Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale ?39-?45 Series Kit No. 674
1; Italian Paratroopers Anzio 1944; 68 parts in grey styrene; pre-order pri ce US$16.95 via Dragon USA OnlineAdvantages: another new set of Italian figures in styrene; comes in combat smocks with combat vests
Disadvantages: generic weapons set not ?Gen2" quality
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all Italian and desert warfare fans
Like other modern armies the Italian Army formed a paratroop division - Fo lgore - just prior to the major actions of WWII. It fought in a number of c ampaigns and areas, but in 1944 its remants were formed into the ?Nembo ? group of the Italian Co-Belligerent Forces and fought with the British to help free Italy.
While it is hard to tell from the kit it would appear that this new set of figures from DML provides four members of this group. They appear to use a combination of British pattrern uniforms (which Nembo received) and Italia n and German weapons and kit.
The set provides four figures in ?in action? poses: one man with a Bre da Model 30 light machine gun, his other number running with a Panzerfaust
60 and carrying a Beretta submachine gun, one man firing a Carcano carbine but carrying what appear to be spare barrels for a Bren Gun in a kneeling p osition, and one throwing a grenade, also armed with a Beretta. All are wea ring what appear to be British airborne helmets and smocks with Italian ves ts over them to carry the magazines and ammo for their weapons. cap. The f igures are provided with canteens, entrenching tools, packs and pouches, an d two sets of desert goggles.Each figure comes in ?Gen1" style breakdown of six parts ? head, torso , arms and legs ? and is in a set pose, but the hands are separate on mos t of the figures.
The set comes with a generic weapons sprue of Italian weapons ? indicati ng there may be more sets or ?users? in the future. The set provides on e 6.5mm Carcano carbine with bayonet, one Beretta submachine gun with stock , and a 6.5mm Breda Model 30 light machine gun. This comes with a separate side-loading magazine and bipod. The weapons are conventional moldings and do not come with the ?Gen2" features of optional position breeches or hol low muzzles. A second Beretta is on the main sprue along with a two-piece P anzerfaust 60.
The painting and assembly directions are on the box front and back, and ar e done by another of DML?s unknown artists. While tolerable they are not as well done as the Volstad ones. Overall this is an interesting set which will be a bit harder to match wit h a vehicle. Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell