Model Armour

Close Combat US Tank Crew

Manufacturer: MiniArt

Scale: 1/35

Material: Styrene

Serial Number: 35135

Price: £8.09 (ModelHobbies)

Introduction

MiniArt from the Ukraine, began making plastic kits in 2003, and has rapidly made a name for themselves, not only producing vehicle kits, but also diorama bases and a wide range of figure sets, both historical and military in nature.

Kit Contents

The kit contents are just two sprues of grey styrene, on which are the parts to make five figures representing a US WWII tank crew, all in various action poses. The parts are nicely moulded, although there is a small amount of flash that will need to be carefully cleaned off, although it isn't really a problem as this would disappear in the normal course of preparation. The parts breakdown is almost entirely conventional, in that we're supplied with separate upper torso, legs, arms, heads and headgear, although the headgear itself is slightly unusual in that the fibre tankers helmets are supplied with separate ear and neck pieces. As you can see from the box art, each of the five figures are posed holding weapons, all of which are supplied in the set...apart from the .50 cal, which isn't.

Two of the figures are sculpted wearing the one-piece tankers overalls, with pistol holster and belt, one with steel helmet, the other with tankers fibre helmet, both with goggles on helmets, although as these too are supplied as separate parts they can be left off if desired. One of these two overalled figures is the one firing the .50 cal, whilst the other is posed, standing, leaning to one side with a 'Grease gun' or SMG M3 in a firing position.

The other three figures are all sculpted wearing the lined field jackets, two of which are worn over overalls, the other kneeling figure wearing canvas leggings over trousers. Two of these three figures have the Grease gun, whilst one of the kneeling figures has a Colt M1911 pistol in his right hand.

Conclusion

Another great figure set from MiniArt! On a personal level I much prefer 'relaxed' poses, although I am aware that 'action' poses are popular with some modellers for dioramas, and I'm sure these will prove very popular indeed!

My thanks to MiniArt for the review sample!