Look out for the SPECIAL EDITION 75TH Anniversary D.DAY LCVP landing craft model… Coming Soon!

General Charles De Gaulle

DD328 "General Charles De Gaulle"

A very brave but ‘difficult’ general to deal with... At least for his Allies!

De Gaulle was the leader of all FREE FRENCH forces from 1940-1945. Always conscious of France’s great history and proud traditions he was the spirit of liberation for millions of the French people.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

2. "Crusaders & Saracens"

From the beaches of Normandy to the Holy Land in one swift leap…

MK-S03

Fighting Crusader

MK183 "Fighting Crusader"

Templar Defending

MK189 "Templar Defending"

Kneeling Crusader

MK191 "Kneeling Crusader"

The Axeman Cometh

MK192 "The Axeman Cometh"

Wielding the two-handed battle-axe this fighting knight is about give some unfortunate Saracen a splitting headache!

Victory is Ours!

MK193 "Victory is Ours!"

This Templar knight celebrates another victory.

Templar Commander

MK194 "Templar Commander"

Another senior Templar knight, helmet in hand, shouts order to his men.

Crusader Knights Value-Added Set

MK-S03 "Crusader Knights Value-Added Set"

Order the complete SIX figures and you hold onto some extra cash!

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

3. "REDCOAT RESURGENCE"

Our K&C British Napoleonic Redcoats receive some welcome reinforcements in the shape of a few ‘Tommy Atkins’ to join their ranks.

Riflemen Reloading

NA434 "Riflemen Reloading"

After firing his last round this private soldier rapidly reloads. Here he is biting off the paper wrapping at the top his cartridge and preparing to pour the powder into the muzzle of his ‘Brown Bess’ musket before dropping the ball in.

Regimental Sergeant Major

NA435 "Regimental Sergeant Major"

The senior non commissioned officer in the battalion and a man to be both respected and feared. Sword in hand he gathers his men into line to face the foe.

The Temporary Regimental Standard Bearer

NA436 "The Temporary Regimental Standard Bearer"

In battle and other times the Regimental Colours were usually held by a junior subaltern. In battle, standard bearers were often prime targets for enemy snipers and riflemen and suffered accordingly.

Here, a lowly corporal holds the Regimental standard after the young officer was killed... He is also seen firing one of the officer’s pistols.

Kneeling to Repel

NA437 "Kneeling to Repel"

A ‘classic’ infantry position formed up in the front rank of any ‘British Square’.

Engage the Enemy

NA438 "Engage the Enemy"

Fix bayonets and ready to offer ‘cold steel’ to the approaching Frenchies!

The Redcoat Value-Added Set

NA-S08 "The Redcoat Value-Added Set"

Combine ALL-FIVE Redcoats and we will make you an offer you can’t refuse...

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

4. "RETURN TO THE ALAMO"

Just 21 years after Waterloo another battle was fought a continent away and on a much smaller scale… The Last Stand at The Alamo

Although dwarfed in numbers by the huge struggle at Waterloo the 13-day siege of the old Spanish mission in San Antonio, Texas has gone down in American history as the event that sparked the blaze that led to Texas independence.

Here are 5 more defenders…  ALL proud Tennesseans who fought and died there.

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Samuel B. Blair

RTA111 "Samuel B. Blair"

Squire Daymon

RTA118 "Squire Daymon"

Burke Trammel

RTA119 "Burke Trammel"

Andrew M. Nelson

RTA121 "Andrew M. Nelson"

Joshua Smith

RTA122 "Joshua Smith"

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

5. "Somewhere in Western Europe"

Another transcontinental and historical leap from Texas in March 1836 to somewhere in Western Europe in late Autumn 1944.

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Panther Ausf. G.

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”.

Sky-Watching Panzer Crewman

WS353 "Sky-Watching Panzer Crewman"

A Sitting German ‘tanker’ scans the skies for any sign of Allied fighter-bombers.

Relaxing Panzer Crewmen

WS354 "Relaxing Panzer Crewmen"

Two sitting German ‘tankers’ enjoy a rare break from battle... Both figures can ‘perch’ on various German tanks and self-propelled guns including both new Tiger and Panther models.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

6. "BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH..."

Winter Fallschirmjager

BBG100 "Winter Fallschirmjager"

Clad in padded field jacket and trousers this German paratrooper has discarded his distinctive “FJ” helmet for the more common “coal scuttle” version.

Fallschirmjager Radio Operator

BBG106 "Fallschirmjager Radio Operator"

Listening into his “man pack” field radio this soldier is armed with both pistol and “Gewehr 43” semi-automatic rifle.

Fallschirmjager Sniper

BBG107 "Fallschirmjager Sniper"

Another German para also with the “G43”, this time fitted with a sniper scope. All of these “winter” FJ’s are well-wrapped up in their padded field smocks and trousers against the worst of the Russian winter or perhaps the freezing cold of the Ardennes Forest.

Over there, Fallschirmjager

BBG108 "Over there, Fallschirmjager"

This Fallschirmjager NCO is indicating to his men where he wants them to reposition to…

Falling Back, Fallschirmjager

BBG109 "Falling Back, Fallschirmjager"

One Fallschirmjager assists his wounded comrade back to a safe location.

Knife To The Neck

DD200 "Knife To The Neck"

Another commando knifing technique is the stab to the side of the neck…Extremely painful but the victim will bleed to death in seconds…a bit messy though!

British Paras

MG058 "British Paras"

A pair of British Paras doing what Paratroopers regularly do!

Mtd. Hussar w/ Carbine

NA302 "Mtd. Hussar w/ Carbine "

A classic mounted pose inspired by the work of one of France’s most famous military artists of the 20th Century...”Lucien Russelot”.

Artillery Officer

NA329 "Artillery Officer"

Standing with his telescope this officer observes his men about to go into action.

Drummer

NA330 "Drummer"

Gunners Set #1

NA331 "Gunners Set #1"

A Gunner First Class with the linstock rod together with another Gunner carrying the “Charge Pouch” and musket.

Gunners Set #2

NA332 "Gunners Set #2"

Two more gunners...One with the ‘lantern pole’...the other with the ‘Sponge Rod/Rammer’ and water bucket.

Armed Gunners

NA333 "Armed Gunners"

2 Line Artillerymen with muskets.

Line Officer w/ Telescope

NA334 "Line Officer w/ Telescope"

Gunner w/ Server’s Pouch

NA335 "Gunner w/ Server’s Pouch"

This soldier with the large cowhide pouch containing ‘charges’ for the gun.

The Gribeauval 12-pounder Cannon

NA336 "The Gribeauval 12-pounder Cannon"

Almost 1,000 of these guns were employed by Napoleon’s artillery.

Gunner w/ Rammer

NA337 "Gunner w/ Rammer"

A single Artilleryman.

And that my friends is June for you…  In a few days my wife Liza and myself are off to Europe for a friend’s daughter’s wedding and a special K&C Event in Paris, thanks to our good friends at Figurines & Collections on Thursday 13 June.

So, very best wishes to all and looking forward to seeing some of you in Paris.


Best wishes and... Happy Collecting!

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