us paratroopers

Imrie-Risley Miniatures has had a line of white metal 54mm (1/32nd scale) U.S. paratroopers in North Africa/Sicily/Italy/Normandy-era M42 jumpsuits since the early 1970's.  There were 27 different figures (12 of them were meant to be three-man mortar, machine gun, and artillery piece crews), most of them carrying either M1 rifles, Tommy guns, or folding-stock carbines.  All had separate helmets and chin straps (cups).

Don't know if they're still in production, or available for order.

Revell has them in 1/48 in with their C-47. But what you do with them depends on your abilities and how much modification you feel like.

Revel does some ok stuff in 1/72 scale soft plastic (but it's just ok)

I think Dragon does some nice ones in 1/35 but they might have been discontinued.

Google search:  http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=cqn%2Crate_low%3D0.015%2Crate_high%3D0.015%2Cmin_length%3D2%2Ccconf%3D0.6&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=1%2F35th&cp=33&gs_id=2w&xhr=t&q=1%2F35th+scale+WWII+US+paratroopers&pf=p&safe=active&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=1/35th+scale+WWII+US+paratroopers&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=dd482f42f1055179&biw=1280&bih=827

I just found some 1/35 scale figures off ebay and Squadron.com

As far as what scale would be best depends on what you're looking to do.  i.e. plan on putting the figures with a jeep or c-47 or other equipment, the scale will depend on if you can find everything in the same scale.