Dragon Models have just announced a re-issue/update of their British Paras & S.A.S. Troopers in 1/35th scale

The two sets are:

6585 - Red Devils with Welbike and Drop Tube Container

6586 - 2nd S.A.S. Regiment with Welbike and Drop Tube Container

Curiously enough, both these announcements have caused a fair amount of comment. Whilst not (usually) an enthusiast of either the 'instant' Review or heavy-handed editorials, some comment on both these sets is perhaps justifiable...

Firstly, on a strictly historical note, the S.A.S. have (to the best of my knowledge) never been documented using the Welbike in combat deployment.

Regarding the figures, both of these sets are previous releases with the Paras having been somewhat overtaken by more modern releases from other manufacturers. That ISN'T to say that they can be discounted, they DO provide a good basis for upgrading. It is also worth bearing in mind that any manufacturer has to maximise the resources they have and there is nothing inherently wrong with re-issues. The S.A.S. figures again, provide a useful basis for conversion and upgrading...

On the debit side, the dimensions of the drop container, which portrays the Mark I, is, if the images are to be believed, dimensionally off. It appears to be both too short and not wide enough. A Welbike (in its folded) position, would easily fit in a Mark I with around 60cm of space remaining. It WASN'T a snug fit and was known to be padded with straw or blankets to protect the bike..

Finally, the decision of one of DML's competitors to release a similar set, may have, in large part contributed to this announcement?