Tamiya 35333 - 1:35 British Paratroopers & Bicycles Set

1:35 scale plastic figure set of British paratroopers with bicycles

Tamiya 35333 is a set of two British WWII paratrooper figures, supplemented with two folding airborne bicycles. To provide mobility for soldiers dropped behind enemy lines, the British Army developed a light, folding bicycle which, thanks to hinges in the centre of the frame, could be folded and carried, and even dropped by parachute.

The figures are shown in natural poses: one paratrooper getting on a bicycle, the other pushing one. Each figure can be built with a helmet or beret, and in two arm-position options, broadening the arrangement possibilities. The bicycles can be assembled extended or folded and used as accessories with vehicles and in dioramas.

What's in the box:

• 2 British paratrooper figures (one getting on a bicycle, the other pushing one)
• 2 folding airborne bicycles that can be assembled folded or extended
• Separately reproduced handlebars and pedals
• Choice of helmet or beret and two arm-position options for the figures
• Accessories: haversack, water canister, pouch and Enfield rifles
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35333
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Contents: 2 figures, 2 bicycles and accessories

Note: This set does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The figures are intended for self-assembly.

Building the set:

The figures and bicycles are made up of several parts that fit together easily thanks to good engineering. The individual parts, especially the faces and equipment, are best painted before final assembly. The choice of folded or extended bicycles and of helmet or beret is best made at the outset so that the scene forms a coherent composition.

For painting British paratrooper uniforms, the characteristic camouflage of the field smock works well, complemented by khaki, leather and metal tones. The uniform folds and small parts benefit from a wash and dry-brushing. The set does not include decals.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Figure brushes (fine sizes)
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise uniform folds and detail

About the figures – British paratroopers with bicycles:

During WWII, the British Army needed a way to increase the mobility of paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines. The solution was a light, folding airborne bicycle, sometimes called the “Parabike”. It was light enough to be carried in large numbers on transport aircraft and to be dropped individually alongside the paratroopers. To make it more compact, the bicycle had a hinge in the centre of the frame so it could be folded.

The figures in this set let you recreate a typical scene involving British airborne forces and pair perfectly with vehicles and dioramas from the Western European theatre. The folded bicycles can also be used as standalone accessories.

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which also applies to the figures in the Military Miniature Series, valued for their realistic poses and careful reproduction of uniforms. Tamiya figures are popular in dioramas, and the precision of their moulding makes them easy to paint for beginners and advanced modellers alike. Alongside figures and plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.