Alan McNeilly presents an in-box review of Hobby Fan's British Churchill Tank Crew Alamein, a three figure resin set in 1/35.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

A figure set that is long overdue! These look good.

Hi DJ,

I just started to build them and paint them up at the weekend, They shoudl look pretty good when they are done, although I'm not that good a figure painter. Will post a pic when I get them finished.

Al

Hi Guys,

A little update on the above review. I have been told that in certain tank units it was standard practice to remove the rear buckles from the 37 pattern belt. The rational behind this being that left on they tended to catch on the tank fittings.

It's the first time I've heard this, but it would make sense. When I was in the army we were issues with 37 pattern belts for 2nd kit drill parades. We also removed the buckles, but I alwasy thought that was purely for presentation. It may have been or it may not have been a throw back to the armoured days.

If anyone can shed further light on this subject I be interested to hear it.

Also when I was over spending money I don't have at Lucky Models I noticed two further tank crew for N Africa/MTO.

Al

Hi Alan,

Firstly thanks for the review.

Just a quick question re. the size of the figures: could you please give me an indication of how tall the figures are? A heel to shoulder, as well as heel to eye-level would be terrific, if not too much trouble - I'm curious to know how they measure up against other resin figures.

TIA

Rudi

Hi Rudi,

Both standing figs are leaning forward slightly, the Commaner more so than the other one. Tank Commander toe to eye 1 3/4 inch or 5' in 1/35. 2nd standing fig just over 1 3/4 inch toe to eye or 5'2" inch in 1/35 scale. If both figures were upright then I recon they would both come in at 2" which would be correct for scale.

Toe to head commander 5" 6" and 2nd fig 5" 9".

Scale wise I'd say they are spot on. Held against other figs ie Tamiya, Ultracast and Resicast they match in well.

Hope that helps and a Happy New Year to You.

Al

Thanks Alan.

I'm actually considering one or two of their other sets, so just wanted a feel of the figure size.

Thanks again mate, and may your 2009 be full of plastic, putty and paint

Rudi

Hi Rudi,

Yes, the other sets look pretty good. These chaps have nice proportions if you know what I mean. The detail is good too. I must get around to finish painting them!! , even with a first coat they look good.

Al

Hey Al,
Good review, as usual, I missed this one the 1st time around !!
They look great, can hardly wait for the Churchill to be released over here !!

and Rudi,
I picked up Hobby Fan's British tank crew # HF552 and Free French tank crew # HF553 for the AFV Club Stuart V M3A3 and their U.S. crew # HF521 for the M10 GMC crew a couple of years ago.
As Al said, they're nicely molded, you get full figures and don't appear to be over or under sized.
Cheers

jjumbo

Hey John,

Thanks mate. The Free French Stuart tank crew and US M10 crew are actually amongst those I'm considering.

Rudi

Hi John,

Glad you found it useful. Got my Churchill from Lucky Models, even with shipping it qorked out cheaper than getting one here.

I'm painting some figures at the moment, if the crew turn out OK I post a pic lol, lol.

Al

Hi Guys,

A quick pic of the painted figures. I don't have a suitable Churchill built to put them in yet but less some plumbing and ranks this is how they have turned out. They are really nice figures, good proportions and fun to paint. I've used an alternative head on one as it will suit my purpose better.



Al