@Brad & Alan. O.K - you've sold me. When I meet with Masterbox at N'Berg, i'm going to strongly suggest two sets - the .303 Vickers, and, if no-one has any objections, a 3" Mortar with crew. I'll keep you posted...

Hi Jim,

sounds good to me , there are some good pics of British Mtrs on Page 77

Brad,

Had a quick look on IWM, there are some good reference pics there too, just type in Vickers Machine Gun, B&W, World War 2

Cheers

Al

All right, since the response to my musings has been so positive - thanks a lot, folks, by the way - I'll be getting another kit monday (in order to show complete sprues), and get writing.

Also, a small addendum to my previous post. There is actually one thing MB kit would benefit from improving, namely the cable spool. While the cable itself is cast quite well, and needs only careful mold line removal, the hubs are very delicate and unfortunately, at least in my kit, a bit marred with flash. The chain and sprocket assebly might also be vulnerable to damage. I'd like to have some manufacturer actually make a PE set that would resolve the issue, but since it's just three small parts that are problematic, I don't think anyone would actually follow my suggestion... unless of course the good folks in Master Box might be inclined to listen.

Also, there is the issue of cloth stitches. While one might think they are a bit overly pronounced on DML figures, MB tends to make them really low key, to the point they actually disappear when the folds become more complex. Maybe it's just the matter of taste, but I'd prefer the stitches to be deeper. That would prevent them from being obscured by undercoat (happy Surfacer user here) and further layers of paint IMHO.

Still, my previous opinion stands. It is a superb kit, and a great deal for the money (five men for a lot less than four DML Gen2 figures) to boot. Messieurs Karaschuk and Gagarin are remarkable artists, and I for one... no, not welcome our new Ukrainian figure manufacturing overlords, but rather wish MB good luck and hope for more innovative releases in the future. Yes, including Allied troops, of course. While I'm an Axis and SF modeller first, I sincerely hope the Allies get all the reinforcements they deserve.

Have an idea, actually. Since we already have an Eastern Front bash and an incoming Pacific beat'em up party, MB, how about some rumble in the desert? Siege of Tobruk Italians against Australian infanrtymen for instance?

I love your thinking Marcin! Armorama published some news on MB's upcoming USMC and Japanese figures not long ago. Responses to the post indicated that Australian infantry are in high demand among modellers. Suggestions to MB? A good set of Pacific Australians and Aussies of Tobruk. Two of the big three in Australian war history, (i.e Gallipoli, Tobruk and Papua, pretty much in that order of recognition, which is a shame really, all three deserve equal respect). sorry

Chas

Damn, I'm Polish, you know. We too kicked Rommel's backside in Tobruk. It's only fair that I'd make such a suggestion. And besides, it's a highly unusual topic, not only when it comes to Australians, but.. has anyone seen Italian infantry in plastic?

Yes of course, if we are going to have a set of rats (whether Aussies or Poles), we will need a good set of their italian counterparts too.

Chas