Welbike and Figures

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
 

Summary

FirstLook

Every major country formed airborne forces for the Second World War – the USSR, Germany, Britain and the US. But as these were light infantry whose only great advantage was mobility, they either needed specialized weapons which could drop with them or glider-borne support vehicles and systems. While the gliders were capable of carrying standard weapons like jeeps and light antitank guns up to 57mm caliber, the same was not true of the C-47 (Dakota) transports which were the primary carrier for US and UK airborne troops. Both countries developed small courier motorcycles which could be air-dropped for forces once on the ground, with the US creating a Cushman and the UK the Welbike.

These were basically semi-rear area machines as they were only marginally capable of off-road performance, but would speed up communications where radio was either not available or as at Arnhem inoperable for most of the operation.

Recently the humble Welbike has now come to the attention of model companies, and this is the second effort to reach the market. DML has provided a 34 piece version of the little bike and a 16 piece drop container to go with it in each of two of the older figure sets, No. 6023 “Red Devils” and No. 6199 2nd SAS Regiment. The bikes are little gems with the engine alone consisting of 10 parts and the bike offering an option of either a styrene or brass chain and rear gear set. The spokes are plastic but among the finest moldings I have seen (and three dimensional) so only the purist would want to replace them with brass.

But – DML pulled a fast on the modeler. The “F” sprue with the Welbike comes with two “ears” – a left and right – and they “gated” them on each kit. 6585 comes with the left “ear” which is the set of parts for the Welbike in operating condition with the handlebars raised and unfolded; 6586 has the right “ear” with the parts for the Welbike in folded condition. In other words, you do not get an option with either kit and will have to get both of them to get a choice!

Beyond that, the figure sets remain excellent. Both are based on Ron Volstad artwork, but the internal directions are unfortunately the “stick here” variety and not the Volstad ones with the figures showing specific painting instructions. Both sets are in jump smocks with the 1st Airborne in airborne helmets and the 2nd SAS in berets. All figures are in semi-action poses but the arms provide for the standing figure in the 1st Airborne set and the kneeling figure in the SAS set to be holding or working on the Welbike with the optional set of arms (which come with jump smock sleeves).

Overall these are nice little kits and the Welbike is a jewel, but it would have been nicer if DML gave the modeler the option of open or closed!

NOTE - photos of the Welbike and container are from the Fighter Factory, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Sprue Breakdown

For Kit 6585:

E 6 Welbike drop container
F 33 Welbike in operating position, arms for operator
6023 12 British weapons - Enfield rifle, Bren Gun, Sten Gun, PIAT
6023 47 Four figures and kit
MA-Bike 15 Etched brass

For Kit 6586:

E 6 Welbike drop container
F 33 Welbike in folded position, arms for operator
6055 7 British weapons - 2 x Enfield rifles, Bren Gun, Sten Gun
6199 51 Four figures, kit, extra weapons
MA-Bike 15 Etched brass

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.