The composition of Bolt Action forces vary, but at a minimum they're larger the same as a
40K force > one commander, and two infantry squads (usually of a fairly generic type).
From there you'll then be able to add more units. You can usually have a few infantry units, weapons teams and trucks without having to bother about the maximum number unless you're playing the Soviets. On top of that there's typically more specialist units, with a max of one per type -i.e. artillery pieces, armoured cars and tanks. You can increase the limit of troops by taking a second platoon - i.e. a
HQ + two infantry squads, in case you're playing larger games. For the smaller stuff I wouldn't bother.
In your basis 1000pts game you'd want to run something like: 1
HQ, 4-6 infantry squads, then depending on your tastes the rest of the points on support stuff > usually a tank.
Bolt Action is a squad based game. Its not like
40K in that you can run 3 tanks in a 1000pts game. Its about the squads, then some stuff backing them up. If you want a load of Tanks you can use the Tank Wars supplement to build a list (with your opponent's consent) which allows for a focus on tanks with mechanised infantry.
With the Airborne no, they don't require a glider as far as I'm aware. There's rules for Gliders in the supplements, but paratrooper squads function as regular infantry with no specific parachute rules barring the supplements (as in the real world you don't drop directly onto the enemy position).
If you're building a force, besides what I mentioned above either look at a historic unit and just copy them, or pick and choose what you want for a fictional force. I don't play the US, so I'm not sure what options they have, but I'd imagine that their theatre selector (i.e. a list of limitors for certain battles, entirely optional) presumably will be light on the heavier stuff. Presumably the US had a light tank like the British Tetrarch (no, the Locust doesn't count, though scratch build one if you want
) which may compensate for this, otherwise armoured cars are nice. In general I won't leave home without something armoured.
Just search for Bolt Action lists to get an idea, then mix in whatever models you like the look of. You don't have to make a strictly competitive army, I mean if you want to be realistic you could have a Japanese force with Inter-War Tankettes going up against Late-War US Shermans. My own German force is literally made up of whatever shiny thing I wanted to make this week (to the point that its taken me over a year to make 4 riflemen squads).
