Sierra Toy Soldier Company
March 2008 Newsletter.

To all subscribers welcome to the March edition of Sierra Toy Soldier News, written on a very nice early spring day, here in Los Gatos.

Well, we survived the madness of the West Coaster Toy Soldier show, and it was our most successful show ever. As always a huge part of it for us, was meeting you, seeing what’s new, and selling the odd soldier or two. The show starts with room trading in your hotel bedroom on Thursday until late Saturday night. Then to the main ballroom for the Show itself on Sunday. So you have to drive to the show, 6.5 hours for us, unload, set up everything in the room, pack it up on Saturday and reset it up at 6.30 on Sunday morning. Absolutely exhausting but great fun. But thanks in a very large part to 3 of our customers, who had a great time helping us unpack, set up and repack down in Irvine, we were set up in record time. Many thanks to Jason, Michael and Rob. They made life a lot easier.

This is a big month for us, with our first vacation in 5 years. Never start your own business if you want time off. Well it is not really a vacation, more a “busman’s holiday”. Over Easter we are off to Hong Kong for 5 days, to visit King & Country, Frontline, East of India, and John Jenkins, plus see the odd site along the way.

This month we have exciting news from Britain’s, King and Country, Del Prado, Black Hawk, John Jenkins, and a few more.

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 Northern California.

February Newsletter

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

West Coaster Event- highlights

We co-hosted the Figarti Event on the Saturday afternoon and it was a great success. Figarti launched the LDRG Trucks, new V2 Missile, Long Tom Cannon, and new Vietnam Special Forces. The overall reaction to the releases was extremely positive. They had a huge custom display of the E-Boat and B17, which will be set up in our store next week, some of the finest work we have seen, though on a huge scale. So stop in and look.

King & Country were represented by Andy Neilson, along with his brother Gordon, “Diorama Builder Extraordinaire”, Helen, the Managing Director, and one of their other staff, Patrick, who was thoroughly enjoying his first ever trip to the United States. He was commenting about how clean the air is in Los Angeles! Gordon had some outstanding dioramas set up; I think everyone’s favorite was the train wreck, where they showed the French resistance blowing up the rail tracks and forcing a German supply train to leave the rails. Amazingly all hand built by Gordon. We also hosted for the 4th year in a row the Sierra Toy Soldier / King and Country event this was a whopping success with over 35 of our customers attending. This informal event allows customers to ask Andy, and Gordon questions about all aspects of the business. Andy did sort of announce that he is hoping to release 2 new series this year, but try as we might we could still could not pry any further details out of him. Of course there will still be regular additions to the current ranges.

Both Figarti and King & Country were very generous in giving each attendee a free special toy figure, specially created for the event, and yes they are all gone.

Britains was represented by Ken, and Erika Olsen, showing off the new 2008 releases. Unfortunately we missed Richard Walker, who was unable to attend. It is hard to believe that Richard, and Ken took over the Company less than three years ago. They have produced a huge turnaround and have reinstated Britains as one of the finest Toy Soldier Companies in the world. A great team with a lot of knowledge and huge talent. The eye catcher was the new Zulu range and the hospital building. These are some of the finest figures ever produced and are the best Zulu warriors we have seen in miniature. Simply gorgeous. Erika is a Costume Historian and has been hard at work with Ken to produce a new line Britains will be introducing later this year: “Petticoats” to go with the very successful Red and Blue Coats. The figures we saw were beautiful.

Also showing off the latest goodies was Collectors Showcase. Brian showed off the new American Civil War 4th Brooklyn and the new WWII Arnhem Collection. We saw some excellent improvements in face sculpting, and painting that show s the progress being made. These new releases should be in stock next week.

TV Spot

We messed up in the last newsletter and provided a bad link. So hopefully you will get a chance to view “yours truly” (handsome devil) and our store. We had our TV spot filmed and it aired at the end of the month on KRON 4. You can click on the Best of the Bay link, and view our store on TV.

Events

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.

Bay Area Militaria Show – April 12, 2008 This is a great local bay area show, for those that like toy soldiers because we are there, Military medals, Uniforms and all sorts of both original and reproduction military hardware. The show is located in Hayward, CA. Whilst not a toy soldier show, it is for collectors of military memorabilia and is great fun.

William Britains

Shortly after the last news letter we received the new Britains 2008 first half catalogue. We posted all the new Britains releases for the first half of 2008. Britains are hoping to produce 4 catalogues a year, 2 main ones and 2 small supplemental ones. There will be some surprises this year, as well as welcome additions to the current ranges. They are also continuing a trend of releasing many single figures in all ranges. As usual we will be pleased to include a catalogue with your Britains Order, once they are published.

The highlights include new releases for
American Civil War – Some terrific single figure sets, all in action.
American Revolution – including a superb limited edition British Cannon set.
Archive Collection. – New for 2008, recreating some of the original gloss sets of the early 1900’s. Little bit of nostalgia here.
Ceremonial – includes new figures
Military bands – New marching additions for the Napoleonic Military Band.
Tournament Knights – New Classic Knights.
Museum Collection. - The series begins with a collection of one of the most famous regiments in British military history, the Black Watch or 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. – another highlight from the new range. We were able to see some of these at the Westcoaster, and the pictures do not do them justice.
Napoleonic’s – including Napoleon, Marshal Ney, some outstanding sets for defending Hougoumont and a British Surgeons set, showing the other side of the conflict.
Zulu Collection  -  In both Matte and Gloss, new additions have just arrived and they are terrific.
Word War One – New additions to the series,
To view the Britain’s Collection, please click here.

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. To view the Britains retired pieces, please click on Being Retired.

King and Country - Scheduled to arrive next week.

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.

King and Country Releases for Late March.

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.

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 and Country Releases for April.

1776 American Revolution
“HESSIANS!”
When the revolution in the American Colonies began Britain found herself, as usual, quite unprepared. Global commitments stretched the Army to breaking point and reinforcements were urgently required to deal with the upstart rebels. But where to find them? George III and his Government utilized their Royal links to the House of Hanover to seek help with the many princely states and duchies of Germany. For a hefty price many of these penniless states were only too happy to rent out their armies in the British cause. The House of Hesse provided a large proportion of these German mercenaries to fight (and die) in the Americas. The latest “1776” release portrays a typical Regiment of Hessian Grenadiers wearing their long pigtails and tall mitre Grenadier caps.

BR062 “Officer w/Telescope”
BR063 “Sergeant Pointing”
BR064 “Standing Firing”
BR065 “Kneeling Firing”
BR066 “Standing Ready”
BR067 “Standing Loading”
BR068 “Standing Drummer Boy’
BR069 “Marching Rifleman”
BR070 “Advancing Rifleman”
BR071 “Marching Flagbearer”
BR072 “Officer w/Pike”
BR073 “Mounted Officer”
BR074 “Making Ready”
Availability scheduled for early April. To view the 1776 Collection, please click here.

WWII - Waffen Collection
“Hitler’s Paris Visit” Following the defeat of France in June 1940 Hitler made his one and only visit to the French capital. Early one morning the Fuhrer and his entourage toured the deserted streets of Paris “sightseeing”. The few pedestrians and policemen were amazed to see a small convoy of German Mercedes staff cars stop and view many of the city’s most famous landmarks. They were even more amazed to see Adolf Hitler among the “tourists”.

WS106 -- “Hitler’s Paris Visit” An all-new, second version of the older “Hitler’s Staff Car”. This upgraded, more detailed set is also larger than the first version. The set includes a standing, saluting Fuhrer. his personal SS driver. two seated Nazi officers plus two SS bodyguards (one with Schmeisser) perched on the back seat of the Mercedes.
WS107 -- “German War Correspondents” Three SS War Correspondents following the Fuhrer’s progress through Paris (or elsewhere). One saluting officer, one movie cameraman and one “snapper” with his favorite “Leica”.
Availability scheduled for early April.

From a peaceful Paris we go back to the battlefield with a whole batch of “early-war” Waffen SS in action. Clad in their distinctive camouflage smocks and helmet covers these particular troops are perfect for Blitzkrieg action in Poland. The Low Countries. France. Yugoslavia. Greece and, of course “Operation Barbarossa”, the invasion of Russia.

Six different sets of individual and small groups of figures will be available.
WS110 “Riflemen in Action”
WS111 “Over There!”
WS112 “Open Fire”
WS113 “MG34 Gun Team”
WS114 “Marching SS Officer” Confident, cocky and highly dangerous this SS officer is sure of himself and his men.
WS115 “Marching SS Trooper”
Availability Mid April. To view the Waffen Collection, please click here

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.

“Remember The Alamo!”
These new additions make some welcome add-ons to this “signature” series. RTA035 “General Manuel Castrillon” One of Santa Anna’s generals. this mounted figure observes the action through his telescope.
RTA036 “Mexican Soldier with Ladder” Running forward this “soldado” carries his own ladder.
RTA037 “Wounded Mexican” This poor soldier has been brought to his knees either by grape-shot or a well-aimed musket ball.
RTA038 “Fighting Duo #1” The first of these dueling doubles. the enemy is already over the wall and it’s a fight to the death!
RTA039 “Naval Cannon Set” Many of the artillery pieces used in the Alamo were “dismounted” ship’s cannon. This set comes with two gunners (one wounded) and an extra Musket, satchel and powder horn.
RTA040 “Swinging Rifle” Either out of ammunition or no time to reload this Alamo defender uses his weapon as a club.
RTA041 “Fighting Duo #2” The second of our “fight to the death” doubles.
RTA042 “Mrs. Dickinson & Daughter” Santa Anna spared no male survivors of the battle however he did release, unharmed, several females and children. Susanna Dickinson and her small daughter are probably the most famous. Special note: this set looks outstanding in and American Revolution, Civil War, WWI or even WWII diorama.

To view the Alamo Collection, please click here.

King & Country Retirement News.

This month we are retiring a lot of terrific sets, 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.

Vichy French Camel Figures and some of the best and most original mounted figures K&C has ever produced.
AK031 “Vichy French Camel Corps Sergeant (Mtd.)”
AK032 “VF Arab Camel Corps Rider on Drinking Camel (Mtd.)”
AK033 “VF Arab Camel Corps on Guard (Mtd.)” - Sold Out
AK034 “VF Officer w/ Sitting Camel”

From Imperial China
IC011 “The Opera Stage”

Ancient Egypt.
AE012 “Pair of Pharaoh's Statues”
AE013 “Temple Façade”
AE015 “Hunting Pharaoh”
WWII Europe.
WS073 “German / French SPG” – Sold Out
BBA016 “M3A1 White Scout Car” - Sold Out

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

Black Hawk

Following the success of the series Custer’s Last stand. They have added a brand new western series to the collection. “The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid” featuring the James Gang. If you are a fan of the wild west, this is an outstanding limited edition series to collect. Currently only 13 sets are planned.
To view the "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid," please click here.
We have also updated our images for Custer’s last stand with the final release versions, and they look terrific.
To view Custer last stand, please click here.

Collectors Showcase.

On display Bryan had the final versions of the new Civil War 14th Brooklyn sets and they look very good. Excellent painting and sculpting.
Also on show with lots of excitement and interest from those attending the WestCoaster was the Operation Market Garden releases. Again we see big improvements in sculpting and painting. We should with luck receive our shipment next week.
To view the Collectors showcase additions, please click here.

Del Prado

Just announced for the USA two new series. We will be stocking a new series based on the Old West, originally released in France. The accompanying books are in French based around,  if you collect this small series of only 20 figures you will also have the parts to make a great looking stage coach, This series will work well with the upcoming Black Hawk release based on The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid.
To view the Old West Collection, please click here.

Also another new series, previously launched in Europe, “Cavalry through the ages” In this series not all figures include the booklet common with other Del Prado releases. Don’t know why, but the figures are excellent. They are 54mm in scale.
To view Cavalry through the ages, click here.

We also just had a restock and some new additions arrive today, so have not had time to do an update yet. The new releases include
Napoleonic Cavalry Series
DEL-NC73 Officer, Austrian Cuirassiers, 1814
DEL-NC75 Corporal, British 10th Hussars, 1815
DEL-NC78 Officer, French Chevau-Legers Lanciers, 1813
DEL-NC79 Hussar Officer, Banner of Saxon Volunteers, 1813

Napoleonic Foot Series
DEL-NF57 Officer, Chasseurs a Cheval, Imperial Guard, 1809
DEL-NF79 Sergeant, Scots Greys, 1815
DEL-NF80 Officer, French Guard Cavalry, 1814
DEL-NF81 General Kutusov, the Russian Army in Action, 1812

Medieval Series
DEL-ME70 The Anglo-Saxon Settlement of England: Northumbrian Thegn, 8th Century
DEL-ME71 The Templars: Turcopole Light Cavalryman, 13th Century (Mounted)
DEL-ME72 Late Byzantine Armies, 1118-1453: Albanian Mercenary, 15th Century
DEL-ME73 Frederick II and the Holy Roman Empire: German Knight, c. 1250 (Mounted)

Men at War in the 20th Century Series
DEL-MW82 Germany’s Spanish Volunteers 1941-45, Lieutenant of Infantry: May 1942
DEL-MW89 The French Indochina War 1945-54, Private, 6th BPC: Tu Le, 1952
DEL-MW90 German Seamen of World War II, The New Recruit
DEL-MW91 Spanish Foreign Legion, Lieutenant: 1922

The Samurai Collection
DEL-SAM19 Ashikaga Yoshiaki
DEL-SAM20 Kuroda Yoshitaka
DEL-SAM21 Akita Sanesue
DEL-SAM22 Mouri, Motonari 1497-1571

To view the complete Del Prado Collection, please click here.

Figarti

On display at the show on display, and also on the water (they ship by sea), heading to us the latest new additions. Including
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.
A38029 Long Tom - excellent.
B38032 Long Range Desert Group 30cwt. Chevrolet.
B38033 Long Range Desert Group 30cwt. Chevrolet.
G38026 German Panzer IV, Winter Attack.
G4000E Winter Surprise - 4 German soldiers with mixed weapons.

For Vietnam
A3228V Light SEAL Support Craft with Crew.
A4063V US SEAL Team - 4 Attacking.

Only 100 of these sets are made, with only about 60 – 70 being made available in the USA. So do not delay to long.
To view the Figarti Collection, please click here.

Forces of Valor – First Half releases

Forces of Valor have announced the line up for the first half of the year, and they are making some very good choices in my biased opinion.

WWII Allied
FOV80055 U.S. 2½ Ton Cargo Truck - Normandy, 1944
FOV81314 U.S. M3A1 Half-Track - Normandy, 1944
FOV82303 U.S. Jeep® Willys® - Normandy, 1944
FOV85007 Sherman - Normandy, 1944 - 1:16th Scale

WWII German
FOV80052 German Elefant, Italy 1944
FOV80247 German Sd. Kfz. 7 Half-Track - Normandy, 1944
FOV80604 German Tiger I - Normandy, 1944

Fighting Soldiers
FOV83305 German 716th Infantry Division - Normandy, 1944
FOV83704 U.S. Airborne Division Soldiers - Normandy, 1944 Modern Aircraft
FOV84057 U.S. UH-1D Huey- Vietnam, 1968
FOV84406 U.S. UH-60G Pave Hawk -Elgin Air Force Base

1:72 Micro Collection
FOV85051 German Panzer IV Ausf. J
FOV85210 German Sd. Kfz. 251/1 and 75mm PaK 40
FOV85211 U.S. M3 Lee - Tunisia, 1942
FOV85242 U.S. Landing Craft LCM3 - Normandy, 1944
FOV85308 U.S. AH-64D Apache Longbow
FOV85701 German King Tiger and Soldiers - Normandy, 1944
FOV85704 German Tiger I - Normandy, 1944
FOV86001 German Battleship Bismarck

To view our Forces of Valor Collection please click here.

John Jenkins

Well since our last update, a lot has been happening on the French and Indian Wars, with new announcements and new arrivals. This collection is getting better and better.
BLOCKHOUSE A & B -- Limited Edition 250 -- Currently accepting pre-orders for the final shipment expected in May.

In stock now
BATTLE ON THE MONONGAHELA 1755
WIM-07 - 3 Woodland Indians Attacking – Do not miss out on this set.

Raid on St, Francis
RFB-01 Civilians #1 - 4 Figures Limited Edition 500
RFB-02 Civilians #2 - 2 Figures - Limited Edition 500

THE BATTLE ON SNOWSHOES
SB-03 27th Regiment of Foot - Sergeant and corporal in winter coats Limited Edition 500
SWI-03 -- Woodland Indians # 3 -- 2 Figures Skirmishing

THE WAR OF 1812 -- THE BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA July 5th 1814
USCH-01 Scott’s Brigade - 4 Figures Firing Limited Edition 500
USCH-02 -- Scott’s Brigade.

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-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.

Action Figures

In stock now.
Ignite
IGN-CU061 -- Knight Templar - Sub-Field Marshal (XIII century) - Expected February

From Soldier Story
SS-009 1st Calvary Division S.A.W. Gunner

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.

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