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REVIEW
DML US Army Tank Riders
wbill76
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Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 03:41 PM UTC
Pat McGrath reviews the 1/35 DML figure set "US Army Tank Riders".

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 05:37 PM UTC
Hi Pat thanks for the review. One query I have is that is there any mention or diagrams of how they are sculpted to 'fit' a Sherman rear deck? I had read this in the very first mentions from DML about this kit, but was puzzled by that statement...
Cheers
Brad
P.S. The halved heads have got me beat also...
russamotto
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Posted: Saturday, July 26, 2008 - 07:22 PM UTC
I would really appreciate it if someone with more skill than me would do an online demo-build on how to assemble the photo etch slings. Photo etch is the hardest part for me.
exer
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Posted: Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 08:13 PM UTC

Quoted Text

is there any mention or diagrams of how they are sculpted to 'fit' a Sherman rear deck? I had read this in the very first mentions from DML about this kit, but was puzzled by that statement


No Brad -no diagrams or mention of placement on a Sherman. A mistranslation perhaps.


Quoted Text

I would really appreciate it if someone with more skill than me would do an online demo-build on how to assemble the photo etch slings. Photo etch is the hardest part for me.


Me too

Having seen the detail on these figures and their weapons I'm retro actively doubly dissappointed in the 8th Army set especially the difference in the detail on the Tommy guns.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 09:05 PM UTC
They look good to me. How accurate would they be for Korean War figures, say riding on an M26? By my understanding, the uniforms and gear really didn't change that much from the end of WWII through the Korean War.
exer
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Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008 - 03:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

They look good to me. How accurate would they be for Korean War figures, say riding on an M26? By my understanding, the uniforms and gear really didn't change that much from the end of WWII through the Korean War.


I think they would suit a korean setting the only thing I'm not sure about isthe use use of the two buckle boot.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008 - 04:07 AM UTC
You are probably right on the boots. They would be an easy fix though. Thanks, I might have to get them.
CMOT
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ARMORAMA
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Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 12:26 AM UTC
A very useful set that has been needed for a long time.
Galwitz
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Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 02:33 AM UTC
Thanks for an useful review, Pat. They look very good to me. I can already envision those two kneeling guys in a small vignette that doesn’t involve either armor or riding… ;-)
armorstuv
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Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 12:27 PM UTC
Got mine today they look pretty good with lots of possibilities in the future for usage.
Red4
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Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 - 01:38 PM UTC
Nice review Pat. Nice looking figures too, although the guy second from the right (on his knees) obviously has never ridden on a tank before. Can't say that thought would even cross my mind while sitting on one let alone riding. Far too many bumps and protrusions to ram your knee into. Knees and armor don't mix "Q"
CaptainA
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Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 - 01:59 PM UTC
As far as knees go, you are absolutely right. That guy wouldn't last long at all. And to expand on this, the others should be holding on for dear life. I would have to gues these poses are not meant for a moving tank. Or maybe, they were designed by somebody who has never ridden on a moving AFV.
Hollowpoint
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Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 - 02:40 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks for an useful review, Pat. They look very good to me. I can already envision those two kneeling guys in a small vignette that doesn’t involve either armor or riding… ;-)


I'm with you, Ales. I want to get this set for purposes that have nothing to do with tanks.
Splinty
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Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 - 03:00 PM UTC
Gotta agree about the knees, and hanging on.
exer
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Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 - 10:47 PM UTC

Quoted Text

As far as knees go, you are absolutely right. That guy wouldn't last long at all. And to expand on this, the others should be holding on for dear life. I would have to gues these poses are not meant for a moving tank. Or maybe, they were designed by somebody who has never ridden on a moving AFV.


I think holding on for dear life is a bit strong. I've ridden on the back of a tank (Scorpion) and travelling over level ground is not a problem. There is a pic, which of course I can't find right now, of US Infantry sitting quite comfortably on the backs of a moving column of M4A1/76s during operation Cobra.


As for the kneeling figures, well when I was in my teens and twenties I abused my knees terribly, If I knew then what I know now I would never have left the house without first donning a pair of knee pads
Plasticbattle
#003
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Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 06:25 AM UTC
I remember an old Military Modelling magazine from a few years ago, where S. Zaloga had a Sherman with a few US tank riders on the back. IIRC they were actually sculpted for the Sherman (Cromwell figures?) but they still didn´t sit naturally. He fashioned some putty into tarps, so each figure could sit on that instead. Made the placement and fit much better. Might be an idea for these also ... and possibly a solution for those guys on their knees.
exer
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Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 08:39 AM UTC
I have that somewhere Frank, I think the BAR gunner and the officer were verlinden, the officer definitely was because I have that figure.The other two look like YANKs Miniatures, I bought a set when the company was relaunched but they were a lot of work. I might dig them out and work on them with the Dragon set.

Zaloga M4A1 76
CDK
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Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 09:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I think holding on for dear life is a bit strong.


Agree 100%

I have seen more than one and would feel comfortable saying several pictures of troops piled on the back of moving tanks with little concern...

Having said that, I don't think any of them are kneeling.

My biggest complaint to be perfectly honest, is that their are only four men, does that even make up a squad ? All the pictures I have seen look more like this picture below than not. You will note that no one is hanging on for dear life, or kneeling and they are stacked like firewood.

Plasticbattle
#003
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Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 12:24 PM UTC
Thats the one Pat (I still have the mag ... just felt like too much work to dig it out!!). Don´t know why I thought the figures were Cromwell ... but they do look good .... everything has a habit of looking good when Zaloga adds his touch!!
CaptainA
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Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 01:06 PM UTC
I am willing to bet that tank was not moving when the picture was taken. Look at the guy in front of the turret. There is no way he could maintain balance, unless he is a champion surfer. I am willing to bet they are in the process of mounting up on the tank. A good depiction is in the movie, Battle of the Bulge, in the one scene the tank riders are holding on for dear life. Believe me, after breaking your tailbone, you learn how to hold on.
CDK
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Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 01:26 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I am willing to bet that tank was not moving when the picture was taken. Look at the guy in front of the turret. There is no way he could maintain balance, unless he is a champion surfer.


Really ? Balance ?

Looks to me like he's somewhat 'sitting' on the mantlet and holding on with his right hand.


Quoted Text

I am willing to bet they are in the process of mounting up on the tank.


That makes no sense, this photo is from a series of photos showing various troops and vehicles moving through the dragons teeth, each vehicle in each photo has men on them. Am I to believe each vehicle stopped when they reached the dragons teeth to allow the troops to hop on for a photo op ?


Quoted Text

A good depiction is in the movie, Battle of the Bulge, in the one scene the tank riders are holding on for dear life.


So I should trust actors in a movie over actual photos from the war ? No thank you.


Quoted Text

Believe me, after breaking your tailbone, you learn how to hold on.


There are men holding on in that picture, just not "for dear life" The tank is probably putting along at a very slow speed and it's obviously on a nice level road....

.

Like the scene in band of brothers (since we're using movies as reference), when the airborne is on the British tanks, they look quite comfy and calm as the tanks slowly meander down the paved road, not one of those guys on any of those tanks in that scene are holding on for dear life.

EDIT: here, some of these guys look like there on their couch at home watching TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh2CserJuUE

dioman13
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Posted: Sunday, August 03, 2008 - 10:17 AM UTC
Good review Pat, lots of info on the breakdown which is very helpfull. Will need at least 3 sets for future projects. About time some one started to catch up on allied figures. Very sorly needed and I'm happier than a apple in a pie.
dbudd
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Posted: Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 06:47 AM UTC
I got got my set from greatmodels, they are very nice. I its also really nice that they included PE for the rifle straps. I do agree with the commentary about the guys kneeling. However, they two kneeling guys are perfect for a scene I'm working on from a picture in the book that accompanied the PBS series "The War". The pictures is of two soldiers hiding behind a Sherman, probably taking cover from enemy fire.
210cav
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Posted: Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 09:52 AM UTC
Pat good review. To those who currently have the set, what do you think of the three part facial construction process? Is there any fill required?
DJ
ummeli
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Posted: Monday, September 28, 2009 - 05:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I would really appreciate it if someone with more skill than me would do an online demo-build on how to assemble the photo etch slings. Photo etch is the hardest part for me.

I'm also having trouble with the slings. Not so much the handling of the photoetch, which I can do, as the actual assembly instructions.

The M1 slings, for example, seem to consist of about two or three different photoetch parts: a strap with holes, a strap without holes, and a buckle. This is really only a guess, however.

Can anybody offer any insight on how these parts are supposed to fit together?
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