Tamiya 35337 - 1:35 British Paratroopers w/ Small Motorcycle

1:35 scale plastic figure set of British paratroopers with a small motorcycle

Tamiya 35337 is a set of four British WWII paratrooper figures, supplemented with two small folding Welbike motorcycles. The single-seat motorcycle, with its ingenious, compact frame powered by a 98 cc, 1.5 hp engine, weighed just 32 kg and fitted into a 38 cm diameter parachute drop canister.

Thanks to its folding design, the motorcycle could be packed snugly into containers and dropped by parachute, so the paratroopers could use it immediately upon landing. The figures are shown in seated or standing poses, and each has a choice of two head and right-arm parts. Fine details such as the spokes and chain are reproduced using photo-etched parts.

What's in the box:

• 4 British paratrooper figures in seated or standing poses
• 2 small folding Welbike motorcycles (38 mm long)
• Photo-etched parts to reproduce the spokes and chain
• A choice of two head and right-arm parts for each figure
• Accessories: Sten sub-machine gun, Enfield rifle, pouch and water canister
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35337
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Contents: 4 figures, 2 motorcycles 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 motorcycles are made up of several parts that fit together easily thanks to good engineering. The small photo-etched parts are best attached with cyanoacrylate glue. The motorcycle can be assembled ready to ride or in folded form, to be used as an accessory with other 1:35 scale models. The individual parts, especially the faces and equipment, are best painted before final assembly.

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.

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)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched parts
• Figure brushes (fine sizes)
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise uniform folds and detail

About the figures – British paratroopers with the Welbike motorcycle:

The Welbike is a small, single-seat folding motorcycle developed during WWII for the British special operations services (Special Operations Executive, SOE). Between 1942 and 1943, around 3,600 were built, going mainly to the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions. Thanks to its folding frame, the motorcycle fitted into a small drop canister and could be dropped by parachute, giving the paratroopers mobility immediately upon landing.

The Welbike motorcycles were used, among other operations, during Operation Market Garden in September 1944, as well as light run-abouts on airfields and bases. The figures in this set let you recreate a typical scene involving British airborne forces, and the folded motorcycles 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.