Rooting around in the box of kits I found there old ESCI Red Devils figures.  The figures and gear are not bad, but the heads, faces and helmets left a lot to be desired.  I ordered Brit Para heads from Hornet Models and I think it helped the figures look a lot better.  
 

I wasn’t about to attempt to build the Pegasus Bridge in 1/35 scale so I chose to just focus on the far end of the bridge.  The steel wall is made of sheet styrene and the deck is basswood.

 

Here are some photos.

 

 

Another amazing vignette, Dennis. You brought the best out of these figures. The painting of the Paratroopers, especially the camo smocks, is outstanding. The base came out fantastic as well, so many detail. Please tell us how you did the rust at the steel wall.

Way to go Dennis. The rust on that bridge is fantastic. Your figures look great and like always your Hornet heads with helmets save the day; and to paraphrase Lars, your camo smocks are outstanding. Excellent work Dennis. I like that picture of the Pegasus bridge, it really brings your vignette into perspective. I saw this project and all I could think of was "...hold until relieved. Hold until relieved."

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

Thanks for the comments.  For the rust I scrapped some of these soft pastels in to a little dish and then added red, yellow and orange paint.  The pastels give a rough, uneven texture.  Then painted it on in a thick uneven coat.  Rougher in some spots and less in others, don’t make it uniform.   After it dried I went back over it with more color, orange and red, burnt sienna, in thin, irregular washed.

 

The same technique works well for thick mud on tanks and treads.  

Very nice. I have these very same pastels.

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny