Introduction

This is my second look at the range of Paratroopers available from Resicast. My first look was at the Paratrooper Walking with Stretcher which was Reviewed Here on Armorama.

Good wireless communication plays a key role in any military operation. Many of the most notable military failures can be put down to poor communications. Airborne troops had a range of wireless sets to use, one of the most common was the backpacked No 18 Set used for communications from Company to Battalion level. This had a limited range of 5 miles for voice communications and 10 miles for Morse.

The Figure

Packaging:
This is standard for all Resicast figures, a zip plastic zip bag holding a paper insert showing a colour picture of the product and the makers’ name. The figure is contained within a further small plastic zip bag. The picture should help aid painting and rarely do you need or get any specific instructions, although in this case a very useful colour picture of the No 18 Set is provided to aid in painting and building.

Casting:
Cast in a light grey resin, this figure depicts a paratrooper sitting cross legged on a 6 pdr ammo box operating a No 18 Wireless set. The cast is excellent with good sharp and clear detail. The figure comes with a complete body, head, arms and separate wireless and ammo box. Minimal clean up should be required with only the removal of the small pour stubs on the individual items.

The Body:
Cast as a whole, the body is shown in a sitting position, with left leg tucked under the right. The figure is dressed in a Para Smock, BD trousers, anklets and ammo boots. The smock is well depicted showing the correct number of pockets and crotch strap fixed up at the rear of the jacket. Studs are present in the right quantity and right place on the garment. Under the smock can just be seen the collar of a shirt and tucked into the left shoulder strap is a rolled up paratroopers beret. On the trousers the map pocket is in evidence whilst a good set of anklets and ammo boots finish of the clothing. The figure is depicted without webbing.

A little clean up may be necessary between the legs and the small pour stubs will need removed from the boots and his backside.

The Head and Arms:
The head wears a camouflaged paratrooper’s helmet and ear phones for the wireless are also present. The face is that of a young man shown with the mouth open and has excellent detail. The only thing required here will be a little plumbing from the headphones to the radio. The right arm is bent at the elbow to clasp the wireless microphone and the left is also bent at the elbow in the act of shielding the sound. Both items are well cast and again the only thing needed should be some wire from the microphone to the radio.

Equipment:
This comes in the form of a No 18 Wireless Set and associated fittings, and a late pattern 6pdr steel ammo box for the figure to sit on. The detail, on the No 18 Set is really very good indeed and I previously reviewed the range of wireless sets available from Resicast Here on Armorama.
The only additional thought is that you would need to add some shoulder straps to the set. The late pattern 6pdr ammo box is also well depicted.

Conclusion

Another really useful paratrooper from Resicast. The pose of the signaller looks very natural; the detail on the uniform and equipment is excellent. The proportions of the body are well balanced. The figure is smallish, but in proportions with the other Resicast figures I have looked at. This should prove a very useful figure and be of interest to both diorama builders and figure painters alike.

This is a seated figure and I would hazard a guess and say it was designed for the back of the Resicast Paratroopers Signals Conversion Jeep. That said it provides a useful ground figure too.

The quality of the casting and detail provided should ensure that he paints up very well indeed. The pose looks good, the open mouth, the sitting/crouched position mean that this chap could be used in any number of situations.

Retailing at 11euro and considering you get an excellent No 18 Wireless Set, I think this chap is pretty good value for money.