Introduction

Of all the manufacturers I know of, the most prolific, with the greatest range of 1/35 scale British/Commonwealth accessories, is Resicast. They have provided the modeller with a wide range of additional detailing sets both for armour, artillery, soft-skins and figures, many of which remain unique to the company to this day.

Just added to that range is a cool set of UK medical supplies. The support arms often get a bit of a raw deal when it comes to scenes to portray them in but this accessory set of medical supplies will go a good ways to improving that situation.

Whether in 1st, 2nd or 3rd line support the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and it’s Commonwealth opposites provided a vital and life saving service to both the fighting troops and the general rank and file. Boils or blisters, bullets or bruises, or life saving operations the RAMC provided this vital service. Often in or just behind the front lines, in extreme conditions these soldiers, doctors, nurses and orderly's were a life line and relief from pain and suffering for many a soldier.

The set

The set is cast in a light grey resin and comes packed in the standard Resicast professional small box, which was well padded out with no rattling parts. Inside the box are 5 plastic zip bags containing the parts, all were excellently moulded and cast and I could see no visible damage or cause for concern on the items I examined. Also in the box is a double sided A4 sheet of instructions that detail the parts, the decal markings and give suggested painting finishes for the panniers. The parts are clearly marked so you can check what you get and know where things go. Clean up should be minimal.

So let’s have a look at what the set contains:

Open Stretchers

You get 4 open stretchers, Part A. These are very nicely cast, with a light texture for the canvas and the correct handles for British Stretchers. The folding bracket is present on the reverse of the stretcher so you could use them in any position. The handles were altered by Graham on feed back on the original test shots, a task I believe requiring a considerable amount of hassle and skill. To add to these you get an appropriate number of feet (Part B). The feet have also been altered to provide the U shaped type seen on UK stretchers. The canvas comes flat across the stretcher so you may wish to warm them up a bit and add a small dip if you feel it necessary.

Closed Stretchers

To accompany the 4 open stretchers you get two different types of folded stretchers , 4 of each type (Parts C and D). These are very well done and add variety and very useable items to the set. So a total of 12 stretchers both open and closed. There were 11 in my set but as I got an extra closed pannier, not really any kind of issue.

Medical Panniers

Added to the stretchers you get 3 sets of 3 different types of medical pannier. One set has closed lids and the other two set have open lids – in other words 3 closed and 6 open panniers. The open panniers are complete with separate lids and rings and hinges are provided for these. The panniers are excellently cast. Nice fine sharp detail on the lids, and the two open style panniers display alternative medical content items. The rings for the panniers are quite tiny so both those and the hinges will need careful handling.

Haversacks and Decals

Now if all that isn’t enough, you get 3 medical haversacks to add into the mix and most importantly a decal set. The decals provide markings for Haversack, Field Dressings, Field Dental Outfits, No1 , No 2, No 3 and No 4 panniers. 3 Medical style arms bands, Transfusion, Field Surgical and Pannier numbers markings are also provided.
The marking were designed by Syhart for Resicast.

Conclusion

This is a most welcome set of accessories and some might say a long overdue one. Very fine casting with excellent detail containing a good variety of items appropriate for the theme. The addition of the decal markings for the items is extremely positive. Excellent to see a nice choice of panniers and the internal detail looks very appropriate to the type of items I’ve seen stored in these type of boxes.

Some might say the open stretchers should have more of a dip in the canvas, but that much depends on the usage the kit has been through and should be a doable fix with some hot water if you needed that effect.

There are a limited number of wounded Commonwealth troops around, Resicast do several figures, both standing and lying and I think Hornet have one as well. This set creates opportunities for some additional British/Commonwealth medical personnel and wounded troops.

Both the open the folded stretchers lend themselves well to adding detail to existing figures, detailing vehicles or general dioramic scenes and I feel are a very welcome and useful item, as are the haversacks and the variety of panniers provided.

You can never have enough variety of stowage and scenic items and these items add that something extra for modellers that has been missing in that mix.