6585- Red Devils w/Welbike and Drop Tube Container Arnhem 1944

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

Product Specification.

6385, Red Devils w/Welbike & Drop Tube Container. 1/35th-scale styrene figure set containing 98 styrene parts, one etched brass fret and full-color instruction leaflet.

6386, 2nd SAS Regiment w/Welbike & Drop Tube Container. 1/35th-scale styrene figure set containing 97 styrene parts, one etched brass fret and full-color instruction leaflet.

Introduction.

DML has just re-issued a pair of older figure sets with new parts to depict the British Welbike, which was a fold-up miniature motorcycle. Originally designed for the SOE (Special Operations Executive) by their Station IX, this progenitor to the recreational mini-bike saw service in NW Europe with specialist troops from the Parachute Regiment and the SAS Regiment.

The Welbike.

Made up from 31 styrene parts and an optional etched brass part, each kit features a slightly different version of the Welbike. The item included with the Paras can be constructed in its operational configuration. The item included in the SAS set can be configured in the folded for transport configuration. So, to start with, the modeler who may wish to purchase one of these kits should be aware that the bike can be built in only one way, depending on the set of figures it has been issued with.

The bike is made up from some very delicate styrene parts, some of which are extremely tiny. Care in the handling of the parts and in their construction will be the order of the day. The single etched brass part is an optional chain drive section, which can be used instead of the provided styrene part. The overall appearance of the completed bike is quite delicate, with the wheels spokes of particular note.

The Drop Container.

The container appears to be, from the cited references, below, a Type C. It can be shown opened or closed and is based on six styrene parts, with etched brass parts for the interior frame details. It appears to match photos rather well, but there is some detail missing on the inside, specifically some D-shaped tie-down rings. These could have been supplied as etched brass parts, but they were overlooked. Note that these were sometimes camouflaged, so the nmodeler has some latitude regarding their finished appearance.

The Red Devil Figures.

Figure 1 depicts an NCO, walking with a Sten gun at the ready. He is dressed in typical Para clothing to include the Denison smock and rimless helmet. Figure 2 depicts a kneeling Bren gunner, firing from the hip. He is dressed similar to figure one. Figure 3 is on both knees, holding his Lee-Enfield rifle in his right hand while handing off a PIAT bomb with his left; next to him is a three-round carry case for PIAT bombs. Figure 4 is a prone PIAT gunner who supports the projector with his left hand as he reaches back with his left hand for the proffered PIAT bomb; unlike the others, he wears his beret.

The SAS Figures.

Figure 1 appears to be an officer, as he is wielding a pair of binoculars. He is down on one knee holding a US M1 carbine in his right hand. Figure 2 is standing, legs apart, holding a US Thompson SMG, ready to fire from the hip. Figure 3 is also standing, holding a Bren gun, and again, appears about to fire from the hip. All of these gentlemen wear standard battle dress with camouflaged, hooded anoraks over them. The final figure is dressed similarly, but wears a leather jerkin over his battle dress; he also weilds a US M1 carbine. All wear the units signature beret.

Weapons and Equipment.

All weapons are very finely rendered, with many featuring separate parts such as bipods or magazines. The PIAT is broken down into five parts for maximum detail fidelity. The soft gear is typical for British soldiers of the era and includes water bottles, magazine pouches, packs, entrenching tools, bayonets, pistol holsters and other smaller pouches.

Instructions.

These are printed in full color on a single leaflet. They provide for the assembly and painting of all items. The colors themselves are keyed to Gunze or Testors paints. Overall, the information is clearly and concisely presented and should be no problem for the average modeler.

Conclusion.

Both of these kits provide a competent set of figures, with the better of the two being the SAS operatives. They are provided with separate collars and hoods for their anoraks and are more crisply detailed than the Paras. It would appear from the original Ron Volstad box art that theSAS set is from 2004 and the Paras from 1994, thus the difference in technique. Regardless, with resin heads, some etched brass weapons slings and careful painting, either group will look quite fine. The choice of folded or operational configuration for the Welbikes is a nice idea, but the modeler must be certain which configuration he wants prior to purchasing a particular set.

- Frank V.De Sisto