King & Country DD324 Flamethrower Team

KING AND COUNTRY DD324 – FLAMETHROWER TEAM

Overview

Introduction
History Section
Collector Notes

King & Country’s DD324 “The Flame Thrower Team” is a finely detailed 1:30 scale metal set released in June 2019, showing two kneeling World War II US Army Rangers: one operating an M2-2 man-portable flamethrower and the other providing support with an M1 Garand rifle. The set captures the intensity of D‑Day close‑quarters combat, transporting collectors to Normandy via authentic poses and weapons. The sculptor Andy Neilson brings depth and realism to each figure, and the factory‑painted metal figures offer robust quality for durable display and collection.

Historical Background

This set depicts US Army Rangers during the Normandy landings on D‑Day, June 6, 1944, specifically using the M2‑2 portable flamethrower. The M2‑2 had a burn duration of approximately 9 seconds and could propel a jet of flame up to 40 yards, making it a formidable weapon against German fortified positions and bunkers (sagerssoldiers.com). The Rangers operated alongside infantry armed with M1 Garand rifles, advancing under heavy fire to neutralize coastal defenses on Omaha and Utah beaches. The flamethrower-equipped Ranger would kneel, bracing the flame jet, while his companion provided rifle support, exemplifying squad-level tactics to breach enemy strongpoints. During D‑Day, thousands of US Rangers and infantrymen assaulted steep bluffs and concrete pillboxes, under brutal machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire.

Although the flamethrower’s fuel capacity was limited, its tactical effectiveness was critical in clearing fortified German positions and enabling further inland advances. Its psychological impact on defenders was profound, often compelling surrender or retreat. Normandy’s outcome hinged on such close‑quarters engagements. The D‑Day landings marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe. German 352nd Infantry Division on Omaha and elements of the 716th Division on Utah beaches faced the onslaught. Thanks to suppressive fire and specialized units, including flamethrower teams, American forces overcame the heavy fortifications, establishing beachheads that became the staging ground for Operation Overlord.

DD324 thus encapsulates both the human and mechanical intensity of OMAHA Beach in June 1944, celebrating the courage and ingenuity of assault troops in the tangled maelstrom of amphibious warfare.

Life Expectancy

To say that being a flamethrower was a dangerous job, would be the understatement of the century. The estimation of the life expectancy of a FT (flamethrower) operator was 4-5 minutes on the battlefield. We can guess that this is due to their incredible effectiveness. But my guess is that the reason for their low life expectancy was the psychological factor associated with the weapon. There are few death more gruesome than being burned alive. It is no surprise that if your enemy saw a flamethrower man they would concentrate their fire power upon them. This additional attention, would most certainly prove lethal for the operator. If you have ever seen the move “Saving Private Ryan” you can surmise that this job was extremely hazardous just by watching the opening sequence of the movie depicting the landing on Omaha beach.

One might wonder, why would anyone do this job? As it turns out, operators were chosen from engineers and other qualified Infantrymen who showed a cool temperament and ability to handle this highly specialized and dangerous weapon. I seriously doubt that they had access to statistics at the time because the weapon was fairly new, but one would imagine that knowing what we know now, it might have been difficult to find people to operate this weapon.

Attention Collectors

Collectors can verify DD324 by its SKU and factory‑painted metal finish, typical of King & Country’s ‘D‑Day ’44 – Americans’ line (lastdodo.com). The set includes two kneeling figures, one with the M2‑2 flamethrower and a supporting rifleman, cast in lead/tin alloy at 1:30 scale (lastdodo.com). The base bears an oval profile inscribed “King & Country D.DAY ’44 2019,” aiding identification. Released June 2019, the set remains active (not retired) in the King & Country catalogue (sagerssoldiers.com). Typical secondary‑market prices hover around US$85 when boxed and in mint condition (toysoldiers.com). Paint variations are rare due to consistent factory painting, though occasional minor shading differences may occur.

The most common issue is minor chipping on extremities like the flame nozzle or M1 barrel—edge wear on the metal is also possible. Packaging includes the original window box with set code DD324 and ‘Flame Thrower Team’ label. Overall, well‑preserved boxed sets fetch top dollar, while loose or worn examples sell significantly lower. Condition, box presence, and completeness directly influence value.

Diorama Ideas

If you are building a diorama of the D-Day landing, this flamethrower team would most certainly be a cnetral part of that presentation. The set enables all sorts of creative arrangements for bunkers being engulfed in flame and fury. Creative use of cotton balls comes to mind with some careful coloring depicting smoke and flame.