Introduction

The 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division was formed from 7. Flieger-Division in April 1943 and was sent to France, as a reserve force. Following the Allied landings on Sicily, it was sent to Italy making a parachute jump into Catania on Sicily on 12 July to secure the airport. It was forced to make a fighting withdrawal along with the rest of the German forces and it was the last unit to leave on 17 August.
The division famously fought at Monte Cassino which formed a part of the German Gustav Line from January to May 1944, stubbornly resisting the Allied forces from the bombed monastery earning the nickname Green Devils before withdrawing further north.

Inspired by realtime World War II photos, Radek sculpted two great figures. RDM35028 The Lions of Monte Cassino is a two figure kit in 1/35 scale and cast in resin with German Paratroopers of 1. FJ Division in Italy,1943-45. The figures of the kit are sold as single figures too; RDM-35026 and RDM-35027.

Review

Kit comes in a sqaure shaped clear acetate box labeled with a color photo of the figures painted by Dr. Jin Kim in front and a warning sticker on the back. Both figures and small parts of each figure are inserted into seperate zip-lock bags and small parts are double secured with small cardboards with Rado logo.

Figures are cast very clean in medium gray resin with sharp details. Casting blocks are marked in kit numbers to make assembly easier. No mistakes, deformations or flash on the figures. There will be a need to clean vertical seamlines on the right side of figures.

Both of the figures show strong standing poses and wear standard Luftwaffe Tropical uniform which was widely issued to the Fallschirmjager units. It was a light-weight cotton uniform for use in the Meditteranean theatre like Italy, Sicily, North Africa and consisted of a tan coloured light-weight tunic, baggy trousers and front lace jump boots. They both have M38 Fallschirmjager Helmet with no rim and tight chin strap.

RDM35026 NCO

Sculpted on a standing pose with a cigarette on his left hand; figure comes in 6 parts;

Body with left arm ; Over his tropical uniform, he wears a long Luftwaffe blue grey Greatcoat. Details of the coat like wide cuffs, buttons and button holes, belt with metal buckle, diagonal hip pockets, back belt with buttons, shoulder boards, collar tabs, signal light on the left breast, visible part of the Luftwaffe blue canvas triple MP40 ammo pouch on the right hip and strap of submachine gun on the right shoulder are all very well defined.

Head ; Facial details, chin strap and studs of helmet are nicely sculpted.

Left hand

Right arm

MP40 Schmeisser submachine gun

Folding stock

RDM35027 MG 42 Gunner

Posed to stand with his machine gun on his right shoulder; figure comes in 7 parts;

Body with arms ; He wears a 3rd pattern Splinter camo jump smock. Cloth folds,wrinkles and jump smock details are well defined. Some of the field gear are cast on the figure. He carries an ammo link for his heavy machine gun on his neck, a Machine Gunners Pouch on the right side , a Luger P08 holster on the left and a Luftwaffe blue Bread bag on the right back. Strap of MG42 is cast on the right shoulder.

Head with helmet

Field Bottle

Mess Tin

He carries a MG42 heavy machine gun on his right shoulder. Details of the gun are well defined and back side of the strap is cast with it.

Bipod for MG42

Ammo box

Conclusion

When compared to the first releases of the company,I can say there is a great improvement on sculpting and casting of Rado figures. Faces of latest releases are sculpted more detailed and show nice expressions.Casting of details are more clear and sharp.

As in all Rado figures, this kit is also easy to assembly with less parts and they make very good fit. Seperate heads give modeler a chance for replacement. I liked ammo link is cast on the figure.When given as a seperate part, it is always a pain to bend and assembly it.

Highly Recommended.