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REVIEW
MiniArt British Tank Crew
c5flies
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Posted: Friday, December 25, 2009 - 04:05 PM UTC
Alan McNeilly takes a look at the new MiniArt British Tank Crew, a five figure set in 1/35 scale.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
AlanL
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Posted: Friday, December 25, 2009 - 11:44 PM UTC
Hi James,

Thanks for all your work on the reviews these last months. Have a good Christmas, these chaps are very welcome.

Al
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 12:07 AM UTC
Incredible to think that this is the first IM set of British/Commonwealth tanker ever!

Scary to think up until now you'd have to pay £40-50 in resin figures to get a 5 man crew!
AlanL
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 12:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Incredible to think that this is the first IM set of British/Commonwealth tanker ever!

Scary to think up until now you'd have to pay £40-50 in resin figures to get a 5 man crew!



Hi Neil,

Yes, it is. The denim coveralls are a nice touch and if they follow it up with a crew in Battle Dress in 2010 that would just be grand. In the Commonwealth figure sets they are simply light years ahead at the moment.

Al
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 10:08 AM UTC
A very good review with this one Alan. I agree this is a must for the Allied armour fans. How hard do you feel it will be to alter the holster?
Dangeroo
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 11:05 AM UTC
Looks like a great set, thanks for the review. Definitely one that's on my list.

Cheerio!
airborne1
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 11:34 AM UTC
Hi Al

That was a good review .

It was good to know about the holster info.Thanks

I only just got this set the other day and I was surprised on the detail of the figures.
Its as close to resin figure quality .

Its great to see MiniArt providing the modelers with excellent detailed
commonwealth figures,and , they have been listening to the modellers

This will go just nicely on a Sherman for the MiniArt dio campaign here at
the Big Armorama.

Cheers
Michael
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Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 11:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A very good review with this one Alan. I agree this is a must for the Allied armour fans. How hard do you feel it will be to alter the holster?



Hi Darren,

Not too difficult I should think, just check you're references for the time period/theatre you want to use them in.

Al

Stefan and Micale,

Thanks guys.

Al
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Posted: Friday, January 01, 2010 - 03:30 AM UTC
Nice Miniart set and nice review!
I`d like to note,that correct name of artist,who draw box-art is Andrey Karaschuk
(his signature on box-arts is on cyrillic)

Vladi
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Posted: Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 09:24 PM UTC
Hey Al,
Another very thorough, very informative review.
It's hard to believe that it's taken so long for someone to do not one but two sets of British/Commonwealth AFV crew.
Tip of the hat to MiniArt !!!
Cheers and Happy New Year all

jjumbo
AlanL
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Posted: Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 10:05 PM UTC
Hi Valdi,

Thanks for the correction.

Hi John,

And to you too. MiniArt are doing some great stuff, lots of interesting sculpters around in the old USSR, some terrific figures are emerging.

Cheers

Al
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Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 - 12:47 AM UTC
I've just started one of these figures, and I've got a couple of questions

1) Did NCOs wear their stripes on the sleeves of the Light Denim overalls?

2) How correct are the colour call outs on the box? I thought the LD overalls were more light greenish than khaki?

Thx
AlanL
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Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 - 02:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've just started one of these figures, and I've got a couple of questions

1) Did NCOs wear their stripes on the sleeves of the Light Denim overalls?

2) How correct are the colour call outs on the box? I thought the LD overalls were more light greenish than khaki?

Thx



Hi Neil,

1) This would have been a unit SOP so most I would say not but individual units will differ, check for a reference picture of the unit you'r portraying.

2) Colour would vary depending on theatre of operation, how many times the garment had been washed,/worn, the over all climate conditions and who manufactured them. If you are doing him in the desert then the garment would be faded and quite possible filled with dust almost sand coloured. I've seen pictures of Khaki Drill coverall worn by the RAF and a wierd cut down version with short legs. There isn't a hard and fast rule here unless you look at a brand new garment.

Al

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Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 - 06:06 AM UTC
1) Not any particular unit, I want to use him (the one with hands on hips)* in a wee vignette looking at a knocked out Panzer IV - but by your answer I assume some units had NCOs stripes on the sleeves?

2) Ah, "the how long long is a piece of string?" answer!


* I know the box art has him in occifers brown boots, but to me he has much more the look of a Sergeant about him
AlanL
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Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 - 06:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text

1) Not any particular unit, I want to use him (the one with hands on hips)* in a wee vignette looking at a knocked out Panzer IV - but by your answer I assume some units had NCOs stripes on the sleeves?

2) Ah, "the how long long is a piece of string?" answer!


* I know the box art has him in occifers brown boots, but to me he has much more the look of a Sergeant about him



Hi Neil,

1) As I said you would need to check you're references. They could have worn arm bands, they could have stitched the rank on or they could have worn none. There is a picture on page 148 of British Tanks in Normandy showing a Cpl with stripes on his coveralls, at least they look like coveralls to me.

2) No, that was an accurate answer. I looked at 4 diferent colour pictures of the war time kit for you and the colour varied in each photo, from buff throught, faded denim green to a khaki sand colour. You didn't specify where the scene was being set, which might well influence how you finished the kit, As you're asking about the colour of cloth well there simply isn't a definative answer unless you look for a brand new garment, and I can't help you there.

Enjoy the build.

Al



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Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 - 07:02 PM UTC
He's going to be in Normandy. Anyway, when I get back from holiday I'll slap some paint on and see what you think.

Thanks as always
RedwingNev
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Posted: Sunday, August 08, 2010 - 02:10 AM UTC
Back again!


Quoted Text

As I said you would need to check you're references. They could have worn arm bands, they could have stitched the rank on or they could have worn none. There is a picture on page 148 of British Tanks in Normandy showing a Cpl with stripes on his coveralls, at least they look like coveralls to me



I don't have the book you are referring to, but on p.43 of "British Sherman Tanks" by Dennis Oliver (Concord), there is a pic of two crewmen holding a nazi flag and the one on the left looks like he's wearing coveralls to me, and has corporals stripes on the sleeves

Anyway, here are some pics of the unpainted figure after a bit of clean-up (still needs a touch of filler), before I prime him this afternoon.


AlanL
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Posted: Monday, August 09, 2010 - 07:42 AM UTC
Hi Neil,

Look forward to seeing the finished article.

Al
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Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 - 08:10 PM UTC
Basic colours blocked in - now for shadows, highlights & touch-ups! All comments/criticism welcome

airborne1
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Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 - 10:23 PM UTC
Hi Neil,

The figure looks good so far .

Are you flat clearing the figure ?

Alan,
Have you also reviewed the polish equipment used by the their tankers during the mid to later stages of the war .
The polish having "lend lease " commonwealth uniforms and equipment 44/45

Michael

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Posted: Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 12:36 AM UTC
Hi Michael, not sure what you mean by "flat clearing"?
airborne1
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Posted: Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 02:25 AM UTC
Hi Neil,

Flat clear is a term by using a testors Dullcote or acrylic flat clear to reduce the sheen or glossy look on the figure .
From the looks of this Image it looks like there is a uniform surface has got a shiny appearance .

Michael
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Posted: Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 02:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Neil,

The figure looks good so far .

Are you flat clearing the figure ?

Alan,
Have you also reviewed the polish equipment used by the their tankers during the mid to later stages of the war .
The polish having "lend lease " commonwealth uniforms and equipment 44/45

Michael




Hi Michael, No haven't ventured there yet.

Coming along Neil.

Al
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Posted: Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 03:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Neil,

Flat clear is a term by using a testors Dullcote or acrylic flat clear to reduce the sheen or glossy look on the figure .
From the looks of this Image it looks like there is a uniform surface has got a shiny appearance .

Michael



Gotcha! Yes, there is a semi-gloss finish on the paints (I tend to use Humbrol & White Ensign Enamels), and I will be adding a matt coat to them (I tend to use Tamiya flat mixed ~50/50 with Future/Klear for brush painting). Apart from the leather jerkin which will have a slight sheen of course.
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Posted: Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 03:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The polish having "lend lease " commonwealth uniforms and equipment 44/45



No. Lend Lease was NEVER provided to Poland so it's completely incorrect to use that term.

With the formation of the (Exiled) Polish units in Britain from 1940 onwards, British equipment & Uniforms were issued to ALL personnel. The only difference you'd find wre in areas such as details of Officer's Dress Uniforms where they tried to keep their uniform traditions alive. Standard uniform was exactly that - as would be seen in ANY British Regiment. Only difference would be in Unit/Regimental flashes.

Same goes for the Polish Forces who served with the Red Army - Soviet Uniforms, Soviet vehicles equipment etc.
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