introduction

BRAVO-6 added a new pair to dynamic posed Army Infantry series-Rumble in Jungle. B6-35052 U.S. Army Inf.(3) Thumper Power includes two infantry soldiers depicting a M79 grenade launcher team. What makes me surprise and believe this kit will be a milestone for the company is that ; figure heads inside the kit come as seperate parts for the first time. BRAVO to Vladimir for such a great decision.

about M79

The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher which fires 40x46mm grenade cartridges. The stock is made from wood, and the butt is fitted with the rubber recoil pad. Open sights consist of a hooded front sight and an adjustable ladder-type rear.
First widely used in Vietnam, the M79 turned to be a complete success. Because of its distinctive report, it earned the nicknames of Thumper and Blooper among American soldiers. Australian units referred to it as the Wombat Gun. The M79 can fire a wide variety of 40 mm rounds, including explosive, anti-personnel, smoke, buckshot, flechette, and illumination. Reliable and quite accurate in the hands of a trained operators, it provided extremely mobile firepower to smallest of the infantry units. The key downside to the M79 was that it required the grenadier to carry an additional personal defense weapon, such as pistol or a submachine gun.

box

The figures come well packed in standard cardboard box of BRAVO-6. As always,front part of the box shows a photo of the assembled and painted figures which can serve as a basic painting guide.
Body parts and other small parts like heads, arms, personal gear and rifles are seperately inserted in small plastic zip-lock bags.

parts

Figures are sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko and come in grey resin. Parts are represented with the casting blocks which can be removed easily with no damage on the parts.. The junctions between figure parts and casting blocks were well placed and the parts can be easily removed from the blocks with no damage. No air bubbles, casting mistakes or excess resin on the parts, just a little flash resin due to casting which can be easily cleaned.

FIGURE #1
Posed half- kneeling to fire his grenade launcher,it comes in 13 parts.

Body : He wears standard uniform of 3rd pattern jungle jacket and trousers, jungle boots and M1956 pistol belt. Cloth folds, uniform details and harness of the backpack are well defined. Trotters are inserted into the boots to protect themselves from reptile dangers.He carries two M79 bandoliers crossed on his chest, with 6 pockets on each.

Head : Facial details, hair and moustache are well sculpted. I like the effect on the mouth and left eye closed as taking aim to a target.

Right and left arms : Posed to hold the grenade launcher, both show nice cloth folds.

M79 grenade laucher : Weapon details and hands on the launcher are well sculpted.

M1942 Machette in M1967 Self Sharpening Steath : It is a semi-hard plastic sheath with a swivel webbing attachment and self-sharpening device. It will be assembled to the rucksack.

Lightweight Tropical Rucksack with metal frame : One of the pockets is given as seperate part for the assembly of machette. A two pouch M18 Claymore mine bag, a bedroll and a M17 Gasmask case are cast on the frame with crisp details.

M1911A1 in leather holster

1 Qt canteen in canvas cover

Pouch of rucksack

1 Qt canteen

Snaplink for attaching equipment

Helmet with Mitchell pattern camo canvas cover and strap

FIGURE #2
Posed moving and leaning forward like a taking cover position, it comes in 15 parts.

Body : Over his tropical uniform, he wears a first pattern M79 ammo vest with a large velcro flap, 4 ammo pockets in front and two on the back. Each pockets is secured with three straps. Two M16 ammo pouches are cast on sides.

Head : Facial details and hair are well defined.

Right arm : Posed to carry his M16 rifle.

Left arm : Posed to hold his helmet with his hand. Both arms show nice cloth folds.

Rifle : He carries a M16 with XM148/ Colt CGL-4 grenade launcher. It was the first experimental prototype of M209. Details are well defined on the model.

Lightweight rucksack with metal frame : A Buttpack, a bedroll and a Compass pouch are cast on the frame.

M18 Claymore mine bag

M1956 E-tool in canvas cover

1 Qt canteen in canvas cover – 4 pieces

M18 Smoke grenade - 2 pieces

Helmet : Left hand is cast on the helmet as holding it.

A water-slide decal sheet with different types of insignia, ranks and nametags is given inside the kit.

conclusion

Another great pair of figures which can be displayed as a vignette or can be a part of a Nam dio.

Highly Recommended