introduction

After single figure kits representing WW II German Paratroopers in Battle of Crete; YS Masterpieces started to bring multi figure kits on market for the same battle of World War II.

about the figure

The kit YS – 4804 Cretan Ambulance represents 2 German Paratroopers in Battle of Crete using a donkey to transport the wounded soldier.

box

The figure comes in a 95 x 65 x 30 mm. white color good quality cardboard box. The cover of the box shows a photo of the figure painted by George Hatzopoulos. The sides of the box gives information about the product and company.

Inside the box, there is a small piece of polyfoam to protect the parts and a small paper sheet including contact details of YS Castings.

Parts are well secured in a plastic bag and small parts are given attached to resin casting blocks.

parts

The figure is sculpted by Greek sculptor George Hatzopoulos and made up of 10 resin parts. Despite the small scale, all parts are cast clean and crisp in very good details. No cleaning process will be needed but the tiny parts need attention when seperating from casting blocks.

Both German paratroopers are supplied as Full body without arms parts.The walking Fallschirmjager is the figure YS – 4803. The review of this figure can be read here. Note that by adding a strap; the right arm of the figure can be posed to hold the bridle to lead the donkey.

The wounded Fallschirmjager on the donkey wears a Fallschirmschützenbluse M1938 - Knochensack jumpsmock in Step-in-Green over his Luftwaffe uniform.Bread bag - Brotbeutel, water bottle - Feldflasche are cast on the figure. The bandages on his head and uniform(tied on his neck), cloth folds of jumpsmock and trousers and Y-straps - Trageriemenare well defined.

Other parts are ;

Right arm : Posed to hold the donkey’s body.

Left arm : Posed as a bandaged arm. The bandage makes a good fit to the part on the uniform.

Donkey : Donkeys were one of the main transport vehicles(!) of German Paratroopers in Battle of Crete to transport ammo, supplies and also wounded soldiers. The one supplied in the kit is given in very good details and best of all it is supplied as a single part so you will not have to make extra work to assembly body parts.

Tail : The tail of the donkey is supplied as a seperate part.

reference books

Osprey Publishing – Men At Arms – 139 : German Airborne Troops 1939-45

Osprey Publishing – Warrior - 038 : Fallschirmjager German Paratrooper 1935-45

Squadron-Signal Publications – Combat Troops in Action – Fallschrimjagers

conclusion

Another nice addition to Battle of Crete series. The kit is sculpted and cast in good details to display as a small vignette or as a part of a big WW II diorama. Ease to assembly with less parts and very good fit. It can be painted in a color/camo variety of jumpsmock options to represent Europe or Africa Fallschrmjager operations.

Highly Recommended