CD020 "Dressing For A Fight"

Every well-dressed ‘Vaquero’ would not be fully turned-out unless suitably attired with a pair of rifle bullet bandoleers across his chest.

As this Mexican gentleman adjusts his jacket his female companion hands him a pair of bandoleers of rifle ammunition.

CD021 "Emiliano Zapata… The Mexican Revolutionary"

One of the most colourful and memorable Leaders of just one of Mexico’s many revolutions stands proudly wearing a shoulder sash in the national colours under his own ammunition bandoleers. He was to be killed in an ambush aged just 39 in 1919.

KT004 "On The Kokoda Trail"

Another ‘walking-wounded digger’ being gently led down the trail to safety by one of the local Papuan tribesman dressed in his native dress and carrying the Australian’s .303 Lee Enfield.

TR008 "The Emperor Franz-Joseph"

Born in 1830, Franz-Joseph became Emperor of the sprawling and often fractious Austro Hungerian Empire at the age of 18.

He would go on to become the longest-reigning monarch of this ill-fated conglomeration until his death at the age of 86 in 1916.

Franz-Joseph’s reign was anything but peaceful and throughout this period was beset by wars, revolts, suicides and assassinations… often involving close members of his own family.

The two most notable being the killing of his heir apparent, the Archduke Franz-Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo in June 1914. This murderous act was to ultimately lead to the outbreak of World War One just two months later.

Our K&C rendition of the Emperor is based on several portraits of Franz-Joseph as well as a mounted statue and shows him in a typical saluting pose while riding one of his favourite horses.

CHK012 "Black Watch In White Tropical Uniform"

25 years ago, on the last day of June 1997, the former British Crown Colony of Hong Kong was ceremoniously handed back to the Peoples’ Republic of China.

On that evening, in what could be seen as the very last day of the once great British Empire, the ‘Union Jack’ was lowered and the red flag raised over this amazing city that l’ve proudly called home for the last 45 years!

Among the U.K. armed forces on parade that night was the last British Army regiment to be stationed in Hong Kong… the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch.

One of the oldest infantry regiments in the Army and with one of its finest battlefield reputations the ‘Watch’ wore their traditional kilts together with the ‘Tropical Parade Dress’ tunics in white.

This new version of our Regimental 13 piece ‘Pipes & Drums’ are uniformed as they were on that historic last parade on the evening of June 30, 1997.

Today the ‘Black Watch’ have been amalgamated into the much larger Royal Regiment of Scotland and form this new unit’s Third Battalion.

HK301M "Street Food Hawker Stall (Matt)"

Travel down almost any thoroughfare in old Hong Kong and you were bound to come upon all kinds of ‘street-food ’sellers (hawkers) offering an amazing range of cooked foods and snacks that could be enjoyed at all times of the day and night… and nearly always very inexpensive too!

This lady together with her little food cart is offering a range of freshly-made steamed vermicelli roll with all kinds of condiments to suit her customers’ tastes and pockets.

HK301G "Street Food Hawker Stall (Gloss)"

Travel down almost any thoroughfare in old Hong Kong and you were bound to come upon all kinds of ‘street-food ’sellers (hawkers) offering an amazing range of cooked foods and snacks that could be enjoyed at all times of the day and night… and nearly always very inexpensive too!

This lady together with her little food cart is offering a range of freshly-made steamed vermicelli roll with all kinds of condiments to suit her customers’ tastes and pockets.

TRW186 "Marshal 'Rooster' Cogburn"

Marshal Reuben ‘Rooster’ Cogburn was the fictitious creation of writer Charles Portis in his 1968 novel ‘TRUE GRIT’ which in turn was made into a hit 1969 movie of the same name starring John Wayne, who won his only ‘Oscar’ for playing the title role.

The film was made again in 2010 starring the inimitable Jeff Bridges in the Cogburn role.

Our little Winchester toting figure is a tribute to a great book and two terrific movies as well a rare breed of Western lawman!

VN141 "M151 'Mutt' (USMC)"

This dust-covered, battle-weary M151 has been in the thick of the fighting during the 1968 TET Offensive…

As one ‘Grunt’ drives, his buddy mans the post-mounted M60 machine gun and lays down effective fire on the enemy… Perfect for any battlefield where our K&C Marines are in action!

VN142 "M151 ‘Mutt’ (U.S. Army Military Police)"

A very visible presence on any Saigon street or indeed any large South Vietnamese town or city where American troops were stationed. This particular MP vehicle is clean and well-maintained and again has a two-man crew comprising a sitting driver behind the wheel and a standing Military Policeman wearing the MP brassard and suitably-painted helmet in charge of the M60 machine gun.

Both men belong to the 716th Military Police Battalion whose primary mission was providing security and law enforcement in the Saigon/Cholon/Tan Son Nhut metropolitan area. In addition, they guarded the US Embassy, the MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) headquarters and other critical US facilities throughout the city.

All members of this unit were heavily engaged during the ’68 TET Offensive and suffered a number of fatalities.

Our model depicts these MPs on regular vehicle patrol prior to the surprise attack.

VN149 "The Sampan Soldiers Set"

During the Vietnam Conflict the Viet Cong made ample use of the huge Mekong Delta of canals and waterways to move men, supplies and weaponry all over the southwest region of Vietnam.

Although heavily patrolled by US Navy and South Vietnamese ‘brown-water’ naval units the Delta offered an abundance of hiding places and ambush opportunities for the wily V.C. while they moved stealthily around the area using all kinds of small watercraft. This little set comprises three V.C. kneeling, sitting and crouching together with their weapons.

As they have no cumbersome bases they can easily fit onto our Sampan or any other small boat or even… on dry land.

VN154 "The Viet Cong Sampan Set"

This handy little boat has a V.C. ‘Skipper’ manning the tiller as he makes his way quietly along some waterway in the Delta always listening for the approach of any U.S. or South Vietnamese patrol craft.

VN-S03 "‘The VC Sampan Combo’"

Here’s a great way to save yourself US$19… Combine both VN149 the 3-man ‘Sampan Soldiers’ set together with VN154 ‘The Viet Cong Sampan’ boat and hold onto an extra US$19!

HK204M "Sailor at-ease (Matt)"

Jolly Jack Tar" on a run-ashore looking to down a few pints of beer and maybe seek out a little feminine company..."

HK204G "Sailor at-ease (Gloss)"

Jolly Jack Tar" on a run-ashore looking to down a few pints of beer and maybe seek out a little feminine company..."

HK255M "Royal Navy Sailor-At-Ease (Matt)"

Dressed in tropical ‘whites’ this bearded matelot is about to go on shore leave.

HK255G "Royal Navy Sailor-At-Ease (Gloss)"

Dressed in tropical ‘whites’ this bearded matelot is about to go on shore leave.

LOJ041 "Mary, Joseph & The Infant Jesus"

At dead of night Joseph leads Mary and the baby on their donkey towards Egypt and temporary safety.

LW038 "Major Rudolf “Rudi” Sinner"

Rudi" Sinner originally flew with Marseille in North Africa and achieved 39 confirmed victories, including two flying the Me.262."

LW039 ""Coffee Break""

Two more enjoy some ersatz coffee… after a mission… Oberfeldwebel Heinz Arnold (42 kills") and Unteroffizier Edouard Schallmoser who gained a dubious reputation as a "Rammjager" for his dangerous habit of deliberately ramming enemy aircraft… with his own. He did not survive the war."

NA241 "92nd Highlanders marching w/ rifle"

RnB002 "Battle Trophies"

Cruelty on the battlefield was not only practiced by the Romans... This Celtic Warrior carries two decapitated heads on his spear both as a warning to his enemies as well as a blood-thirsty trophy to his fighting skills.

ROM023 "Roman Soldier Throwing Pilum"

Holding his shield to the front this Legionary prepares to throw his ‘Pilum’ at the enemy.

ROM024 "Roman Soldier Kneeling w/ Pilum"

Preparing to repel an enemy assault this kneeling Legionary has ample protection behind his shield with the ‘Pilum’ sitting forward at a 45°angle.

VN079 "NVA/VC RPG Team"

As the VC Rocket Propelled Grenadier moves forward his NVA comrade follows closely behind with his AK47.

VN094 "The S.F. Radio Operator"

This solo Radio Operator is carrying his PRC-25 radio inside his rucksack and holding a CAR-15 Colt ‘Commando’ carbine in his left hand as he relays instructions on his handset.

He’s wearing a locally-made ‘Tiger-Stripe’ uniform and similar pattern ‘Boonie’ hat.

VN114 "The Water Buffalo Boy"

Meanwhile, back in the countryside it was common for relatively young children to be helping their families by looking after the family livestock. This young boy rides his buffalo towards some nearby grazing.