Darren Baker takes a look at the first figure release from Gecko Models in 1/35th scale in the form of a WW2 British MG Team in North West Europe.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Is Gecko the same as, or associated with, Bronco models?

To my knowledge there is no connection between the two and was not set up by Bronco.

Nice figure set, Gecko seems to be another player to consider closely. Question: do they offer a similar set for North Africa?

Not to my knowledge.

Great review just two points...

Leather jerkins were widely worn by all combat troops in the colder months after D-Day...they were less cumbersome than the greatcoat. There's many, many, photos of infantry in jerkins in combat.

The WO badge you refer to is actually a machine gunners proficiency badge (specialist trade badge) worn usually by the gunner and maybe his No2. It's the letters MG over a laurel wreath.

Yep, I agree with Martyn. The leather jerkin was actually an item of clothing dating back to the First World War, but was just as popular in WW2. It was frequently worn by "technical troops" such as machine gunners, as the lined jerkin gave extra padding when humping the heavy gun parts around. "The World War II Tommy" by Martin Brayley and Richard Ingram,a full colour photograph book of reconstructed British uniforms, contains a five page section covering a Vickers crew, and depicts both wear of the jerkin and the machine gunner's proficiency badge as depicted in the set, as well as an assortment of ammo boxes. Note also that as well as the cover on the barrels, one is depicted with the prominent flash suppressor, which was a later war modification and one without. Classed as a Medium machine gun, the Vickers was supplied to the machine gun platoon in infantry battalions (6 guns), as well as Medium Machine Gun Battalions in Infantry Divisions. In both World Wars, the Manchester Regiment and Middlesex Regiment provided MMG Battalions.
The bandoliers were of a cotton fabric and were intended to be folded up into the ammo pouches. Infantrymen would acquire as much ammo as they could, so when the pouches were full (60 rounds) extra ammo could be festooned in the bandoliers.