Introduction

I chose to review these to figures together as they are very similar in many ways. These are two of my favourite Ultracast figures so I’m probably bias, but are none the less a very welcome addition to their range of excellent 1/35 scale figures.

An Overview

The figures come in a sealed plastic zip bag, together with a cardboard backing card. On the front of the card is the makers name and a description of the figures inside. On the inside of the card is a good quality colour picture to help assist in painting and assembly. On the back of the card are the makers details. These figures were sculpted by Kevin McLaughlin. At the bottom on the back of the card are a small set of instructions detailing steps 1 to 4 of the simple assembly process together with a Health and Safety warning about working with resin.

The figures were designed to sit on the rim of the cupola of a Sherman tank.

Figure 35045

Cast in a light cream resin the figure depicts that of a seated tank commander. The figure is in 4 parts the body comes whole with arms and head separate.

Dressed in what appears to be a very good representation of 37/40 Battle Dress, the uniform is complete with pleated breast pockets. The BD is open at the neck showing a shirt collar underneath. The trousers have the required number of pockets and no webbing is worn. The figure wears anklets and ammo boots. The uniform has nice natural folds in it, and good detail on the anklets and boots and should paint up very well.

The arms come as separate items. The right arms is bend up at the elbow and holds a wireless mike, whilst the left arm rests on the commanders knee. The cuff details are nicely presented.

The head also comes as a separate item and depicts the face of a mature man. The detail is excellent, the moth is shown slightly open in the act of speaking. On the head is a tankers beret with cap badge and worn over the beret are a set of wireless headphones.

This is an excellent figure I really like the position that he is designed to sit at in the Sherman cupola.

Figure 35046

Cast in a light cream resin the figure depicts that of a seated tank commander. The figure is in 4 parts the body comes whole with arms and head separate.

Dressed in what appears to be a very good representation of 37/40 Battle Dress, the uniform is complete with pleated breast pockets. The BD is open at the neck showing a shirt collar underneath. The trousers have the required number of pockets and no webbing is worn. The figure wears anklets and ammo boots. The uniform has nice natural folds in it, and good detail on the anklets and boots and should paint up very well.

The arms come as separate items and this time they are designed to sit with the left arm resting on the raised turret hatch and the right slightly across the body holding a cigarette.

The head again a separate item this time show the face of a slightly more mature Sergeant Major type, complete with moustache. This head is also wearing a tankers beret with cap badge.

Conclusion

These are to excellently sculpted and posed figures who sit well in the cupola of most Sherman Tanks the 105mm possibly being the exception.

Simply dressed they could well fit into most situations and the level of detail is extremely good. They will add to any Sherman build, I haven’t tried them in other British tanks, both have the legs moulded to fit the rim of the Sherman so might need some adjustment for other vehicles.

Given that they are also sold for use in N Africa, I would have liked to have seen the jacket cuffs turned up the arms a little, but that observation aside these are two really useful figures who I think look great when placed in a Sherman tank.

The only thing you will need to add is some plumbing to the wireless mike and headphones worn by 35045.