May 2021


Welcome to the ‘Merry Month of May’ and our latest K&C edition of ‘DISPATCHES’.

This month’s offerings provide a broad and expansive mixture of all-new items and a few fresh renditions of very popular K&C favourites from our huge inventory.

Also, please take note of this month’s ‘Retirement List’… It’s a long one and contains some very special items that are only available in small numbers… So don’t miss out on them!

Well, without further ado, let’s get on with the show…

WHAT’S NEW IN MAY…?

1. "The Skirl o’ The Pipes and The Beat o’ The Drum"

The origins of the British military’s pipe bands can be traced back to the early 1800’s as soldier / musicians were tasked with keeping pace and morale up on long marches with their respective regiments.

This inevitably led to the global spread and popularity of ‘piping’ as the British Empire expanded and the British Army’s Scottish Regiments ranged far and wide both building and defending its colonies and citizens.

By the 18th Century, the highland bagpiper would perform as a soloist or as a member of a Regiment’s ‘Pipes & Drums’ band.

Army pipe bands were officially recognized by the British War Office in 1854 and thereafter became a permanent fixture and addition to all Scottish regiments.

The leading piper became known as the ‘Pipe Major’ while the mace wielding NCO In the front of the band was the ‘Drum Major’.

With Scots, both military and civilian at the forefront of Britain’s colonial adventures so its national music and its pipers and drummers spread Scottish culture and music to the four corners of the world.

Among the most famous ‘exporters’ and ‘exponents’ of Scotland’s national music were the men of The Black Watch.

Here is our tribute in miniature to a fine old Scots regiment…

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The Black Watch Pipes & Drums

CE028 "The Black Watch Pipes & Drums"

This magnificent 13 figure set, laid out in its own large box contains the following...

1 x 'Drum Major'

6 x 'Pipers' (which includes a 'Pipe Major')

2 x 'Tenor Drummers'

1 x 'Bass Drummer' and

3 x 'Side Drummers'

Points to note, all six Pipers wear the 'Royal Stewart' tartan and the black doublet jacket. All drummers and the Drum Major wear the regiment’s scarlett tunics and the traditional 'Black Watch Government Tartan'

Although K&C has produced this 13-man set most military 'pipes & drum' bands are actually larger... Anywhere from 8-16 pipers and 4-6 side drummers which is why we have also made available...

The Black Watch Piper

CE061 "The Black Watch Piper"

These individual bagpipers can be purchased as ‘solo’ pieces to add on to and increase your ‘pipes & drums’ or… stand alone.

The Black Watch Drummer

CE062 "The Black Watch Drummer"

A superb little figure complete with his bugle and side drum.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

2. "ON THE FIELDS OF NORMANDY"

The Sherman Firefly was the best tank used by British and some Commonwealth and Allied armoured formations in WW2. It was based on the US M4 Sherman but fitted with the more powerful British 17-pounder gun as its main weapon.

During the war, the British Army made extensive use of the American-made and supplied Sherman tanks but found the US 75mm main gun less than effective against German armour.

The answer was to ‘upgun’ the Sherman with the tried and battle-tested, British 17-pounder gun. Because of its large size this also meant redesigning the Sherman turret to accommodate the bigger gun.

By early 1944 this ‘new’ configuration was christened the ‘Firefly’ and put into full production in the UK.

In Normandy, following the landings in June 1944, the Sherman ‘Firefly’ proved its worth by becoming the first Allied tank to successfully take on and penetrate the armour of the mighty German tanks such as the ‘Panther’ and ‘Tiger’.

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The British Sherman Firefly Vc

DD334 "The British Sherman Firefly Vc"

This K&C model is in the markings of a 'B' Squadron vehicle of the 23rd Hussars, belonging to the 11th Armoured Division during the battle for Normandy.

Because the 'Firefly' had a visibly longer main gun barrel, crews often tried to camouflage it with paint so that the tank would look like, from a distance, the more normal and numerous, 75mm-gun M4 Sherman.

Our King & Country 'Firefly' comes with a ‘half-body’ tank commander and a 'head and shoulders' driver in the open hatches.

As additional protection this 'Firefly' also has extra tank tracks mounted around the turret and on the tank hull itself.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

3. "BERLIN ’38 STREET DECORATIONS"

From the mud, blood and dust of Normandy in the summer of ’44 to the banner-festooned boulevards and broad streets of Pre War Berlin in ’38…

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Hitler Jugend Street Banner

LAH261 "Hitler Jugend Street Banner"

This double-bannered street lamp shows two red, white and black Nazi banners on one side, while the reverse has a pair of 'HJ' banners in position.

Useful for any 'Berlin '38' scene or group of figures.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

4. "WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE"

Although that might be the title of a great old ‘Animals’ song from the 1960’s it’s also a reminder that King & Country is in Vietnam for the long haul and ain’t pulling any troops out just yet.

Hell, we’re even bringing in more reinforcements!

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Viet Cong Sapper w/AK47

VN102 "Viet Cong Sapper w/AK47"

Among the deadliest (and bravest) of the enemy in 'Nam were the VC and NVA 'Sappers' who would strip down to their 'skivvies' to crawl through barb wire and minefields to strike at US and ARVN airfields and firebases throughout the country.

Here is one such 'Sapper' who has made it through all the obstacles and hazards and is going 'hunting' with his AK47. Most of these soldiers did not enjoy a long life and suffered horrendous casualties... but they're still worthy of respect from friend and foe alike.

Three Captured Viet Cong

VN115 "Three Captured Viet Cong"

This trio of forlorn captives are on their way back for interrogation and, if they are lucky, a long stay in a South Vietnamese prison cell.

A few were persuaded to 'change sides' and go over to the ARVN side and perhaps become useful as intelligence scouts for American infantry units.

The program was originally initiated by US Marine units operating in Vietnam.

VN117,126 Group

Anzac Mortar Team

VN117 "Anzac Mortar Team"

These three stripped down 'Diggers' or 'Kiwis' if you prefer are laying down some heavy mortar fire on an enemy position outside the perimeter wire of their base camp.

As the men were probably operating from a secure area there was little necessity for shirts or body armour. All three blokes are also wearing ear defenders... wise choice!

Add-On Mortar Ammunition

VN126 "Add-On Mortar Ammunition"

A very, very useful and necessary addition to the previous set... 12 extra mortar rounds laid out on a piece of khaki ground sheet waiting to be fired.

Can also go with our Viet Cong Mortar Team (VN088) and our USMC Mortar Duo (VN116)

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

5. "European Farm Gateway"

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European Farm Gateway

SP120 "European Farm Gateway"

The perfect architectural feature to extend and grow a European display or diorama for virtually any historical period from the middle ages all the way up to the wars of the 20th Century and all points in between.

The two doors can open and close and have a wooden 'locking bar' to hold them in place. Goes well with SP114 and SP119.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

6. "THE ROMANOVS... BEFORE THE FALL"

The Tsar’s two eldest daughters, the Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana were alas to suffer the same horrible fate that befell the entire Royal Family on the night of 17 July 1918… murdered in a cruel massacre by a gang of cowardly Bolsheviks.

In the happier years before the war broke out in August 1914 both young girls were given the ranks of ‘Honorary Colonel’ of prestigious cavalry regiments in the Imperial Army.

Grand Duchess Olga, the eldest, became ‘Honorary Colonel’ of the 3rd Elizavetgradsky Hussars Regiment.

Her younger sister, Grand Duchess Tatiana was also awarded the same rank and title for the 8th Vosnesenski Lancers.

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Grand Duchess Olga & Grand Duchess Tatiana

TR004 "Grand Duchess Olga & Grand Duchess Tatiana"

Both young women are seen in the full dress, parade uniforms of their respective regiments.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

7. "THE GLORY & DANGER OF ROME"

Ancient Rome was a dangerous place to live in … even for some Emperors. Plots, treason and murder were all too common occurrencies for those who held the top position over the city and its growing empire.

One of Rome’s best and most able emperors, Augustus, still felt insecure enough to establish his own personal imperial bodyguard regiment to ensure his own and his family’s safety.

For the next three centuries the ‘Praetorian Guard’ fulfilled its duties to the emperor while still intriguing and occasionally interfering on its own behalf. These Praetorians came to become both a help and a hindrance to their nominal masters…

The Praetorian Centurion

ROM053 "The Praetorian Centurion"

A well-proven, professional soldier who has seen plenty of active service with the regular Legions before transferring over to the Praetorians.

Rising up through the ranks he is a blend of military professionalism, fierce loyalty to his superiors and dedicated ruthlessness when required with 'no questions asked'

Chief of The Praetorian Guard

ROM054 "Chief of The Praetorian Guard"

Lucius Aelius Sejanus rose to power under the reign of the Emperor Tiberius, the adopted son of Augustus. Sejanus was the first, but not the last, to exploit his position of Commander of the Guard to pursue his own ambitions.

He made extensive efforts to ingratiate himself with the Emperor while at the same time quietly eliminating any others including Tiberius’ own family, from having any connection with the Emperor himself.

Inevitably, he over-reached himself by trying to get Tiberius to make him his ‘heir apparent’.

This led to his downfall and execution but for 17 years he led the Guard and was a major power in Rome itself.

He is most notably portrayed in the classic television series, ‘ⅠClaudius’ Our mounted figure shows him at the pinnacle of his power.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

8. "SCOTLAND FOREVER!"

From the colour and spectacle of Ancient Rome to the blood-drenched grass of Waterloo in 1815.

Galloping into the charge are the first of two batches of our latest 2nd North British Dragoons… better known as ‘The Scots Greys’… Leading them is the bold and brave Sergeant Charles Ewart (1769-1846).

Several years ago K&C issued its first collection of Scots Greys and they proved to be very popular.

Having been long-retired we have received a number of requests to come up with additional mounted figures to add on to that first range while also introducing newer figures to bring the range to the notice of newer Napoleonic collectors.

So, here are the first four…

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Sgt. Ewart & The French Standard

NA476 "Sgt. Ewart & The French Standard"

Probably the most famous cavalry action that happened on the British side was Sergeant Charles Ewart's capture of the tricolor, regimental standard of the 45th Line Infantry.

Our figure shows him clutching the captured standard as he prepares to gallop to the rear with his prize and... safety!

The Scots Greys Galloper

NA478 "The Scots Greys Galloper"

Sabre held vertically this trooper gallops into action.

The Scots Greys Slasher

NA480 "The Scots Greys Slasher"

Heavy cavalry sabers were best employed in wide, sweeping cuts that could take off an arm or a leg.

They were not precision weapons but could be used with deadly effect at close quarters.

Our cavalryman is about to administer one such blow.

The Scots Greys Trooper

NA482 "The Scots Greys Trooper"

Bringing his horse to a halt this particular trooper has just heard a distant bugle call ordering him to reform.

AVAILABILITY: NOW!

9. "THE RETIREMENT LIST"

No less than 27 great K&C items are being dispensed with in this release schedule and there are some very fine pieces among them.

DODGE WC51 Weapons Carrier (Winter Ambulance)

BBA080 "DODGE WC51 Weapons Carrier (Winter Ambulance)"

This ubiquitous little Weapons Carrier has been turned into a temporary ambulance to help “ferry” the wounded back to the nearest field hospital. Our model has a detachable canvas cover and a seated ambulance driver figure.

The Winter Jeep

BBA084 "The Winter Jeep"

A three-man reconnaissance Jeep patrol make their way down a lonely, snow-covered forest track somewhere in the Ardennes just before first light on the morning of December 16, 1944.

Suddenly, they halt the vehicle and listen… Is that tanks they hear in the distance…?

K&C’s latest jeep mounts a .30cal. machine gun on the front of the vehicle and contains 3 x winter-clad GI’s (an additional M1 carbine is also included) about to discover the source of the sound they can hear…

The Winter STUG III

BBG118 "The Winter STUG III"

As many collectors know the Sturmgeschutz Ⅲ more commonly referred to as the StuGⅢ was Germany’s second most-produced armoured fighting vehicle during World War 2.

Built on the chassis of the already-proven PanzerⅢ, it replaced the Panzer turret with an armoured, fixed superstructure mounting a more powerful 7.5cm main gun. This was originally intended as a mobile assault gun for direct-fire infantry support. Later, the StuGⅢ adopted in addition another role, similar to that of the Jagdpanzer... tank destroyer!

As secondary armament the StuGⅢ mounted the tried and tested MG34 machine gun complete with protective shield.

Approximately 10,000 StuGⅢ’s of various types were built between 1942 and 1945 with the vast majority being supplied to the Wehrmacht. Small numbers were however sold to Finland, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain and Hungary. A few even turned up in Syria and took part in the 1967 Arab / Israeli War.

This “winterized” StuGⅢ has been given by its crew a ‘winter whitewash’ coat of camouflage and could be placed somewhere in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944... or perhaps on the Russian Front in the latter half of WW2.

Standing Roman Auxiliary

LOJ033 "Standing Roman Auxiliary"

Auxiliary w/ Shield and Spear

LOJ034 "Auxiliary w/ Shield and Spear"

Walking Auxiliary

LOJ035 "Walking Auxiliary"

Marching Auxiliary

LOJ036 "Marching Auxiliary"

The Centurion

LOJ037 "The Centurion"

Standing Primus Pilus

LOJ038 "Standing Primus Pilus"

Arnhem Universal Carrier

MG046 "Arnhem Universal Carrier"

Just 16 of these little tracked vehicles landed with the British 1st Airborne Division…all came with the Air Landing Brigades and belonged to the Royal Army Service Corps. They were used to transport ammunition and haul the Brigades howitzers and anti tank guns.

As you can see two R.A.S.C. men “crew” the vehicle.

M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

MG047 "M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer"

This is the latest version of this unique U.S. built field piece that K&C has produced…and also our most detailed. This gun can also be towed behind the carrier (MG046) and fits perfectly with the add-on crew figures.

The Aston Martin “Ulster” (Sky Blue)

RAF074 "The Aston Martin “Ulster” (Sky Blue)"

A second version of RAF071...This one in “Sky Blue”.

Clearing a Blockage

TRW033 "Clearing a Blockage"

Constant firing caused many of the carbines to “overheat” and made spent cartridges difficult to extract… This trooper is using his knife to desperately try and clear the cartridge chamber.

"Two Moons"

TRW040(P) ""Two Moons""

Another mounted Sioux warrior firing his carbine at a dismounted cavalry trooper.

The Cut-Throat Duel

TRW048 "The Cut-Throat Duel"

One wounded trooper is about to meet his end at the hands (and knife) of a very angry Sioux warrior.

The Pistoleer

TRW060 "The Pistoleer"

A mounted cavalry trooper, his Army Colt levelled to the front, shoots down “Hawk Man”.

Red Stripe

TRW063(P) "Red Stripe"

A mounted Cheyenne “Dog Soldier” brandishing a captured Cavalry pistol and carrying his war shield.

Winchester Warrior

TRW068(P) "Winchester Warrior"

A Cheyenne “Dog Soldier” wheels around looking for his next “long knife” opponent!

War Shield

TRW073(P) "War Shield"

A mounted Arapaho ally of the Sioux and Cheyenne at the battle he gallops forward eager to come to grips with the hated “Long Knives”.

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.

"Bows & Arrows", The Apaches

TRW094 ""Bows & Arrows", The Apaches"

Although most Apache warriors preferred to get their hands on firearms they were also adapt in the use of the more traditional Indian weaponry.

Kneeling Ready

TRW107 "Kneeling Ready"

Crouching down and seeking out another “damn injun”!

Watching & Signaling

TRW112 "Watching & Signaling"

A pair of lying prone Apache warriors observing the approach of a U.S. Cavalry patrol... As one warrior uses a pair of captured (or stolen) binoculars the other signals the rest of the war party using a simple disc of polished metal.

Burn ‘em up!

USMC048(SE) "Burn ‘em up!"

As one ‘Leatherneck’ blasts away with his Combat Shotgun, An NCO orders his Flame Thrower Marine to let loose at an enemy pillbox.

We’ll cover you!

USMC049(SE) "We’ll cover you!"

A kneeling ‘Tommy-Gunner’ and a standing rifleman provide covering fire as the Marine with the BAR runs forward.

Eat this you sons of Nippon!

USMC050(SE) "Eat this you sons of Nippon!"

A kneeling BAR gunner fires off a burst as his buddy pitches a grenade at the opposition... the third Marine hits the deck!

Sd. Kfz. Half Track 251

WS217 "Sd. Kfz. Half Track 251"

This ubiquitous German fighting vehicle could be seen on every German battlefield from the Caucasus in Russia to Cyrenaica in Libya and all points in between.

Our battle-weary, dust covered “feldgrau” (field grey) version is perfect for early to mid war battles and campaigns in Poland, France or the Soviet Union.

Vehicle comes with fixed driver and detachable MG34 and antenna.

Be advised though they include many very low quantities. Please ensure you contact your favourite dealer or K&C direct as soon as possible to fulfill your requirements.

Check out the photos and order now!

Well, that’s the story so for, let’s hope there’s something for you either in the new releases or… in the old / new retirements.

Once again many thanks for your continued support and enthusiasm.


Best wishes and... Happy Collecting!

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