Introduction

PlusModel offers us a unique detail set for those more “domestic” scenes that are part of military life. Of course, real barracks equipment came in a variety of types based mainly on the date, maker, and contract – all of which could vary from place to place. But it boiled down to the same requirements – a bed and some storage. This set offers one kind of bed and cabinet, plus a typical foot locker and some soft items of personal gear, all neatly stowed.

Contents

The box holds two bags of parts – one each for the bed and the other details. The bed bag has blankets, pillow, and of course the bed itself, while the other bag holds the parts for a foot locker and cabinet, along with their contents. There are twenty-one resin parts in total and twelve photo-etched parts. Casting is good, with few if any bubbles and minimal warping. The stacked shirts and trousers in particular are very good!

the set

While PlusModel does not state a nation of origin for the prototype, it resembles some 1940s US barracks equipment I’ve seen in pictures. The bed measures a scale 6’6” x 2’6”, which is typical for modern single beds. The foot locker is 2’6” wide by 1’6” deep by 1’3” high, about right for the US Army (usually quoted as 32x16x14”). Unfortunately it doesn’t have a removable top tray like the real thing. The bedside cabinet is a 2-foot cube on legs, divided by a shelf into two compartments, with a cast-in drawer at the top.

Most of the details are self-explanatory. The bed takes a little work, with those etched brass tabs and struts. I glued the tabs first, then bent them over a drill bit afterwards. The ends are a bit wobbly at first, but it all stiffens up once the diagonal struts are added. The only part not identified in the instructions is M5 – the brass strap for the kit bag hung on the end of the bed. While the stacks of shirts and trousers are detailed on all sides and can thus be left stacked on the bed, the contents of the cabinet are only detailed on the front, so cannot be displayed elsewhere.

Conclusion

This is a well-done detail set that can be used in a barracks or hospital setting.