Introduction

Following on from the Welkom in Belgie three figure set for the Bren Carrier (kit No 35.6523) which introduced their 1st Belgium Army figure, Resicast have just announced another Belgian Soldier, this time from the Regiment Cycliste.

The figure was sculpted by Gerard Detroeye and the image provided painted by Christophe Nachergael.

The figure

The figure comes packed in the standard Resicast packaging for small items, double zip bags and a paper insert showing the product and manufacturers details. The insert contains a colour image of the finished figure to aid painting.

The figure is cast in a light grey resin and provides 10 parts to make up the figure. The body is cast as a whole with separate head, left and right arms, rifle, bayonet, water bottle, model 34 gasmask and digging tool. I could see no damage or cause for concern in the casting nor the sculpting, both of which are excellent.

The figure is dressed appropriately in the jacket and trousers of the Belgian Army (see links below). The detail looks highly accurate to me. The figure wears a set of leather ammunition pouches, leather shoulder straps and food bag, leather gaiters and boots. Across the chest is the canvas strap for the gasmask. The uniform detail is excellent, with the correct number of buttons on the jacket, collar patches and V shaped collar. These all accurate to the references I have looked at.

The uniform has good folds and creases and the pockets of the jacket are filled out nicely and the body should paint up really well.

The figure depicts a standing soldier with his rifle slung over his right shoulder. To complete the figure the head comes with a very detailed Belgian Army helmet and a rather unique face. Also provided is a rifle, an M36 I believe, but finding data on this proved difficult. Additional equipment is in the form of a sheathed bayonet, water bottle, and a small entrenching tool contained within leather straps, plus a model 34 gasmask The arms, which are also separate items, have good detail, as do the hands.

The figure stands approximately 44mm from heel to shoulder and has good overall body proportions.

Conclusion

It is excellent to see another early war Belgium figure coming along and this one fits nicely with the theme of early war figures Resicast has been developing recently. As the figure is a ‘Cycliste’ then one ponders the possibility of a bike at some stage to accompany him?

Although the BEF campaign was a failed and short lived one I particularly like this period as it gives a mix of old and more modern equipment, in a sense the close of one era and the opening of another. For the Allied modeler it offers broader opportunities to mix the different styles of National Uniform and equipment found around during that period.

The Belgian Army, although small and under equipped, fought bravely for the defense of their country but alas it was to face brutal occupation again until liberated by the Allies 4 years later.

For our Axis friends then they are no doubt still awaiting some suitable Allied prisoners and wounded soldiers to capture but as there has been a general increase in interest in British/Commonwealth and Allied subjects perhaps that area will get some attention in the future!

It did occur to me that basic painting colours could be included on the back of the paper insert which would aid modellers unfamiliar with the subjects.

Related Links:
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