1:35 PFC 501 st Parachute inf. Regt. - WWII

The real subject

American paratroopers of the Second World War were recognizable at a glance. Their equipment differed from that of the line infantry: a jump jacket and trousers with roomy patch pockets that held the gear for the first hours after a drop, high lace-up boots and a helmet with a modified chinstrap. The rank of Private First Class, abbreviated PFC, corresponds roughly to a lance corporal, that is a soldier with time served who does not yet command a squad.

What the figure represents

One American paratrooper in 1:35 scale, the scale usual for models of ground equipment and for dioramas. The figure suits a machine as well as a base of its own; its modeled posture and the equipment carried will suggest what scene it fits.

• An American paratrooper, Second World War period
• The rank of Private First Class according to the name of the subject
• 1:35 scale, it matches models of equipment as well as dioramas
• Suitable for display on its own or in a scene with several figures

Building and painting tips

Cut the surplus material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part, sand the rest down and take the production marks off with the blade held flat. Then wash and degrease the figure and apply a primer coat, on which paint holds considerably better than on the bare surface. American field equipment of the period keeps to a muted olive and sand range, so save the more saturated shades for small items. Build the face in layers from a darker base to lighter highlights; the equipment will take a wash into the folds and a light drybrush along the edges. A final matte varnish unifies the sheen.

Who it is for

For modelers who build Second World War dioramas and for those who want a figure in the right scale beside a model of a vehicle. Paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.