Sierra Toy Soldier Company
February 2008 Newsletter.

To all subscribers welcome to the February edition of Sierra Toy Soldier News, written on a very nice sunny day, after weeks of non stop rain. We had so much rain, wind and yucky weather; it made me feel like building an ark. Unfortunately after the storms leave us the Mid-West gets it and they have been having a horrible time with Snow and Ice and Wind Chill as low as -40 degrees F. That’s cold. No more storms are due here for about a week, so now it is time to dry out, clean up, and repair the damage before the next one.

We had our TV spot filmed and it aired at the end of the month on KRON 4. It is a really weird being filmed. It is due to repeat we think on Sunday February 17, at 3.30 on Best of the Bay. But if you are not in the area or cannot wait, I totally understand. You can click on the Best of the Bay link, and view our store on TV. The rumors that Angelina Jolie wants to film her next movie with me are unfortunately untrue. Oh well.

This month we have exiting news from Britain’s, King and Country, Conte, Corgi, Figarti, Frontline, John Jenkins, 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, yet damp Northern California.

January Newsletter

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

Events

West Coaster Show February 28 – March 2, 2008
Yes, it is that time again, the annual pilgrimage to the West Coaster Toy Soldier show in Anaheim, California, held at the Marriott Hotel in Irvine on March 2. Room trading starts on Friday February 29 with the main show on Sunday March 2nd.
If there is anything from our stock that you’d like to see in person let us know, and we’ll do our best to bring it down with us. This helps us to take the guesswork out of packing.

As usual we are hosting a King & Country event on the Saturday evening, with Andy Nielson introducing his new releases and listening to your feedback. This is a by invitation only event. If you are attending the show and would like to join us, please send me an email with subject King & Country invitation and we will be pleased to include you and send you details.  For those who emailed us your invitation will be available in our Room prior to the event, look forward to seeing you.

West Coaster #2 – John Jenkins
We did this in Chicago and it was a big success. So John will be in our room on Saturday to sign sets, show some prototypes, discuss his work and also listen to you. This is real fun and it is a great opportunity to learn about his plans and share ideas. If you would like to attend, please email subject Jenkins invitation, and I will be pleased to send you details once we finalize the details.

West Coaster #3 – Figarti
We are co-hosting the Figarti event, to be held on the Saturday afternoon; boy it’s going to be a busy day. Unlike previous years they are not holding a lunch, as they decided everyone that attends should receive something special. At this event they will launch the releases for the next 6 months, discuss the upcoming product plans and provide a sneak peak into what coming. If you would like to attend, please email subject Figarti invitation, and I will be pleased to include you, in this invitation only event.

GI Joe show – March 8, 2008
This is a fun event, originally aimed at the 12 inch action figure collectors, but we have been doing the show over the last couple of years and it has always been great fun, especially looking forward to them holding it at the California National Guard Academy in Sacramento. It is a great chance for us to say hello to our customers in the Sacramento area. If you would like details please call or email us with subject GI Joe Show.

William Britains

We had hoped to have the new announcements for 2008 but they are now expected later on this month. What they have announced is really excellent, Zulu Wars and the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. Yes please go dust off your copy of Zulu starring Michael Caine and Stanley Baker. This time Britain’s are doing something unusual, they are launching both a Matte and Gloss version at the same time. Both look excellent. In the Matte version, they have teamed up with Osprey and produced Zulu figures based on the Osprey artwork, plus they are producing a superb hospital building as part of the series. On the Gloss side, some really excellent figures including a wagon as part of the scene. To view the new Zulu Collection, please click here.

Expected to arrive this month

Classic Toy Soldiers
Bluecoats
BR43006 Private - US Regular Infantry - Dress Uniform - 1814-1851
BR43015 Private - US Regular Infantry - Campaign Dress - 1874

French & Indian Wars
BR43018 British Fifer - 1st Foot Guards - 1754-1763
BR43143 British Drummer - 1st Foot Guards - 1754-1763
BR43011 British Highlander - 42nd Regiment - Light Company - 1754-1763

American Civil War:
BR17936 Confederate Infantry in Frock Coats Firing Line Set #1
BR17989 Confederate Infantry Officer Advancing #1

American Revolution:
BR17890 British 80th Foot Flag bearer - Regimental Color

To view the Britains Collection, please click here.

King and Country - Arriving this week.

Afrika Korps
AK040 “Afrika Korps Panzer IV” -- This one is a real brute as well as a real “beaut”. The much-requested all-new Panzer IV complete with 5-man crew cruising along in the sands of North Africa and looking for trouble. This snub-nosed 75mm gun version has desert features that include of course, extra fuel, water and typical AK camouflage.
AK041 “Marching AK officer” -- Always useful, this smartly attired officer is not just out for an evening stroll.
AK042 “Marching AK Sergeant” -- Wearing the AK tropical sun helmet this MP40 toting NCO is useful in many desert scenarios.
AK043 “Marching AK Corporal” -- Rifle shouldered, this other NCO makes a very nice companion piece to AK042.
AK044 “AK Vehicle Passengers” (Set 1) -- This 3-man seated rifle set has been designed to fit neatly into one side of our AK “Blitz” truck (bench not included).
AK045 “AK Vehicle Passengers” (Set 2) -- 2-man add on set, also seated carrying MG34 and MP40 (bench not included).
AK048 “Marching AK Rifleman” Buy a few of these and you’ve got the beginnings a nice little parade, patrol or guarding a vehicle park or petrol dump.
AK049 “AK Tank Riders” -- A new version of an old favorite 4 kneeling and sitting AK troopers,  (Tiger Tank not included!)
To view the Afrika Korp Collection, please click here.
To view a little bit of history on the German Afrika Korps, please click on Afrika Korps history.

King & Country February Releases - Later this month

“VIVE LA FRANCE”
In the weeks, months and years leading up to D. Day a lonely and often dangerous task was to be a member of any organized resistance group in occupied Europe.
The Germans were ruthless in their suppression and treatment of such opposition and many brave men and women gave their lives to the cause of freedom. At the same time collaborators and informers within these same occupied countries were also only too happy to help the Germans in their cruel work.
As a tribute to Resistance Forces everywhere K&C is proud to honour these brave individuals with this first release of “French Forces of the Interior” better known as the “FFI” or “Maquis”. Three initial sets are being released.

DD089 -- “FFI Resistance Command Group” -- From behind cover these three Resistance fighters take on the hated “Boches”. A lying prone Bren gunner keeps the enemy heads down while another “Resistant” prepares to throw a captured German “Potato Masher” at its previous owners. A third figure guards the rear.
DD090 -- “FFI Resistance Ambush Group” -- Another fighting threesome. Using captured enemy weapons as well as air-dropped Allied ones these three “Resistants” make every shot count!
DD091 -- “FFI Demolition Team” -- Blowing up enemy communications, rail tracks, bridges, supply dumps, roadways was part and parcel of normal resistance activities. One figure prepares to push the “plunger” another fires a burst of Sten gun fire at the enemy.

As was the style of “Irregular Forces” everywhere the men are dressed in a motley mix of civilian clothes and bits and pieces of military uniform. They proudly were their “tricolour” armbands with the “Cross of Lorraine”— the symbol of Gen. De Gaulle’s Free French Forces. Much of their military equipment is either old French Police and Military issue or captured German.
SPECIAL NOTE: K&C hope to release more “Resistance” figures (and vehicles) in 2008.
To view the French Resistance Collection, please click here.

King and Country Releases for March.

For Napoleonic Collectors.
This time we turn our attention to Russia and the beginning of the war of 1812. The French invasion of Russia in 1812 was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The campaign reduced the French and allied invasion forces to a tiny fraction of their initial strength. Napoleon's invasion is better known in Russia as the Patriotic War. On June 24, 1812, the Grande Armée of 691,501 men, the largest army assembled up to that point in European history, crossed the river Neman and headed towards Moscow.

Russian Army, 1812 “Preobrajenski Regiment”, 5th Army Corps Division of the Guard. This first release features no less than 11 infantry figures, 1 superb mounted officer and an action-packed artillery set plus an individual artillery officer.

NA137 “Marching Officer w/Sword”
NA138 “Marching Rifleman”
NA139 “Marching Drummer”
NA140 “Officer w/Flag”
NA141 “Standing at Attention”
NA142 “Kneeling Firing”
NA143 “Kneeling to Repel”
NA144 “Standing Firing”
NA145 “Standing Ready”
NA146 “Advancing w/ Rifle & Bayonet”
NA147 “Advancing Wounded Officer”
NA148 “Mounted Russian Officer”
NA149 “Russian Artillery Set”
NA150 “Artillery Officer w/Telescope”

To view the complete Preobrajenski Regiment, please click here.

For WWI Collectors
We have some very interesting additions this month.
FW034 “German Armored Car”
Although the motorcar was still in its infancy it was not long before the Armies of both sides recognized its military potential. Here is the second WWI vehicle — armor-plated and mounting a Maxim’08 machine gun in a rotating top turret the early-war BUSSING-EBERHARDT armored car comes with a standing vehicle commander.
From vehicular horse power to genuine horse power… Five German “Uhlans” in action at the gallop!
FW035 “Charging Uhlan Officer”
FW036 “Uhlan Bulger”
FW037 “Uhlan Pointing Downward”
FW038 “Uhlan Attacking Downward”
FW039 “Uhlan Pointing Upward”
Special Note: “Uhlans” or “Ulans” were originally Polish light cavalry armed with a lance. The concept was adopted by first the French (under Napoleon) and then the Prussians and Austrians. By 1914 Germany had no less than 26 regiments of “Uhlans” ready for service.

To view the WWI collection, please click here.

For WWII Collectors
FOB039 “BLITZKRIEG PANZER IV”
A great alternative version to the Afrika Korps version. Includes 5 completely new tank crew figures plus a reconfigured vehicle itself. This model is ideal for the “Fall of France” or the “BARBAROSSA” attack on the Soviet Union in July 1941.

D-Day Americans
DD092 -- “M24 O.D. CHAFFEE” -- Olive drab version of our latest M24 “Chaffee”. Nicknamed “Rebel Rousers” this M24 is ideal for action in early 1945 up to the end of the war in Europe in May ’45. Utilizing the same 3 figures as used in the “winter version” one (minus the snow and frost of course) this little beauty works perfectly in any very late war scene. As a footnote Chaffees were also well utilized post war. They saw action in Korea, Indo China and the Middle East. They were also a big favorite of Hollywood. You can see Chaffees “impersonating” Shermans in “Patton” and “Battle of The Bulge”. Two were even “mocked-up” to look like Panthers in “Is Paris Burning”.
To view the D-Day Collection, please click here.

To view the WWII collection, please click here.

For Imperial China Collectors
A very attractive addition to the Imperial Chinese Army collection.
IC032 “Making Ready for Battle”
To view the Imperial Chinese collection, please click here.

To view all the new additions for March, please click on our What’s New Page.

King & Country Retirement News.

This month only a few sets are retiring and leaving the battle field. But definitely some favorites of mine from the British 8th Army.   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.

LAH041 “German Lampposts” – Sold out
WS079 “The Winter Hummel”, a great looking self propelled gun and crew.
WS074 “Motorcycle Combo Set”, the first of the revised and updated motorcycle sets.
WS081 “Winter Kettenrad”, One of K&C favorites, look for more sometime in the future.
DD060 “The Staghound Armored Car”
EA002 “Scottish Bagpiper”, One of the original “Desert War” releases. K&C have got some replacements “in the works”.
EA010 “Dingo Scout Car”, one of my favorites.

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

Conte

Just announced from Conte to go with the Viking Raid series is a Medieval Cog.
This gorgeous work of art depicts the standard 'war ship' of the Middle Ages as it would have appeared when in use by the Angles, the Saxons , the Welsh, the French, the Normans or any other number of ocean going warriors. This vessel is perfect for transporting Crusaders to the Holy Land or for toy soldier sailings just about anywhere in Europe or the Mediterranean. In full 1/32nd scale to 'go with' Conte figures, it is the perfect 'opponent' for the Conte Viking Ship and will provide a wonderful setting for 'ship to ship ' combat between Vikings and the Anglo -Saxons or Normans.

The Cog is made of cold cast resin & is individually hand-painted. She is about 30" long with flags in place and over 2 feet tall and has both forecastle and stern castle designed to enhance 'playability' with medieval figures.

Please note no crew are included, these will be available separately. Helmsmen (not included) will be available soon as an add-on set and all sorts of 'crew' in various fighting poses are forthcoming from Conte including many poses which are specifically designed to 'interact' with the Cog's environment. Many of the recently released Valhalla Awaits figures as well as our earlier sets of Vikings, Saxons & Normans are also perfect for use with the Cog.

This will be a limited edition of only 250 sets maximum split between playsets and pewter collector sales.

COG001 – Medieval Cog

To view the complete Conte Collection, please click on Conte.

Figarti

Just announced as expected to be available in March / April.
G3007E V2 Rocket. Scale is 1:30 / 60mm. We understand only 100 are being made, and following the success of the VI Flying Bomb, these will not be around for to long.
This should be on show at the West Coaster.
To view the Figarti Collection, please click here.

Frontline

We have 2 new releases from Frontline for the French and Indian Wars, these are a great scale to use with Conte or Jenkins figures and work really well together.
IBGW03 Grenadier Officer with Kings color and NCO
IWH03 Scot and French fighting, set # 1
This series is proving to be extremely popular, and we are doing our best to keep the items in stock. However avaialability from Frontline is very limited and there have been delays in getting restocks.
To view the complete Frontline Collection, please click on Frontline.

John Jenkins

Well since our last update, a lot has been happening on the French and Indian Wars, with many new announcements arrivals and updates.

Let’s start with the new announcements. We have been waiting ages for this one.

THE RAID ON St. FRANCIS 1759
Of all the episodes embraced within Robert Roger’s chequered career, none gained him greater fame than his 1759 raid upon the Abenaki village of St. Francis. It could be said to be the most incredible feat of the French and Indian War. The three pronged attack to complete the conquest of French Canada was losing momentum. Wolfe had reached a stalemate at Quebec. Gage was making slow progress at Oswego on Lake Ontario, and Amherst, the Commander in Chief was at Crown point awaiting the construction of his fleet for his advance on Montreal. The British needed a safe communication route to Wolfe, as well as a diversion to draw the French forces away from the siege at Quebec. Major Robert Rogers’ raid on the notorious Abenaki Indian town of St. Francis, deep in French Canada, was the answer. The American colonial New Englanders, who had long suffered at the hands of the raiding Abenaki from St. Francis, had good reasons to encourage this daring venture. Where better to start the story of the Raid on St.Francis than at “Fort Number Four”. This was the outpost which marked the northern limit of British settlement in the fertile valley of the Connecticut River, and whose settlers lived in fear from the frequent raids from the Woodland Indians of the Abenaki tribe.

A stockade fence surround and gateway will be released in April 2008.

The Blockhouse is shipped in 2 boxes, and comes in 8 parts
Roof x 2
Upper Floor x 2
Ground Floor x 2
Door x 1, and ladder x 1
All parts fit together easily
Due to irregular shrinkage in production, the two halves are matched to fit together, and are numbered. The boxes are marked as MATCHING PAIRS. There is no certificate. Please remember this if you ever buy one on EBay, when they are retired. Dimensions of Blockhouse, Maximum 9 ½” wide x 8” deep x 8 ½” Height

BLOCKHOUSE A & B, Limited Edition 250
RFB-01 Civilians #1 - 4 Figures Limited Edition 500
RFB-02 Civilians #2 - 2 Figures Limited Edition 500

In stock now we have 2 sets of civilians and the Blockhouse.

THE BATTLE ON SNOWSHOES
The set for February is a set of British regulars of the 27th Regiment of foot in winter coats and forage caps. The set depicts a sergeant and corporal skirmishing.
SB-03 27th Regiment of Foot - Sergeant and corporal in winter coats Limited Edition 500

THE WAR OF 1812 -- THE BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA July 5th 1814
The first set of the new range includes 4 figures firing. All figures are different and are ideal for creating a firing line.
USCH-01 Scott’s Brigade - 4 Figures Firing Limited Edition 500
There will be 1 extra set of Firing line figures, which will include 2 bare headed figures, which will be available April 2008

To view the complete Jenkins Collection, please click here.

21st Century

The people at 21 Century have been busy and are producing some excellent 54mm / 1:32 scale vehicles and German Infantry. These are ideal to use in conjunction with Britain’s, Conte early releases, Old North West and Forces of Valor. No figures are included with these vehicles.

In stock now.
21C-99413 S1 German Sd.Kfz. 138 Ausf. M Marder IIIM Tank Destroyer “102” - Late War Tri-Color Camouflage
21C-99414 S1 German Sd.Kfz. 140 Panzer 38(t) Light Tank “Red 525” – Panzer Gray

Due out mid / late February.
21C-99346S2 US M59 155mm “Long Tom” Cannon - Tan & OD Green Camo “In The Mood”
21C-99350S2 British Sherman Firefly Vc with 17 Pounder - Olive Drab
21C-99353S2 US M115 Eight-Inch Howitzer (Short Barrel) -- Camouflage/Black, Tan & White on Field Olive Drab
21C-99412 S1 German Sd.Kfz. 139 Marder III Tank Destroyer - Green & Black Two-Tone Camouflage
21C-99415 S1 German Sd.Kfz. 138/2 Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer Tank Destroyer - "213" Three-Color (Hard-edged) Camouflage
21C-20186_20187S1 German Infantry Figures - Series VI Set A and B.
To view our 21st Century Collection, please click here.

Corgi

Just announced from Corgi the first half of the 2008 releases of Die Cast Aircraft. Unfortunately there are just too many to list here, but the main highlights are as follows.

Expanding the number of aircraft in 1:48 scale for WWI. We actually started to receive them this month and they are excellent. To view the WWI collection, please click here.

For WWII collectors, they are introducing Halifax bombers, Guy Gibson’s famous Mossequito, two aircraft from the Berlin Airlift . The Shuttleworth collection, they are introducing 6 aircraft that can still in the Shuttleworth Collection, located in the UK.

For Collectors of more modern aircraft they are producing the Blue Angels Skyhawk, Mig29 from the Russian Skyhawks team, and very timely John McCain Shyhawk, that he flew in 1967.

We have all the new 2008 aircraft uploaded on the site, so please check out our Corgi Collection, for the latest updates.

Action Figures

In stock now.
Ignite
IGN-AR051 -- Roman Legionary with (New Attic Helmet)
IGN-AV059 -- Viking V -- Battle Scar Series
IGN-CU061 -- Knight Templar - Sub-Field Marshal (XIII century) - Expected February

Dragon Models
DRF70412 -- “Stan Wiley" -- U.S. Military Police, 101st Airborne Division ETO 1944-45 (Corporal)
DRF70543 -- “Volodya Antonovich Bukayev" - Soviet Armored Crewman w/DT Machine gun, 133 Red Army Tank Brigade, Stalingrad 1942 (Private)
DRF70591 --  “Terry Daview" -- British Tank Crewman, Royal Armored Corps NW Europe 1944 (Private)
DRF70565 --  “Aldo Wenning" - HJ Division Officer Panzergrenadier Regiment 25, Ardennes December 1944 (Obersturmführer)

From DID
DID-D80049 -- Erwin Rommel
As these are all very limited editions so they tend to sell very quickly.

To view our Action figure Collection, please click here.

Retail Store

We are open Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 6.00pm. We are closed on Sundays, but more than happy to open if you are visiting the Bay Area.
During the month of January we were plesaed to welcome visitors from Australia, Brazil, France, UK, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Texas, New York and Hawaii.