history

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States military that is especially trained and organized for landing operations. Marine assault troops, supported by air units, attack and seize enemy beachheads and bases. As the nation’s amphibious force, Marines in many strategic parts of the world stand alert to speed to any trouble spot. A well-known military saying is “The Marines have landed and the situation is well at hand”. Marines have been the first to fight in almost every major war of the United States since 1775. World War II was no different for the United States Marines as they fought hard and helped win the war in the Pacific and yet again earned a well-deserved place in history.

contents

Master Box Ltd has released U.S. Marines in Jungle WW II Era, kit number MB3584, a set of four figures in 1/35 scale which represent four WWII U.S. Marines with various weapons. The figures were sculpted by A. Gagarin.

The box in which the kit comes is the typical soft cardboard open end box with artwork of the figures on the top of the box by the artist Andrey Karaschuk and a photograph of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. The bottom of the box has a very basic assembly guide in the form of completed figures along with a photograph of the sprue with reference numbers for each of the individual pieces.

The sprue is sealed within a clear plastic bag.
There is no separate instruction sheet included in the kit, only the basic assembly guide on the bottom of the box, and no painting guide. Master Box Ltd usually provides a basic painting guide on the bottom of the box. However with this set of figures there is no painting guide nor list of basic required colours, and there are no decals included in this kit.

The kit comes with one tan styrene sprue which contains 84 total pieces. All of the pieces are attached to the sprue with a minimal amount of contact points. When I examined the sprues I didn't find any bent, broken or missing pieces.

As I examined the individual pieces I found what I would consider to be a normal to minimal amount of flash, however there are seam lines present. I did not find any push out (knock out) marks on the individual pieces. The detailing on most of the individual pieces is good. The individual pieces are not numbered on the sprue so the modeller will have to refer to the back of the box that has a photograph of the sprue where each item is numbered.

the figures

The kit comes with four WWII US Marines with various weapons. I assembled all of the figures straight out of the box without doing any work on them (other than removing the small bit of styrene where I removed the piece from the sprue) to show all of the seam lines, flash, gaps and how the equipment fits on the figures. I feel this is a good way to show the work required on all of them. This has become my standard for figure reviews and it has met with praise and appreciation from my fellow modellers.

Figure 1 - Radioman

The figure is made up of six pieces for the main body, wearing the appropriate two piece fatigue uniform for the time frame with the M1 helmet with cloth cover and canvas gaiters over the boots. Detailing on the clothing is nice with standout items such as the buttons, pockets, lacing on the gaiters, the shirt collar and the way the sleeve cuffs are shown hanging open. The helmet fits well on the figure’s head and there is a moulded chin strap that is shown as placed over the visor portion of the helmet. The helmet is textured to represent a cloth cover.

There are other moulded on items that are just as nicely done such as the suspenders, radio pack straps, and buckles on them as well as on the belt. The figure comes with personal gear such as the upper and lower cargo packs, M43 entrenching tool with cover, first aid kit, rifle ammunition pouches for the M1 Carbine, and two canteens with the correct USMC cross flap covers. I had a difficult time adding all of the supplied gear to the figures belt without leaving gaps. I would recommend not using all of the items and placing them in your spares bin.

The figure comes with the option of being armed with a M1 Carbine or a M1 Garand rifle. Both weapons fit into the figure’s hands fairly well however there is some gap. If desired the modeller will need to scratch build a sling for the M1 Carbine or M1 Garand rifle. Both weapons are nice representations of the actual rifles. If the M1 Garand is chosen then the figure will need to have the correct ammunition pouches added, which the set does not provide. The figure does not come with a sidearm, a bayonet or knife. The modeller can add one or more of the supplied MK2 pineapple grenades if desired, and the set comes with six of them.

The main feature that stands out on this figure is the SCR-300 Walkie-Talkie Radio set with a separate handset. The radio is a nice representation of the actual item and fits well on the figures back. One small feature that I like in regards to the handset is that it has an attachment point for the handset cord. The radio comes in four pieces, five if you count the handset. The instructions for the radio are poor and I had to refer to reference pictures to ensure that I assembled it correctly. An antenna and handset cord will need to be made from wire, stretched sprue or some similar small diameter item.

The figure comes with a complete head with nicely moulded features such as the mouth and the ears, and the figure’s neck fits into the collar nicely. There is very little flash present however there are some seam lines which will need to be removed. The overall fit of the pieces is good and there are very few gaps that will need to be filled.

Figure 2 – Sniper

The figure is made up of six pieces for the main body and is wearing the appropriate two piece fatigue uniform for the time frame along with the M1 helmet. The detailing on the clothing is nice with standout items such as the buttons, pockets, the shirt collar and the way the sleeve cuffs are shown hanging open. This figure has non-bloused trousers as opposed to having them bloused with gaiters. The helmet fits well on the figure’s head and there is a moulded chin strap that is shown as placed over the visor portion of the helmet. The helmet on this figure is not textured, as the others, to represent a cloth cover. There are other moulded on items that are nicely done such as the suspenders, and buckles on them as well as on the belt.

The figure comes with personal gear such as the upper and lower cargo packs, M43 entrenching tool with cover, first aid kit, rifle ammunition pouches, and two canteens with the correct USMC cross flap covers and an ammunition bandolier which hangs over the right shoulder and across the chest. All of the items fit on the figure nicely. The figure comes with the option of being armed with the M1903A4 Springfield sniper rifle with a M73B1 Telescopic sight or a M1 Garand rifle. Both weapons fit into the figure’s hands fairly well however there is some gap. If desired the modeller will need to scratch build a sling for the M1903A4 Springfield sniper rifle or M1 Garand rifle. Both weapons are nice representations of the actual rifles with one exception on the M1903A4 Springfield sniper rifle.

The rifle does not come with a bolt and it is an obvious copy of the same rifle from the old Tamiya U.S. Infantry Weapons Set #35121. I have provided a photograph comparing the two. A bolt can be easily scratch-built but in my opinion the modeller should not have to make one, it should already be there. The figure does not come with a sidearm, a bayonet or knife. The modeller can add one or more of the supplied MK2 pineapple grenades if desired, as the set comes with six of them. The figure comes with a complete head with nicely moulded features such as the mouth and the ears. The figure’s neck fits into the collar well. There is very little flash present however there are some seam lines which will need to be removed. The overall fit of the pieces is good and there are very few gaps that will need to be filled.

Figure 3 - Marine holding M1 Garand with right hand and cradling it in left arm

This figure is made up of seven pieces for the main body, and is wearing the appropriate two piece fatigue uniform for the time frame with the M1 helmet with cloth cover. The detailing on the clothing is nice with standout items such as the buttons, pockets, lacing on the gaiters, the shirt collar and the way the sleeve cuffs are shown rolled up. This figure has bloused trousers with canvas gaiters. The helmet fits well on the figure’s head and there is a moulded chin strap that is shown as placed over the visor portion of the helmet. The helmet on this figure is textured to represent a cloth cover. There are other moulded on items that are nicely done such as the suspenders, and buckles on them as well as on the belt.

The figure comes with personal gear such as the upper and lower cargo packs, M43 entrenching tool with cover, first aid kit, rifle ammunition pouches, and two canteens with the correct USMC cross flap covers and an ammunition bandolier which hangs over the left shoulder and across the chest. I had a difficult time adding all of the supplied gear to the figure’s belt without leaving gaps or having them hang in an unrealistic way. I would recommend not using all of the items and placing the extras in your spares bin.

The figure comes armed with the M1 Garand rifle which is a good representation of the actual rifle. The rifle fits into the figure’s right hand well. If desired the modeller will need to scratch build a sling for the M1 Garand rifle. The figure does not come with a sidearm; however it does come with a M1905E1 cut-down bayonet and a K-BAR knife. The bayonet may be shown as fixed to the rifle or attached to the belt or pack. If the modeller chooses to have it fixed as shown, there is no empty scabbard for it.

The modeller can add one or more of the supplied MK2 pineapple grenades if desired as the set comes with six of them. The figure comes with a complete head with nicely moulded features such as the mouth and the ears and the figure’s neck fits into the collar well. The figure’s left arm comes in two pieces and I am not sure of the reason for this as it isn’t necessary. There is very little flash present however there are some seam lines which will need to be removed. The overall fit of the pieces is good and there are very few gaps that will need to be filled.

Figure 4 - Marine holding M1 Garand with both hands

The figure is made up of seven pieces for the main body and is wearing the appropriate two piece fatigue uniform for the time frame with the M1 helmet with cloth cover. The detailing on the clothing is nice with standout items such as the buttons, pockets, the shirt collar and the way the sleeve cuffs are shown rolled up. This figure has non-bloused trousers as opposed to having them bloused with gaiters. The helmet fits well on the figure’s head and there is a moulded chin strap that is shown as placed over the visor portion of the helmet. The helmet on this figure is textured to represent a cloth cover. There are other moulded on items that are nicely done such as the suspenders, and buckles on them as well as on the belt.

The figure comes with personal gear such as the upper and lower cargo packs, M43 entrenching tool with cover, first aid kit, rifle ammunition pouches, and two canteens with the correct USMC cross flap covers and an ammunition bandolier which hangs over the right shoulder and across the chest. I had a difficult time adding all of the supplied gear to the figures belt without leaving gaps or having them hang in an unrealistic way. I would recommend not using all of the items and placing the extras in your spares bin. The figure comes armed with the M1 Garand rifle which is a nice representation of the actual rifle and which fits nicely into the figure’s hands.

If desired the modeller will need to scratch build a sling for the M1 Garand rifle. The figure does not come with a sidearm; however it does come with a M1905E1 cut-down bayonet and a Collins & Co. M1942 machete with sheath. The bayonet may be shown as fixed to the rifle or attached to the belt or pack. If the modeller chooses to have it fixed as shown, there is no empty scabbard for it. The modeller can add one or more of the supplied MK2 Pineapple grenades if desired. The set comes with six of them.

The figure comes with a complete head with nicely moulded features such as the mouth and the ears. The figures neck fits into the collar nicely. The figures left arm comes in two pieces and I am not sure for the reason for this as it isn’t necessary. There is very little flash present however there are some seam lines which will need to be removed. The overall fit of the pieces is good and there are very few gaps that will need to be filled.

extra pieces

You end up with one M1 Garand rifle, one M1 Carbine or one M1903A4 Springfield rifle, depending on which one you don’t use, for the spare parts bin. You can also add various items such as the MK 2 grenades and canteens if you chose not to use all of them.

conclusion

All in all this is a decent set of figures. You get four nicely detailed figures with different types of weapons. I was impressed with the detailing and the poses of all four figures. A modeller will just need to be prepared to spend some time removing seam lines and filling the few gaps. Something that caught my eye as I was assembling the figures is that all four of the M43 entrenching tools covers are shown in different positions to keep them from all looking exactly the same which is, I think, a very nice touch.

I would have liked to have seen some sidearms provided as well as some empty sheaths if the modeller chooses to show the bayonet(s) as fixed to the rifles. I would have also liked to have seen more of the K-BAR knives and the Collins & Co. M1942 machetes. However those are just my personal thoughts and should not deter the modeller from purchasing this set. Other than my few complaints I was very impressed with the kit and I feel that anyone who purchases this set of figures will be pleased with them. I would have no hesitation to recommend this set of figures to others.

Thank you Master Box LTD for the review sample. Please mention that you saw their product reviewed here when placing your order.

references

World War 2 Combat Uniforms and Insignia
Squadron/Signal Publications, #6013
Published in 1977
Martin Windrow with color illustrations by Gerry Embleton

World The Military Book Club Encyclopedia of Infantry Weapons of WWII
Saturn Books Ltd.
Ian V. Hogg

U.S. Marine Corps Scout-Sniper World War II and Korea
Peter R. Senich
Paladin Press

The Fighting Garand Owner’s Manual
Edited by Nolan Wilson
Desert Publications

Always Faithful – U.S. Marines in World War II Combat – The 100 Best Photos
Eric Hammel and Tom Heffron.
Osprey Publishing LTD

Winchester An American Legend
The Official History of Winchester Firearms and Ammunition from 1849 to the Present
R.L. Wilson
Chartwell Books, Inc.

American Web Equipment 1910 – 1967
Europa Militaria No 33
Martin J. Brayley
The Crowood Press


Master Box LTD web site:

http://www.mbltd.info/index.htm