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Airfix 1/32nd US Paratroopers


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Did these ages ago,  and never got any photos.

These came out originality in 1975, and were one of the most impressive 1/32nd sets Airfix did IMO, with a wider range of poses.

The last time Airfix issued some of their 1/32nd range, instead of being in polythene, they were done in K-resin (a kind of styrene) according to @Ratch

this means they can be cleaned up easily, and take paint well.

main uniform colours is a Humbrol desert yellow, (from the Afghan set)  the rest is various Vallejo, the Tommy gun body is Tamiya XF-85 tyre black (a very dark blue grey) rubbed with a soft pencil.

I spent some time researching the uniform colours,  and they are meant to be different,  the 1942 jump suit was noted for wearing at the knees, elbows and pockets, and was often reinforced by the parachute riggers with different cloth.

there is some detail the photos won't catch, like the 4 colours on the combat knife and the gun metal press studs on the ammo pouches.

 

Had a still bright but slightly overcast evening,  so tried some shots.

then cropped them

 

33792479798_14d082f457_b.jpgUS Para Thompson 50620709 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

33792473158_9506d939a9_b.jpgUS Para Thompson 50620711 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

46945787274_094bc3afc3_b.jpgUS Para grenade 50620713 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

33792453358_7d9b0d69dd_b.jpgUS Para grenade 50620712 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

 

they are one some little stands, which are bits of 2x2 wood, the base tops are cardboard cut round the figure bases, and the painted, and the sprinkled with sawdust,  painted with thinned green emulsion, it was done in a rush, but the effect turned out to much better than I expected.

 

33792481928_d6a012aaee_b.jpg50620716 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

47617165752_ea0790a480_b.jpg50620715 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

32727204247_cb0095c2e0_b.jpgUS Para Thompson 50620714 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

I did (and still have)  lots of the old polythene figures,  but when I found out about the hard styrene issues,  I picked up a few of the sets. 

 

Great cheap way to work on some well sculpted figures, and a bit of nostalgia that still stands up well today.

 

cheers

T

PS I meant to crop the above shot 

33802216428_ba47668ba6_b.jpgUS Para Thompson 50620714 by losethekibble, on Flickr

 

 

 

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