KING & COUNTRY WWII D-DAY SERIES. DD021
Overview
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Introduction to DD021 set
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Historical context: D‑Day 6 June 1944
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Description of figures and equipment
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Collector notes: rarity, variants, pricing
The King & Country DD021 “Three Standing US Paratroopers in Action” set presents three 1:30 scale metal paratroopers poised for movement in dynamic, standing poses. Released in 2003 and retired by September of the same year, this set marked a notable improvement in sculpt quality and realism within the D‑Day series. Collectors will appreciate the finely rendered gear—rifles, helmets, webbing—and natural stances, while its short production span contributes to moderate rarity.
Historical Background
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces hit the beaches of Normandy and kicked off Operation Overlord—the push that would crack open Western Europe. Hours earlier, the 82nd and 101st Airborne dropped into the dark behind German lines to grab bridges, road junctions, and the causeways off the flooded fields. They jumped in M1942 uniforms with web gear and netted helmets, toting M1 Garands, carbines, and Thompsons. The job was simple on paper and brutal in practice: hold the vital ground until the seaborne troops fought inland.
Drops were scattered by weather and flak. Small groups formed up with clickers, compass bearings, and whatever leadership they had. Pathfinders lit beacons; paratroopers fought through hedgerows and farmyards, cutting phone lines, blowing charges on roadblocks, and knocking out stray guns that could rake the beaches. Sainte-Mère-Église fell to the 82nd; the 101st cleared the causeways behind Utah, making those beach exits usable.
By daylight the map still looked messy, but the essentials were in Allied hands. Those seized bridges and crossroads blunted German counterattacks and let armor and artillery roll off the sand in greater numbers. The airborne paid for it—hard—but their scattered stands stitched together a defensive screen the enemy couldn’t tear through fast enough.
Normandy’s success shifted the war’s momentum for good. With a foothold secured, the Allies pushed on Carentan and Cherbourg, widened the lodgment, and drove across France. What began as a night of chutes and tracer fire ended as the opening chapter in Nazi Germany’s defeat.
Description Of Models
The set includes three paratroopers on patrol with in dynamic poses. The NCO, armed with a Thompson is pointing ahead giving instructions while the other two troopers are mid move an/or listening to the NCO. The troopers are armed with M1 Garand rifles, the standard infantry rifle of W2 for American GI’s. The troopers are fro the 101st Airborne division. It is worth noting that many of the Paratrooper sets have companion sets which are identical in posing, representing either the 82nd or 101st Airborne divisons. No doubt this was so that collectors could establish a collection of both divisions.
The models are from the earlier toy soldier lines, meaning the sculpt detail is not as refined as some of the newer paratrooper sets. Lower set numbers usually indicate an earlier chronological release date. K&C has gone through many evolutions of sculpt detail across all of their soldier lines.
Collector Notes
Identification: King & Country stock code DD021 corresponds to “Three Standing Airborne Troopers Ready to Move Out,” released and retired in 2003. The set belongs to the D‑Day ‘44 Americans series at 1:30 scale, made of painted metal (sagerssoldiers.com). Rarity: Short production span makes originals harder to find; secondary‑market prices vary but often range from $50–80 depending on condition (sagerssoldiers.com). Variants: No known variant colorways; watch for patina, tiny paint chips, and bent rifles on older examples. Packaging: Typically carded and shrink‑wrapped; unopened NM condition commands premiums. Condition issues: Metal figures may suffer minor paint wear on high points—helmet rims, rifle barrels.
Market pricing: Listings on sites like Noble Knight indicate similar ‘Standing Paratroopers’ (DD021) in near‑mint condition between €120–€130 (~$130–140), suggesting collectors value clean examples (eu.nobleknight.com). Overall, DD021 remains a desirable set for both historical miniature enthusiasts and King & Country collectors, balancing sculpt quality strides and attractive pricing for its rarity.
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