Today's Headlines

Missed the July 2008 Newsletter, view it here!

To all subscribers welcome to the August edition of Sierra Toy Soldier News, written on a very nice pleasant summer Day, here in Los Gatos.

Here in Northern California, we are enjoying a much needed break from the forest fires. The smoke has cleared and the temperatures are more reasonable. August is a great time to visit the Bay Area with temperatures typically in the mid 80’s, except of course if you are visiting San Francisco itself. This time of the year the marine fog rolls in and the temperature sits in the mid 60’s so bring a jacket or you will freeze. We have recently welcomed visitors from, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico, as well as numerous states in the USA.

It seems schools have only just let out for the summer, but the stores are filled with “Back to School” supplies. By the time the next newsletter goes out to you, schools will be back in session.

Our web site enhancements fell a little bit behind schedule so it looks like they will occur in the next week or so. One of the items we are adding is a photo gallery. We have wanted to do this for ages, but could not find the correct software, well we think we have fixed this and should have it installed shortly. The goal of the photo gallery will be to highlight your collections. Many of you have sent up photo’s which will be including. But we also want to do something a little different and would like to have some information on you as well. So if you would like us to feature your collection, please let us know, do not send photo’s just yet, so that we get prepared.

This month we have lots of exciting news from Britain’s, King and Country, Conte, Honour Bound, John Jenkins, Patriot, DID, Dragon, and a few more.

Please check our What's New Toy Soldiers page, which covers the new releases from Britain's, Conte and King and Country. Also check out the Being Retired page, for the latest updates on the pieces being retired by Britain's, Conte and King and Country.

Welcome to a very sunny Northern California.

Sierra Toy Soldier Club

The Sierra Nuggets program was officially launched on our 5th year anniversary on July 15th. And has already proven to be a huge success and very popular. We emailed out lots of Nuggets and after a few teething issues it is progressing very well.

What is the nugget program it is a thank you program, where each year your purchases from January to December will qualify you for automatic membership, when you exceed $500 excluding shipping and taxes. There are no fees, no sign up required, and all our customers qualify. When you reach this first milestone we are going to email you a certificate (Nugget) which you can use. Then as you continue to buy more, when additional milestones are met during the year, we will send you additional nuggets.

We will be sending out more Nuggets the middle of the month, and every month there after.

Just Arrived!
New Product Releases

William Britains

We have received a number of the new releases that have been held up for a while, including the Zulu Hospital. We immediately set one up in the store and it looks terrific. There were only 400 of these released worldwide, so we don’t expect to have it around for very long.

New announcement For availability later this year, Britain’s have announced the new Connoisseur Napoleonic Collection. The first release in this new series is BR39000 - French Officer, 4th Regiment of Hussars. Only 200 are being made, the retail cost is $200.00. The figure looks amazing and is designed to compete with the Russan manufactures. We do not have suitable photos yet for the website, but we will be posting them as soon as we can. If you would like details now, please contact us.

New Releases in stock now.

British Ceremonials

• BR48500 Coldstream Guard Marching in Overcoat
• BR48501 Trooper, Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery

Zulu War - Matte

• BR20009 Rorke's Drift Hospital and Front, it is simply magnificent. Sick and wounded, closed off rooms, burning thatch and hundreds of Zulu warriors wanting to get inside. This amazing piece is one of the most accurate depictions of this famous building ever made. Includes bed, furnishings and decoration as shown.
  Dimensions 22" L x 6.5" D x 8" H.

Tournament Knights

• BR48700 Earl of Warwick Mounted
• BR48701 Henry V on Foot
• BR48702 Robert the Bruce on Foot
• BR48703 Sir Roger de Trumpington Mounted
• BR48704 Prince of Wales on Foot

New releases scheduled to arrive this month.

Redcoats - Classic Toy Soldier

• BR44002 Grenadier 47th Regiment of Foot - 1775-1777

Military Band

• BR48002 The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards Enlisted Men Marching at Shoulder Arms - Napoleonic Wars, 1815

French and Indian Wars - Classic Toy Soldier

• BR47000 British Officer, 15th Regiment of Foot - 1754-1763
• BR47001 British Private, 44th Regiment of Foot - 1753-1763
• BR47002 Provincial Grenadier, 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot - 1754-1763

King and Country - In Stock Now!

We’re also gradually receiving restocks of some of the out of production items from King & Country. If you have any on backorder we will be shipping them as we receive them

For Napoleonic Collectors.

“VIVE LA GARDE!”
We have added on to Napoleon’s favorites—the men of the “Old” Guard.

• NA151 “Guard Performing Bayonet Drill” - A Guard NCO demonstrating the correct bayonet defense position. Note the white gloves.
• NA152 “Guard at Attention” - Standing watch in the “classic” position.
• NA153 “Kneeling Firing”
• NA154 “Standing Firing”
• NA155 “Standing To Repel”
• NA156 “Loading Rifle”
• NA157 “Marching with Rifle”

Napoleonic Collection.

For Napoleonic and Stictly Limited Edition Collectors.

• NA158(SL) “Napoleon & His Generals”- Strictly Limited!  Here is the great man himself pondering the situation before him. By his side, three of his most trusted commanders, the bespectacled Marshal Louis-Nicolas DAVOUT, General DORSENNE resplendent in his Imperial Guard uniform and General of Cuirassiers Jean-Joseph Comte d’ HAUTPOUL. Delivering dispatches is a standing, saluting Aide de Camps. Completing this scene are a camp table, chair and basket of maps and the Emperor’s Tent forming a backdrop. Just 999 of this superb scene are being released.

King and Country - Scheduled to arrive later this month!

For WWII Collectors
Fields of Battle

To the dark days of 1940 and the Battle of France.

• FOB042 “Bedford OYD Truck” - These Bedford General Service Trucks were produced in their thousands from 1939-1945 and they “soldiered-on” in the British Forces right up until the early sixties. Our model is in early-war markings of the British 3rd. Infantry Division. Vehicle includes driver figure.
• FOB043 “Polizei ADGZ Armoured Car” - This is one of the more unusual German armoured cars of the Early-War period. Originally built in Austria these were used on SS Police duties in the Polish campaign. Some were also used in France and most ended up on anti Partisan duties on the Eastern Front later. This 8-wheeled monster comes with no crew figures but is still a great looking model.
• F0B044 “Polizei in Action” Apart from the “Feldgendarmes”- the famous “Chained Dogs”, other civilian police either volunteered or were drafted into special Field Police units as backup. This little 3-man set works well with the previous armoured car or on its own.
• FOB046 “Naval Officer with Pistol” - To help restore order and organize evacuation on the beaches of Dunkirk Royal Naval Landing Parties were put ashore. This officer, with pistol drawn, points the way.
• FOB047 “Sailor at Attention” - This Matelot fully armed is part of the Landing Party, note his older 1914-1918 web equipment.
• FOB048 “Communications” - Another sailor, this time with “shore-to-ship” radio set and rifle.
• FOB049 “Sailor with Lewis Gun” - A veteran “old-salt” complete with light machine gun.
• FOB050 “Marching Sailor” - One more Matelot with Lee Enfield rifle at the high port position.
• FOB051 “Military Police Sergeant” - This standing MP shouting orders amidst the chaos.
• FOB052 “RAF Sergeant” - Standing, saluting RAF NCO complete with kitbag and backpack awaits evacuation.
• FOB053 “Field Marshal Lord Gort” - Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force was ordered by Churchill to return to London. Here he stands, ready to go.

Fields of Battle

King and Country - New Announcement - Scheduled to arrive in September

Medieval Collectors - The Crusades

• MK054 “Sir Walter De La Mer” - This Norman-Irish Knight charges into battle with battle-axe ready to strike.
• MK055 “Robert of Abbotsinch” - A Scottish Knight who fought alongside Richard the Lionheart and was one of his standard-bearers.
• MK056 “Duke Boris of Saxony” - One foot firmly planted on a treasure chest of plundered booty this Knight is living proof that religion was not the only reason to go on a Crusade!
• MK057 “Sir Roger De Tolkinghorn” - A fighting foot Knight of Richard’s entourage.
• MK058 “Duel to the Death” - His horse dead this dismounted Knight fights for his life against a lightly armed, but still deadly, Saracen.
• MK059 “Mounted Saracen Archer” - Fast and skillful Saracen mounted archers created havoc among their more heavily armored (and slower) Crusader opponents.
• MK060 “Kneeling Saracen Archer” - This archer lets loose at the enemy.
• MK061 “Loading Saracen Archer” - This Saracen reaches for another arrow to continue his deadly task.

Medieval Collection.

For WWII Collectors
"Somewhere in Normandy"

• WS109 “Summer Schwimmwagen” - This is a brand-new version of an old, long-retired favorite. “The Schwimmwagen” amphibian. A pair of Waffen SS Panzer Grenadiers on a reconnaissance mission are side tracked when one of them gets an urgent call-of-nature. Even in the midst of battle a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do! A little touch of reality in the world of toy soldiers and military miniatures!!!
• WS121 “Sd.kfz 250/1 Leichter Schutzenpanzerwagen” - How’s that for a mouthful! A long title for a great little half track. This all-new German fighting vehicle is packed full of action, and character. Inspired by an actual German combat photo our “Panzer Lehr” half track is covered in extra equipment and supplies. Inside it are three full figures, driver, gunner and spotter. Looks like they’ve just spotted some enemy.
• WS122 “Advancing on the Enemy” - Perhaps supporting the half track are these three Waffen SS troopers edgily moving forward… They belong to the “Hohenstaufen” Division and work equally well in an “Arnhem” situation.
• WS123 “Machine Gun Team Forward!” - Moving forward to take up a new gun position is this two-man Waffen SS MG42 gun set.
• WS124 “Flame Thrower Set” - Much requested and… much feared… the Flame Thrower team. As the leading trooper prepares to “torch” the opposition his bodyguard covers his back.

Special Note: All of the last three sets work well in Normandy, Arnhem or Fall of Berlin displays or diorama settings.

WWII Collection

View King & Country "What's New."

John Jenkins

The following new releases are scheduled to arrive this month, but they missed the deadline for our last newsletter.
The Raid on St Francis

• Log Cabin.

This Log Cabin can be used on its own, or together with the previously released Stockade and Blockhouse sets. These will also work well with King & Country American Revolution. The cabin can be incorporated into the Stockade, or situated inside the fort itself.
The roof can be removed, and the door can be opened.
Dimensions, 6 3/4” Length. 5“ Width 4 1/2“ Height
This item will not be around for long as John Jenkins has already sold out of these to dealers.

Battle on Snowshoes

• SF003 French regulars - Regiment de La Reine

A Battalion of the of the Regiment de La Reine was one of 6 battalions of French regular infantry that was sent out to Canada in 1755.
During the voyage from France, 4 of the companies were captured when their transport ship was intercepted by the Royal Navy off Newfoundland. The remaining men of the La Reine battalion were to be one of the first Regular troops to be engaged in battle in North America.
One company from the Regiment de La Reine, accompanied Lagy’s French force and played a part in the defeat of Roger’s Rangers at the Battle On Snowshoes.

Battle of Monongahela

• BM011 44th Regiment of foot, Officer with Kings’ Colours.

Each British Regiment had two Flags. The main flag was the King’s Colours and consisted of the Union Jack with the regimental numbers in Roman numerals within a wreath at the centre of the cross of St. George.

Battle of the Plains of Abraham

• QB009 Sergeant and Corporal - Sergeant and Corporal of the 47th Regiment Line Infantry.
• QB020 British Line Infantry Firing #1 - 28th Regiment of Foot

The 28th Regiment of Foot, Bragge’s Regiment (named after its commanding officer) was originally raised in 1694 and was known as “Sir John Gibson’s Regiment”
It was re-named the 28th Regiment of Foot in 1751.
The 28th arrived in Canada in 1757 and although held in reserve, played a part in the siege and capture of Louisburg in 1758.
The 28th were one of the first regiments which scaled the heights to the Plains of Abraham, and helped form the main battle line against the French.
The Regiment was later knick-named “The Old Braggs”

War of 1812

• USCH006 Scott’s Brigade - 4 Wounded Figures

The official American return according to Brown’s report after the Battle of Chippewa , sent to the Secretary of War, John Armstrong on the 7th July 1814, provides a total of 278 casualties ( 58 dead, 241 wounded and 19 missing).
This was approximately one sixth of the men who took part in the action at Chippewa on the American side.

John Jenkins Collection.

New Arrivals

Conte

For Medieval Collectors
From the Viking Raid, we have 2 brand new sets now in stock. Plus we were able to get a restock on all the other Viking sets from this series.

• VA021 - I Hear Ya Knockin
• VA027 - Magnus The Mighty

Viking Raid.

Plastic Spartans
We will be stocking the new plastic series from Conte based on the Spartans. We know there will be at least 9 blister packs, but we do not yet know all the details. So as soon as they share the information we will have them on the web site.

Conte

Frontline

Finally after a long wait, we have the latest Zulu War releases.
The new arrivals include

• WZW.3 - Wagon being unloaded of Millie bags Four - 24th foot.
• WZW.4 - Wagon being over turned by Four - 24th foot.
  These work really well with Britain’s new Zulu War – Matte figures.

Frontline