DD022 PATTON COMMAND CAR SET BY KING & COUNTRY
Overview
-
Introductory overview
-
Detailed specifications
-
History of Patton in Normandy
-
Collector notes
The DD022 Patton Command Car Set by King & Country is a finely detailed 1:30 scale two‑box collectible featuring General Patton’s Jeep with his iconic bull terrier “Willie.” Introduced and retired in September 2003, the set remains highly sought after in the secondary market. Its compact size and dynamic subject make it a standout in World War II collections. This review offers collectors precise details about its specifications, context, and value trends.
Historical Background
During the Normandy campaign in summer 1944, General George S. Patton’s Third Army, activated on August 1, surged from the bocage of Normandy in a remarkable offensive. Following the success of Operation Cobra on July 25—where concentrated Allied bombing broke the stagnation near Saint‑Lô—Patton unleashed his forces in a sweeping armored advance. His aggressive use of reconnaissance, armored maneuvers, and close air support enabled the Third Army to reach the coast of Brittany in under two weeks, before pivoting east to race across France toward the Seine River (dday-overlord.com). As the Third Army pressed forward, it approached the Seine, reaching bridgeheads by mid‑August.
Patton’s forces secured a pivotal crossing at Mantes‑Gassicourt between August 18–20, marking the first Allied bridgehead across the river following Operation Overlord. This successful advance facilitated the liberation of Paris on August 24–25 (en.wikipedia.org). Notably, Patton’s drive typified combined‑arms blitzkrieg‑style maneuver warfare and set the pace for the race into Germany. Patton’s Normandy breakout remains significant for its speed and ruthlessness; his Third Army liberated vast swaths of territory, driving home the power of mobile American armored formations. Although internal command friction—such as the halted push toward Falaise at Argentan—tempered full encirclement of German forces, Patton’s campaign remains one of the most successful operational breakthroughs of the Western Front (history.army.mil).
Collector Notes
Identification of the DD022 set is straightforward: marked DD022 on the box, part of King & Country’s D‑Day Americans series. The scale is 1:30, approximately matching 54 mm figures (actionfiguren-shop.com). Packaging came in two flat boxes containing the Jeep, three seated figures (Patton, driver, and radio operator) plus Patton’s bull terrier “Willie.” The materials are painted lead alloy, typical of King & Country WWII range. Collectors should check for intact dog figure and paint fidelity—chipping on olive drab, insignia or the pup’s coat are common vintage wear points. Box condition critically affects value; double‑box style packaging must remain crisp and undented.
Market pricing varies—used sets surface between USD 250 to over USD 540, depending on condition and whether the box is present (michtoy.com). In particular, eBay listings from UK sellers show pricing from £550 to £675 (approx. USD 700–800) (ebay.co.uk). Variants are unlikely, as the set was produced in a single batch before retirement in September 2003 (sagerssoldiers.com). Condition grading thus relies heavily on paint preservation, box integrity, and completeness of figures and vehicle parts. Overall, well‑preserved examples command premium prices among WWII vehicle collectors.
As an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
