introduction

Soon after the first US combat troops had arrived in Vietnam, it was realized that in some areas the Viet Cong had developed vast tunnel complexes - Cu Chi Tunnels in which to hide from the enemy. It was long known that such complexes existed, but it was not realized just how extensive they were in some areas, how important they were to the Viet Cong, and how difficult it was to detect and neutralize them. Tunnels were pitch black, foul-smelling environment filled with danger like booby traps, Viet Cong lying in ambush , poor air and all sorts of vermin and critters. Tunnel rats named these tunnels full of perils as Black Echo.

After B6-35047 U.S. Tunnel Rats two-figure kit released in 2012; BRAVO-6 released a new single figure kit B6-35085 Black Echo depicting a Tunnel rat on kneeling pose searching a tunnel.

packing & casting

The figure comes well packed in standard light brown cardboard box . The front cover shows a photo of the assembled and painted figure. Inside the box, parts are represented with easy to remove casting blocks. Figure body and small parts are seperately inserted in small plastic zip-lock bags to avoid unexpected damages during storage or transfer.
Casting quality is very good and details are very crisp. No air bubbles, excess resin, casting mistakes or seamlines on the review samples. No cleanwork needed.

parts

The figure is sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko and cast in 5 grey resin parts .

Body : Posed to kneel, he wears tropical jungle jacket with two chest and two lower bellows pockets - all with flap covers, jungle trousers with two rear and two bellows cargo pockets on both sides and canvas-leather combined Vibram jungle boots. Trotters are inserted into the boots to protect themselves from reptile dangers. Cloth folds of the uniform are well represented. He carries a M1956 pistol belt. Note that there is a support part to remove on the back of left boot.

Head : Two alternative heads come with the figure. First one is a head showing nice facial details and hair. Second one wears a M17 Protective mask. Designed and produced in 1959 to provide protection from all types of known chemical and biological agents present, M17 was issued to troops in the Vietnam war, and was standard issue for the U.S Army until it was replaced by the M-40 in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The mask has different components including a filter, a face piece and outserts. Filter elements in the face piece prevent harmful agents from entering the mask.

Right arm is posed to hold a M1911A1 pistol and upfolded sleeves are well represented.

Left arm is posed to hold a MX-991/U angled flashlight. The flashlight has a 3 way switch, 0ff-Blink-On. Inside the battery compartment under the spring is a storage compartment for a spare bulb. The bottom section unscrews revealing a compartment containing colored filters that can be attached to the front of the flashlight, by unscrewing the front ring, placing the filter inside and screwing the ring back on.

conclusion

Another unique figure from BRAVO-6 with a nice sculpt and cast. He can be displayed inside a tunnel, can be combined with other Tunnel rat figures of company or can be a part of a larger diorama.