Introduction

Black Dog has been going for some time now and have brought a nice selection of resin additions to the market for your models, be they armoured fighting vehicles, aircraft, and even ships of late. They have also ventured into vignette bases and photo etched items, lastly they have built up a good selection of resin figures which interestingly are predominantly modern figures representing a number of nations. In this review I will be taking a look at Black Dog’s Israel army tank crew set, this is a two figure set in 1/35th scale and the figures are also available as individual purchases.

Contents

The product is packaged inside an end opening box with a picture of the assembled, but unpainted, figures on the front. The packaging also had polystyrene peanuts inside to prevent damage during transit. Inside the box along with the peanuts you will find the two resin figures each in their own individual zip lock bag.

Review

The first figure I will look at is also available as F35065 - Israel Army Tank Crew N°1. This figure is depicted standing upright with his rifle in his right hand while pointing with his left, I know I can hear the groans now “not a pointing figure”. I will say that as this is a tank crew figure you can make a pointing finger a plus by pointing at damage on an AFV, at a specific point on a hung map, or just pointing at the horizon, either way it is not necessarily a bad thing. The figure is wearing a one piece coverall and body armour plus an appropriate style of helmet. I have tried to identify the specifics of the Israeli uniform depicted but it is like the first rule of fight club! Nowhere on the net could I find the specifics of the uniform.

The figure is supplied with the legs and torso as a single moulding with the pour plug on the sole of the boots, the instep of the boots is replicated so careful cleanup will retain this feature. The arms are separate with the pour plugs in the joint surface of the shoulder, the arms of the coveralls on this figure are shown folded up to just below the elbow. I was expecting to see a wristwatch as troops always use to wear one and I believed that was still the case.

The figure is equipped with an M4 rifle which has been well replicated, the only improvement required being the very careful use of a drill to open the muzzle a little. Hand and facial details are excellent which will lend itself well to some of the excellent figure painters on the site. Crease and hang detail on the uniform is very good with it looking natural and appropriately placed.

The second figure I will look at is also available as F35066 - Israel Army Tank Crew N°2. This figure is also depicted standing upright in a fairly relaxed pose, he is shown with an item in his hands but I am unable to work out exactly what the item is. The uniform is the same as the first figure and shares all of the same qualities as the first, the only difference being that this figure has his sleeves rolled down. The M4 with this figure is of the same high quality of the previous figure but will again need some careful drill work.

The figure is supplied with the legs, torso, and arms as a single moulding, the hands are moulded together holding an unknown item, the arms have holes at the sleeve in order to accept pegs attached to the wrists of the hands. The helmet and face detail are good but I have one concern that possibly effects both figures, in the pictures I have looked at of crews wearing this type of helmet a cord is shown travelling left to right across the torso and then becomes a coil (as on a phone) and disappears by the pocket on the right leg. This cord is not depicted on the figures and so I am unsure if this will need to be replicated on the figures that are displayed both in and out of the vehicle, as I said not a big issue but it is something to consider.

Conclusion

With the number of modern Israeli AFV’s that have been released in recent years, and with more announced on a regular basis, this set of Israeli tankers can only be a plus. The detail is of a high standard throughout with the headset cable being the only possible area of concern. If your painting skills are up to the task this set of Israeli tankers could really help to bring your Israeli AFV build to life.