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Italian Paratroopers Combat Group 1:35 Italeri During WWII, the Italian Paratroopers (Paracadutisti) were a well-respected foe, participating in combat training during the run-up to the aborted assault on Malta and in combat at the second battle of Alamein, where they accredited themselves well against a superior force. They are a volunteer unit, and members are selected by competition, resulting in a high standard of soldier. The Kit This set from Italeri depicts a Combat Group of WWII era, and contains six figures in various poses. It arrives in the de facto standard figure-style end opening box, and contains one sprue of light grey styrene parts. Unusually for a figure set, there is also an instruction sheet within, and the painting guide is on the rear of the box, giving call-outs in Italeri Acrylic Paint only. The figures are in mixed poses, with two standing, three kneeling, and one more kneeling behind a support machine gun. The standing figures are moulded with torso and legs in one piece, while the kneeling figures all have separate torso and individual leg parts. All figures have separate arms, and with the exception of the standing figure wearing a soft cap, all the helmets are separate parts too. Weapons, ammo pouches, bayonets and water bottles are supplied as optional parts, and the standing figure carrying the sub-machine gun also has a larger ammo pouch for his magazines. The support MG is mounted on a tripod, and fed by rigid ammo strips, one of which is supplied to fill the breech. A large ammo box with separate kid is also included, to carry more ammo. Moulding is good, with only a little flash here and there. Sculpting is well up to modern standards, with well-defined seams on clothing, defined webbing and belts, plus good facial features. Some of the figures have beards or goatees, although these are a little regimented and regular in their texture in my opinion. The detail parts such as the weapons and pouches are similarly well sculpted, and the twin sections of the rifle barrels are separated by a void, rather than moulded as one. Conclusion A nicely moulded set of figures that would look good in any diorama situation, and once cleaned up and sympathetically painted by following the guide on the back of the box, they should look the part. Recommended. Available from all good model shops and from your favourite online retailer. Review sample courtesy of