introduction

Paracel Miniatures keeps adding new figures to Middle East under Fire series depicting fighters of Syrian conflict but can be used for many Middle East wars. Owner and sculptor of the company, Giang Xuan Le, makes searchs and collects real wartime photos for inspiration and sculpting realistic figures which can be considered as a great reference for painting Middle East models. If interested, his War Zone - Middle East album can be seen here.

New additons to the series are named as Street Fighters sub-series. First one is MW3520 Team Leader with irregular clothing and weapons.

packing

Figure comes in standard cardboard box of the company labeled with a photo of painted figure. Body and rifle are seperately inserted into transparent zip-lock bags and rifle is secured with a small cardboard inside the bag to avoid unexpected damages.

review

Figure is sculpted in 1/35 scale and review sample is unusually cast in lose green color resin - grey primed for review. Parts are represented on easy to remove blocks. Casting is very clean that there will be no need for a cleaning process.

Posed standing with his rifle, figure comes as two parts ; full body and rifle with hands.

Facial details are well defined reflecting frequent seen facial features of Middle East men like wide forehead, thick lips and beak nose. Hair, beard and headband are nicely sculpted. Some Free Syrian Army fighters wear black headbands with Islamic declarations. He wears a coat or parka with two side pockets and trousers with cargo pockets on sides. As he doesn’t wear a standard military uniform, clothes can be painted in different color variations. Wrinkles and folds, loaded pocket details and zipper of the coat are all well defined. He has a four-pouch AK ammo vest under his coat and carries a civilian type backpack. An armband is sculpted on the left arm. Armbands are used to identify the fighters and prevent friendly fire. Red color was worn by the Arab fighters of the Free Syrian Army and Blue was worn by Turkmens. As for the foot gear, he has rough look sport shoes like weight lifting shoes.

He carries a fixed stock AK-74. Cloth parts are wrapped on the stock and handguard, two magazines are taped together. Details of the gun like flash hider, front sight housing, rear sight and charging handle are well represented. Hands with fingerless tactical gloves are cast on the rifle and make very good fit to wrists of the figure.

conclusion

Another unique figure that can be used in all Middle East conflicts. Nice sculpt and cast, ease on assembly with only two parts. It can create very nice scenes with the other figures of the series.