Figures DML 6276, 1.Fallschirmjäger Division, Holland 1940.

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED


6276, 1.Fallschirmjäger Division, Holland 1940. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene plastic with multi-media parts. Contains: 255 injection-molded styrene parts, 56 DS-100 soft styrene parts, 22 etched brass parts, decal sheet and one single-sided instruction sheet.


Right off the bat, I will say that what’s in this box constitutes the very best set of figures ever made in styrene plastic. Why such hype? Well, DML listened, that’s why. In my reviews of the two previous sets (and in my correspondences with this manufacturer) I repeatedly suggested that since etched brass was going to feature in these kits, why not use it to provide weapons slings? I also suggested that decals for certain insignia would also ease the finishing of these figures. So, this kit has etched brass weapons slings and decals for helmet insignia. Not bad, eh?


The set consists of four Fallschirmjäger (paratroops) dressed as they would have appeared in Holland during the 1940 campaign. They can, of course, be used to depict these elite soldiers in Norway and Belgium during those campaigns, as well as in Crete the following year. And, of course, they can be used to depict units in battle later in the war. This makes them extremely useful in a rather broad time frame.


The first figure depicts an officer down on one knee, grasping a P08 pistol in one hand and a Stg24 in another. He wears full marching order as well as a map case. The second figure is an up-right, moving MG34 gunner, who holds his weapon in both hands as if he has just gathered it up. The third figure is the gunner’s assistant. He clutches his Kar98k in one hand and an ammo box in the other. The final figure is an NCO, in the act of rising from the ground. He holds his MP38/40 in one hand and a Stg24 in the other. Typical Fallschirmjäger gear is seen on all figures including their unique steel helmets and cloth gas mask cases. The rifleman/assistant MG gunner also has the cloth bandolier to carry the 7.92mm stripper clips for his Kar98k.


As an added bonus, there are two supply containers, each made up of 11 parts. They can be depicted opened or closed and include the tiny wheels that aided the men who would pull them. They include decals for their markings and are nicely rendered, although there are knock-out pin marks on their insides; they should clean up without too much fuss. These are very important in any diorama depicting these troops, since they jumped virtually un-armed (except for a pistol, a special knife and the odd hand grenade) into combat. Later, these men walked or rode into battle, since after the costly conquest of Crete, Hitler forbade any large-scale airborne operations.


The following weapons and equipment is provided: three 7.92mm ammo boxes (two closed, one opened), which have details on all sides, including inside the cover of the opened box, and also boast finely-molded separate carry handles. Other items include four, two-part snail-drum ammo cans with two-part carrying racks, and two lengths of belted 7.92mm ammo. Weapons provided include two Kar98ks, a very finely rendered MG34 with folded or open bipods and a separate receiver cover, and pair of MP40s. All weapons have separate bolts, spare ammo magazines and stripper clips in the case of the ‘98k. The weapons all feature exquisitely-rendered opened fore-sights, as well as opened gun barrel bores. In addition, an MP44 and Gew43 are also included, but not for use with these troops in their intended environment. But, if you wish to model these guys later in the war, you’re set.


Personal equipment is molded in both traditional hard styrene (as are the figures themselves) as well as DS-100 soft styrene. The former includes six standard M1935 helmets and six Fallschirmjäger helmets (all with full rivet details), three-piece gas mask canisters, two piece canteens (six each) and mess tins (two each), as well as single-piece mess tins, entrenching tools, and bayonets (six each). Some nice options are a bayonet with separate frog, a folding shovel with separate handle and binoculars with pre-bored front lens elements and rear lens cover. In DS-100 soft styrene, DML has provided the following: three different opened and closed pistol holsters, eight gas cape pouches, four rolled Zeltbahns, eight bread-bags, three pairs of Gew43 magazine pouches, five pairs of Kar98k pouches, three pairs of MP40 pouches and three pairs of MP44 pouches. Each of the ammo pouches has one pair in the opened configuration. The final items are a map case and a tool case for a German MG34 or 42 machine-gun. Several of these items are not for use in this set, but will certainly prove useful for the spares box.


The standard of molding is uniformly excellent. The sole and lace detail on the boots is exquisitely rendered, as are the rivets on the various (slide-molded) helmets. There are also decals for both sides of the helmets (Luftwaffe eagle and national shield). The figures are broken down into many separate parts so there are correctly-rendered undercuts on their clothes. There are separate hands and boots, as well as two-part heads that allow for very well-formed ears and helmet chin straps. Etched brass provides belt buckles, breast eagles, various badges and medals, and as mentioned, slings for the weapons (MP38/40, MG34 and Kar98k).


This is an extraordinarily complete set and really shows the extent to which DML can take these new Gen2 figures. The next set depicts German Pioniertruppen with electronic mine-detection gear. It will be followed by a set of USMC infantry from Tarawa in 1943.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.


DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.

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