Introduction

This is a look at the third of 4 figures produced for the Western Desert, specifically LRDG soldiers to compliment the Tamiya 1/35 Chevrolet or associated LRDG vehicles.

The LRDG have always been a favourite of Allied Modellers and these new additions to that genre are most welcome.

The figure was sculpted by Gerard De Troeye.

The figure

Packed in the standard Resicast format for their figures, this one depicts a seated officer of the Long Range Desert Group. The parts are packed in a small zip plastic bag, and then a second larger zip plastic bag that contains a photo of the completed figure plus a coloured information sheet outlining the clothing being worn and three colour pictures of the completed figure.

The figure is cast in a light grey resin and consists of 4 parts. The body is cast as a whole with separate arm, hand/cap and head . The figure is dressed in a mixture of desert clothing: Kapok lined tropical coat, KD Shirt and KD Shorts, socks and ammo boots with Service Dress Cap.

The right arm which is a separate item has nice detail, and in his right hand the officer holds a pipe. The left hand is designed to feed into the moulded-on left arm and holds a service cap.

The head is that of a mature man with a beard, moustache and a full head of hair. The facial detail is excellent and should paint up really well.

The uniform has nice folds/creases; the KD shirt and shorts are both nicely done as is the Kapok coat. All the clothing appears to have the right pockets in the right place and overall the detail looks excellent. Officers' ammo boots and turned-down socks complete the clothing.

The figure comes seated on a slightly damaged biscuit tin and has good body proportions.

Conclusion

This is an excellent figure, well sculpted and cast. The mixed order of dress is one I’m very glad to see and this chap will look the part in a desert setting.

The LRDG was made up of men from over 50 different units from different British and Commonwealth countries, so the mixture of clothing and equipment possible is extensive.

Clothing would be worn to suit the time/season of the year and this chap certainly looks the part. The relaxed seated pose is I felt quite natural,.