This figure was originally made in white metal as part of the Jakrei range of figures produced by Pete Morton. When Ian Hanratty took over the line and began issuing them under the Wee Friends banner he also decided to change to resin. This is a good move because although many historical figure collector/painters prefer white metal, many WW2 modelers are more used to working with resin.
The Kit
The figure comes in a blister pack with a photo insert showing the original metal figure. He depicts a bare-chested British/Commonwealth tanker. Armored troops of the Desert War wore many and varied garments to deal with the extremes of climate, this figure however is dressed for a hot day, wearing at least part of the more official issue uniform. This consists of Khaki Drill Shorts together with the black beret, long woolen socks and leather ankle boots with cloth puttees plus a web belt.
The figure comes in three parts, the body including legs and head in one piece and two separate arms. We also get two 75mm shells in resin. I don't have a good reference for 75 mm shells so I can't comment on their accuracy.
Cast in a cream colored resin the detail on the figure is quite crisp although there is a noticeable seam line on the lower legs. There is also some extra resin under the chin and on the back of the neck. There are two large air bubbles on my sample, one on the hem of the shorts and one on the tip of the nose. There are some smaller air bubbles around the beret. The arms come with the pour stub attached to the elbows and these will need careful removal and clean up. Detail on the arms and hands is good. The left wrist sports a watch, although the detail is very soft.
There are two omissions on the figure; one is that the field dressing pocket is missing from the right front of the shorts and the other is that the web belt lacks the two rear buckles. While we’re on the web belt, the thickened ridges on the top and bottom of the belt are a little two pronounced and could do with thinning down.
The details on the face and torso are good, apart from the nose, and the same goes for folds in the beret, the ribbing on the socks and the details of the boots.
Conclusion
This is a useful figure given that we don’t get many 1/35 figures stripped to the waist. Change the caliber of the shell and he suitable for any Commonwealth tank or SPG that saw action in the MTO. The change from white metal to resin is a good one. It will need some clean up and repair but still a good figure.
SUMMARY
Highs: Great choice of subject.Lows: Air bubbles and prominent seam line.Verdict: A very useful figure despite the production flaws.
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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
Hi Pat,
Nice review. On the belt issue I was talking with Graham about this as I mentioned similar missing buckles on the HobbyFan Tank Crew Review.
It seem there may have been a practice in some tank units to remove the rear to buckles as they tended to get caught on equipment and fittings etc. I think this is quite possible as it would make sense, but was probably a very unit specific thing.
When I first joined up we wore BD, anklets and ammo boots with the 37 pattern belt and frog as a second drill order. We also removed the rear buckles and it got me to wondering if this was a throw back to the armoured days. It's a long time ago now and I can't remember what the reasoning behind it was other than show but......it could also have been a regimental thing, Can't remember now too long ago.
Al
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