The first set in the #8220;SQUAD48#8221; range is a five figure WWII US Tank Crew in the
ETO consisting of 3 full and 2 half figures wearing both the OD field Jacket and
the one piece HBT suit. A nicely detailed M3 Submachine gun (#8220;grease gun#8221;) is
included as a bonus.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/989774/SQUAD48a.jpg
Comprising a total of 13 parts in grey green resin, the parts have very nice but
a bit soft details with only the usual casting blocks and a bit of flash to be
removed before assembly and painting. The quality of the casting is very good.
Yet, some care will be necessary while removing the casting blocks on the
Co-Driver figure because of the less favorable placement of the casting blocks
between the arms and the upper body as there#8217;s the chance of damaging the nice
fold detail of the jacket in this area.
The standing figure has the body in a single casting in a relaxed pose with a
grin on his face and the head wearing a well detailed tankers leather helmet
with goggles included as a separate part. He#8217;s wearing an OD field jacket and a
pistol holster. There is a minor casting seam on the inside of the legs as a
consequence of the full body casting but nothing difficult to deal with.
The smoking Tank Commander wearing a winter combat trousers has one arm moulded
with the upper body including the shoulder holster and the crossed legs in one
piece with his left arm holding a cigarette and his head with the M1 steel
helmet being separate parts. The details on the uniforms is very nice with good
definition in the area around the holster.
The body of the sitting figure is cast as a single part with separate arms and
head also wearing a very nice tankers leather helmet with goggles. He too is
cast in a relaxed pose with his hand resting on the turret roof.
Details on all figures is excellent with nice fabric folds on the trousers and
jackets for a very natural sit.
A note on the Driver and Co-Driver figures. Because of the posing these two
figures should change the positions compared with the placing given on the
images. Driver and Co-Driver have the upper body only with the Co-Driver being
cast in one piece and the Driver having a separate head. The Co-Driver (s.o.) is
posed with his arms resting on the hatch sill of the right hull hatch and wears
only the winter wool cover often worn under the helmet in cold weather while the
Driver is moulded with his hand at the steering levers wearing the leather
tankers helmet with goggles included. Again both heads have excellent facial
features and good detail on the uniforms.
The fit of the resin parts is very good with the collar-up jackets on the
figures ensuring for precise location of the heads in the neck opening. The
different facial expressions add a lot of character to the figures.
Sole painting guide are the images on the boxing .
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/989774/SQUAD48c.jpg
Conclusion:
A very nice tank crew set that should be popular with all fans of Allied tanks.
It will look good in/on both the new TAMIYA M4 Sherman as well as the older M4A1
or M4A3 kits from BANDAI having the turret Loader’s hatch, but it’s also
suitable for other US tanks in ETO.
HTH
Frank (Moderator BTL)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/born-too-late
My sincere thanks to YS Wong from “ArtOfWar” for the figure set!