MiniArt Ltd. have just sent us the first images of a long-awaited set in 1/35th scale: their first set of British/Commowealth Tank Riders. The full Report can be seen:

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

They look interesting, but I don't understand why MiniArt always makes their soldier's faces look old. I guess one could exchange the heads, but that is another of my gripes. Most of the modelling companies and aftermarket companies make their heads old, and or grumpy. They all look like they've been drawn by Stephen Andrew.
Just to put things straight, I think Stephen does some very good artwork, but the faces are almost always old/grumpy.

John

I agree about the faces looking grizzled, I would have much preferred the younger faces as depicted on the box art. Regardless, this is a welcome set, as is consistent with MiniArt's offerings, and I will very likely be picking one up shortly.

Good to see these developing nearer production, Who'd have thought it, British Desert tank Riders, how cool.

Good to see the earlly style chest worn respirators, a first I think. the older faces don't bother me, a lot of the 8th Army would have been 'Old Sweats'.

Look forward to further develpments, I would have prefered the Mk II helmet, these look like the Mk I.

Edit: On a second longer look, the putties don't look quite right. They seem too far up the leg and the strap was wound around in a single loop not up and down the puttie. The puttie was wrapped around the upper end of the ammo boot and ankle.

Al

Aaargh the puttees are terrible and not such an easy fix. This ruins what would otherwise be a fantastic set.

Incidentally heres a pic it seems to be based on from the old Arms & Armour press 8th Army Key uniform guide.

Hi Pat,

Good find, yes looks like the inspiration. I do hope they fix the putties.

Al

Not crazy about the heads or the helmets for that matter, but that is an easy fix. I do like the concept, so I will most likely pick up a set or two, iif for no other reason than parts, those respirators are great. BTW, I don't remember MiniArt ever mentioning a NWE set of tank riders, I do hope they come out with one though.

Hi chaps

British Tank Riders in KD great...never thought I'd see it...NW tank riders next pls.

Shame about the puttees...they didn't do this on the Jeep Crew so why now? Pat's right its not an easy fix.

Helmets; in this scale I can't see the problem...theres little external differance between MKI and MKII.

MKVI respirator haversack in alert position great but whats the hose sticking out for ( on them all?)...hope they alter that. It just looks wrong

Still...its WWII British/Commonwealth so shouldn't complain

Martyn

I really like the work MiniArt is doing but one thing concerns me here. My Grand Father and Father both served in the desert and both said how hot the metal on vehicles got (you could fry an egg), so would you travel on a tank in the desert? Yes I suspect there are pictures but was it a common practice.

Hi Darren,

Yes, that's true but not all the time, different seasons, morning, evening etc etc. No problem hopping on a vehicle then and clothing gives a degree of protection. The desert has a lot of weather conditions just like anywhere else and Infantry would grab a ride on anything if they could, much better than walking

It's the guys inside who really had to endure. Working in a steel metal box in the desert heat would be pretty uncomfortable.

Al

Thank you Alan; I was thinking this would occur at night (why walk if I can ride) I just suspected that in this theatre of combat it would not be common.

This British Tank Rider set is great, but . . . where's the US Tank Crew NW Europe that we've been waiting months and months for?

Brian