AE089 "The Water Seller"

Cool, clean drinking water was always in short supply in Egypt until relatively modern times. To meet the obvious demand itinerant ‘Water Sellers’ carrying a large ceramic urn would be a familiar sight in most large Egyptian towns and cities.

They could also be found in areas where visitors and foreign tourists were likely to visit such as the famous ‘Valley of the Kings’ on the outskirts of Cairo.

Here is one such ‘Water Seller’ plying his wares to anyone with a few piasters * to spare and a thirst to be quenched.

AE090 "The Water Seller & His Customer"

As the seated customer enjoys a refreshing drink the seller pours another cup.

AE092 "Enjoying a Hookah"

A familiar sight throughout the Middle East and North Africa is the ‘Hookah’. This is a single or multi stemmed instrument for heating or vaporizing and then smoking either tobacco, flavoured tobacco or sometimes cannabis, hashish and even... opium. The smoke is passed through a water basin – often glass-based before inhalation.

In the Arab world and throughout the Middle East people smoke ‘hookahs’ as part of their culture and traditions. Social smoking is done with a single or double hose ‘hookah’ and even triple or quadruple versions on occasion.

Smoking a ‘hookah’ can be done at home privately or with company in cafes which are widespread social gathering places throughout the Arab world.

CW120 "Infantry Lieutenant w/Sword"

Unlike his fellow soldiers this officer is wearing the standard Union Army’s dark blue, frock coat.

Sabre clutched tightly in his right hand, the scabbard in his left, this young officer bravely leads his men towards the enemy position.

CW122 "The Stars & Stripes Forever"

This Colour Sergeant carries the ‘National Flag’ proudly as he counters shot and shell to inspire the other 83rd Volunteers advancing and following alongside him. At his waist he carries a holstered Navy Colt revolver, his only weapon.

CW123 "Infantry Drummer Boy"

‘Drummer Boys’ played an important role in the American Civil War... on both sides of the conflict, with some becoming soldiers.

In the Union Army it was forbidden to recruit any boys under the age of 16 but many still joined eager and willing to do their part and join, what many thought would be a ‘great adventure’.

By and large, the most popular reason young boys joined up was to escape what they viewed as a dull boring life working on a farm. (In 1860 the population of the United States was more than 80% rural).

As drummers these young boys helped to issue commands on the battlefield using their drum rolls and bugle calls to send orders to different units and formations.

Soldiers marched to battle to the sound of drums and used their beat to regulate loading... firing... and reloading their weapons during the battle.

Our young K&C Drummer plays a steady beat as his comrades move into the attack.

CW128 "Infantry Corporal Charging"

CW130 "Infantry Advancing Shooting"

Learning forward as he takes the shot.

CW134 "Infantry Biting The Cartridge"

During the American Civil War the most commonly used cartridge for muzzle loading weapons was the ‘paper cartridge’.

A paper cartridge contained a pre-measured amount of powder with the metal ball in a sealed unit often coated with beeswax, lard or tallow.

The standard procedure for loading a musket or rifled musket involved the follows:

1. Hold the musket level, place at half cock and open the flash pan.

2. Bite open the paper cartridge, pour a small quantity of powder into the pan and close it.

3. Hold the musket vertically and pour the remaining powder down the barrel.

4. Ram the ball and remaining paper down the barrel with the ramrod. The paper, typically a thick, sturdy type keeps the bullet centred in the bore and the weapon is now ready to fire.

CW135 "Infantry Reaching For A Cartridge"

Most infantryman on both the Union and Confederate sides carried a leather cartridge pouch suspended from a leather belt that crossed the chest and hung on the rear right side of the soldier.

Most of these pouches contained at least 40 x paper cartridge rounds.

Having fired his last round this soldier reaches back and into the open pouch to find another fresh cartridge.

ROM059 "The Senior Mounted Legate"

A ‘Legate’ was a very senior official who acted as a deputy general to governors of provinces conquered by Ancient Rome in the 1st and 2nd Centuries BC, during the period of the republic.

In the latter half of the 1st Century BC, Julius Caesar began appointing ‘Legates’ to command entire Legions in the Army.

This practice became customary under the Emperor Augustus who gave these commanders great power and influence not only over their personal areas of responsibility but also in Rome itself.

Our figure represents no particular personality but portrays a strong political soldier of wide experience and knowledge in leading a Legion in battle, protecting a Roman Province in peacetime and dealing with the trials and tribulations of Rome itself.

TF002 "Destination Stanley"

A great little set of THREE additional ‘Bootnecks’ (R.M. slang for Royal Marines) yomping their way across East Falklands on their way towards Stanley.

Each Marine carried over 80 pounds of equipment and supplies as well as their personal weapons and extra ammunition.

Originally the Marines and Paras had expected to be transported forward by helicopters, but after the ‘Atlantic Conveyor’ which carried these aircraft was sunk the troops had to march across the island carrying everything on their backs.

K&C’s 3 X ‘Booties’ are carrying an assortment of weapons... The ever-reliable L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle), the venerable L4 Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun) and the Belgian – designed, British-built L7A2 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun).

All naturally are in their standard British military DPM uniform and proudly wearing their green commando berets.

TRW179 "Stands Tall’ firing Carbine"

A dismounted Cheyenne ‘Dog soldier’ firing his Carbine.

TRW183 "Eagle’s Wing"

It’s not easy to shoot accurately from a galloping horse but this particular Sioux warrior is willing to try.

TRW184 "Crouching Apache"

Cautiously approaching an unsuspecting victim.

VN130 "Kneeling NCO w/Binos"

A ‘Grunt’ Non Commissioned Officer M16 in one hand takes a closer look at an enemy position through his binos.

VN137 "Cautiously Advancing"

Two ‘Grunts’ carefully move along a wall as one edges around a corner the other prepares to back him up.

AE032 "Wedding Couple"

A wealthy couple celebrate their union.

AF013 "Colonel Glenn Eagleston"

Col.Eagleston had a total of 181/2 victories during WW2 flying the Mustang. On October 29, 1944 he shot down 3 x Me.109’s in a 30 minute dogfight!

After WW2 he served again in Korea where he flew the F86 “Sabre” and added 2 x Mig.15’s to his tally.

AF015 "Captain Donald J. Strait"

Don Strait flew with the 361st Fighter Squadron of the 356 Fighter Group and became their top ace with 131/2 victories… all but 3 of them flying the P51 “Mustang”.

After WW2 he joined the New Jersey Air National Guard and served in Korea and retired in 1978 as a Major General. Our new figure shows him picking up his parachute prior to mounting his “Mustang”.

AF019 "Flight Commander"

Wearing his jaunty 50 mission" hat this veteran pilot prepares to brief his pilots on their next mission."

AF020 "Pilot w/ Map"

This young fighter-jock" checks his map coordinates."

AF021 "Synchronize Your Watches"

It's important that everyone is on the same page" and "at the same time" for any mission to be successful."

AF022 "Kneeling Pilot"

This kneeling pilot is listening intently to the briefing.

AF026 "Standing Mechanic"

Carrying his box of tools in one hand and reaching out with the other this mechanic can work on any of our warbirds"."

DD262 "WarDaddy"

Here’s another Sherman tank commander that might prove useful...

FW218 "Lieut. Col. Winston Churchill"

After his resignation from the government, following the Dardanelles debacle, Winston rejoined the Army and was appointed Commanding Officer of the 6th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers in France.

Here he is shown wearing a French “Adrian” type steel helmet along with the Scottish style military jacket and jodhpurs and puttees.

SP069 "BARBED WIRE"

A roll or two of barbed wire always looks good on any miniature battlefield.

WS346 "Dismounted Tank Crew #1"

One of the crew enjoys a mug of hot coffee while talking with his wounded tank commander.