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Built Review
135
USMC Tankman #1
Tankman, the US Marine Corps, 2015 (AM35010)
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by: Mario Matijasic [ MAKI ]

Introduction:

The success of amphibious operations and subsequent operations ashore require the coordinated employment of all Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) resources: reconnaissance, infantry, aviation, tanks, artillery, engineers, amphibious assault vehicles and other combat support units. Throughout the full range of military operations, all elements of the MAGTF are employed to achieve the effects of combined arms against enemy forces.

Tank units provide the MAGTF commander the capability to attack, disrupt, and destroy enemy forces through devastating firepower, shock effect, and maneuver, with the M1A1 tank being the most lethal as well as most survivable weapon system within the arsenal of the ground combat element.

(source: Marine Corps Warfighting Publications (MCWP) 3-12: Marine Corps Tank Employment)

Review:

Assault Models recently expanded their catalogue with a pair of 1/35 scale miniatures depicting modern USMC tankers. This review covers Tankman, the US Marine Corps (AM35010), the first figure of the pair.

The figure is packed in a plastic box which features an image of assembled and unpainted figure. Inside the box is a zip-lock bag with figure parts. The kit consists of 4 pieces:

- full body,
- right arm,
- head,
- helmet microphone.

The pieces are cast in grey resin. The cast is absolutely great and I found no imperfections in the resin whatsoever. The thin microphone was a bit of a surprise; such tiny pieces are extremely difficult to cast in resin and were usually omitted from figure kits, leaving modelers the task to recreate their own mics from brass wire. Inclusion of the resin microphone is definitely an added value of this kit, however, be sure to take extra care when cleaning the piece from its carrier block… it is extremely delicate and can easily snap or fall prey to the carpet monster. As for the fit, the pieces align perfectly and the figure is very easy to assemble.

The figure represents a USMC tank crewman wearing flame-resistant NOMEX CWU-27/P coveralls, Improved Modular Tactical Vest (IMTV) and Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) Helmet, with a holster attached to a drop leg platform secured on his right thigh. I studied the reference images and, as far as I can tell, all the details on the uniform and the equipment are accurate and very nicely delivered in scale. My compliments to the sculptor, making all the zippers and pockets on the NOMEX suit, or all the individual PALS loops on the IMTV was definitely not an easy task.

Altogether, this is another great figure from Assault Models and a very welcomed addition to their 1/35 scale figure catalogue. The figure has a pair in USMC Tankman (AM35011), reviewed here (link), with both figures available in a set (AM35A05). I added a photo of both miniatures to this review, just so you can see how well the figures work together.

Conclusion:

USMC Tankman (AM35010) is nicely sculpted 1/35 scale figure, perfectly cast in resin. It is very easy to assemble, with lots of details all around. The figure is a great pair to the other USMC tanker released under Assault Miniatures label, and a very welcomed “human touch” to all the USMC tank models.

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

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Nicely sculpted, well cast and easy to assemble. Resin microphone boom is a plus.
Lows: None.
Verdict: Highly recommended.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: AM35010
  Related Link: Assault Models website
  PUBLISHED: Mar 02, 2016
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 93.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 94.92%

Our Thanks to Assault Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Mario Matijasic (Maki)
FROM: CROATIA HRVATSKA

You wonder how did this addiction start? I was a kid when my dad broght home a 1/72 Concord airplane; we built it together as well as couple of other airplanes after that. This phase was just pure fun: glue, paint, decals in no particular order... everything was finished in a day or two. Then I disc...

Copyright ©2021 text by Mario Matijasic [ MAKI ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Great photos Mario! Thank you for yet another fine review.
MAR 02, 2016 - 06:58 PM
The details and casting on both figures look great. Is it just me, or do they look really short and stout? They look like wrestlers to me. Not saying they are not correct as the reference figures could have been short, stout Marines as well. Just an observation.
MAR 02, 2016 - 07:22 PM
Yes Gino. Perhaps it is just the vest on top of the coveralls distorts the perspective? I could imagine hacking off those stubby legs anyhow in order to place the figure inside of a MENG model of the Abrams hatch! LOL
MAR 02, 2016 - 08:37 PM
You wouldn't want him in the forthcoming Meng M1A2 SEP w TUSK as the USMC doesn't use the A2 version. Likewise, the body armor he is wearing is not used by the US Army, so he couldn't be an Army tanker either. He would look great in a Dragon M1A1 AIM converted to a USMC tank (swap out smoke launchers for USMC-style w/8 individual tubes) in A'stan though.
MAR 02, 2016 - 08:46 PM
You wouldn't want him in the forthcoming Meng M1A2 SEP w TUSK as the USMC doesn't use the A2 version. Likewise, the body armor he is wearing is not used by the US Army, so he couldn't be an Army tanker either. He would look great in a Dragon M1A1 AIM converted to a USMC tank (swap out smoke launchers for USMC-style w/8 individual tubes) in A'stan though.[/quote] Good points all Gino. Thank you for the clarifications. Does look like a nice figure. All the best-S
MAR 03, 2016 - 05:15 PM
I am a little iffy about the accuracy: LINK
MAR 03, 2016 - 11:44 PM
On Fig #2, the helmet looks OK. On Fig #1 (pointing), it does look too short in the back. They don't look bad though. Maybe Fig #1's helmet is a size or two too small?
MAR 06, 2016 - 07:00 PM
Awesome, im liking a lot what Assault Models is releasing, keep them coming i say.
MAR 09, 2016 - 10:10 AM
   
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