If there is one common complaint about figure sets today, which is repeated across the board it is I wish they had equipped them with this rifle or that MG. DML some time ago released an Allied weapons set which answers some of those wishes. This set from DML can truly be said to be Allied weapons as it covers weapons from Russia, the United States of America, and Great Britain, these weapons were used by all Allied forces including the Common Wealth forces through World War II and some into the Korean war.
Contents
The kit is packed in a light weight card end opening box, inside you will find four light grey sprues packed in a single clear plastic bag.
Review
The four sprues in the box each contain ten weapons, with each one being cast in its own segment of the sprue. By molding the weapons in this manner it has prevented damage being caused to any of the weapons, and prevents any confusion over what parts belong to which weapon. There are two different sprues which are duplicated giving you two of each weapon type, and as can be seen by the attached pictures. Some of the weapons are single pieces while others require minimal assembly.
The moldings are free of flash, sink, or push out marks, but they all require a cleanup due to mold lines. Some of the detail is a little soft on some weapons, while there is a good level of detail on others. These were released before the days of slide molding technology so each barrel will need to be drilled out, this will not be an easy task on some of the weapons as the barrels are very fine and easily broken.
I do not proclaim to be a fount of knowledge on small arms so please forgive me if any of the weapons are misidentified, I do know that the SG 43 is really a Degtyarev MG and I have noted it as such. Here is a complete list of the weapons included in no particular order; M1918A2 BROWNING BAR JOHNSON MG M1941 BREN GUN MK1 DEGTYAREV PPS 43 SVT40 LEE ENFIELD No5 MK1 LEE ENFIELD No4 MK1 (T) LEE ENFIELD No4 MK1 M1A1 CARBINE JOHNSON AUTO RIFLE M1941 M1D GARAND M1 GARAND MAS 36 PPSH 41 M1 THOMPSON M1A1 THOMPSON STEN GUN MK 2 STEN GUN MK 5 M1903A4 SPRINGFIELD
Conclusion
This kit is out of production but can still be found without any real difficulty, if you see it I would recommend you buy it as it has a good number of options at a minimal cost. The British weapons are not the easiest weapons to find in any other offering in plastic, and are perhaps the biggest reason to purchase the set.
SUMMARY
Highs: A very good selection of weapons in use by every Allied Army, which will be of use as diorama fillers or to equip your figures with a preferred weapon.Lows: Some soft detail on some weapons and I would have expected to see a couple of Russian rifles in this set.Verdict: Well worth purchasing as it does away with the need for multiple weapons sets to equip troops of various Allied nations combatants who took part in WW2.
About Darren Baker (CMOT) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM
I have been building model kits since the early 70s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70s, I have had lots of opportunitie...
Quite a few people PMed me requesting information on where they could get this item, I spoke to Halifax Modellers World today and this item is in stock for £6. The website lists the item as out of stock however the owner says that is not the case and it will be corrected.
Thanks for the review Darren.
The chances of me buying this particular kit is almost nil though. Can΄t understand why they are releasing a kit almost 20 years old, when they have the Gen II sets available. That I would buy in heartbeat ... even a few of them.
Phil I understand that and agree but an oddity sometimes catches the idle eye. I do think there is room and a need for country and time specific weapon sets such as;
British modern say 1970 to current day
British WW2
American WW2
American Vietnam
American current
Russian WW2
Russian modern
and so on.
Yep I agree Darren, I've got the DML Vietnam and M16 sets,and also trumps M4 set in my stash,just find it strange that the smle no 3 the personal weapon for WW1 the first years of WW2 isn't very prolific in plastic.
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