1:35 FN Para Rifle (4pcs)

The paratroop form of the FAL rifle, 1:35

An accessory for building figure scenes. The designation Para in the name of the item refers to the version intended for airborne drops; the count of pieces is given in the name as four. Nothing further about the package follows from the name.

Why the shortened variant came about

The base rifle is fairly long and gets in the way during a jump, which is why a version with a folding stock established itself with airborne units. The weapon can be folded into a smaller bulk, strapped to the body and brought quickly into the firing position after landing. The outline changes noticeably by that, and that is exactly what matters for a modeler: a figure with a weapon with a different stock gives away at once which branch of service it belongs to, even without further distinguishing marks on the equipment.

The details that matter

The folding stock is the main recognizable element, so leave its outline clean and do not flood it with a heavy coat in painting. A sling added from foil or from paper helps to strap the weapon to the figure credibly. If you want to suggest wear, start where the weapon touches the equipment and proceed sparingly; exaggerated rubbing on such a small area disturbs more than it helps. The shorter dimension moreover allows the weapon to be placed closer to the body of the figure, which helps a great deal in a crowded scene.

Which builds it suits

• with figures of airborne and light units
• into the cargo compartment of transport aircraft
• with scenes of boarding a helicopter
• for modelers who tell figures apart by the type of weapon