Introduction:

Assault Models recently released their first 1/35 scale resin figures. Combining the sculpting talent of Dmitri Shevtsov and 3D rapid prototyping for designing the weapons, Assault Models is bound to become a big player in the resin figure arena.

This review describes the second figure from Assault Models, a miniature representing USMC sniper during sustainment training in Djibouti in 2012 and a great pair to their first USMC sniper figure reviewed here (link).

Review:

Sniper, US Marine Corps, Djibouti 2012 (AM35002) comes packed in a plastic box, with the parts safely secured in a zip-lock bag. The front of the box features an image showing the model painted by Pavel Ilyin, the owner of the company himself.

The kit consists of 6 pieces:

- full body with head,
- right arm,
- left arm,
- weapon,
- bipod and
- silencer.

The pieces are cast in grey resin and I found no molding imperfections whatsoever. The weapon and weapon accessories are very delicate resin parts, so I suggest some extra care when removing them from large carrier block. The fit of the pieces is really good and I had no problems assembling the figure. Both arms are easily aligned to the torso, with the right arm featuring indentations which help to optimally position the right hand and the weapon. The weapon was a bit more difficult to assemble, not just because of the tiny and fragile nature of the parts, but also getting the silencer perfectly aligned to the rifle barrel.

The figure represents USMC Sniper, a Marine highly skilled in fieldcraft and marksmanship who delivers long range precision fire on select targets from concealed positions in support of combat operations. The figure wears winter overwhites, an oversized and lightweight camouflage system designed to be donned over whatever uniform and equipment the sniper is wearing. The overwhites are a 2-piece set: the knee-length parka has snap front, draw string waist and bottom, elastic cuffs, pass through pockets with flaps on either side to allow access to equipment worn underneath, and large oversized hood with drawstring, while the trousers feature elastic waist and ankle, and zipper down the outside of each leg for fast donning. Although originally intended for snow and ice environments, the overwhitescan be dyed for other settingsas well. The figure is armed with M40A5, a bolt action sniper rifle used by the US Marine Corps. M40A5s are fitted with detachable box magazine and a forward rail mount for attachment of night vision optic. The weapon in this kit is a product of 3D rapid prototyping and features Schmidt and Bender PM II LP 3-12x50 scope, Harris swivel bipod and suppressor. The rifle also includes stock-mounted cheek pad with ammo carrier, however the sling has to be added from scratch.

The sculptor did an amazing job on this figure. As with all figures coming from Dmitri Shevtsov's talented hands, this one too has perfect anatomy with a nicely balanced pose. As far as I can tell, all the details on the overwhites are accurate and depicted very realistically in scale, with the folds conveying the sense of lightweight material really well. The weapon is a product of 3D rapid prototyping and is a real gem, although the silencer can prove tricky to align properly.

This figure has a pair in US Marine Corps Sniper #1 (link), with the two figures available together in a set (AM35A02) bound to make a really cool USMC Sniper vignette.

Conclusion:

After reviewing their first figure, I knew what to expect from Assault Models: a top-class product. And this figure definitely met my expectations. Sculpted to perfection and well cast, the figure is very easy to build. As with the first USMC Sniper figure released under Assault label, the choice of subject is very much unique... the figure is based on USMC Sniper from Camp Lemonier in Djibouti (picture attached), but since the figure is depicted in overwhites it can also be presented as an Arctic or urban warfare soldier.

My thanks to Pavel from Assault Models for this review sample.