Introduction

This is the 3rd review in a series of the new 25 pdr gun crew figures released in March 2011 by Resicast.

The first two figure reviews can be found here:

Officer in Greatcoat

Gun Crew Sergeant

There are 6 figures that make up the crew: The Officer (in Greatcoat), The Gun Crew Sergeant, Gun Crew Layer being reviewed here, the Gun Crew Loader No 1, Gun Crew Loader No 2 and Gun Crew Rammer.

Each of the figures is available individually and I thought I’d follow on the review of the series by looking at the Gun Crew Layer.

The figure was Mastered by G Detroeye and painted by Christophe Nachtergael.

Gun Crew Layer

The figure comes packed in the standard Resicast format of a zip plastic bag containing a colour card insert of the painted figure and the manufactures details. The figure itself is contained in a smaller zip bag and consists of 3 parts.

Cast in a light cream resin, the figure was free from any damage or air bubbles. The body comes cast as a whole with separate right arm and head. The left arm is moulded onto the torso with the arm resting on the layer’s knee.

The figure is dressed in Battle Dress and wearing a leather jerkin, with anklets and ammo boots. The trousers sport the correct visible pocket on left leg. The stance is of a seated gun layer designed for the 25pdr field gun. The torso is slightly twisted to the right, and the right arm is designed to rest on the carriage of the gun. The casting is excellent and the detail on the jerkin, trousers, anklets and ammo boots are very nicely done. There are only 4 small pour stubs to remove from the base of the feet and one from his backside, and some very fine seam lines to tidy up.

The arms are clad in the sleeves of the battle dress, and again the detail here is well done. There is also very nice detail on the hands. The head shows the face of a mature looking gunner, wearing a Mk I/II helmet with the chin strap under the chin. The detail looks excellent and the head also has a fine crop of hair on display where appropriate.

The uniform has nice natural folds and creases. The figure has good body proportions, and looks to be a very acceptable size.

Normal precautions apply when working with resin.

Conclusion

A simple figure that will require minimal clean up and should paint up very nicely indeed. This one should be of interest to both figure painters and those looking for a RA Gun Layer, or perhaps just a passenger in a vehicle.

Although designed for NWE the order of dress could be used in Italy and probably the latter part of the N. African campaign. A simple change of helmet would take the figure to the latter part of the war in Europe.

Looks like another good crew member to me.