KING & COUNTRY WH004
Overview
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Introduction
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History Section
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Collector Notes
King & Country’s WH004 Opel Blitz Ambulance (Camouflage) offers collectors a finely sculpted, bi‑color field‑ambulance vehicle first released in October 2014. Cast in polystone and meticulously hand‑painted, it reproduces the multi‐purpose WWII German medical truck that served across diverse theatres from North Africa to the Eastern Front. Although no individual figures are supplied in the set, the detailed vehicle piece carries strong appeal for diorama builders and Wehrmacht collectors. This concise review explores its design, historical context, and collector considerations.
Historical Background
The Opel Blitz ambulance held a vital role in the Wehrmacht’s medical evacuation during World War II. The standard Opel Blitz 3‑ton 4×2 lorry, produced from the mid‑1930s through 1945, featured a sturdy chassis and reliable engine, making it ideal for conversions into field ambulances. These vehicles supported front‑line medical services during major campaigns such as the French invasion in 1940–41, Operation Barbarossa beginning June 22, 1941, and the grueling Eastern Front winter battles. They also served through the North African campaign (1941–1943) and the Sicily and Normandy invasions in 1943–44. Equipped with the Red Cross emblem, stepped‑back headlights, and sometimes camouflage paint—especially from 1943 onward—they facilitated rapid casualty evacuation despite rough terrain and enemy fire.
Their speed and versatility helped reduce mortality rates among wounded soldiers compared to horse‑drawn ambulances. By war’s end, thousands of Opel Blitz ambulances had been deployed across all theatres, symbolizing the Wehrmacht’s logistical commitment to battlefield medicine. Their operational significance remained consistent throughout the conflict.
Collector Notes
WH004 was released in October 2014 by King & Country, listing at approximately US $189 on debut (sagerssoldiers.com). The two‑tone camouflage paint reflects late‑war field variants suitable for North Africa, Italy, Normandy, and the Eastern Front, as noted by retail descriptions (sagerssoldiers.com). While the set includes only the vehicle without figures, it’s commonly paired with separate driver or medic figures (such as WS275) (sagerssoldiers.com). Since retirement, secondary‑market prices typically range from US $150–200 depending on box condition and paint quality (treefrogtreasures.com). Identification hinges on the SKU ‘WH004’ stamped on box or certificate. Common defects include paint chipping on the fragile canvas shelter and mud‑stains abrasion. Collectors should verify intact wheels and axles.
Packaging originally included a small hinged window box with product insert; mint sealed examples command premium value.
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