German Paratroopers
Revell 1:72 Scale Figure Review
Revell German Paratroopers leaving the drop zone after having collected weapons and ammunition from the nearest parachute drop container.
Contents
44 Figures in 12 Poses – 24 mm equal 173 cm Height
- Fallschirmjäger Officer with Pistol 38 (2)
- Signaller with Tornisterfunkgerät Pack Radio (1)
- Fallschirmjäger l.MG gunner No. 1 with MG 34, prone, firing (3)
- German Paratrooper with MP 40, running (5)
- German Paratrooper with MP 40, standing, firing (5)
- German Paratrooper with MP 40, throwing Stielhandgranate 24 (5)
- German Paratrooper with Karabiner 98k, standing, pointing (3)
- German Paratrooper with Karabiner 98 kurz, running (5)
- German Paratrooper with K 98k, kneeling, firing (5)
- German Paratrooper with K 98k, prone, firing (6)
- German Paratrooper discarding Parachute (2)
- German Paratrooper unloading Drop Container (2)
Evaluation
Good choice of subject, Revell German Paratroops include many interesting poses for dioramas and wargames. The two landed paratroops may be used as deployment or drop zone markers in wargames. The figures are all armed with the P 38 sidearm, because submachine guns, carbines and machine guns had to be deployed in parachute drop containers. German paratroops executed an acrobatic forward landing roll which made it impossible to carry longarms, ammunition and equipment during the drop. As early as the 1940 campaign, however, it was decided to jump with submachine guns at least.
Made from a relatively hard and brittle plastic which tends to break if weapons or ankles are bent.
These Revell paratroops are noticeably flatter than other plastic miniatures. This error is probably related to the injection molding process. Viewed from above, the steel helmets are conspicuously oval instead of round. Apparently, some of the poses created for this figure set missed the drop zone and landed right in the middle of German Infantry by Revell.
The assault pack is carried as inconsistently as can be seen in photos of the airborne assault on the island of Crete. Five paratroopers are missing the belt supports, two are without field flask, nine without bread bag, and just as many without entrenching tool. Nobody carries a mess tin or shelter half.
Painting Instructions
- Revell 36.351 »Greyish Blue«: Steel Helmet
- Revell 361.79 »Blue Grey«: Trousers, Cartridge Bandolier, MP 40 Magazine Pouches
- Revell 361.57 »Grey«: Knochensack Jump Suit
- Splinter Pattern B:
- Revell 361.45 »Light Olive«: Base Colour
- Revell 361.48 »Sea Green«: green Splotches
- Revell 361.86 »Olive Brown«: brown Splotches
- Revell 316.35 »Flesh«: Face, Hands
- Revell 36.383 »Chestnut Brown«: Belt, Belt Supports, Pistol Holster, Field Flask Cover
- Revell 361.91 »Metallic Grey«: MP 40, Stielhandgranate 24
- Revell 36.302 »Black«: Boots
The painting instructions appear to be based on illustrations in Bruce Quarrie‘s book German Airborne Troops 1939–45, which does show Fallschirmjäger in light bluish grey jump smocks on the cover and on several colour plates inside. However, there is clearly a printing error to blame for this, because every one of these bluish grey jump smocks is described as “green” (plate A1, H3) or “greenish” (A2, C1) in the text which accompanies the illustrations. Revell 36.351 »Grey Blue« (RAL 5001) appears to have been discontinued; and RAL 5001 is actually designated »Green Blue«. The proper colour for Kleingerät of the Luftwaffe is »Fliegerblaugrau RAL 7016«.
Fitted with more equipment (s. Tutorials) and painted in different camouflage patterns, Revell German Paratroopers may be used for dioramas and wargames of all major campaigns in World-War Two.