May, 2023
Sierra Toy Soldier Company

Sierra Toy Soldier Company

Today's Headlines

Missed the April Edition 2023 Newsletter, view it here!

Welcome to the May Edition of Sierra Toy News, written on a very warm day here in the Bay Area. We thought winter was behind us, but it came back to surprise us. With more storms, rain, and snow in the mountains. Apparently, our snowpack is standing at 368% of normal. When this starts melting, we will be in for some flooding.

Alex and Cody have been busy rebuilding our displays and taking some terrific photos and posting them to our Facebook page. Check them out when you have a chance.

It is that time again when we head to Texas. Our next show will be Memorial Day weekend, in San Antonio, Texas. The show starts on Saturday 27th May and finishes Sunday 28th, at the historic Menger hotel. Do not miss out as it is a ton of fun. Both Cody and Alex will be there. If making a reservation, mention the Texas Toy Soldier for a special room rate. As always let us know if you would like to see anything and we will try to bring it. We are shipping next week.

We have been very busy updating our Scratch and Dent page, which is extremely popular.

Scratch Á Dent

We received our latest War Park vehicle the AX023 Winter Hummel Sdkfz 165 Heavy Self-propelled Howitzer and it is terrific. We only have 2 remaining.

We have some great new announcements from King & Country and John Jenkins.

For information on John Jenkins Future Releases.

John Jenkins Future Releases.

Check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more pictures.

Instagram:sierratoysoldier

Twitter:sierratoystore

You can keep up to date with us by visiting our Facebook Page.

Sierra Toy Soldier Facebook Page

Hope you enjoy our newsletter.

20th Anniversary Sale

20th Anniversary Sale

Help us celebrate and pick up some real goodies at bargin prices.

Look for new additions later this month.

King & Country Mega Sale

First Legion Big Sale

Collectors Showcase Grand Sale

John Jenkins Grand Sale

Thomas Gunn Grand Sale

We will have lots of items on sale between 20 - 45% off throughout the month, please look at the special pricing being offered. We will be adding daily to our list of items on sale.  So please check back often and you may find a pleasant surprise.

Collectors Corner
Sierra Toy Britain's Exclusive
King & Country
John Jenkins
Collectors Showcase
War Park

Showroom

We are open Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00pm.

Just a reminder for those of you living in Northern California, or perhaps just visiting, that our Showroom dedicated to toy soldiers is now open 6 days a week. 1350 Dell Avenue, Ste #5, Campbell, California 95008. (408) 395 3000

www.sierratoysoldier.com

Sierra Toy Soldier Facebook Page

Check out our latest arrivals, new dioramas and events at our store!

Sierra Toy Soldier Facebook Page

Sierra Toy Soldier Virtual Video Call

To set up a Virtual Video Call to see any of our latest releases or displays. Contact us via Email or Phone.

Virtual Video Call Email

Phone 408-395-3000

Scratch & Dent

Do you enjoy repairing or modifying toy soldiers and vehicles. Every now and again we receive figures and vehicles in need of a new home and some special care. If yes, this may be the section just for you.

Scratch & Dent

Collectors Corner

Occasionally we get a rare opportunity to acquire individual items and complete collections for collectors that are thinning out their collection or from other dealers. These pieces are items that we do not normally stock. All are in mint condition or and in their original boxes, unless specified in the description. Please note these may have been on display.

So these are ideal pages to view if you are looking for that missing piece in your collection or just looking to find some very unique pieces that are not normally available.

This month we have added a very large collection of Aeroart, St Petersburg figures and also a very large collection of Plastic figures and Play Sets. We have also added Frontline French and Indian War sets in perfect condition.

Consignment Highlight

This month we feature sets from Thomas Gunn, First Legion, Britain's, Jenkins, King & Country, Frontine, St Petersburg and Plastics.

Collectors Corner

Sierra Toy Soldier Britain's Exclusive

Sierra Toy Soldier Exclusive - In Stock Now!

Zulu Storehouse Attack

King & Country

King & Country May Releases!

Guarding The Sovereign & Their Jewels

The Yeomen of The Guard form the personal bodyguard of the British sovereign and have been in continuous existence since their formation by King Henry Ⅵ in 1485. Originally, they were responsible for the King’s (or sometimes Queen’s) safety on journeys at home or abroad and on the battlefield. In addition, they guarded his palaces, patrolled their precincts and perimeters as well as guarding all entrances and exits. They even, in times gone by, tasted the sovereign’s own food! Today’s Yeomen of the Guard still wear uniforms that harken back to their formation during the reign of the Tudors and carry weapons that are distinctly similar to the same historical period. For everyday duties the Yeoman’s uniform is black with red detailing. For the great ceremonies of state the more classic and much more colourful ceremonial uniform is red with golden yellow and black design details. Among the most important state events where the ceremonial uniforms can be worn and seen are: ∙The State Opening of Parliament ∙Receptions for Foreign Heads of State ∙All Royal Weddings, Funerals and other Celebrations. STRENGTH, NUMBERS & RECRUITMENT Originally, The Guard numbered just 50 and were all male. Presently, that number has grown to become 79 and also includes a few women. To be selected for the Guard, an applicant must be at least 50 years of age and have served in a branch of the British Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force and / or Royal Marines) for 20 years or more. They should also have reached the minimum rank of Sergeant to be even considered and must have been awarded the Good Conduct and Long Service medal. Retirement is mandatory at 70 for all members of the Guard. Visitors to London wishing to see the Yeomen of The Guard going about their duties can best view them on duty at the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are stored and protected.

Ceremonial

Denmark's Royal Life Guards

Anyone lucky enough to visit Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen will usually visit the Amalienborg Palace right in the heart of that beautiful city. It is both a home to the Danish Royal Family and a museum of the Danish monarchy. One of the unforgettable sights of such a visit is to see the “Changing of The Guard” which takes place on most days throughout the year. Each noon the ‘new’ guard leave their barracks at nearby Rosenborg Castle and march through Copenhagen’s streets to Amalienborg where they replace the ‘old’ guard which has been on duty for the previous 24 hours. What makes this changeover ceremony so colourful is that these Danish Royal Life Guards have two dress uniforms… Their ceremonial ‘Red’ tunics are only worn on grand State occasions while their parade ‘Blue’ tunics are much more commonly seen on daily guard duty outside the palace. Other notable aspects of the Guard’s unique appearance are their tall, black bearskins which date back to 1805 and their short infantry sabers carried by all ranks which came from similar weapons captured from the Prussians during their First Schleswig War of 1848 – 1851. In addition to their ceremonial duties all of these soldiers belong to a modern mechanized infantry unit that saw action in more recent years in Afghanistan.

  • - This marching Non Commissioned Officer carries the Regimental Banner with the Danish Queen’s cypher in the centre.
  • - Another marching NCO holding the short infantry sabre in his right hand.
  • - In addition to a regular regimental band the Life Guards also have a ‘Fife & Drum’ Corps. Previously K&C released a drummer now we’re adding the Fifer. Normally a ‘Fife & Drum’ Corps comprises 16-20 musicians… Eight Side Drummers plus 8-12 Fifers.

Ceremonial

ROME AT WAR

  • - Classic figure in a classic defensive pose. Crouching behind his shield with his ‘Pilum’ firmly anchored by his foot and angled at 45∘ to receive the enemy’s attack.
  • - A brand-new version of an old favourite. Using his shield to protect his kneeling comrade this Legionary prepares to throw his Pilum at the approaching enemy.
  • - A pair of Legionaries in a more relaxed pose discussing the events of the day or perhaps…grumbling about their Centurion or some other senior officer.
  • - The idea for this pair of figures came from one of my reference books that featured several great illustrations about the camp life of ordinary Roman soldiers while on campaign. Here we see a very irate Centurion ‘making a very firm point’ with his wooden staff on the chest of a luckless Legionary who has obviously upset him.
  • - Three of each of the previous 2 figures grouped together for added protection in a fighting formation.

Romans

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM

During the Vietnam conflict nearly all Military Police duties and operations came under the direct control of the 18th Military Police Brigade headquartered at Vung Tau, southeast of Saigon and situated at the tip of a small peninsula. Members of the Brigade deployed to Vung Tau in September 1966 and soon established major sub groups at Nha Trang and Long Binh. Smaller units were then stationed throughout every tactical zone ranging from Da Nang in the north to Soc Trang in the south. In all of these and hundreds of other smaller locations MPs performed a wide and expanding range of missions including handling and processing prisoners-of-war, security of vessels and port facilities as well as vital installations and VIP protection. At the same time, with the rapid expansion of U.S Ground Forces in South Vietnam, maintenance of discipline and law and order in the military were very high on the Brigade’s priorities list… both on and around U.S. bases and also on the streets and highways of South Vietnam.

TOTAL STRENGTH: Even at the height of American involvement in Vietnam with over 500,000 U.S. troops deployed ‘in-country’ the Brigade strength was just 6,000 strong.

  • - This particular Military Policeman is a member of the 716th Military Police Battalion who provided security and law enforcement in the Saigon/Cholon/Tan Son Nhut metropolitan area. Included in their responsibilities were the U.S. Embassy in the centre of Saigon and the massive Military Assistance Command Vietnam headquarters next to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. K&C’s smartly-dressed MP is wearing his fully-buttoned-up ‘Flak Jacket’, polished helmet and carrying his M16 rifle and, of course, his Colt 1911 .45 Automatic Pistol on his right hip. This figure works perfectly with our earlier-released M151 “Mutt” U.S. Military Police version (VN142).
  • - A familiar sight on many South Vietnamese city, town and occasionally village streets were these members of the National Police. Clad in white cotton shirts and light grey trousers many of these policemen joined the police to avoid military conscription while enriching themselves at the same time with all kinds of corruption and intimidation. It was often said by many South Vietnamese that the ‘White Mice’ committed many more crimes than they actually ever solved! It’s also an unfortunate truth that these policemen were seen to be ‘walking targets’ for the Viet Cong. And so, even if you made a lot of money… you might not live long enough to spend it!

Vietnam - Tet 68

ON TRACK FOR WAR

One of the great success stories of the Falklands War was the great contribution made by a miniscule number of light tracked vehicles operating in a cold, wet, windswept landscape many thousand of miles away from their home base and backup support. What I am referring to are the two troops of Scorpion and Scimitar Light Reconnaissance Vehicles send down to the South Atlantic with the British Task Force to help recapture the Falklands. What is astonishing is the fact that the authorities back in the U.K. decided that only 4 Scimitars, 4 Scorpions and just 1 Samson armoured recovery vehicle would be enough to achieve their desired result! However, somehow they did help achieve a spectacular land victory in just over 23 days. Belatedly, following on from the successful launch of our first Falklands range figures in 2022, here is K&C’s tribute to one of that very small band of armoured reconnaissance ‘bunker busters’…

The FV101 ‘Scorpion’ is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle, sometimes referred to as a ‘light tank’. It was designed to meet the British Army’s requirement for a light Combat Vehicle that could be air-portable and operate in both extremes of hot and cold weather. Another requirement was that it be able to move across difficult terrain that had low ground pressure, similar to that of a soldier on foot. This would prove extremely fortunate in the wet, boggy conditions found on the Falkland Islands.

COMBAT USE The first regular British Army unit to be equipped with ‘Scorpions’ and its stablemate, the ‘Scimitar’, was The Blues and Royals, the famous household cavalry regiment. Two troops from ‘B’ Squadron of that same regiment were sent south to the Falklands. One troop was equipped with just 4 Scorpions while the other received 4 Scimitars.

  • - Our King & Country ‘Scorpion’ is hand-painted in the two-colour (Olive drab and black) camouflage typical of most British Army vehicles of the 1980s. This great-looking model includes a 3/4 figure tank commander and a head ‘n’ shoulders tank driver sitting in the hull. Together, they definitely add a powerful punch to any Falklands War Collection.

Falklands War

BACK TO THE BOCAGE

In a scene that must have been replicated many times during the Normandy Campaign a small group of German infantryman make their way stealthily through the Norman countryside to take up a new ‘ambush’ position while they await the next Allied advance… Six more 12th SS ‘Hitlerjugerd’ boys in three 2-figure action sets provide some useful reinforcements for any late war battlefield display or diorama.

SPECIAL UNIFORM NOTE:These 6 new variations provide alternative combinations of the ‘mixed-rig’ look of the 12th SS troopers at this time of the war.

  • - As bullets fly overhead these two young infantrymen move forward toward a new position.
  • - As one more infantryman dashes forward his comrade kneels down to provide a little fire support.
  • - As only one rifleman opens up on the enemy these two SS troopers add their combined firepower to help keep the opposition’s heads down while their comrades move ahead.

Normandy 1944 - German Forces

John Jenkins

New releases expected Mid May!

Enemies of Rome - Boadicca

Boadicca, or Buddug in Welsh, was a queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60/61. According to Roman sources, shortly after the uprising failed, she poisoned herself or died of her wounds, although there is no actual evidence of her fate. She is considered a British folk hero.

Boudicca’s husband Prasutagus, with whom she had two children whose names are unknown, ruled as a nominally independent ally of Rome, and left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and to the Roman emperor in his will. However when he died his will was ignored, and the kingdom was annexed and his property taken. According to Tacitus, Boudicca was flogged and her daughters raped. Cassius Dio explains Boudicca’s response by saying that previous imperial donations to influential Britons were confiscated and the Roman financier and philosopher Seneca called in the loans he had forced on the reluctant Celtic Britons.

In AD 60 or 61, when the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus was campaigning on the island of Mona (modern Anglesey) on the northwest coast of Wales, Boudicca led the Iceni, the Trinovantes, and other tribes in revolt. They destroyed Camulodunum (modern Colchester), earlier the capital of the Trinovantes, but at that time a settlement for discharged Roman soldiers and site of a temple to the Emperor Claudius. Upon hearing of the revolt, Suetonius hurried to Londinium. The 20 year old commercial settlement was the rebels’ next target. Lacking sufficient numbers to defend the settlement, he evacuated and abandoned Londinium. Boudicca led a very large army of Iceni, Trinovantes, and others against a detachment of the Legio IX Hispana, defeating them, and burning Londinium and Verulamium.

An estimated 70,000 – 80,000 Romans and Britons were killed in the three cities by those following Boudicca, many by torture. Suetonius, meanwhile regrouped his forces, and despite being heavily outnumbered, he decisively defeated the Britons. The crisis caused Nero to consider withdrawing all Roman forces from Britain, but Suetonius’s victory over Boudicca confirmed Roman control of the province. Boudicca then either killed herself to avoid capture or died of illness.

Enemies of Rome

Achaemenid Persian Empire

Achaemenid Persian Empire

Conquest of America - Powhatan

Powhatan

Trojan War - Greeks

Greeks

Gempei War

Minamoto no kuro Yoshitsune was one of the most famous samurai commanders, not just in the Gempei war, but throughout the whole of Japanese history. He inspired his followers to three celebrated victories that brought the Gempei war to a successful conclusion. It was said that he was taught sword fighting by the the goblins of the forest, and was famous for defeating the giant monk Benkei, who then became one of his faithful followers.

Gempei War 1180 - 1185

El Cid - Spanish

The Spanish

Mountain Men

Sitting Bull (c. 1831 – Dec.15th 1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance against United States government policies. He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation during an attempt to arrest him, at a time when authorities feared that he would join the Ghost Dance movement.

Before the Battle of Little BigHorn, Sitting Bull had a vision in which he saw many soldiers, “as thick as grasshoppers”, falling upside down into the Lakota camp, which his people took as a foreshadowing of a major victory in which many soldiers would be killed. About three weeks later, the confederated Lakota tribes with the Northern Cheyenne defeated the 7th Cavalry under Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer on June 25th, 1876, annihilating Custer’s battalion and seeming to fulfill Sitting Bull’s prophetic vision. Sitting Bull’s leadership inspired his people to a major victory. The Native Americans' victory celebrations were short-lived. Public shock and outrage at Custer's defeat and death, as well as the government's understanding of the military capability of the remaining Sioux, led the War Department to assign thousands more soldiers to the area. Over the next year, the new American military forces pursued the Lakota, forcing many of the Native Americans to surrender. Sitting Bull refused to surrender, and in May 1877, he led his band north to Wood Mountain, North West Territories (now Saskatchewan) Canada.

He remained there until 1881, refusing a pardon and a chance to return.

When crossing the border into Canadian territory, Sitting Bull was met by the North West Mounted Police of the region. During this meeting, James Morrow Walsh, commander of the North West Mounted Police, explained to Sitting Bull that the Lakota were now on British soil and must obey British law. Walsh emphasized that he enforced the law equally and that every person in the territory had a right to justice. Walsh became an advocate for Sitting Bull and the two became good friends for the remainder of their lives.

Sitting Bull and his people stayed in Canada for four years. Due to the smaller size of the buffalo herds in Canada, Sitting Bull and his men found it difficult to find enough food to feed their starving people. Sitting Bull's presence in the country led to increased tensions between the Canadian and the United States governments.

Whiskey, Scalps and Beaver Pelts

Mountain Men

Jerry Potts also known as “Bear Child” was a half-blood Indian, half Scottish scout

In 1871, Potts' mother was murdered by a man drunk on "firewater." So, Potts declared his own personal war on the whiskey runners. By the time Potts was 36, he had killed at least 40 men, mostly whiskey runners.

In September 1874, Potts was trading horses in Fort Benton, Montana, when he was hired as a guide, interpreter and scout by the North West Mounted Police. Potts was already a legend in this part of the world, and became an extremely important part of the NWMP in his diplomatic communications between the police and the various native American tribes. His contract as a guide was to last twenty two years. He was paid three times a police constables salery. He ceased working at the age of fifty eight because of the pain from throat cancer, and was to die a year later on 14th July 1896 at Fort Macleod.

The Macleod Gazette and Alberta Livestock Record paid tribute to the man who “made it possible for a small and utterly insufficient force to occupy and gradually dominate what might so easily, under other circumstances, have been a hostile and difficult country. . . . Had he been other than he was . . . it is not too much to say that the history of the North West would have been vastly different to what it is.”

Jerry Potts was buried at Fort Macleod with the rank of Special Constable in the North West Mounted Police.

Whiskey, Scalps and Beaver Pelts

Black Hill Wars

Black Hill Wars 1876-1877

ACW - 5th U.S. Artillery

5th U.S. Artillery

Arab Mercenary Infantry

Arab Mercenary Infantry

Maratha Infantry

Maratha Infantry

74th Highland Regiment of Foot

74th Highland Regiment of Foot

Battle of Cowpens - Third Continental Dragoons

One of Brigadier General Daniel Morgan's greatest concerns was his lack of adequate numbers of dragoons. Dragoons served both sides as scouts, mounted pickets, mobile reserves, and shock troops. One of their primary functions was to exploit a victory by riding down the remnants of broken enemy infantry. Weapons included a carbine and a brace of heavy pistols, Although according to Colonel William Washington the “only necessary weapon a dragoon carries” was the sabre.

Several small volunteer militia contingents were hastily equipped as dragoons to reinforce the cavalry, as it was well known the strength of Tarleton’s mounted legion.

Third Continental Dragoons

Battle of Cowpens - 17th Light Dragoons

17th Light Dragoons

War Park

War Park Vehicles - New in stock now!

May Releases

  • - The turret can rotate, the gun barrel can pitch, the back doors can be opened, the antenna can be erected and lowered, and the tank can be pushed. Track+chassis+gun barrel+some parts are made of metal, others are made of resin or ABS. The total weight is about 500g. Includes three crews.

War Park Vehicles & Accessories

Collectors Showcase

Berdans Sharpshooters - New releases in stock now!

Berdans Sharpshooters

Vietnam

Vietnam

Korea

Korean War

Very best regards from Mike & Myszka Hall and the Sierra Toy Soldier team - Alex, Cody and Sean.

This newsletter is the copyright of Sierra Toy Soldier Company