Today's Headlines

Missed the April 2009 Newsletter, view it here!

To all subscribers welcome to the May edition of Sierra Toy Soldier News, written on a gorgeous sunny day, here in Northern California. We have had a very dry winter, so May 1, signaled the start of Fire Season, which typically lasts until November. Unfortunately in Southern California, a massive wildfire is raging in Santa Barbara already. This is really an upscale part of the world where people can afford to build houses in the hills, and beautiful canyons. The only problem is that it as part of nature’s cycle ,every 20 -30 years the grasses and shrubs dry out, and burn. This time the firefighters are hampered, from saving the expensive homes by the very terrain that makes the area so beautiful. Can you tell that we work with firefighters, and have many as customers?

Construction and internal demolition stared on May 1, at our new retail store location. The address of which is 29 N Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos CA 95030, in case you wish to Google it. We hope to be open in our new location on July 1. This week the external painting, electrical, network wiring and the alarm system was installed. Next weeks schedule consists of repairing the walls and painting. Thank you to all our customers who have volunteered to help us move in June. We will be having a sign up sheet, so you can decide if you want us to help pack or unpack and display, final dates have not yet been set. Grown up playtime!

This month we have lots of exciting news from Britain’s, King and Country, John Jenkins, Honour Bound, Frontline, Corgi, Hobby Master, IXO 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.

We hope you enjoy the new releases, have a great May.

Sierra Toy Soldier Club - Update

What is the Sierra Nugget 2009 Program it is simply 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 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.

Good news is that we are officially a Nugget Expiry Free company.

New Announcements!
New Product Releases

William Britains

We now have the new Britains Catalogue in stock, and will be pleased to include one in your next Britains order. We do try to remember, but you can also remind us. If you want the catalogue first you can purchase it from us for $5.00 plus postage, yes Britains charges us for the catalogues. To order just phone us.

W. Britain and Osprey Publishing are pleased to announce the 2009 Military History Weekend, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Hospitality House, 415 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Tel: 757.229.4020 Fax: 757.220.1560
Saturday, October 17 – Historical Tours and evening event
Sunday, October 18 – 10 to 4 PM - Show Day

An inclusive weekend devoted to all things military history from books, art, miniature figure painting, toy soldiers, wargames, militaria and re-enactors.

• A military tour of the Peninsula on Saturday by local historians – taking in the Revolutionary War, American Civil War and WWII aspects of this historic part of Virginia Collector event on Saturday evening at the hotel, special figure for this event only!
• A wide array of toy soldier dealers representing a variety of new and old toy soldier makers
• Military miniature painters showing the art of painting a miniature figure
• Renowned military artists exhibiting their fine works of art
• Book signings and dealers for those interested in reading about military history and researching uniforms
• Wargame dealers and demonstrations for those wanting to learn more about the battles and recreating them in miniature
• Militaria dealers with vintage military antiques from uniforms and headgear to weapons
• Military Model kits – how to make and paint them and where to buy them
• Diorama and scenics demonstrations for making your figures come alive
• Re-enactment groups on hand for those wanting the ultimate experience in reliving history and seeing it come alive! Vintage WWII vehicles also on site.

Please contact us for more details.

Arriving in the next week or so!

American Civil War

• BR31032 Confederate Artillery Set #2 - "Return to Battery" - 10 Pound Parrot Gun and 4 Man Crew - 4 Figures and Cannon

Redcoats – Classic Edition

• BR47007 British 45th Regiment Centre Company Set - 1754-1763 (Limited to 750 Sets)
• BR47008 British 45th Regiment Command Set #1 - 1754-1763 - Drummer, Fifer, Drum Major, Pioneer (Limited to 400 Sets)

Zulu War

• BR20026 Lt. John Chard - Royal Engineers
• BR20028 "Overwhelming Odds" - British 24th Foot Repelling Zulu uDloko Regiment Warrior - (Limited to 600 Sets)
• BR20030 "Breaching the Wall" - British 24th Foot Firing at Attacking Zulu uDloko Regiment Warrior (Limited to 600 Sets)
• BR20031 Zulu uThulwana Regiment Charging with Knobkerrie #1

King & Country - May Releases

World War I - “Back to the Trenches!”

In March K &C introduced new “1917” figures of attacking British infantry and tank, this month it’s the turn of the opposition… Just as British troops had adapted their uniforms, their equipment, and their tactics since 1914 so had their Imperial German Army opponents.

By 1917 the typical German “Soldaten” was wearing the by now famous “coal-scuttle” steel helmet and a much simpler, more practical uniform. Many had even adopted the cloth leggings called “puttees” from the British troops in preference to their own traditional jackboots.

Their fighting skills however were just as deadly and efficient as before perhaps even improved by three hard years of battlefield experience.

These new K&C First World War Germans are determined to put up a fierce fight even as their British opponents approach their front-line trenches.

• FW050 “Officer with Pistol & Field Telephone” - Mauser Pistol in hand this officer is frantically calling for reinforcements!
• FW051 “Grenadier Set” Two man-set complete with plenty of “potato-mashers”.
• FW052 “Machine Gun Set” As the gunner aims his Maxim ’08 Machine Gun his “number-two” brings up extra ammo.
• FW053 “Kneeling Firing Rifleman”
• FW054 “Standing Firing Rifleman”
• FW055 “Standing with Rifle & Bayonet”
• FW056 “Sniper”
• FW057 “77mm Artillery Set (1917)” Three “coal-scuttle” German artillerymen prepare to fire their field gun at the advancing enemy. Note the splinter camouflage paint scheme.
• FW058 “77mm Artillery Set (1914)” An alternative 1914 version of the 77 field gun with an early-war 3-man crew to match.
• FW059 “Artillery Officer with Binos (1914)” A great add-on figure to command the early-war field gun set.

World War I

WWII – Part of the Berlin 1938 collection.
“Life at the Berghof” - In stock now!

In 1933, Adolf Hitler purchased a simple Alpine cottage in the Obersalzberg in Southern Germany. For most of the next 12 years this was to be his mountain retreat where he could relax among his friends and closest associates.

During that time the Berghof evolved to become the Fuhrer’s Southern headquarters of the Third Reich, second only to Berlin in its importance.

Here, for the first time, is an important addition to the “Berlin ‘38” series showing the more domestic, seldom-seen, side of Hitler and his henchmen.

• LAH099 “Hitler & His Dog” - Although often ill-at-ease with people Hitler, a life-long vegetarian, genuinely loved animals… especially dogs. Here, he wears his simple field gray jacket adorned with his party badge, Iron Cross First Class, Imperial German Wound Badge and black trousers.
  By his side is his faithful German Shepherd, “Blondi”. Together they would die in his Berlin bunker in May 1945.
• LAH101 “Berghof Waiters” - The majority of the Fuhrer’s staff at the Berghof were drawn from his own personal SS bodyguard regiment “Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler”.
  This little set comprises three of his SS waiters, one carrying the Fuhrer’s favorite chocolate cake, another pouring coffee, and the third overseeing the other two.
  All three are dressed in white mess jackets with black trousers.
• LAH102 “Berghof Table & Chairs” - Utilizing actual photos of the Berghof in its heyday K&C has replicated in miniature the tables and chairs seen on the patio of the Berghof in countless photos.
  This set comprises one table and four chairs.
• LAH112 “Hitler’s Berghof” - Again using photographic evidence of the real building taken before its destruction after the Second World War K&C has reconstructed this two-piece miniature to portray the mountain retreat.
  The front of the Berghof was dominated by a massive picture window facing onto some of the most beautiful vistas of the nearby mountains.
  Built in a typical Alpine chalet style our model sits on a spacious patio area that can easily accommodate tables, chairs and any number of standing and sitting figures.
  Each two-piece polystone, hand-painted set comes in its own very distinctive box.
  Dimensions are as follows:
  The Berghof Building:12.5” x 4” x 9.5” (328mm x 111mm x 253mm)
  The Berghof Patio:14” x 10.5” x 3” (376mm x 276mm x 77mm)

Life at the Berghof

Streets of Old Hong Kong
“In the water!” - In stock now!

In this case we’ve taken to the water with no less than two great looking Sampans and their crew. Also perfect for use with US Navy!

• HK174 “Sampan Set #1”
• HK175 “Sampan Set #2”
• HK177 “Stray Dog” – Which we have nicknamed “Scruffy” - Always useful in any scene!

Streets of Old Hong Kong

View King & Country "What's New."

King & Country - New announcement for June release.

Diorama.

• SP029 “THE JETTY” This handy structure is the perfect setting for our latest “Sampans” to moor alongside, at the same time it can also be used singly or in multiples to make a dockside scene for any of the naval vessels K&C are currently working on and about to release. Hint Hint!
  Constructed in mixed media of polystone and expanded polyurethane the structure measures length 15.25” (38cm), width 6” (15.5cm) and height 4.5” (11cm).

WWII D-Day 1944

• DD107 “The LCA (Landing Craft Assault)” - This British designed and built LCA actually made up the bulk of the landing craft used to put infantry on the beaches on D. Day itself. All of the British and Canadians used these little craft as well as some of the American forces. Did you know that the US Rangers landing at Pointe du Hoc were ferried in by British LCA’s manned by Royal Navy crews?
  To the best of K&C knowledge this is the first time such a unique landing craft has been released by any toy soldier/ military miniature company in 1:30 scale.
  The polystone and metal craft comes in typical two-tone British naval camouflage and is crewed by two Royal Navy matelots—one Cox’n and one Bren Gunner.
  Dimensions are: Length 16.5” (42cm) width 4.5” (11.75cm)
• DD108 “Bren Gun Team” - This three-man section comprises, one standing Bren Gunner plus two riflemen.
• DD109 “Medic & Wounded” - A tribute in miniature to the men who risked their lives to tend their wounded comrades often under fire. Here, a kneeling medic tries desperately to save a seriously wounded “Tommy”.
• DD110 “Attacking!” - As one soldier sits wounded, another provides covering fire and the remaining “Tommy” runs forward.
• DD111 “Moving Inland” - A lying prone Bren Gunner alongside a kneeling rifleman and an advancing “Tommy”.

SPECIAL NOTE: All of these first infantry releases are from the 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment of the British 3rd. Infantry Division that landed on Sword Beach on the morning of June 6, 1944.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: This is just the first part of a major two-part launch of British and Canadian forces that are being released in June and July of this year, more info next month.

D-Day

Napoleonic
“Vive les Dragons a Pied!” (“Long Live the Foot Dragoons!”)

For several years (1803-1806) Napoleon’s Armies suffered an amazing shortage of horses… This meant that some cavalry units and Regiments were forced to fight on foot. Perhaps the most famous were the Dragoons. Originally formed as mounted infantry the Emperor decreed that the Dragoons would be better suited to fight as dismounted soldiers than any of their cavalry compatriots.

Although they never liked losing their horses the Dragoons performed admirably in this new role for a limited period. After all, the Emperor’s orders were, the Emperor’s wishes! End of story.

K&C has produced no less than 15 different troopers of the famed 16th. Dragoons of the line. In their green tunics with rose pink facings only one of our figures is mounted the remainder are in marching, parade or action poses.

• NA170 “Mounted Officer”
• NA171 “Marching Drummer”
• NA172 “Marching Officer w/ Sword”
• NA173 “Marching w/ Rifle”
• NA174 “Marching Set”
• NA175 “Marching w/ Flag”
• NA176 “Advancing Forward”
• NA177 “Shouting Corporal”
• NA178 “Standing Firing”
• NA179 “Standing Ready”
• NA180 “Ready to Repel”
• NA181 “Standing Attention”
• NA182 “Present Arms”
• NA183 “Standing Officer”

Either individually or in multiples these new Dragoons provide extra colour and display opportunities for any serious Napoleonic collector.

Napoleonic

Figarti

New Announcements! For June Release

• DAK-002 - FI156 Rommel’s Storch, Limited Edition
• A38039E - The Long Horns of Red Bull - US 8" Howitzer with Crew - Winter (Battle of the Bulge)

Figarti

Honour Bound

In stock now! Limited edition German Falschirmjägers, Ramcke Brigade, Tunez, 1942-45.

• HB039 - Falschirmjägers, Ramcke Brigade, Tunez, 1942-43
• HB040 - Falschirmjägers, Ramcke Brigade, Tunez, 1942-43

Just announced for release in July, limited edition American winter troops.

• HB041 - American Winter Medic Team
• HB042 - American Winter Foxhole

Honour Bound

Action Figures

Things have been a little quiet of late for new releases of Action Figures.  The good news is that we have an excellent new release from Soldier Story.

• SS-026 - 82nd Airborne Division Combat Medic

Action Figures

New Arrivals

John Jenkins

Please visit our Web Site later this week for John’s June releases. We received a preview on Sunday and I know you will be as impressed as I was.

May releases are in stock now!
Battle on Snowshoes

The French force was composed of three types of men. The volunteers of the La Reine regiment, the Compagnie Franches de la Marine, and Langy’s Canadians, or Canadian militia. The militia preferred to wear woolen caps (toques) which were usually red, blue or white. The caps could also be lined with fur, and were called “Canadian caps”.

It was common that a “capot” was worn, these were also in different colours, mainly gray, blue or browns. The capot was a well tailored coat worn by civilians, complete with turned back cuffs, buttons and pleats. The waist was gathered by use of a woven sash, called a “ceinture fleche”. The militia was an elite force, completely at home in the wilderness. Most had grown up with a firearm in their hands, for use in hunting and fighting the Indian from the earliest days of New France. It was said “there was not a one of them who was not a clever marksman and who did not own a rifle”.

• SF-004 - FRENCH MILITIA 1 - 3 Figures skirmishing. Limited Edition 500

Battle on Snowshoes

BATTLE OF THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM

Some new overdue additions to the French La Sarre Regiment! 3 wounded figures to add to your Quebec French regiment collection.

• QF-007 - La Sarre Regiment, wounded. Limited Edition 750

Battle of the Plains of Abraham

Raid on St Francis

The Ojibwa were an Indian group of the Algonkin or the Algonquiam Tribes. Also often referred to as the “Chippewa”. Most were located north of Lake Huron and north east of Lake Superior. They were good hunters and known to be able warriors. They were strong allies of the French, and were active in the French and Indian war on several battle fronts.

This pair of Ojibwa warriors have brought a British line infantry captive for trade, either to the French in exchange for money, or to the local Indian tribes to torture!

• CAN-003 - OJIBWA Indians in Canoe with prisoner. Limited Edition 500

Raid on St Francis

Jacobite Rebellion

A famous British tactic was “platoon fire”. At the time a platoon was a half-company. The right-hand files of a company would form the first platoon and the left-hand files of that same company would form the second platoon. The platoon fire would begin at one of the flank platoons of the battalion or regiment, and one or two seconds after the platoon beside them fired, the next platoon would fire. The effect would be platoon volley after platoon volley rolling down the face of the battalion or regiment, and the result of such disciplined fire was a constant hail of bullets on the enemy formation.

A very experienced soldier could load and fire at a rate of around three shots per minute.

• BJ-002 - BRITISH 4th Regiment of Foot,(Barrell’s) Line Infantry Loading. Limited Edition 500

Jacobite Rebellion

Battle of Chippewa

The British Regiment at this time usually consisted of 10 companies. Eight of these were line companies and 2 were flank companies. These flank companies were usually positioned on the flanks of the regiment when formed in Line. On the right flank was the Grenadier Company, and on the Left flank would be found the Light Company.

At Chippewa the 3 Light companies from the 3 regular British regiments had been earlier deployed in the woods to secure the British right wing, against the advancing Pennsylvanians and Indians of Brig.Gen Peter B. Porter’s third Brigade. Although the British Light companies were to successfully drive off the American Brigade, the fighting in the woods were described as “scenes of indescribable horror”

The Training of the Light Infantry included the fighting in pairs. One man would take aim, whilst the second man would cover the first. Once the first soldier has fired, the second man will move up to 6 paces in front while the first man re-loads. Although the second man may have a target he will not fire, until the first man calls out “ready!”, to signify that he has re-loaded. At this point the second man will open fire, then the first man will move up to 6 paces. Exactly the same procedure is followed in retreating, except that the man falling back will fall back 12 paces.

• BCH-011 - 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots) 2 Flank/Light Company Figures #2. Limited Edition 500

Battle of Chippewa

Collectors Showcase

In stock now!

• Napoleonic Collection - 95th Rifles
• Zulu Wars - Battle of Isandlwana
• WWII - AB43 reconnaissance vehicle

Collectors Showcase

Frontline

In stock now!

4 new sets of Zulu War Figures.

• ZWB.1 - Water Barrel, being recovered by Lieutenant John Chad and 3 soldiers
• ZD.1 - Mealie Bags - 60 pieces
• ZWH.4 - Zulu stabbing prone 24th Foot
• ZWH.5 - Wounded 24th Foot being helped by comrade

Zulu Wars

Frontline