środa, 12 czerwca 2013

British paratrooper with Welbike


In order to provide good mobility on enemy ground II World War paratroop units were often equipped in foldable bicycles or mopeds. US paratroopers widely used Cushman Airborne Scooter while British 1st an 6th Airborne Divisions used famous Welbikes. In total 3641 units were produced. Some of them were used in Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.


My latest miniature presents a British paratrooper lifting his Welbike out of supply container. The figure is a Tristar product in popular 1:35 scale. The figure is sculpted by Mr. Cheung Law and its pose depicts authentic event. The figure itself did not require much corrections. I've only added collars and ribbings on the jacket sleeves. However the scooter required some additional work. As its frame elements are far too thick, I have made a new frame with use of steel wire and injection needles. I also made a parachute bag for the supply container as it is missing in the kit. Maybe the reason is that this figure exactly depicts the below picture, which is  a staged shot as there is no parachute hooked up to the container.