Hi.

I was wondering if the Dragon 6216 German 1st Cavalry Division figure kit might be suitable for a May 1940 vignette?

I know next to nothing about German uniforms but from the small amount of research I have done I think the M40 helmet and M40 tunics worn by the mounted troopers would be indistinguishable from the earlier M1936 versions in 1/35 scale.
Am I right or wrong?

Another question. Would mounted troopers of this type be seen in France (or Holland) in 1940?

Thanks for any help.
TimTam27

Hi Timtam,both the helmet and uniform would be appropriate for troops upto approx 1942.The steel helmet was the 1935 style but the shield and eagle transfers were dropped in 1940.In 1943 the helmet style was changed due to economics and was stamped out of a single piece of metal resulting in a small change in its appearance.The service tunic model 1936,which was of field grey in colour and made from a wool/rayon mix remained basically unchanged until the 1943 tunic was created.The collar and shoulder straps were in dark blue green colour,as were the backing cloth to the breast eagle and arm rank insignia.The waffenfarbe or piping would be gold yellow for cavalry.Upto the Polish campaign in 1939,issue shirts were white,thereafter they were either field grey or a 'mouse' colour and they had attached collars.I would reccomend this book to you for further research and ideas,'German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945' by Brian Davis,published by Arms & Armour Press.
It can be picked up at a very reasonable cost (approx £5.00 GBP) from Amazon or Ebay,and contains a wealth of information.HTH.
Regards....Dave.

Thanks for the reply Dave.
The info on the uniform colours and the tip about the piping will prove invaluable. That book sounds good value too. I think the local Military bookshop would likely have that in stock. And they're having a sale next week!

I found a little bit of info on the 1st Cavalry Div. in 1940. Apparently they were involved in the invasion of Holland and later when they moved into France were badly mauled by the cadets at the Saumur cavalry school. Who said the French couldn't fight?

So it's go on the figure purchase. Now I just have to work out how to paint horses.

Thanks again,
TimTam27