1:48 Luftschutz Gladiator (detail)

The real subject

Luftschutz was the German civil air defense. It looked after shelters, the warning service and whatever was left after an air raid, so its members belong in a scene with firefighters and rescue workers rather than in a combat one. The helmet they wore has a pronounced comb on the crown and among collectors the designation Gladiator has come into use for it; it is told from military patterns at once.

What you are buying

An accessory in 1:48 scale rendered as this helmet. The manufacturer makes the same subject in two versions, in a basic one and in this one, marked as detail; exactly how they differ from one another the manufacturer gives on the box. The same item is released in 1:16, 1:35 and 1:72 as well.

Building and painting tips

• Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the remnant gently.
• Wash and degrease the part before painting, otherwise the coat will not hold on a smooth surface.
• Trace the comb on the crown with a dark wash and lighten the edge instead, and the shape will stand out.
• The right glue depends on the material of the parts, which the manufacturer gives on the box.
• Work over a tray with a raised edge, as the part is small.

Who it is for

For a modeler who is building a diorama from the German home front of the Second World War, that is the setting of shelters, rubble and clearing up after an air raid. It also suits swapping the headgear on a figure that is to pass as a member of the air defense service. Figures, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.