Introduction

This is my second look at some of the many figures provided by Royal Models. This time a 2 figure set of British Infantry in Sicily, 1945.

The Set

The set comes in a standard Royal Models small cardboard box with details of the product and manufacturer on the front. A colour picture is provided of the built figures for painting reference.

Each figure comes in a separate zip plastic bag and mine were further protected by some bubble wrap.

Figure 1 - Walking Infantryman in Shorts:
Cast in a light grey resin the figure consists of 13 parts. The upper torso, lower torso and half legs, lower legs (anklets and boots), separate arms, head, and a small tree of equipment consisting of Mk 1 helmet, left and right ammo pouches, water bottle and small side pack and a Mk 4 rifle on a separate tree.

The figure is dressed in KD shorts and shirt, with hose, anklets and ammo boots. Over the shirt the figure wears skeleton 37 webbing consisting of belt and shoulder straps. The webbing looks nicely done with the brasses and necessary buckles present.

A short stabbing bayonet is moulded to the left hand side of the figures shorts. Part of the lower legs extend from the shorts ending at the fold of the hose. The uniform has nice natural folds/creases.

To add to the lower legs you get separate parts for the lower hose, anklets and boots. Again these look well sculpted. The arms come as separate items, the right extended and the left bent at the elbow to grip a rifle strap. The shirt sleeves are rolled up to just below the elbow. The head shows the face of a young soldier and is nicely done. A Mk I helmet is provided to complete this part.

Equipment is as listed above, and looks adequate for the purpose. The No 4 rifle is similarly fairly well done.

Figure 2 - Walking Infantryman in Trousers:
Cast in a light grey resin the figure consists of 13 parts. The upper torso, lower torso and half legs, lower legs (anklets and boots), separate arms, head, and a small tree of equipment consisting of left and right ammo pouches, water bottle and small digging tool. A Mk I helmet and No 4 rifle come on separate trees.

The figure is dressed in KD trousers and shirt, with anklets and ammo boots. Over the shirt the figure wears skeleton 37 webbing consisting of belt and shoulder straps. The webbing looks nicely done with the brasses and necessary buckles present.

A short stabbing bayonet is moulded to the left hand side of the figures trousers. The uniform has nice natural folds/creases.

To add to the legs you get separate parts for the anklets and boots. Again these look well sculpted. The arms come as separate items, the left extended and the right bent at the elbow to grip a rifle strap. The shirt sleeves are rolled up to just below the elbow. The head shows the face of a young soldier and is nicely done. Again a Mk I helmet is provided to complete this part.

Equipment is as listed above, and looks adequate for the purpose. The difference in this figure is that rather than getting a small side pack you get a small digging tool to add to the kit. The No 4 rifle is similarly fairly well done.

Conclusion

The figures are well sculpted and detailed and should paint up well. There are location points for the head, arms etc which some may find useful. The combination of dress for the two figures is a welcome variation and these may be of interest to both figure painters and diorama builders alike.

I can’t tell you yet the height of the figures until I get them built, but these come in on the small side of the 1/35 scale, in terms of build and physique. This is reflected in the equipment size.

A useful set of figures for a specific theatre of operations. I would imagine you could adapt them easily enough for a Jungle Warfare setting..

I did feel they were a bit over priced.