Introduction

When ICM announced the WW1 Austro-Hungarian Infantry Weapons and Equipment set it attracted a fair amount of attention. This product was I believe one of the first new WW1 products announced with the centenary of the start of World War 1 fast approaching.

Contents

ICM has supplied 2 identical tan sprues and an instruction sheet. The sprues are packaged in a re-sealable plastic sleeve and packaged in a box with a good image of the included parts on the box top.

Review

Upon opening the box of this set from ICM one thing really stood out, and that is effort that ICM has put into this offering. I happily admit that WW1 Austro-Hungarian infantry weapons and equipment are something I know nothing about; I have used best judgement to identify the weapons with any certainty. With that said here is a breakdown of the contents;

• 6 Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 rifles
• 6 Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 rifles carbine
• 2 M1908 Heavy MG
• 2 M1912 Heavy MG
• 4 Steyr M1912 pistols
• 4 Steyr M1912 pistol holster
• 6 daggers
• 6 daggers in scabbard
• 6 bayonets
• 2 bayonets of a different pattern
• 2 bayonets in scabbard
• 2 bayonets in scabbard different type
• 6 stick grenades
• 4 hand grenades
• 4 hand grenades different type
• 4 ammunition boxes
• 2 ammunition belts
• 12 x 2 ammunition pouches
• 2 picks
• 2 picks in hanging cover
• 2 entrenching tools
• 6 entrenching tools in webbing
• 2 spades
• 6 helmets
• 2 snipers shields
• 2 types of water canteens (6 of each)
• 2 wire cutters
• 6 heating vessels
• 4 closed mess tins
• 2 open mess tins
• 2 mess tin lids

The injection moulded plastic parts are of a very high standard, with some particularly fine parts in the product. The parts are free of flash and very cleanly moulded; the only possible fault is the bottom of the closed mess tins which have a slight shrink mark in their centre. Most of the parts in this set do not require any assembly with the exception of the rifles, ammunition boxes and heavy machine guns. The rifles have separate bolts and bayonet attachment point, and the ammunition boxes are split in half with a separate lid. The heavy machine guns are very well detailed and with a surprising number of parts; they have the option of a gun shield and shoulder rests, which I feel the modeller can choose how they wish to finish them.

Conclusion

ICM has done a very good job with this set due to the high number of parts in the product and the very good detail; in particular the heavy machine guns. The firearms will require the tip of the barrel is drilled to improve the finished look further. The thinness of the blades on the bayonets and daggers is also worthy of praise. While listed as a World War One set I believe a large amount of it would be more than suitable for World War Two use, at least the early war use if not the whole of WW2.