You need four DFS 230 for the first scenario of the RF! booklet Crete- the airborne assault, related to the most western German attack, around Maleme airfield and Tavronitis bridge. As each of this gliders carried 9 men (excluding the pilot) you have four companies of 8 men in average per glider. The DFS 230 on the back is a very old resin Frontline Wargaming model that served as a template for the other three, made from BlueBoard, card and plywood.
One of the three got a MG15 behind the cabin. The figure is the laying down FJ from Revell manning a MG34. The MG got a second ammunition drum in order to look like a MG15, a common Luftwaffe weapon. The ugly black blob of burned plastic is the ammunition bag for the spent cartridges.
Some pieces of Evergreen rod was used as wing supports and rear landing gear. They are thicker than it should as these models will not have a base. They are intended to be used on the dry Tavronitis river bed and the roofs of Eben-Emael, two very different landing places, so not placing any base looks better. Uder the plywood wings a layer of card was added and glued with hot glue for extra thickness.
The gliders became much smaller than the true ones, as Tim Wade of Frontline Wargaming did with his DFS 230. Even so the Frontline models captures its the generic shape and an DFS 230 glider can be easily rocognizable there.
The original wing span is much bigger than in all these models. The scratchbuilt models became on the fatty side as they are (atempted) copies of the Frontline model. As you can see in this diagram the true flider was much more elegant and slim.
The airborne companies are a mix of Revell and Airfix. The number of companies is 14 which is the maximum number in all scenarios, namely the Prison Valley action. Do not use the laying down Airfix figure (or Esci if you have them) with the FG42 as it entered in service only in 1942. The ones in the photo with the FG42 were replaced by Revell figures firing the MG34.
Next: the painting of all these last 3 posts starts
Exciting project and one I made tentative steps toward years ago but remains inactive. I look forward to seeing how you go. Thanks for posting.
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