MG085 PATROLLING PARA BREN GUNNER BY KING AND COUNTRY
Overview
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Introduction to the miniature
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Detailed specifications
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Historical context: Bren gunners at Market Garden
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Collector-oriented notes
The MG085 Patrolling Para Bren Gunner by King & Country delivers a finely detailed representation of a British paratrooper on patrol during Operation Market Garden. Released in 2024 as part of the Market Garden series, this 1:30 scale metal figure captures the tense anticipation of the Arnhem fight. With factory paint, a distinctive Bren light machine gun and gear details, it fits seamlessly alongside other MG-series figures. Collectors will appreciate its accuracy, pose, and strong thematic fit.
Historical Background
Operation Market Garden unfolded from 17 to 25 September 1944 when Allied airborne and ground forces attempted to secure key bridges across the Netherlands, aiming to penetrate into Germany’s industrial Ruhr region. British 1st Airborne Division, deployed near Arnhem, included Bren gunners providing essential suppressive fire during probing patrols and defensive stands. Armed with the .303 inch Bren light machine gun—a reliable and portable squad support weapon—they moved cautiously through Dutch countryside and urban terrain, often supported by war-time equipment like net-covered backpacks and personal revolvers. Despite brief successes, heavy German resistance, communication breakdowns, and delayed reinforcements doomed the Arnhem thrust.
The bridge was held by German forces by 21 September, forcing the eventual Allied withdrawal and marking the largest failed airborne operation of the war. Bren gunners exemplified British paratroopers’ tenacity amidst dire odds, supplying critical covering fire and embodying tactical flexibility in limited terrain.—in particular, their disciplined fire aided withdrawal efforts under enemy encirclement, demonstrating their enduring significance in airborne operations.
Collector Notes
Identification is straightforward: product code MG085, part of King & Country’s Market Garden collection, factory‑painted lead/tin alloy in 1:30 scale. Released November 2024 (due in Nov 2024) (hobbybunker.com), sold at approx. USD49 retail (treefrogtreasures.com). Packaging matches standard K&C blister card designs. The figure’s notable features include Bren gun, revolver, and fabric net covering his backpack (lastdodo.com). Collectors should inspect paint for net texture clarity and breakage in the barrel or delicate rifle detail. As a single figure, it complements MG080 Bren Gun Section or MG088 Lying Prone Bren Gun Team (kingandcountry.com). Secondary‑market prices remain near retail due to new release status and limited retirements in the series.Overall, condition and intact small arms determine value.
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