Sierra Toy Soldier Company
December 2007 Newsletter.

To all subscribers welcome to the Christmas edition of Sierra Toy Soldier News. Where toy soldiers are brought to you by little elves. Actually not that little and we are not in the North Pole, but Los Gatos California in our distribution warehouse. We are so glad we made the major investment in an extra distribution centre / warehouse, this was huge expense this year, but we could not have done Christmas shipping this year from the from our store. Now a certain crazy person, namely me is thinking about our next location. The full Christmas and holiday madness is fully upon us and we are working very hard to get everyone's parcels out. We have updated our annual shipping date guide, to see the latest version please click here. So if you have not yet ordered there is a still a lot of time. If you are not sure what to get the little or big kid in your life, you can always try a gift certificate, more details below.

So this newsletter is being written from a very wet Northern California, where we are getting a desperately need rain storm and about 2 feet of snow in the Sierra’s, which we also need. So with luck the Ski resorts will open, we will not be there and I am glad we will not, as driving and traffic will be horrible. When it snows like this, the San Francisco Bay Area decides to travel to the slopes and the traffic backs up for miles, it can take as long as 8 hours to get there, 4 more than usual. It is faster to fly to Utah, and ski there.

From all at the Sierra Toy Soldier Company, elves included a big thank you for all your support and for making this our most successful year. We wish you all a very happy, merry and safe Christmas, holiday season and a very successful New Year. We hope to bring you lots of exciting news in 2008!

This month we have lots and lots of exiting news from Britains, King and Country, East of India, John Jenkins, Frontline, Grenada, and a few more. It promises to be a very exciting holiday season, in the toy soldier world.

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 wet Northern California. We wish everyone  a very happy Christmas.

November Newsletter

If you missed our November newsletter and you would like to read it, please click here for last months newsletter.

William Britains

Our customers who regularly visit our store keep commenting on the improvements that Britains have continued to make all year. Not only has the painting improved, but the sculpting, especially on the faces, and the small details on the figures, are making them excel. The recent arrivals of the new American Revolution, Civil War and Classic releases are outstanding. However my absolute totally biased favorite is the Napoleonic Band, I just think this is terrific. I think Britains if it continues like this, will have an outstanding 2008.

Next from them we expect Zulu's, which look great and are being done in a glossy style, hopefully more details in the next newsletter.

Newly arrived

Military Bands/ Limited Editions/ Napoleonic
BR43103 The Band of the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards - Napoleonic.
This makes the Napoleonic Coldstream Guards set complete, makes a magnificent present.

American Revolution
BR17956 British 80th Foot Advancing Command Set #1
BR17958 British 71st Highlander at Port Arms

Classic Toy Soldiers
BR43140 -- Private 49TH Regiment of Foot Battalion Company 1806-1812
BR43049 Private, 2nd Regiment of Foot, 1855

French and Indian Wars - Classic
BR43120 Provincial Private - 60th (Royal America) Regiment of Foot - Light Company - 1754-1763.
BR43145 Provincial Roger's Ranger - 1754-1763

WWI
BR17951 British 42nd Black Watch Highlanders Command Set #1

To view the Britains Collection, please click here.

King and Country In stock now.

“BATTLE OF THE BULGE” 
BBG009 “The Raupen Schlepper” This great looking little tracked transport has been on the “must-do” list for a while. Well, here it is, painted in terrific looking white washed camo finish the vehicle has a detachable rear canopy, full cab interior detail, driver, a little ammo trailer and a “winter” NCO pointing out directions. Great set! Great value! It will look excellent with the already released “winter” German figures.

American GI’s 
BBA019 “M5 High Speed Tractor” This is one of K&C’s more unusual fighting vehicles. The M5 was used to haul heavy artillery such as the 155mm gun and the US Heavy Howitzer and other big loads. This model has a light dusting of snow and frost to give it that genuinely cold “winter feel”. It also has three full-bodied figures with it, a driver, sitting vehicle commander manning the .50 cal. machine gun and a standing G1 giving directions. Special Display Note: At the recent Chicago Show Andy picked up “21st Century’s” great looking 155mm gun and their heavy howitzer. Both artillery pieces are excellent quality and value and look great being “towed” behind our M5. 
To view the 155 Gun, please click here. 
To view the heavy howitzer, please click here. 
BBA020 “Winter Command Group” A nice little 2-man set comprising a kneeling radio operator and an officer kneeling firing carbine. 
BBA021 “Winter Bazooka Team” Another 2-man set, here the “bazooka” man takes careful aim at an approaching enemy tank. His number two loads one of their rockets. 
BBA022 “Walking Wounded” One GI supports his wounded buddy carrying both their M1 Garands at the same time. 
BBA023 “Winter Sniper Team” A lying prone NCO ‘spots’ for his sniper. The sniper is using the specially adapted ’03 Springfield with scope. 
BBA024 “Real MP” Unlike the earlier “winter MPs” (who where actually Germans in disguise BBA004) this guy is the real McCoy! 
BBA025 “Moving Up The Line” A 2-man, heavily laden .30 Cal. machine gun team are pushed forward by their officer. (3-man set)
To view the Battle of the Bulge Collection, please click here.

World War One
“The British Expeditionary Force 1914”

After the initial success of King & Country First World War Germans it was essential that they introduce a “fighting enemy” for them and here they are soldiers of the “King’s Own Scottish Borderers” - one of Scotland’s most famous Lowland regiments. The “KOSBies” as they were nicknamed formed part of the original B.E.F. sent over to France within days of war being declared. They took part in much of the fighting that attempted to delay and halt the massive German assault through Belgium and northern France in August 1914. These new figures are in a wide range of useful “action” poses and, I believe, will be very popular. Being “Lowland Scots” they do not wear the traditional kilt (although some officers did wear tartan trews). The men are easily recognized by their distinctive Scottish “Glengarries” (with the colorful dicing band).

FW024 “Field Marshal Sir John French” The original commander of the B.E.F at this early stage of the war 
FW025 “KOSB Officer with Map” An officer of the regiment attached to the General Staff, see the staff armband. 
FW026 “Kneeling Firing Rifle” 
FW027 “Standing Firing Rifle” 
FW028 “Sergeant Standing Ready” 
FW029 “Lying Loading Rifle” 
FW030 “Lying Firing Rifle” 
FW031 “Battlefield First Aid” A kneeling Medical Orderly administers first aid to a seriously wounded “KOSBie”. 
FW032 “Pointing Subaltem” 
FW033 “Vickers Machine Gun Set” At the beginning of the Great War each infantry battalion was assigned eight Vickers Machine Guns. Here, a seated gunner is ably assisted by his “loader”. 
To view the K&C World War One Collection, please click here

Strictly Limited Edition!”

With the growing popularity of the Afrika Korps and 8th Army series K&C decided to make our Christmas “Strictly Limited” release something which could be a focal point for North African Campaign collectors.

AK039 (SL) “The Tunisian Tiger” This is their 7th different Tiger in just over 10 years and it’s the best yet! This brand-new model is not only the best, it’s also the biggest and earliest type of Tiger K&C has ever produced. They have produced the “classic” early version of this armored monster that fought in Tunisia towards the end of the Desert War.

This K&C model comes with a complete 5-man crew, 3 of which are full body. Our fighting vehicle is in the markings of 501 Panzer Abteilung as it would have appeared in February 1943. Just 1,250 of this unique model are being produced. This is selling fast, so please do not wait to long, looks outstanding, I think it is his best yet.

To view the Afrika Korps Collection, please click here.

King and Country December Releases - Expected early next week.

King & Country “Operation Market Garden” – Part 2.
MG002 “Airborne Jeep & Trailer”
MG017 “Para with Mortar Bombs”
MG018 “Manning The Piat”
MG019 “Airborne 6 pounder Anti Tank Gun Set”
MG020 “Kneeling Firing Sten Gun”
MG021 “Lying Firing Sten Gun”
MG022 “Lying Firing Rifleman”
To view the Operation Marget Garden Collection, please click here. 

Streets of Old Hong Kong
HK165 “The New Chess Players Set” A young girl and an old man contemplate a game of Chinese Chess. The detail on their blue and white ceramic stools is particularly fine! - Makes a great gift if you have anyone who enjoys playing chess.

To view the Streets of Hong Kong Collection, please click here.

King & Country January Releases

WWII German Armor - Battle of the Bulge
BBG008 “The ELEFANT” - This “baby” has been “in the works” for a few months and is a real beaut! Armed with the all-powerful 88mm gun this model is in typical 3-colour, late-war camouflage and comes with 3 figures (1x full body, 1x half body plus a “head ‘n’ shoulders” driver). “ELEFANTS” were mainly used on the Eastern Front although quite a few made it to Italy. No reason why it can’t also look good in a Normandy or Arnhem diorama.

WWII American Amour Support - Battle of the Bulge
BBA018 “The M24 Chaffee Tank” - This winter, snow-camouflaged version is perfect for the “Bulge” and comes with 3 figures (A full-body GI rifleman atop the tank plus half-body tank commander and another “head ‘n’ shoulders” driver). This is only the second version of this great little tank, and it’s a much improved version. SPECIAL NOTE: K&C are releasing an olive drab M24 without the “winter” look in a couple of month’s time, look out for it.

American Civil War - Confederates in action.
CW013 “Mounted Officer”
CW014 “Marching Officer”
CW015 “Wounded Flag bearer”
CW016 “Marching Rifleman w/Pipe in Mouth”
CW017 “Marching Rifleman w/Pipe in Hand”
CW018 “Rifleman Marching”
CW019 “Kneeling Firing Rifleman”
CW020 “Standing Firing Rifleman”
CW021 “Running Forward Rifleman”
CW022 “Standing Ready”
CW023 “Standing Loading Rifle”
CW024 “Kneeling Loading Rifle”
CW025 “Advancing Confederate”
AVAILABLE: Mid January

Berlin 1938
LAH088 “Reichminister Rudolf Hess” Hitler’s Deputy, he flew to Scotland in 1941 to try to seek a peace settlement and spent the rest of his life in Spandan Prison for his troubles.
LAH089 “Feldmarschall Werner von Blomberg” Pre war Army Chief of staff in dress parade uniform.
LAH090 “SA Chief of Staff Viktor Lutze” After the fall (and death) of Ernst Rohm the SA was put into the careful hands of Lutze and under the watchful eyes of Himmler and Heydrich.
LAH091 “Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring” Supreme head of the Luftwaffe, ruthless, vain, lazy and, fat. Goring could also be a loyal friend and a dangerous enemy. This is our second version of the extravagant and exuberant Goring.
And now for something completely different, The KRIEGSMARINE. The German Navy expanded rapidly under Hitler but was still not up to strength when war broke out in September 1939. However, it still featured prominently in pre war parades in both Berlin and Nuremberg.
LAH092 “Seaman Presenting Arms"  Kriegsmarine sailor in parade uniform of white top and navy blue trousers with Mauser K98 rifle and fixed bayonet.
LAH093 “Seaman Marching with Rifle” Dressed as above that marching, bayonet sheathed.
LAH094 “Seaman Flag Bearer” Carrying the Reich “Battle Ensign” this leading Seaman marches forth.
LAH095 “Marching Officer” This officer with sword is wearing the traditional long frock coat, typical dress uniform of a German Naval officer.
LAH096 “Grossadmiral Karl Donitz” Marshall’s baton in hand, Donitz was a former WW1 U boat captain and a leading figure in the Kriegsmarine. For much of the war he was in charge of all U boats.

King & Country Retirement News

This month we have lots that are retiring and leaving the battle field.  We decided not to Hyperlink the following as some of these may be gone, by the time you read this.  So for a complete update of what is still available, please visit our being retired page.

“BATTLE OF THE BULGE”
BBA004 “Friend or Foe?”

“D.DAY ‘44”
DD051 “Churchill Tank Set”
DD071 “Horse Paratrooper”
DD072 “Paratrooper with Walking Horse”

“RED ARMY”
RA013 “T34/85 Tank Set”

"FIELDS OF BATTLE”
FoB001 “General's AIDE-DE-CAMPS”
FoB002 “French Officer Saluting”
FoB007 “Marching No Hat Tommy”
FoB008 “Standing British Tommy”

“FALL OF BERLIN – GERMANS”
WS063 “The Defenders”
WS064 “The Russians Are Coming!”
WS065 “The Last Stand”

To view the King & Country Retired page, please click here.

Conte

Conte supplied us with some of the new Immortal Sets, which flew out of the door. We are waiting for news of new supplies. We still have a few of the new Viking Raid sets left but this is all we can get at the moment. To view the Viking Raid, please click here.

Conte has announced that some of their long out of stock sets will be returning in December. Well we are still waiting. So we are expecting a few American Civil War, Alamo and Rogers Rangers restocks. Before some of you get excited about this, our golden rule is that this is only real when we finally get our grubby little hands on them. We expect to see them in the new year.

We do hope the magnificent Roman Galley will make it for December, but again we are waiting for confirmation.

To view the Conte Collection, please click here.

East of India

New announcements for the Ancient Greek Collection, and they are superb.
Parthian Light Horse Archer’s
The Parthian’s were of Scythian origin and fought both for and against the Greeks. They conquered an empire from Armenia to Afghanistan and also clashed repeatedly with their Western neighbor Rome as Roman leaders sought new lands to conquer East.
The Parthian horse archers tried not to be close contact troops. Their strategy was to charge the enemy face on, in this case the Greek phalanx, and from a distance of about 100 yards start launching arrows. They would then ride up to about 20 yards from the phalanx, turn the horse backwards, and then ride back to where they came from shooting arrows to the rear. They would then continue to repeat this move again and again, gradually wearing down the enemy.
ACPartC1 Parthian Light Horse Archer # 1
ACPartC2 Parthian Light Horse Archer # 2
ACPartC3 Parthian Light Horse Archer # 3
To view the East of India Collection, please click here.

John Jenkins

Launched at the London Show the American War of 1812

The War of 1812 better known as the American War of 1812 in the UK to distinguish it from the war with Napoleon I of France that occurred in the same year, it was a very busy year! It was fought between the USA and Great Britain and its colonies and involved Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Bermuda and Newfoundland. The war was fought from 1812 to 1815 on both land and sea. By the end of the war, 1,600 British and 2,260 American troops had died. In the new series expected to be available in January onwards, we feature the Battle of Chippewa July 15, 1814 which was a victory for the American army during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River. It was the first victory for American soldiers against an equal British force in the field.

The information about the January releases has not arrived in time for the newsletter but as soon as we have it we will post it up on our website.

Our much awaited re-stock of John Jenkins figures are scheduled to arrive late this week.

To view the complete Jenkins Collection, please click here.

Frontline

Just arrived British and French Artillery for the French and Indian Wars, also 3 sets of French Marines. They are outstanding, some of the best figures from Frontline yet, in my totally biased opinion. The Artillery is first class.

Artillery
BGG01 British Artillery
FGG01 French Artillery

French Marines
IFMW.1. - 2 Firing, 1 loading.
I FMW.2.- Officer and Drummer.
IFMW.3 - Officer with Regimental Color and N.C.O.

Just announced from Frontline, more unique additions to the WWI collection.
EGW.1 245 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew loading
EGW.2 245 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew towing
WMG.1 76 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew loading
WMG.2 76 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew towing

To view the Frontline collection, please click here.

Grenada – St Petersburg

Our friends in Russia have also announced lots of new medieval knights, for the Connoisseur Collection. Unfortunately most will not be available until Spring 2008.

Medieval
G139-1 Knight of Archbishop of Reims Retinue, Battle of Crecy, 1346
G139-2 Knight of Constable of France Retinue. Battle of Crecy, 1346
G319-1 Standard-bearer of Dauphin. Battle of Poitiers, 1356
G292-2 Sir John Strickland with Banner of King Henry V.

Vignettes
GD001 Loosing the spoils of war. Battle of Herrings, 1429

To view the complete Grenada Collection, please click here.

New Model Army

We are very sorry to announce that New Model Army has decided to close its business. Unfortunately they became victim to some dirty deeds with regard to their shipper in China, and basically the whole shipment of their long awaited Tiger Tanks and Marders have got lost or basically gone walkabout. Blake who owned the company has decided that it is just too hard to live in England and manage operations in China. Unfortunately not an unfamiliar tale. So if you were looking for an NMA Tiger, or Marder, keep your eyes open, as they may appear in a black market close to you, eventually.

To view the remaining New Model Army Collection, please click here

Schleich and BBI

A very popular gift for the Younger Collectors and also a few bigger collectors is our Schleich Castle, this is tremendous fun for kids to play with. We have just been re-stocked so we have a very good supply. Also in keeping with this holiday season, Schleich make a wonderfully painted high quality Nativity Set.

From BBI they are the same scale as Schleich so they compliment each other really well, they do a great range of Romans and Medieval figures, including some great Dragons and Orcs.

To view the Schleich Collection, please click here.
To View the BBI collection, please click here.

Awesome Kids

One of our favorite recommendation this time of year for the younger children in your life, is the Awesome Kids - Toys in a box. The range includes American Revolution, Civil War, Knights, Cowboys & Indians and many more. Each set comes in a self contained box, and contains Plastic 1:32 / 54mm hand painted plastic figures, accessories and a play mat. Each set contains small parts, so it is not suitable for children under 3 years.

We also recommend these sets as ideal for American Revolution and Civil War School projects, and with the carry box ideal for vacations and trips.

To view the Awesome Kids Collection, please click here.

Action Figures

We have some updates for you and the following are now in stock!
Ignite
In stock
IGN-AR038 1/6 Gladiator Myrmillio
IGN-AR058 1/6 Roman Legionary “Battle Scar Series”

DID
DID-A80048 Albert Ross - 101st 506th PIR. A new addition to the outstanding WWII releases. These are all very limited editions so they tend to sell very quickly.

Dragon Models
DRF70524 -- "Bryan Gikinson" - U.S. Army Combat Engineer (Sergeant), ETO, December 1945
DRF70592 -- Rudi Messner - WH Tank Crewman 1
DRF70594 -- "Hans Meisser" - Panzergrenadier 12.Panzer.Division "HJ", Falaise 1944
DRF70433 -- "Billy Hicks" - B-17F Waist Gunner .

New announcements - Still Expected this month, but not guaranteed for Christmas
From DID
DID-S70003B Ii Naomasa - International Version The 3rd in their superb Samurai series. This is 100% hand made with authentic weapons, costume and head gear.
 

Barrack Sergeant and Soldier Story.
We have just added these two companies to the collection.
CIA SOG Field Operator by Soldier Story
PMC Private Military Contractor by Barrack Sergeant

To view our Action figure Collection, please click here.

Gift Certificates

Still cannot decide what to buy the little or big kids. You can always try a gift certificate, available for use in either our retail store or our on-line store. Available in lots of different denominations to suit all pockets.
For our retail store customers only, you can purchase a gift certificate that will bring a smile to any child and a very big smile to mine. Yes we have the $1 million gift certificate waiting just for you. To view our gift certificates, please click here.

Retail Store

Our Christmas Holiday hours are Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 6.00 and Sunday 10.00 – 4.00, until Christmas Eve, when we go back to a more sane schedule.