Introduction

A recent release from Plus Model is a small set of British World War 1 Rucksacks in 1/35 scale. This is a timely given this years 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War.

The Set

The set comes packed in a clear styrene holding box containing the kit parts and a colour painting guide with product and manufacturers details clearly displayed. The set is protected by and insert of sponge but despite this one of the tent poles had snapped. However, this was easily fixed.

The set is cast in a dark grey resin and consists of 6 x 1914 leather ammunition pouches, 3 x water bottles, 2 x large packs with crossed straps and 2 x large packs with blanket, hanging boots and a small food bag(?). A single officers cap with a cap badge is included as is a single WW1 style helmet. 2 x small packs and 2 x small haversacks are also provided as is a large closed bundle, a tent I believe, and a bag containing tent poles. All told 21 items.

The detail on the packs is very good and the hanging boots have nice detail. The pouches, water bottles and small packs are all also nicely done. The inclusion of a packed tent and tent poles in canvas bag is a nice addition to the set. All the packs have straps attached so you will need to take care when removing them from the pour stubs.
All of the above is very positive and these items will provide excellent addition detail for the modeller.

On the down side no mess tins are included nor mess tin holders, no bayonet/helve. The one helmet provided has no internal liner.

Normal safety precautions apply when working with resin.

Conclusion

Plus Model make some very interesting and useful diorama accessories and this is a very nicely detailed set. It does lack certain items that one would have thought would have been included and considering you get ammo pouches and water bottles for 3 x soldiers I would have thought a couple more helmets would have been logical. And the same could be said about the small packs and haversacks. The inclusion of a bayonet c/w helve would have been very useful but alas these are not present.

That said the set is entitled British rucksacks WW1 and not British Equipment WW1, so perhaps I’ve answered my own observation.

The large packs with blankets and hanging boots are a very neat item and probably stand out the most. All the packs have nice buckle detail and should paint up into realistic items.

It is good to see more 1/35th scale WW1 items becoming available and if you need a small quantity of items for you diorama or figures this set might well be of use.