Model Forum / General / Models / November 2009

Kit Review: DML 1/35 scale ‘39-‘45 Series Premium Edition British
Figure Sets
    Kit No. 6585; Red Devils w/Welbike and Drop Tube Container Arnhem
1944; 113 parts (98 in grey styrene, 15 etched brass); estimated price
about US$16-19
    Kit No. 6586; 2nd SAS Regiment w/Welbike and Drop Tube Container
France 1944; 112 parts (97 in grey styrene, 15 etched brass);
estimated price about US$16-19

Advantages: very nicely molded Welbike and drop container with etched
brass details; nicely done figure sets, with Commonwealth figures
always at a premium

Disadvantages: “Gen1" weapons; DML playing “dirty pool” by only
providing ONE Welbike option per kit!

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for Commonwealth and Airborne Forces fans

    Every major country formed airborne forces for the Second World War –
the USSR, Germany, Britain and the US. But as these were light
infantry whose only great advantage was mobility, they either needed
specialized weapons which could drop with them or glider-borne support
vehicles and systems. While the gliders were capable of carrying
standard weapons like jeeps and light antitank guns up to 57mm
caliber, the same was not true of the C-47 (Dakota) transports which
were the primary carrier for US and UK airborne troops. Both countries
developed small courier motorcycles which could be air-dropped for
forces once on the ground, with the US creating a Cushman and the UK
the Welbike.

    These were basically semi-rear area machines as they were only
marginally capable of off-road performance, but would speed up
communications where radio was either not available (or as at Arnhem
inoperable for most of the operation).

    Recently the humble Welbike has now come to the attention of model
companies, and this is the second effort to reach the market. DML has
provided a 34 piece version of the little bike and a 16 piece drop
container to go with it in each of two of the older figure sets, No.
6023 “Red Devils” and No. 6199 2nd SAS Regiment. The bikes are little
gems with the engine alone consisting of 10 parts and the bike
offering an option of either a styrene or brass chain and rear gear
set. The spokes are plastic but among the finest moldings I have seen
(and three dimensional) so only the purist would want to replace them
with brass.

    But – DML pulled a fast on the modeler. The “F” sprue with the
Welbike comes with two “ears” – a left and right – and they “gated”
them on each kit. 6585 comes with the left “ear” which is the set of
parts for the Welbike in operating condition with the handlebars
raised and unfolded; 6586 has the right “ear” with the parts for the
Welbike in folded condition. In other words, you do not get an option
with either kit and will have to get both of them to get a choice!

    Beyond that, the figure sets remain excellent. Both are based on Ron
Volstad artwork, but the internal directions are unfortunately the
“stick here” variety and not the Volstad ones with the figures showing
specific painting instructions. Both sets are in jump smocks with the
1st Airborne in airborne helmets and the 2nd SAS in berets. All
figures are in semi-action poses but the arms provide for the standing
figure in the 1st Airborne set and the kneeling figure in the SAS set
to be holding or working on the Welbike with the optional set of arms
(which come with jump smock sleeves).

    Overall these are nice little kits and the Welbike is a jewel, but it
would have been nicer if DML gave the modeler the option of open or
closed!

    Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sets.

Cookie Sewell