Add a touch of realism to your WWII dioramas with this 1/35 scale 3D printed figure set. This pair depicts two German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) sharing a quiet moment, lighting a cigarette amidst the lull of combat.

• Candid Poses: The set features two soldiers in relaxed, standing positions. One soldier cups his hands to light a cigarette for his comrade, capturing a natural, "life-like" interaction often missing from combat-focused sets.

• Iconic Uniforms: Both figures are dressed in the distinctive "Knochensack" jump smocks, complete with the characteristic step-in design. They also wear the rimless M38 paratrooper helmets and knee pads, essential for airborne operations.

• Detailed Weaponry: Each trooper is equipped with a Karabiner 98k (K98) rifle. One holds his rifle loosely by the barrel in his right hand, while the other has his weapon slung over his shoulder.

• Authentic Loadout: The figures feature high-fidelity equipment details, including Y-straps, bread bags, and canteens. notably, one soldier wears a cloth ammunition bandolier draped around his neck, a common method for paratroopers to carry extra clips for their K98s.

• Specialized Footwear: Both are sculpted wearing the side-lacing jump boots designed to provide ankle support during landing, distinct from the jackboots worn by regular infantry.

The Luftwaffe's Fallschirmjäger in WWII

The Fallschirmjäger were the elite airborne arm of the German Luftwaffe and are considered the first modern paratroopers committed to large-scale operations.

• Vertical Envelopment: They pioneered the concept of vertical envelopment, famously capturing the fortress of Eben-Emael in 1940 using gliders and conducting the first massive airborne invasion in history during the Battle of Crete in 1941.

• "The Green Devils": Allied forces, particularly after the fierce fighting at Monte Cassino, nicknamed them the "Green Devils" (Die Grünen Teufel) out of respect for their tenacious defense and high morale.

• Elite Infantry: As the war progressed and German air superiority waned, large-scale drops became rare. The Fallschirmjäger were increasingly deployed as elite ground infantry, often acting as "fire brigades" to plug gaps in the line on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.

Fallschirmjäger Gear and Equipment

The German paratrooper's kit was specialized to meet the unique demands of jumping from aircraft and operating behind enemy lines.

• The "Knochensack" (Bone Sack): The Fallschirmschützenbluse was a heavy cotton duck smock designed to be worn over the standard uniform and equipment. It prevented gear from snagging on the parachute lines during the jump and had snaps to turn the hem into "legs" for a tighter fit.

• The M38 Helmet: Unlike the standard Wehrmacht helmet (Stahlhelm), the paratrooper version had the rim and visor cut down almost completely to reduce wind resistance and prevent neck injuries during the opening shock of the parachute.

• Weaponry: While they famously used the advanced FG42 and MP40, the bolt-action Kar98k remained a standard issue weapon. Paratroopers often carried ammunition in cloth bandoliers worn around the neck or chest to carry more rounds than the standard belt pouches allowed.

• Knee Pads: To protect against the high impact of landing, paratroopers wore padded protectors over their trousers, a detail clearly visible on these figures.