Introduction:

Paracel Miniatures is a modeling company from Vietnam, dedicated to producing 1/35 scale resin figures and accessories covering Vietnam War. After releasing a 3-figure set of NVA Tank Crew, the company recently added the last tank crewman to their portfolio: NVA Tank Crew, Gunner (VN0515).

Review:

The set is packed in a hard cardboard box featuring a small box art image. The image displays assembled and painted miniature posed in a tank turret hatch. Inside the box is a zip-lock bag with 4 resin pieces:

- full body with legs and head,
- left arm,
- right arm (2x).

The pieces are molded in grey resin and the cast is really good, although I found an air-bubble on one of the right arms and a thin seam line going through the back of the figure. Some putty and careful sanding is necessary to repair these casting imperfections. The assembly of the figure is very easy; Paracel engineered the figure well and the fit of the parts is amazing, leaving almost no gaps between the pieces.

The figure represents NVA tank crew gunner, realistically posed on the tank turret opening. His left arm is resting on the DShK ‘Dushka’ Heavy Machinegun, while the two right arms included in the set provide an option of placing it comfortably either on the figure’s right leg or on the turret hatch. As with the first NVA tank crew set, this figure features slender posture and facial features which clearly identifies him as East-Asian. The figure wears standard NVA green fatigues, a Soviet tanker helmet and famed NVA combat shoe.

Conclusion:

After releasing their 3-figure NVA Tank Crew set in 1/35 scale, it was just a matter of time before the fourth figure would appear to complete the tank crew under Paracel Miniatures label. The NVA Tank Crew, Gunner (VN0515) is sculpted really well in a nicely balanced pose. Although there are some minor casting imperfections in the resin, the fit of the pieces is impressive and the figure is very easy to assemble.

Altogether, Paracel’s NVA tank crew figures and their NVA stowage set are a perfect addition for anyone interested in modeling NVA armor in 1/35 scale (for reviews of all these items on Armorama click this link.


EDIT: I'm also giving a link to a super cool vignette built by Armorama member Khoi (aka nineriverdragon) using many of the Paracel offerings: Mother… I am home.