Scale: 1/16 | Manufacturer: Dragon | Kit nr: DRG1606

The 1st Airborne Division was an airborne infantry division of the British Army during the Second World War. Its primary campaigns were brigade actions in North Africa and Sicily, landing as a division in Italy in 1943. In the Netherlands the division gained it’s fame by participating in the battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. It was virtually wiped out during the fighting in this campaign. The division was disbanded on 15th November 1945 after participating in the liberation of Norway and Denmark.

The British Airborne Division at Arnhem and Oosterbeek in Holland Men from Nos. 15 & 16 Platoons, ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion Border Regiment, waiting in roadside ditches along the Van Lennepweg to repulse an attack by the enemy, who were barely a hundred yards away, Oosterbeek, 21 September. Credit: Collections of the Imperial War.

A lovely kit which comes with sprues and a stand. Because the details are very good, the painting process was a nice experience. With washes and drybrushing I tried to match the different camouflage tones of the uniform.To finish it off I added camouflage strips to the helmet and a sling for the Sten gun. Regarding the base, I only needed to add a nameplate and create the ground texture with vegetation.

The model is currently residing in a display at a military museum at Fortress Buursteeg in Renswoude. It also lended itself for the illustration of my logo.