KING AND COUNTRY DD020
Overview
-
Introduction
-
History Context – US Paratroopers Navigation After Jump
-
Collector Notes
The King & Country DD020 “Three Kneeling US Paratroopers in Action” set delivers a finely sculpted portrayal of 82nd Airborne Pathfinders in cautious advance. In 1:30 scale, it depicts three figures kneeling in combat-ready poses, armed with M1 Garand rifles, each mounted on oval profiled bases. Released in 1999 and retired by September 2003, the factory-painted lead/tin alloy figures offer remarkable detail. Collectors appreciate the dynamic poses and era-authentic uniform details, earning a place among standout King & Country pieces.
Historical Background
In the early hours of June 6, 1944, U.S. paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions dropped into Normandy to secure key terrain and support the seaborne invasion. Navigating chaotic drop zones scattered by strong winds, enemy fire, and poor visibility, pathfinder teams—small, specialized groups—landed first to mark drop zones with beacons or Eureka panels and to guide subsequent waves. They contended with mixed terrain: bocage hedgerows, rolling fields, and sunken lanes. Under challenging conditions, they advanced using landmarks like farmsteads and church steeples, communicating via radio and compass bearings, as well as subtle hand signals. The terrain’s dense hedgerows forced them to use cover-and-concealment tactics, stepping knee-high into thick underbrush while maintaining alertness to potential German defenders.
Looking through spectated spots, these kneeling paratroopers could steady their rifles—often the reliable M1 Garand—to provide covering fire for incoming units. Their silhouette often featured patch insignia—spiked helmet liners and macro lines of leg webbing with M1 ammunition pouches—essential to their combat load. Despite heavy casualties, these paratroopers succeeded in neutralizing flak batteries and blocking key enemy routes, contributing critically to the success of the Omaha and Utah beach landings. Their actions marked an important phase in airborne warfare and established a model for coordinated night jumps into hostile terrain.
Collector Notes
Collectors identify DD020 by its stamped serial number “DD020” on the underside of the oval profiled bases, along with the moulded text “King & Country D.DAY’44 1999.” The set includes three kneeling pathfinder troopers, each holding M1 Garand rifles in varied ready-to-fire attitudes. Paint applications show accurate olive drab uniforms, McCord paratrooper jump boots, and subtle shading on web equipment and weaponry. Typical secondary-market pricing ranges around US $59 when listed by Sager’s Soldiers circa the retirement in 2003, though MIB examples now fetch higher—up to US $150–200 depending on condition and completeness (lastdodo.com). Common defects include minor chipping on extended rifle muzzles and wear on the edges of the bases; caring for the fragile lead/tin alloy is essential.
Factory-painted versions generally show good consistency, but slight variation occurs in face shading. Packaging, when present, consists of a standard King & Country D-Day series box with internal plastic wrap—complete sets command a premium. For incomplete or repainted examples, collectors often compare to images from LastDodo and Sager’s Soldiers to gauge originality.
As an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
