The Tunnel Rat Team Set--three Vietnam-era U.S. infantry figures & tunnel entrance
$169.00
Item Number: VN156
"UNDERGROUND WARRIORS"
In 1965, soon after the first major American ground forces arrived in South Vietnam, a number of huge underground tunnel complexes were discovered. Designed and constructed by Viet Cong engineers, these tunnels provided a safe haven for the VC to store weapons, ammunition, and other valuable stores and supplies in complete safety far below ground-patrolling ARVN and U.S. troops. At the same time, entire VC infantry units could remain hidden in these tunnels totally invisible to any enemy observation aircraft and helicopters flying above. Even basic VC field hospitals and simple surgeries were established in some of the larger tunnel complexes.
While ARVN units were usually reluctant to explore and exploit a tunnel complex once it was uncovered, the U.S. military did not take long to set up and train a very special breed of soldier with a very unique combination of military skills, physical characteristics and plentiful courage to take on the dangerous, often deadly task of going below ground as a ‘Tunnel Rat’.
"The Tunnel Rat Team Set"
This three-man set shows the team about to go into action. Still above ground, the two standing ‘Grunts’ have just uncovered an entrance way to a typical underground complex. The third and most important member of the team, the ‘Tunnel Rat’ himself, is crouching down, pistol in one hand, military flashlight in the other and peering into the open entrance he is about to enter. What lies beneath…?
Many tunnels were rigged with explosives and trip wires and other ‘booby-traps’. Not only that, you would often encounter all kinds of snakes… rats… and bugs of every shape and size. Those who took up this hazardous challenge were all volunteers and underwent some specialist training back in the ‘States before shipping out to Vietnam. Most tunnel rats came from the U.S. Army’s own infantry and engineer units and had to have several, very unique qualities…
First and foremost… No fear of claustrophobia.
Second, the ability to crawl through narrow, confined spaces for prolonged periods of time, often in complete darkness.
Third, be able to avoid and ignore the probable presence of bugs, all types of snakes, rodents and other assorted vermin that usually occupies these environments.
And finally, Fourth… It was essential that a ‘tunnel rat’ be physically small and compact while still being strong, agile, and able enough to perform difficult tasks in very small spaces.
A very tall order for a relatively short man!
This particular little group is, I believe, one of K&C’s more original ‘Vietnam’ sets yet…
Released in DECEMBER 2022
