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To all subscribers welcome to the June or Mid - Summer edition of Sierra Toy
Soldier News, written on a very pleasant day, here in Los Gatos. Yes it is
almost Mid-Summer already, only 6 months to Christmas. This year seems to be
moving even faster than ever.
One of the major highlights of last month and a total unexpected surprise was
a gift we received from our and long time customer Rick Dobbins. He sent us the
American Flag that had been flown over the Multi National Task Force
Headquarters on the 6 May 2008. The headquarters are located at the FAW
Presidential Palace, Iraq. This now has pride of place in our store. This was a
total surprise. We are greatly honored and humbled by the gift.
Here in Northern California it is Graduation season, with the schools
starting to close for the summer. We just had our youngest kid graduate from
High School to be released on an unsuspecting world, all over California and
many parts of the states a whole bunch of kids are getting unleashed, to find
jobs, go to college, learn to drive and to drive the parents just a little bit
more crazy.
Fathers Day, June 15 here is the USA. Not sure what to get the dad who has
everything. Well as you can imagine we have a small suggestion. What about a Toy
Soldier, Tank or Model Aircraft, this year? Something that will bring a big
smile. He has everything else, so even if he has lots of Toy Soldiers, they
always need reinforcements!
This month we have lots of exciting news from Britain’s, King and Country,
Grenada, Hobby Master, Honour Bound, 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
We are still on track for launching this in July, even though the logistics
are proving a wee bit harder than we thought. So the first nugget certificates
should be emailed out mid July.
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William Britains
We are steadily receiving new items from the 2008 catalogue. The customer
feedback to the quality of the new Britain's pieces is excellent. Everyone seems
really impressed. Richard and his team have done a great job of turning this
company back into a leader in the world of toy soldiers. The Zulu range for
example is outstanding and is growing steadily with new releases arriving every
couple of weeks.
Other ranges are also being added to gradually, although as with all of the
Toy Soldier Companies, many releases are delayed by the new Labor laws in the
factories in China.
Britain's have just announced the new spring supplement to the 2008
catalogue. We will have the following new and very interesting additions.
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American Civil War - Union and Confederate Cavalry. This is a most
requested item. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer and his hard
riding troopers make their debut in this release. These figures capture the
elan of the Union cavalry that was just coming of age at the time of the
Gettysburg Campaign. Also debuting are Colonel John Singleton Mosby and his
Rangers, who were the only organized Confederate military force in Northern
Virginia, earning that area the nickname "Mosbys Confederacy".
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Classic Soldiers - New series Petticoats will trace women’s fashion over
time. This series is designed to stand on its own as a collection or can
just as easily be “married” to figures from the Redcoats and Bluecoats
ranges. This first release of figures is composed of middle class fashions
that women would have worn about town or in the garden during the day.
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Classic Soldiers - Redcoats, from the Sudan, including a member of the
camel regiment. This time they are producing a "A Victorian Jihad",
Redcoats on the Nile 1884-1898.
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Classic Soldiers - French & Indian Wars - many new figures, including an
outstanding Huron figure.
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Museum Collection - 2 new Black Watch figures, Napoleonic and Boer War.
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Zulu War - many new figures, including the Natal Mounted Police.
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British Ceremonial - Royal Horse Artillery trooper.
Strictly limited Edition of 1250.
AK046(SL) "Rommel’s Desert Horch" - A couple of years back K&C released
Rommel’s famous half track Command Vehicle "GREIF" as a "Strictly Limited". Just
750 of this special piece were made and they were eagerly snapped up within
hours of the launch. Sadly more than a few collectors were disappointed when
they could not obtain theirs or get enough to satisfy the demand. Since then the
North African series (both Afrika Korps and 8th Army) have surged in popularity
and the time is right to produce another of the "Desert Fox's" favorite
transport vehicles, in this case one of his HORCH staff cars. This all-new set
shows a specially adapted vehicle with radio communications, a signal officer, a
bodyguard and driver plus a standing figure of Erwin Rommel himself. Clad in his
famous leather greatcoat this figure can be placed inside or outside the vehicle
as the collector chooses. All other seated figures are fixed in their positions.
American Civil War
Union Forces in the early months of the Civil War.
King & Country’s latest additions to their recently revived American Civil War
soldiers are our first Federal release. In this case, they have chosen the 83rd.
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. At the beginning of the war the Union
Army was short of everything weapons, officers, supplies and, uniforms. To help
remedy this situation 10,000 sets of complete uniforms were bought from France.
Among them a large proportion of French Chasseur Infantry uniforms. As was the
case in the first two years of the War military dress and fashion on both sides
of the divide varied from "the weird to the wonderful". These Pennsylvanian
"Chasseurs" were no exception!
K&C are releasing 14 individual pieces that together or separately, in large
or small formations make for an exciting and colorful display.
Union Forces announcement.
King
& Country Civil War
Streets of Old Hong Kong
As usual, we have a delightful little "Streets of Old Hong Kong" set to
finish up with.
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HK167 "Street Lantern Set" A giant decorative street lantern being painted
by two skilled craftsmen. We’re looking forward to seeing this piece.
View King & Country "What's New."
King and Country - New announcements for July
WWII Eighth Army
"ICE COLD IN ALEX"
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EA027 "The Desert Austin K2 Ambulance" Back in the late 1950’s a great
British War movie called "Ice Cold In Alex" came out. It tells the story of
a British Ambulance and its crew trying to escape an embattled Tobruk and
cross the desert to Alexandria in Egypt. The film covers lots of their
trials and tribulations on the journey. One of which is that there is a
German spy among them!!! Anyway it’s a great movie; see it on late night TV
or failing that get the ambulance! This very, very British looking truck
comes with a driver looking out for any land-mines.
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EA028 "Stretcher Party" Two Royal Army Medical Corps stretcher bearers
carry a wounded Tommy out of the battle and, hopefully, towards the
ambulance. The perfect add-on to EA027.
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EA029 "The Crusader Tank" Many, many 8th. Army Collectors have been
requesting additional amour for the 8th Army sets. Well, here it is "The
Crusader". Up until the arrival of the American Sherman’s and Grants this
was the best and fastest tank the British Armored Regiments had. It could be
unreliable but its speed often got it out of difficult situations. This
model is in typical 2 color desert camp and in the markings of the 3rd.
Hussars of the famous 7th Armored Division "The Desert Rats". Each tank
comes with a commander and a seated British Infantryman.
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EA030 "8th Army Tank Riders" Another great add-on! Three Scottish
Infantrymen in a range of poses that can fit on the Crusader or stand off
the vehicle on the ground as you prefer.
Eighth Army
WWII
“Wehrmacht To The Front”
New addition which we have added to our Waffen SS and Wehrmacht category,
these are simply tremendous. K&C is planning more additions of the Wehrmacht.
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WS116 "Officer Pointing" - A conscripted Police Officer giving
directions.
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WS117 "Get Ready!" - As one Wehrmacht Panzer Grenadier watches the
advance of the enemy another prepares to pull the pin on his "potato masher"
grenade.
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WS118 "Moving Forward" - A three-man rifle section (including a Schmeisser-toting NCO) stealthily move closer to the enemy.
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WS119 "On the Road" - In the weeks and months following D. Day German
vehicles found it increasingly difficult to move undetected along French
roads. Infantry moved forwards (and backwards) by the traditional method on
foot. An NCO leads two of his riflemen to the front carrying extra ammo and
weapons.
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WS120 "Walking Machine Gun Team" - This two-man set is a "companion
piece" to WS119.
The Imperial Guardsmen, Chinese style
Two fine sets of richly detailed and colorful soldiers of the Emperor
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IC033 "Chinese General Staff Set" A superb seated figure of a Chinese
General of the Imperial Household Guard. Next to him a small table with his helmet,
leaning over to advise him is one of his officers. Standing
protectively over his General is the personal bodyguard carrying the richly
decorated umbrella. Fantastic detail and a welcome addition.
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C034 "Chinese Armourer Set" Standing at the forge this Armourer is
"beating-out" a new sword next to him his assistant is working the bellows
helping to “heat-up” the forge. Every Army should have its Armourer.
Imperial China
View King & Country "What's New."
Just announced 2 new figures from Russia this time Medieval. So the following
should arrive late summer.
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G277&G173-3 Polish Winged Hussar killing Ottoman Janissary, the Siege of
Vienna, 1683
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G206-6&G336-1 - Hospitalier Infantryman Fighting with Arab, XII-XIII cc
Grenada
Studios Collection.
From Dragon Models
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DRF70275 "Werner Krieg" - WH Grenadier w/Panzerschreck
31.Grenadier-Division Eastern Front Summer 1944
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DRF70628 "Stanislas Kolzig" - WH Reconnaissance Officer,
1.Aufklarungs-Abteilung, 2.Leichte-Division, Poland 1939
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DRF70187 "Bob Richardson" - British Military Police, British 2nd Army,
Northern Germany 1945 (Sergeant)
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DRF70638 "Rick Hamilton" - USMC M-240 Gunner
From 3R (Located in the DID Section)
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3R-JP602 IJA - Nakamura Ryuichi - Imperial Japanese Soldier.
From DID
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DID-K80052 British 6th Airborne Division "Red Devils" - Michael Taylor
From Soldier Story
View our Action
figure Collection.
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Roman Ship
In stock now and on display in our store!
RS001 – Roman Galley
This set has 58 fully painted figures included with the 33" long battleship. The
painted version has 3 fine pewter figures and the rest are cold cast resin.
There will be 500 of these made in total (including totals from both the painted
& Unpainted crews). Each set will be a signed & numbered limited edition. We saw
this ship at the Chicago show and it is truly one of the best pieces they have
ever made. It is so complex and time consuming to make that it has delayed
production of many other items, so once this particular batch is sold out, they
are unlikely to ever come out with any more. So if you’re interested do not
delay.
Conte
Collection
Finally after a long wait, we have the latest WW1 releases plus a major
restock of the Crusader Knights. The new arrivals include
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EGW.1 - 245 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew loading
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EGW.2 - 245 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew towing
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WMG.1 - 76 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew loading
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WMG.2 - 76 mm Trench Mortar, 4 crew towing
Frontline
Just announced the latest in their Build your Own format. The Sturmtiger is
the second release from
Honour Bound Gold Edition .
In stock now we have four new infantry sets, painted in a new and improved
style. All are in 1:30 scale.
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HB023 - Russian Snipers
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HB024 - German Panzergrenadiers
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HB028 - German Infantry
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HB030 - German Paratroopers with British Prisoner
Honour Bound
We have new arrivals from the World of Elves Collection, including
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S70408 Elves - Tulon
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S70409 Elves - Iloris with Leolynn
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S70410 Elves - Oleana
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S70411 Shadow Elves - Menatea
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S70412 Shadow Elves - Jaro
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S70413 Shadow Elves - Bilara
World of Elves
Schleich Collection
Just arrived and in stock now.
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HA0201 - Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless - Scale 1:32
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HA1901 - F-4D Phantom II - Scale 1:72
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HH1001 - UH-1B Huey - Scale 1:72
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HG3402 - Achilles IIC
Hobby Master Air Power Collection.
Ground Power Series.
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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.
Just a reminder for those of you living in Northern California, or perhaps
just visiting, that our retail store dedicated to toy soldiers is open 6 days a
week. The store is located at Los Gatos Village Square, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd,
#108, Los Gatos, California 95032. (408) 358 3910
www.sierratoysoldier.com
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Britains Retirement News
Britains have also announced many retirements, essential they are retiring items
from the 2007 catalogue to make way for new pieces. So if there was an item you
were thinking about, please do not delay too long as stock is very limited.
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Fathers Day – June 15.
Make the old man happy. If in doubt, we can send a Gift Certificate.
Saratoga, California. June 19 @4.00pm
One of customers who have been collecting since he was a child, now has a
collection of over 10,000 toy soldiers. From Greek, Roman, Medieval, Napoleonic
to Civil War. He specializes in the American Civil War. Every year he opens up
his home to the local schools and sets up displays of the key events of the
American Civil War. This represents months of hard work and detailed
preparation. Each year he builds museum quality dioramas and spreads them around
the rooms of his house. With diorama stations, kids are divided into groups,
visit and receive detailed information on each particular event. To watch the
energy, effort and dedication that goes into this is truly magnificent. Not only
is it a great way to teach history, the history of the Civil War, but it really
brings it to life.
This year he has offered in the evening to host a group of toy soldier
collectors to view the Civil War Dioramas, but also part of his collection. We
did this last year and it was a huge success.
If you would like to attend please email us at
sales@sierratoysoldier.com
subject Saratoga, and we will be pleased to provide you with details.
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King & Country Retirement News.
This month we have a mixed bag of goodies and some real surprises heading off
to the "Happy Hunting Grounds", stock is very limited, so do not wait to long
and miss out. 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.
"Ancient Egypt"
- AE006 "The Stone Carvers"
"1776 American Revolution"
- AR045 "Standing Firing Marine"
- AR052 "Kneeling Firing Marine"
"Battle of the Bulge"
One of K&C’s most popular WW2 series.
- BBA018 "M24 Chaffee Tank (Winter Camo)" - Sold out
- BBG004 "GI Prisoners" Three captured Americans plus one Waffen SS guard,
a great set!
- BBG009 "Raupen Schlepper" - Sold Out
"Normandy '44"
- DD052 "Lord Lovat Command Group"
- DD064 "Tommy Patrol"
- DD092 "M24 Chaffee Tank (Olive Drab)" - Sold Out
"Imperial Chinese Army"
"Berlin '38"
View the King & Country Retired page.
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The following new releases which are in stock now, missed the deadline for
our last newsletter.
Listed under the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN (1567-1635)
"The father of New France", Samuel De Champlain was a respected and talented
navigator and cartographer. His mapping of the St. Lawrence River and
exploration of the Atlantic coast was integral in opening North America to
French trade, especially the fur trade.
In the summer of 1608 Champlain landed at the "Point of Quebec" and set about
fortifying the area. This was to become the city of Quebec. He became the
founder of the city that would become the cradle of French America.
To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City, this month
sees the release of a special figure to celebrate the anniversary. Of course it
is a Limited Edition of 400.
CHAMP-400 - SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN
BATTLE ON SNOWSHOES
The enemy party that Roger's Rangers had initially fired upon, turned out to
be just the advance guard of over 200 additional French and Indians. The Battle
on Snowshoes had only just begun.
The Rangers, in turn were surprised, and had to retreat and reform. They
succeeded in twice driving back the reinforced enemy party, but had lost both
the initiative and their superiority of numbers. After losing many men, over an
hour and a half of combat, Rogers saw that further resistance was useless, and
ordered a general retreat.
However Rogers’ right flank under the command of Lieutenant William Phillips,
had become completely surrounded by a large party of Indians. Phillips had
decided to surrender after the enemy had assured him and his men that they would
be given "good quarters". Shortly afterwards, in Rogers' own words, Phillips'
and his men were "inhumanly tied up to trees, and hewn to pieces, in a most
barbarous and shocking manner."
A French prisoner was to publish in "The Boston News-Letter" in 1758, "above
30 of the English were killed and cut to pieces after they had capitulated, the
Indians being enraged at finding a number of scalps in an officer’s pocket "
SRR-04 - THE CAPTIVE - Limited Edition 500
THE BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA July 5th 1814
Each Regiment in the US army was furnished with a "stand" of colors,
consisting of a National Standard and a Regimental color.
The first command sets for The Battle of Chippawa series will have the
National and Regimental Standards of the Eleventh Regiment of U.S. Infantry.
The National Colors were a blue silk background with the national emblem of a
bald eagle device.
The Infantry and artillery Regimental colors, which were also called
"battalion colors" were made of yellow silk, (whilst those of the rifle
regiments had a green silk background.)
They were slightly smaller than the National colors, and bore the Regimental
designation in a blue gilt-edged scroll in the centre.
USCH-08 - Officer with National Colors - Limited Edition 500
USCH-09 - Officer with Regimental Color - Limited Edition 500
John Jenkins
Collection.
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