Brand new!

This is a resin bust kit from Verlinden Productions. Kit consists of unassembled and unpainted resin parts. Built and painted one's picture is for reference only and put for you to enjoy fine detailing of Mr.Francois Verlinden.

Although he was a Waffen-SS officer, he is depicted in this bust in Luftwaffe uniform. It is historically correct with many real life photos showing him exactly as depicted in this bust.

Basic background information: He was commander of a special Waffen-SS unit with rank SS-Hauptsturmführer der Reserve, Kommandeur SS-Sonderverband zur besonderen Verwendung (z.b.V.) Friedenthal. This special SS branch had commands like getting schools organized to train operatives in sabotage, espionage, and paramilitary technique.

In July 1943, he was personally selected among six German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and German Army (Heer) special agents to lead the operation to rescue Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. On 12 September that operation named Gran Sasso Raid (a.k.a. Operation Oak - Unternehmen Eiche) was carried out.

After that operation, he got promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer and was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (what the bust implies).

Since they were 'special agents' they could wear whatever they liked or deemed necessary. And he apparently chose to wear this Luftwaffe Summer uniform (with somewhat reciprocal rank of Luftwaffe since there was no Hauptsturmführer --nor Sturmbannführer in that sense, among Luftwaffe ranks).

Important! This item is unassembled and unpainted. All extra model kit(s) and figure(s) in the pictures are for illustrative purposes only, and they are not included.

About Verlinden Productions:

Verlinden Productions is the epitome of aftermarket military kits and resin figures which brought thousands of military miniatures and related products to the market. The company is the brainchild of Belgian modeler Francois Verlinden, a Belgium-born entrepreneur, author of many books, photographer and military miniature artist who founded Verlinden Productions in the early 1980s.

Verlinden Productions is the granddaddy of the aftermarket parts and resin figure manufacturers. Verlinden has influenced legions of modelers, and will forever be one of the most significant figures in 1/35 scale modeling. Verlinden's outstanding eye for detail and superior quality puts him in the top echelon of his craft. The resin quality is considered as one of the best in the world.