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In-Box Review
135
War Correspondent Figure set
World War Two British and Commonwealth War Correspondent set
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

During World War Two large numbers of photographers and cinematographers went into the battlefield and filmed the conflict as the battles raged around them. Large numbers of these reporters were also killed in action and so they should not be thought of any differently to the combat troops that they filmed. The War correspondent went everywhere the troops went and it is in no small part thanks to these people that we know what we do now of that period in history. The release of this product by Bronco Models should be warmly welcomed as an original figure set.

Contents

This new product from Bronco Models is supplied in an end opening box and has an artist's impression of the contents on the front. The rear of the box uses the same artists impressions as a guide to assembly and while I would have preferred to see these figures painted by one of the excellent figure painters around today, it is preferable to some of the assembly and painting guides I have seen. The rear of the box also provides a sprue layout and painting guide using;
  • Gunze Sangyo
  • Hobby Color
  • Humbrol
  • Tamiya
  • Actual paint colours

The contents of the box are;
  • 12 grey sprues
  • 1 small decal sheet

Review

The six figures in this product all breakdown in a similar way which is;
  • 2 arms
  • 2 separate legs
  • Torso
  • Head
  • Some have side arms
  • Some have separate headgear

The figures are very cleanly moulded almost to the point of no seam lines in the plastic, they really are extremely fine to none existent. The crease detail depicted in the uniform is very good and while not up to the quality of resin casting I feel it is not too far away. Uniform accuracy and detail appears to be good to me with nothing wrong jumping out at me. The hand and facial detail is as good as any injection moulded plastic offerings I have seen to date; as such I see no reason for resin replacements to be considered.

There are a few moulding nipples that will need to be removed, but if this is how Bronco Models has managed such clean parts it is a small price to pay. I looked very hard for anything bad about these figures and the only thing I could find was some overly thick helmet straps, I believe these would look better removed and replaced with photo etched straps or a home-made offering. The decals provided with the kit consists of rank badges and unit patches, these additions are something that marks out Bronco Models figures and is something I wish other companies would follow.

The cameras are where I fall down as I found it very hard to identify specific cameras. The cameras in the set all match up to various offerings from the period and so I have not provided specific brands, if someone does know exactly which camera is which please shout up. The set supplies duplicates of each camera and for that matter typewriter. The cinema camera with tripod has nice detail to it even though I cannot identify it specifically; the mouldings are also very clean. Used in conjunction with one of the figures will make for a very good centre piece for a vignette, or as a part of a story in a larger diorama.

The hand held cameras are of two different types; one looks to be the equivalent of today’s point and shoot cameras, while the other is I believe the professional zoom camera of the day. I do know that German cameras of World War Two were sought after items and so may have been used if available.

At least one of these figures is based on a real wartime reporter and that is Alan Wood, the official British correspondent with 1st AB at Arnhem, and so chances are so are some or all of the other figures in the set may be based on actual war time reporters.

Conclusion

This is a really great figure set depicting an interesting aspect of war which is forgotten or ignored. I have no idea what Bronco Models have done to their moulds to do away with mould seams on the figures, however all I can say is please keep it up. I have no choice but to very highly recommend this product to anyone, as if you don’t have a use for it today you may do tomorrow and will kick yourself if you cannot get a copy.
SUMMARY
Highs: There are a lot of very high points to this kit but the lack of mould seams sells it for me as then biggest plus point
Lows: The helmet straps moulded on some of the heads are on the thick side.
Verdict: Very highly recommended.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: CB35140
  PUBLISHED: Jun 14, 2013
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.97%

Our Thanks to Bronco Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Looking forward to picking these up. The correspondents are named in this thread on missing lynx as well as some of the cameras. Are the built figures your photos or broncos because this figures right hand doesn;t look right. Try getting your hand in that position - it's really uncomfortable-or is that just me
JUN 14, 2013 - 11:52 AM
Pat they are Bronco's pictures and that hand is a seperate part if you check the images (image 11). It looks as if someone put the hand on upside down.
JUN 14, 2013 - 12:22 PM
Hey Darren, nice to see them after the release was called out. They do look fantastic with the camera set ups and will fit in well to many dio/vig. Have my set on order and waiting. Double set of the cameras?, great job on Broncos part.
JUN 18, 2013 - 03:52 AM
If one is trying to do a smooth, gentle pan to the left this hand position is not that unusual for a cameraman.
SEP 04, 2017 - 01:40 AM
Brief note to Bronco - you have now done British Photographers and Correspondents in 1/35th, could we please have some US Combat Photographers and Civilian Reporters? You could even make a point of patterning the figures after famous known individuals such as Ernie Pyle, Robert Capra, George Stevens, Billy Wilder, Margret Borke-White (Yes, a female combat photographer!), Russ Meyer and John Huston.
SEP 04, 2017 - 01:40 AM
The movie cameras all look to be B&H Eymo's with a three lens turret head. The point and shoot cameras could be almost anything; a Kodak or if the guy is VERY lucky a German Leica. (General Patton owned a Leica.) The bellows still cameras are the well known Graflex Press Cameras however they seem a tad small compared to the size of the figures be the most common 4x5 format size. They could however be the smaller, less popular 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 film format. p.s. At least one of the Eymo movie cameras really should have been the single lens model, (sans three lens turret.) This camera with only one lens was smaller and much more light weight - more common to be carried into combat.
SEP 04, 2017 - 01:51 AM
I wish!
SEP 04, 2017 - 03:44 AM
Col. Walter "Skippy" Halloran (Ret.) - 165th SPC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Joseph Karr - 167th Signal Photo Co. Somewhere near St. Vith - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ubach-Palenberg, Germany During the Battle of the Bulge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Just after the Battle of the Bulge .
SEP 04, 2017 - 04:13 AM
"I do not deserve to be counted among these men, I can only hope to honor these men." Your's truly with 4x5 Graphic and Patton Museum Halftrack :
SEP 04, 2017 - 04:48 AM
   
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