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.