Every few months we get a new batch of great figures from King and Country. This batch includes the newest - the re-issue of the Battle of the Bulge series. K&C had done a series of Ardennes themed figures years ago. These are hard to find items now, and being earlier figures the detail was not nearly as sharp as newer K&C stuff. Well Andy has re-started the series with four sets. I just received my first two from George Gueriero at Minuteman Toy Soldiers. Set BBA02 has four US infantry including a man standing, holding an M9 bazooka at the ready, a sitting soldier with an M1917A1 heavy machinegun, a squatting soldier with an M1 rifle and a standing with an M1 rifle. Set BBA04 includes a Military Police jeep, complete with raised top and an MP sitting at the wheel. Two other MPs are supplied, one holding an M1 rifle at the ready, and another with a carbine calling for someone to halt. The K&C website notes the "non-regulation blue scarves" on the MPs. This was supposedly one of the recognition devices for Skorzeny's commando teams in US uniforms. This offers opportunities for displaying them. Personally I think they will make fine GI MPs, and with the BBA02 infantry they can be displayed as part of a roadblock scene. To each their own!
Anyway, the scuplting and painting of these fellows are even better than K&C's usual high standards! The GI's all look COLD and very apprehensive. The uniforms are very correct for the time and place, and I like certain little touches. For instance the BBA02 standing rifleman is the only figure I can remeber seeing with the hood for his M1943 field jacket, the bazooka man has his blanket tied with a rope, and the jeep carries all the markings of a vehicle that was used in England prior to being sent to the Continent.
Personally I think Andy Nielson and his team have exceeded expectations. Are K&C figures cheap? Nope, but you sure get your money's worth in this new series. I'm already looking forward to getting the other two sets as well as the others that (hopefully) will follow. I've already started plans to clear off one of my display case shelves and change it to an Ardennes scene based around these figures.
New King and Country "Battle of the Bulge" review.
K&C BOB
I too have got the 3 new BOB sets and agree they are the best. Unfortunetly no one on this board collects K&C, except Victory and FullyAutomatic.
As often as I,ve tried to start a thread on K&C no one bites.
I guess we will just have this small band of brothers that fully appreciates what toy soldier collecting can really be.
As often as I,ve tried to start a thread on K&C no one bites.
I guess we will just have this small band of brothers that fully appreciates what toy soldier collecting can really be.
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fullyautomatic
- Corporal
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:36 pm
- Location: the mountains of NC
I was really hoping...
Gee I was really hoping your reviews of the new K&C fig's was going to be bad so I didn't feel I was missing out on them.Darn that Andy.By the way,when does the price increase go into effect?I see the old BOB series on ebay just keeps going up and up in price.Thanks Gary for talking me into buying those when I had the chance.So with the GI's looking so good then the new German sets with the mighty King should look nothing but spectacular.
Does anyone know how many diorama buildings and sets there have been?I see on ebay an Atlantic wall set which I have never seen before.I know or have seen the Iwo Jima ones which seem to frequent ebay regularily and some others but then all of a sudden something new comes along.
Does anyone know how many diorama buildings and sets there have been?I see on ebay an Atlantic wall set which I have never seen before.I know or have seen the Iwo Jima ones which seem to frequent ebay regularily and some others but then all of a sudden something new comes along.
K&C BOB
I'm expecting to receive my BoB figures this week as well and expect to find them to K&C's typical high standard. K&C seems to have mastered the weathered look. Case in point is with the lastest D-day figures. The wet boots and ankles look certainly set the scene for them.
I know the expense of these figures is a consideration but its always puzzled me as to why there isn't more board members collecting these. Nothing on the market matches K&C.
FA, K&C has produced many diorama buildings (more like building fronts) which you can see at Sagers Soldiers & Minature's website.
http://www.toysoldiersusa.com/cgi-local ... %20SCENERY
I know the expense of these figures is a consideration but its always puzzled me as to why there isn't more board members collecting these. Nothing on the market matches K&C.
FA, K&C has produced many diorama buildings (more like building fronts) which you can see at Sagers Soldiers & Minature's website.
http://www.toysoldiersusa.com/cgi-local ... %20SCENERY
Why not K&C?
I used to collect King&Country and agree that they are the best sculpts around, but two things made me give up collecting them and sell off my collection.
1. The odd scale - With the wonderful array of 1/32 vehicles and accessories on the market it doesn't make sense to get into an odd scale like this, especially when it even varies between K&C series.
2. They keep remaking their vehicles and sets. It is annoying to me as a collector to keep going back to the same ground and updating the items I've already got.
Right now, I'm looking to the ONTC figures as matching the quality of the K&C, but without the above problems.
1. The odd scale - With the wonderful array of 1/32 vehicles and accessories on the market it doesn't make sense to get into an odd scale like this, especially when it even varies between K&C series.
2. They keep remaking their vehicles and sets. It is annoying to me as a collector to keep going back to the same ground and updating the items I've already got.
Right now, I'm looking to the ONTC figures as matching the quality of the K&C, but without the above problems.
re: K&C
K&C is a different scale than all others, but in my opinion they are made to display, not set up big dioramas.
I somewhat agree about returning to old sets with new releases, but with the exception of the upcoming Iwo flag raising set, every set has had enough differences to make it worthwhile to buy.
Also the last couple of years the figures have become larger than earlier releases, however they have improved in quality.
Another line of figures that are top notch are the latest Figarti WW2 Japs. They are the standard 54mm and really must be seen in person to appreciate.
George at Minuteman carries the above line and told me come this years OTSN Figarti will have out it,s WW2 Marines.
I somewhat agree about returning to old sets with new releases, but with the exception of the upcoming Iwo flag raising set, every set has had enough differences to make it worthwhile to buy.
Also the last couple of years the figures have become larger than earlier releases, however they have improved in quality.
Another line of figures that are top notch are the latest Figarti WW2 Japs. They are the standard 54mm and really must be seen in person to appreciate.
George at Minuteman carries the above line and told me come this years OTSN Figarti will have out it,s WW2 Marines.
Why not K&C?
I have to agree with gk5717, that although there are size differences these figures are meant to display in small numbers and not in large dioramas. The thing I enjoy is that the sets can be displayed individually or in small numbers and their marvelous detail is enough for me. Its all in what one is looking for I guess. When your battling the space issue large dioramas are out of the question. Another positive for me is the variety in theatres and subject for that matter that K&C produces. All with the same great quality. So far I've gotten caught up with the American Rev, Egyptians, & of course WWII.
After a year or so of being undecided i've finally ordered some King and Country figures. I've gone for the Desert Demag and the 2 sets of Ramcke brigade fallschirmjagers. They've just been retired so i thought i'd better get them before i end up regretting it.
They cost a lot of money but they are unquestionably the best. Also the guys at kingandcountry.co.uk here in the UK are incredibly nice to deal with on the phone.
I think this is the direction my collecting is going to go now. I plan on completing the available Afrika Korps set but i really like the look of the 88mm gun, crew and prime mover and the Jagdpanther and riders... and....
They cost a lot of money but they are unquestionably the best. Also the guys at kingandcountry.co.uk here in the UK are incredibly nice to deal with on the phone.
I think this is the direction my collecting is going to go now. I plan on completing the available Afrika Korps set but i really like the look of the 88mm gun, crew and prime mover and the Jagdpanther and riders... and....
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fullyautomatic
- Corporal
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:36 pm
- Location: the mountains of NC
K&C retired sets
Eazy just a word of advise.If your thinking of getting the 88 you better act now.Its being retired or might have already been.I have heard this from various sources and that it was only made in a limited run.You can see that the price on some dealers sites has already shown it with an increase.I waited on the 1st production set and luckily found one at original price which these days fetches upwards of $400 US.Don't make that mistake of waiting.
Well you have ordered your first sets so the addiction has started.Wait until you see the new "Fall of Berlin" series.You will crave these for sure.I see www.treefrogtreasures.com has full pic's of all the new sets.The new buildings are impressive.
Well you have ordered your first sets so the addiction has started.Wait until you see the new "Fall of Berlin" series.You will crave these for sure.I see www.treefrogtreasures.com has full pic's of all the new sets.The new buildings are impressive.
KC
I have been debating getting into the KC lately but the price and odd scale has thrown me too. Especially because I have gotten very into the FOV vehicles which are 1/32 and have amassed quite a few.
As a Russian fronter the Berlin stuff may have just sold me on taking the plunge though, as I probably would have earlier if the Stalingrad KC was still available.
Bill
As a Russian fronter the Berlin stuff may have just sold me on taking the plunge though, as I probably would have earlier if the Stalingrad KC was still available.
Bill
To really appreciate these figures you have to see them in real life. Looking at pictures on the internet just doesn't give the same impression. It was only when i saw them at a toy fair that i finally decided to start collecting.
Thanks guys for the advice on the 88mm gun. I think i will get that very soon hopefully.
The desert figures really appeal to me but for someone like me just starting out i really need to concentrate on the figures they are discontinuing at the moment ie 88mm and German Tank Riders. Then i can kind of pick and choose after that.
I'm interested how other people collect K&C figures. Do you buy all WW2 sets or concentrate on specific sets, or pick and choose from different sets?
Thanks guys for the advice on the 88mm gun. I think i will get that very soon hopefully.
The desert figures really appeal to me but for someone like me just starting out i really need to concentrate on the figures they are discontinuing at the moment ie 88mm and German Tank Riders. Then i can kind of pick and choose after that.
I'm interested how other people collect K&C figures. Do you buy all WW2 sets or concentrate on specific sets, or pick and choose from different sets?
eazy
Two and a half years ago I decided to buy a few of the Marine Iwo Jima sets. Well after receiving them I was hooked. I now collect all of their military lines from the Romans to the Modern sets.
Last summer I found a few dealers who had some long retired WW2 sets ie: the winter 88, winter panther etc. I let a couple of my K&C collecting buddies know from this board, Fully Automatic & Victory and we all made a great score at buying them at retail prices. These are going at 3 & 4 times the retail price on ebay. I must point out that Fully Auto also found a few retired sets I needed also.
Again great to have another K&C groupie.
Last summer I found a few dealers who had some long retired WW2 sets ie: the winter 88, winter panther etc. I let a couple of my K&C collecting buddies know from this board, Fully Automatic & Victory and we all made a great score at buying them at retail prices. These are going at 3 & 4 times the retail price on ebay. I must point out that Fully Auto also found a few retired sets I needed also.
Again great to have another K&C groupie.
caved
Well guys, I caved. But only on a limited basis. I bought one of the single KC figures on ebay from a store just to try it and compare. I also found a great deal on a britains set (two german prisoners with american captor MIB for only $8.50!!!) So I am going to line them up with my FOV and 21st stuff and then decide what I'm going to do, although I have a feeling KC may win by the photos.
It's such a dilema because I was very into the XD's and then got out of them for lack of variety in favor of 1/32 FOV and 21st recently. However, as I go on and become more serious, my standards get higher and change so while I know now that 1/30-35 (KC, Brit, FOV, etc) is the scale to be in, at least for me, I have to figure if I want to make the jump to metal figs and if so which ones.
Bill
It's such a dilema because I was very into the XD's and then got out of them for lack of variety in favor of 1/32 FOV and 21st recently. However, as I go on and become more serious, my standards get higher and change so while I know now that 1/30-35 (KC, Brit, FOV, etc) is the scale to be in, at least for me, I have to figure if I want to make the jump to metal figs and if so which ones.
Bill
I started collecting K&C about a year ago. I was first introduced to the line from board member chatter and thought I'd buy just a couple sets. I was blown away when I got them and I packed up my 21st Century figures to storage. Quite a few sets later and I have no regrets. I did initially try to concentrate on older sets and those being retired, but at some point you kinda realize you can't collect them all and just take the approach of purchasing the sets that most appeal. Its a slow build up but the great thing about the line is that the sets remain available for a long time. There no rush to purchase the new sets and retirements are announced in advance The WWII figures are awesome but I have also expanded my collection to include the Egyptians and 1776. This adds a little variety and color to the curios.
I think Sniper was right. K&C is the way to go when you've been collecting a while and are looking for something of real quality. I started off as a kid collecting Airfix 1/32 scale figures (which were/are great figures), Britains Deetail and Timpo. Then i kind of drifted away for many years until i spotted the FOV tanks which are also good but now i'm ready for that next step!
King and Country collecting...
Yes K&C is "real" collecting with all the joys and sorrows. One thing about K&C - Andy works hard to not only put out a classy product, but also takes pains to keep the "collecting value" high. Items are retired, dealers have to maintain a price structure, etc. They really are a nice series of military collectibles., and the newest stuff is well worth the money. The bad news - it gets reall addictive!
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CannonFodder1971
- Private First Class
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:35 pm
I have to say King & Country are definitely a favourite. By the way if your Chinese is good enough why not apply for the job? (We'll all wait round the back of the factory storeroom with a very large truck .... )
KING & COUNTRY LIMITED
KING & COUNTRY is a rapidly expanding collectible company specializing in military and civilian miniatures. Founded over 20 years ago, our company is now seen as the "brand leader" in this highly selective market. To cope with our global expansion, we are looking for an energetic, highly committed person to join our team...
MARKETING MANAGER (REF: MM/K&C/0205/CPO)
We require a very special person:
A university graduate
At least 5 years relevant working experience, 3 years of which in a managerial position
Solid experience in launching new products
Excellent team building skills
A capacity and capability to handle overseas clients
Report to an expatriate boss, fluent spoken and written English and Chinese is essential
And most importantly... the ability to think and plan creatively for the future
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
To lead a select team of 3 staff
To formulate sales and marketing strategies on a local retail, e-commerce and export distribution basis
To launch new product lines
We are looking for a lot but as a company we have a lot to offer you. If you seriously think you might be the right person, we want to hear from you. To apply, please send your detailed resume, your expected salary AND an original letter in your own words why we should see you to recruit@kingandcountry.com or Room 2301, 23/F., No.3 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. To know more about our company, please visit our website at http://www.kingandcountry.com/
(All information received will be used for recruitment purpose only)
Date Posted:
24 Feb 2005
Apply for this job | Clip to my folder | E-mail to a friend | Print a copy
More company details | More jobs from this company | Company headlines
KING & COUNTRY LIMITED
KING & COUNTRY is a rapidly expanding collectible company specializing in military and civilian miniatures. Founded over 20 years ago, our company is now seen as the "brand leader" in this highly selective market. To cope with our global expansion, we are looking for an energetic, highly committed person to join our team...
MARKETING MANAGER (REF: MM/K&C/0205/CPO)
We require a very special person:
A university graduate
At least 5 years relevant working experience, 3 years of which in a managerial position
Solid experience in launching new products
Excellent team building skills
A capacity and capability to handle overseas clients
Report to an expatriate boss, fluent spoken and written English and Chinese is essential
And most importantly... the ability to think and plan creatively for the future
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
To lead a select team of 3 staff
To formulate sales and marketing strategies on a local retail, e-commerce and export distribution basis
To launch new product lines
We are looking for a lot but as a company we have a lot to offer you. If you seriously think you might be the right person, we want to hear from you. To apply, please send your detailed resume, your expected salary AND an original letter in your own words why we should see you to recruit@kingandcountry.com or Room 2301, 23/F., No.3 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. To know more about our company, please visit our website at http://www.kingandcountry.com/
(All information received will be used for recruitment purpose only)
Date Posted:
24 Feb 2005
Apply for this job | Clip to my folder | E-mail to a friend | Print a copy
More company details | More jobs from this company | Company headlines