Blackdog has sent Armorama news covering two new figures they have released in the form of Royal Marines during the Falklands War back in 1982.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

The bulk of the RM Commandos were armed with the SLR. Recce elements may have had the M16 but I don't recall seeing any photo's of this although the M16 was available in limited numbers to units as far back as 1972.

The 58 pattern webbing on the GPMG gunner doesn't look right to me the ammo pouches seem way to low and I can't really make out the belt or the kidney pouches and bum roll.

Still interesting subjects, just not sure about the equipment, would need a closer look to be sure.

Al

Interesting figures and great to see them in 1/35. No doubt there is photographic proof of a GPMG being carried like that but having carried one myself it looks really awkward. No reason to carry it in the ready position like that either as it is unloaded

Nice figures but the GPMG gunner wouldn't be carrying the gimpy like that for long that's for sure, I agree with AlanL about the webbing, they look more like US Alice pouches than 58 pattern. 58 pattern mag pouches have the yoke loops attached to the top of the pouch. Nice try but no cigar.

If the equipment looks odd it is stronger evidence for them being SBS figures as I have read they were able to pick and choose their kit.

I like these two figures.. don't know about accuracy and all that

Are there kits of any vehicles that can be paired with these guys?

Hisham

I'd tend to go with Darren here, both the SBS and SAS had a wide variety of kit to choose form and use. The ordinary soldiers had standard British equipment as far as I know.

Just took delivery of some Firestorm SLRs this morning!

Al

Nice figures, and I can't comment on most of the accuracy except the GPMG.

If anyone builds this be aware that they have the bipod for the GPMG attached in the wrong spot. It is attached to the bottom of the receiver. It should actually be attached to just aft of the gas plug, just below the barrel.

I believe the Land Rover from Italeri is of a suitable age for these figures Hisham, and it is also a safe option as Land Rovers have gone to War with the British Army since before I was born.

Hi Hisiam,

3 & 4 Troop B Sqn The Blues & Royals. Equipped with 4 Scorpion, 4 Scimitar & 1 Samson. Mainly deployed with 2 and 3 Para and the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards.

AFV Club do both I believe.

Al

Darren and Alan, thanks a lot for the info!

Hisham

There's nothing specifically identifying these two as RM. Nice figures but both are carrying the SAS/Para bergen so I'd say SAS figures. RM arctic windproof smocks as they have the rank slide on the front (which looks a bit small to me).

The pose with the Gimpy looks absurd. Having been a machine gunner there is no way you would carry it like that. Okay for a warry piccie to go in an album but not a tabbing pose. Anyone who's carried one of these babies any distance will say the same. Sling attached and that over the head is the most comfortable and practical way of carrying it as you can return fire from the hip till you get into a fire position. I never met another gunner who carried it any differently.

Nice detail etc, unfortunately they're just wrong

Hisham, the marines brought a few of there own vehicles;

Centurion ARV (remained at Ajax Bay)
Volvo BV 202Es (Carried stores and ammunition)


Vehicles were at something of a premium in the conflict as there are virtually no roads on East Falkland (only a couple) Outside of Port Stanley

the M16 was a favoured weapon of the 'Booty', and it was used by them in all theatres of operations. They were the arctic, the jungle( especially the jungle), and Ulster and desert ops etc.. And if memory serves me correct, one of the cdo were due to be going on jungle trg at the time and actually left the UK with junglie clothing and were kitted out with temperate and arctic clothing on the way 'Down South'.

Erichvon is correct about the way the gimpy is being carried, it would be almost impossible to carry the gimpy in that fashion for any period. The bipod is also wrong as mentioned. There is the possibility that they tried to replicate the artic parka but made it too short. Also the pouches are too spaced apart, the magazine pouches would normally be worn further around on the hips so that they didn't impede crawling or were trapped underneath when prone. Additional pouches were often worn and lots of 'booties' had 44 patt waterbottles(metal) as they could be placed on the cooker to melt any frozen water. Pouches were also lashed together in some manner to prevent excess movement. Most 'booties' at the time had Berhaus Roc or Crusader bergans and many wore Berghaus Yeti gaiters or similar. Quite a lot also wore Danner boots and a number also had their arctic issue boots. Most of the extra kit was purchased by the individual but sometimes sqn funds paid for it. In reality the booty was the best personally equipped soldier of the conflict.
Nice to see somebody attempting the subjects though and I hope to see more In the future.

Thanks for all the feedback about these. As far as I know, Blackdog will soon release another Falklands set of figures, this time a Brit with Argentine POW. We'll probably see the new set next month.

Mario