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In-Box Review
135
Compo boxes and biscuit tins.
Resicast 35.296 Compo boxes and biscuit tins.
  • 09125

by: Pat McGrath [ EXER ]

Introduction
Although efforts were made by the British army to serve hot cooked food and fresh bread to troops in the field (The Field Service Ration), this wasn’t always possible or practical. Therefore Compo (Composite) rations were issued, each crate containing enough rations for fourteen men for one day.

There were seven basic rations labeled A to G to provide some variety. Now I’ve only ever eaten compo rations on army exercises and I can imagine the novelty soon wore off. When the ration crate was opened whatever wasn’t eaten immediately would be divided among a section to be carried until needed. George McDonald Fraser in his memoir about the Burma Campaign “Quartered Safe Out Here” complains about marching all day while carrying a 7˝ pound tin of pineapple chunks from the compo rations.

In “The British Soldier, Volume 1” Jean Bouchery says that because of difficulties in supply the Field Service ration wasn’t available until late July 44 in North West Europe, so Compo crates would have been very much in evidence in British and Commonwealth Vehicle Stowage in Normandy at any rate.

The Set
The Set comes in a ziplock bag inside a cardboard box and contains the following:
10 Compo Ration Crates;
4 sitting flat,
2 on their sides,
2 on end,
2 empty crates with separate lids.
7 large biscuit tins,
8 middle sized biscuit tins –one of which has the lid open and biscuits spilling out.
4 small biscuit tins- two without lids


All of the parts are very crisply cast in a greenish colored resin. There are no air bubbles and the detail is excellent. The walls of the empty crates and the lids are very thinly cast without being weak. The idea of casting some of the crates on end and on their side is a good one as they can be added to vehicle stowage in a variety of ways without showing the lack of detail where the resin plug has been cut away. I also like the open biscuit tin with the biscuits spilling out.

The resin plugs are not too large and should be no problem for anyone with a sharp razor saw. As always remember to take precautions when creating resin dust as inhalation is dangerous. I usually dip my razor saw in water which makes the resin dust clump together and I do all my sanding under water in a shallow tray.

There are no painting instructions included but “The British Soldier, Volume 1” shows the compo crate to be made of unpainted wood with white stenciling. The biscuit tins are green (I would describe it as sap green) with white edges and black lettering.

Conclusion
Although Graham from Resicast is filling out his catalogue with individual stowage sets for many Allied vehicles this is still a very useful set for any British and Commonwealth (& Polish) vehicle or diorama modeler.
SUMMARY
Highs: High quality of casting and usefulness.
Lows: No lows for me.
Verdict: Very useful and cleanly cast set with good detail.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35.296
  Suggested Retail: €15
  PUBLISHED: Jun 11, 2008
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.05%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.29%

Our Thanks to Resicast!
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 Pat McGrath (exer)
FROM: DUBLIN, IRELAND

I served three years in the Irish Army. Then I studied fine art for five years. Acted professionally since leaving college (Look me up on IMDB- Pat McGrathIII) Interested in Allied Armour 1942-45 and German SPGs. Other interests are figures and Sci Fi models

Copyright ©2021 text by Pat McGrath [ EXER ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hi Noli, The compo boxes were just light wood, made with a basic frame and panels of what looks like ply wood. Rough and ready packing cases. They were nailed together and markings seem pretty crude with white/blueish lettering and a date ie D (Type of Rations) and date 2/44 The biscuit tins were silver with a sort of sickley light greenish colour at least on the lettering side of the tin, possibly all 4 sides. Hope that helps a bit. Al
JUN 16, 2008 - 06:24 PM
Pretty accurate then!
JUN 16, 2008 - 07:35 PM
Hi Al, They are very hard to chew - looking at the content of the boxes it hasn't changed that much over the years, well up to the 80s anyway. Alan
JUN 16, 2008 - 09:14 PM
Ahh... "Biscuits AB"? Could be eaten (sort of) or sharpened and used as weapons.
JUN 17, 2008 - 12:39 PM
Allan, thanks for the info. Noli
JUN 19, 2008 - 05:37 PM
Ahh... "Biscuits AB"? Could be eaten (sort of) or sharpened and used as weapons. [/quote] Hi Murdo, - too true Al Noli, your welcome. Al
JUN 19, 2008 - 06:50 PM
Hi Guys, I came across this on the net, it's an original, dug up in Italy I think fairly recently. Thought it would be a good reference: Al
DEC 24, 2008 - 03:15 AM
Was there any food in it when it was found?
DEC 24, 2008 - 11:26 AM
Hi Pat, No, but there was a pic beside it of all the rusty scoff cans It's in remarkable condition give how long it was buried. Happy Christmas. Al
DEC 24, 2008 - 11:30 AM
   
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