Alan McNeilly provides a review of the British Royal Engineers, a 1/35 set of four figures from MiniArt portraying a mine detecting team.

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Thanks!

Darren, picked up an interesting missing object and I'm surprised no one else has commented on it, but these chaps have no bayonets!! Highly important piece of kit for an engineer, especially in mine clearing operations.

Al

Thanks for the review, Al. #161 eh? I reckon you must be Armorama's top reviewer by now.

I think Pat was the first one to call out the lack of bayonets on the news article back in July. MA should have a serious chat to their researcher for missing something so obvious.

Rudi

Thanks for the review Alan.
The lack of bayonets is annoying and Masterbox left the waterbottles and bayonets out of their “Scotland The Brave!” set.
There is no lack of reference material out there.

I'll still buy a set though

Hi Guys,

Obviously we didn't have bayonets . I remember the lack of bayonets being pointed out in the original news story.

Hi Rudi and rising!!

They are a nice set of troops, I got to two sets to see what could be developed with a second set. For engineers it would also have been good if they had had a side slung haversack for demolition equipment, but then that's just me.

Al

Hi guys and girls,
Another good review for us to peruse, thanks mate.
Things are looking up for those of us who make British armed forces, and other nations that wore the British BD, and its all thanks to MiniArt!
I dont have these figures YET! but, especially as I am an ex-Sapper myself, and tend to concentrate on British figures and equipment, there will definately be more than one set of these bought.
Yes, there are the usual "MiniArt niggles", the lack of bayonets, questionable ammo-pouch/respirator haversack sizes and rifle slings already moulded in place, but these are all surmountable, personally, Im just glad that there is another set of British figures available.
These, combined with the other MA figure sets, now at long last, give us something to work with, without having to resort to expensive, usually single, metal or resin figures.
Ive already got a few conversions in mind!

Looking forward to more MA BRITISH figures and their subsequent reviews.

Regards to all

Ian D

Hi Alan

Thanks for that review; comprehensive and detailed as usual. Must pop out and buy one...loads of potential for conversion too.

Shame about the missing bayonets; a key item for mine clearence as it fitted on the end of the pick helve for prodding. The gas mas cases do look to big they were much squarer when viewed from above; they still look closer to the original than Dragons attempt in the Normandy British Infantry set...best ones are from AA but an expensive option.

Not sure about the chap with the mine; wouldn't he be working in the prone position rather than above it and if its a German mine why is it still fitted with the cover? Just a thought not a gripe!

For anyone using the box art for painting note it depicts soldiers of either the 244th, 282nd or 555th Field Companies, Royal Engineers, 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division circa 1944/45; Royal Engineers arm of service strip seems to be portrayed backwards on the box which may confuse some model builders ( off the top of my head). The engineers strip should have the blue to the front and red to the rear I think. By placing it the other way around you depict Royal Artillery. However you may want to check this is correct ( i'll double check later in case its the other way around.

Martyn

Hi Ian & Martin,

Thanks for dropping in guys and the comments. Not a perfect set but they have a lot of potential. It is a pity no uniform decals come with the figuers, but it is excellent to have some more troops for NWE.

RE shoulder flash is red back ground with greenish/blue writing, Arm of Service Stripe red-blue and the formation badge could be red background with two horizontal blue stripes worn as a diiamond shape or a red square with two thicker vertical blue stripes.

Cheers

Al