Kings X

DISPATCHES
June 2025

1. BEING RELEASED THIS MONTH

A. “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina!”

      As well as being the memorable theme song of the highly popular film and stage musical ‘EVITA’ this particular song also formed part of the soundtrack to the 1982 Falklands War fought between Britain and Argentina.
      When that war erupted in April 1982 with the Argentine invasion of this small group of rugged and remote British islands few people suspected that a brief but bloody conflict would follow.
       As is well known a powerful naval task force was rapidly dispatched from Britain with the firm intention of retaking the islands, evicting the invaders and liberating the small British community who had lived and worked there for almost 150 years.
       As the land force element of the Task Force was loaded aboard the ships sailing to the South Atlantic they were serenaded up the gangplanks by a familiar sound…
    “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, the memorable theme song from ‘EVITA’.
       On these occasions the song was often played somewhat sarcastically by several of the regimental bands of the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment much to the amusement of the boarding ‘Bootnecks’ and ‘Paras’.
       Keep this enjoyable tune humming around your head as you inspect these latest K&C Falklands War figures…

TF015 “Fix Bayonets!” During this conflict, the humble but very sharp bayonet came once more to the front when British troops on several occasions ‘fixed bayonets’ and charged the enemy most notably when 3 PARA attacked Argentine positions during the *Battle of Mount Longdon* on the 11/12 June 1982. Elsewhere, marines from *42 Commando* also assaulted defensive outposts on Mount Harriet at the point of their bayonets while other marines from *45 Commando* captured *Two Sisters.* This 2-man set shows a British paratrooper from *3 PARA* about to inflict a very serious bayonet wound on a very surprised Argentine soldier!
TF016 “Butting Heads” After running out of ammunition this British *‘Para’* violently thrusts the butt of his L1A1 SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) into the face of his Argentine opponent.
TF017 “Time For Some Scran & A Wet” Royal Marines *‘Slang’* is made up of particular words and phrases that *‘Bootnecks’* (Royal Marines) have used throughout the Corps’ 350 year history and are still in common usage today. Here, two of our K&C ‘Booties’ (Marines) are taking a brief break from *‘yomping’* (a long forced march with a heavy load) across the Falklands to Port Stanley. This sitting ‘bootneck’ heats up his *‘Scran’* (food of any description) on his little portable stove. Also check out the L4A1 ‘Bren’ Gun resting on the ground next to the sitting ‘chef’s left side. His standing mate is enjoying a *‘Wet’, (a drink, hot or cold of any description)* while cradling his SLR in his left hand.

SIDENOTE: The venerable Bren Gun included a series of Light Machine Guns based on an earlier Czech design, adapted and improved by the Royal Small Arms Co., at Enfield in the U.K..
This gun provided excellent service throughout WW2 primarily for British and Commonwealth armies serving well into the 1950s. It was then rebarrelled and adapted to fire the new Nato 7.62mm round as opposed to its original .303 British ammunition.
During the Falklands campaign hundreds of these additional L4A1 ‘Brens’ were taken out of stores to provide additional much-needed firepower for the British marines and paras in particular.

TF018 “What Are You Lookin’ At?” Here we have a uniquely Falklands War image… a lone British ‘Tommy’ … he might be a ‘bootneck’ or a ‘para’ having a halt to take a closer look at one of the islands original inhabitants – a humble but still proud *Penguin. The Falkland Islands represent one of the world’s great penguin capitals. As many as 1,000,000* of these delightful creatures ‘nest’ every summer in the islands along its sandy beaches, sheep paddocks and broad open landscape. Five of the world’s seventeen species of penguin call these islands home – ‘King’… ‘Gentoo’… ‘Rockhopper’… ‘Magellanic’ and… ‘Macaroni’. Our bold little feathered friend is a ‘King Penguin’ and joins with his British ‘liberator’ to make a unique K&C 2-figure set.
TF019 “Kneeling Para w/Sterling S.M.G.” This *‘Para’* takes the knee to deliver a short burst of 9mm rounds from his *Sterling Submachine Gun. This automatic weapon began to replace the WW2 era ‘STEN’* gun in 1953 and remained standard issue to British forces until 1994. Much more reliable than its predecessor, ‘Sterling SMG’s’ were usually but not exclusively carried by officers, some NCO’s, Radio Operators and armoured vehicle crews.
TF021 “The Original Falkland Islanders” Putting aside, for a moment, the different territorial claims to the Falkland Islands by both the British and Argentine Governments it should be said that those with the longest and most original claim to this group of windswept islands in the cold, cold South Atlantic must be these little guys. This handsome trio of ‘King Penguins’ will enhance any Falklands display or diorama and provide that extra touch of local authenticity!

AVAILABLE: Mid June

B. “Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer”

           While the most obvious components of the U.S. Air Force in WW2 were the pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers and other aircrew who flew the aircraft there were also many hundreds of ground units and organizations to support and supply the men in the air.
            These ground crews were responsible for keeping the aircraft in safe flying condition. Ground crew members made repairs to aircraft as well as handling routine maintenance such as checking landing gear, refilling fuel tanks, rearming all weaponry on board, examining the wings and fuselage of every aircraft and making any repairs when necessary.
            Ground crews were highly trained in mathematics, mechanics and all kinds of machine shop skills. Their job was deceptively simple…  “Keep ‘em flying!”
            At the end of WW2 the U.S. Army Air Force possessed almost 64,000 aircraft of all types and sizes including 14,000 heavy bombers such as the B17 ‘Flying Fortress’… the B24 ‘Liberator’… and the mighty B29 ‘Super Fortress’. Other medium bombers included the B25 ‘Mitchell’… the B26 ‘Marauder’… and the A26 ‘Invader’.
             Add to that over 17,000 fighter aircraft of all descriptions operation out of 1,895 air bases spanning the world and you have a huge multi-faceted force of over 2,000,000 men and some women, the majority of whom never left the ground!
             These latest figures are a welcome addition to our long-running series of U.S. Army Air Force pilots and aircraft and will look particularly at home on any collector’s airfield display or diorama…  Check ‘em out!

AF047 “The Grease Monkey Set #1” Four standing ‘Grease Monkeys’ stand around an aircraft inspecting the plane for any exterior damage to either the wings, fuselage, landing gear or engines… The term *‘Grease Monkey’* was common American slang for an engineer or a mechanic usually engaged in motor or aircraft repair and maintenance … It was not regarded as a derogatory term and was widely accepted and used by the relevant engineers and mechanics themselves.
AF048 “Pointing Grease Monkey” This kneeling mechanic has obviously found something that needs repair and is indicating where it is to one of his buddies.
AF049 “The Grease Monkey Set #2” Another very useful 4 x man set comprising *three* sitting mechanics in more relaxed poses perhaps awaiting the return of their aircraft from a dangerous mission somewhere over occupied Europe. The fourth member of the set is on his feet and looking into the distance… perhaps he has heard or seen the first approach of a returning aircraft.

Special Uniform Note:
               All 9 ‘Grease Monkeys’ are wearing the standard U.S. Army Air Force herringbone twill, one-piece overalls with brown boots and various ‘ballcaps’ -both official and unofficial of different baseball teams depending on individual personal choice.

*” Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer”
               The expression became popular during WW2 when it was widely used to describe doing something under extremely difficult or dangerous circumstances and hoping that by sheer luck, determination and maybe divine intervention it will be successful.
               It was particularly associated with Allied airmen flying back to their bases in damaged aircraft hoping and praying that they are all going to make it in one piece!
                The phrase also inspired a very popular WW2 song of the same name written in 1943 by Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh.
                One of the best versions was recorded by a black vocal group called The Four Vagabonds. My own personal favourite version is by Ry Cooder on his 1972 album ‘Boomer’s Story’.
                Check them both out.
AVAILABLE: Mid June

C. ‘French Line Infantry Final Reinforcements’

Here is the final batch of K&C’s latest Napoleonics… In this case, our new French Line Infantry.

NA534 “F.L.I. Kneeling Reaching For A Cartridge” Keeping his eyes firmly on the enemy this Line Infantryman reaches back into his cartridge box for another round.
NA535 “F.L.I. Kneeling Ready” Holding his musket and bayonet close to his chest this kneeling French soldier is ready to face the foe.
NA536 “F.L.I. Kneeling Priming His Musket” Our third kneeling infantryman checks the priming pan of his musket before taking aim.