MiniArt has released a bunch of figure sets this month for armoured
fighting vehicles and we have second in the series of US tank crews – this time
a dynamic looking set of tankers who look like they are outside the vehicle
fighting to escape the battlefield – let’s look at the parts in our review...
MiniArt “Close Combat
U.S. Tank Crew”
Kit Number: 35135
Scale: 1/35th
Material: Injection
moulded
Contents: 2 light
grey sprues / 5 figures
Available from: MiniArt’s Distributors near you
This box is usual fare for MiniArt collectors – a white box
with the five figures captured this time in action packed poses – this tank
crew are fighting OUTSIDE their vehicle. The figures look to me like a crew
that have bailed out – as they have their tanker helmets on. Only one of this
crew are really fighting from the tank – one of the figures is firing the
.50cal machine gun with his M1 helmet and goggles on.
This set of a United States tank crew comes on two small
sprues of light grey plastic. These sprues are divided neatly up into sections
with each crew member to a section of the sprue to make the construction
easier.
The colours are listed on the bottom rear of the box with Vallejo, testors, Tamiya, Humbrol, Revell, Mr. Color, and Life Color shades as well – so you would have to pretty much have some odd sources of paint for them not to have you covered! This is the most extensive colour call out I have seen in recent times, and I think all model makers should try to do this. Not everyone has the exact brand of paint the kit makers like or have some deal with.
The plastic itself is pretty well moulded. You however have a lot of the
seam flash that more than often come with injection moulded figure kits; it is
pretty thin though so it is easy to remove. It is however on nearly every part.
You will have to trim them all but this wouldn’t take too much work. There are
no faults, short shots or other injection imperfections in these figures. In
fact the subtlety in some of the overalls and clothing belies a resin kit – the
quality of the sculpt is excellent for injection moulded figures. Just the flash LOOKS worse than it is.
The most important parts of these figures for mine are the
faces. Even though they have a seam either side of them the faces are all
different to each other and look well sculpted. There is some real skill in the
creation of each of these and the expressions and features like lips and brows
all look different – with some skilful painting these can turn out great.
We will go through each figure individually - starting with
the figure “A” through “E” on the back box art.
The soldier has the long tankers coveralls with a double
pronged belt on as well as a colt pistol holder with the “U.S” clearly readable
on it. On his head the tanker wears a Tank Helmet M-1940 with “US Resistol “goggles
- of which there are three pairs of in this kit - separate from helmets so they can be included
or left out as to your discretion.
He carries no gun and his hands are moulded in a way that he
is firing a double vertically triggered gun – so it pretty much fits in with a
Fifty Cal which would sit on top of most allied vehicles.
Tanker B is seen squatting
on one knee looking on anxiously while his comrades fight it out with the
enemy.
The figure wears spats over his shoes and some thick woollen
pants, plus a Winter Combat Jacket complete with an elasticated collar. This
tanker comes with a three part M1938 tanker's helmet.
A pistol is moulded in this tanker’s hand so this could mean
he is the officer – although he has no patches or other distinguishing marks on
him it is impossible to tell in this kit really – maybe figure A as he has the helmet
for being outside the vehicle on instead of a padded number – I am not sure. The
5th armoured badge shows on his sleeve on the artwork but the patch isn’t
on the plastic.
Actually the pistol isn’t
this kit’s finest hour – and will need to be trimmed of a bit of flash, which
this kit has a fair share of. This extra plastic (free) isn’t a big deal though
– and after a little clean up this kit comes up o.k. The holster for the pistol
however is smartly moulded with no pistol in it!!
Tanker C is peering around
his shoulder looking backwards towards his right hand side.
The tanker is wearing the US tanker’s coverall, boots and a
helmet with goggles. He hasn’t a pistol on in the box-art but there is one
included on his part of the sprue. You could add these pistols to any of these
troopers I suppose – This soldier carries a close combat “grease gun” stamped
metal light machine pistol. These were favoured by US tankers in the war for their
small size and extendible stock. Our versions are pretty good here – but there
is again some flash to be cleaned up especially very delicately around these
stocks.
This soldier has a place for a corporal’s stripes on the sleeve
of his winter jacket he is wearing as well as the patch for the 5th armoured on
his shoulder - that is great – but we don't have either a decal or transfer for
these emblems, it would have been a great addition and a shame it isn’t with
the kit.
Tanker D is facing straight
forward “letting someone have it” with his grease gun”
The soldier wears some nicely weighted US tanker coveralls
with a webbing belt, boots with a M38 tanker’s helmet - and the goggles on the
front of course.
An interesting thing about these helmets a that they were
actually issued with the tank rather than to each soldier, and they were made
by four companies; Rawlings Manufacturing Corporation, Sears Saddlery Company,
Wilson Athletic Goods Manufacturing Company, and A.G. Spaulding & Brothers.
Though essentially built to the same specifications, there were slight
variations across the four manufacturers in terms of small details.
This figure’s legs are in an interesting position on the box
art – slightly skewed to one side and twisting to get his body behind the
centre of gravity. His legs are not as twisted on this kit as they are on the
boxart however - and his pose is straighter on.
Tanker E is kneeling down leaning
towards his right hand side slightly lower as if to be peeking around or
talking to others on that side – he carries a grease gun and pistol in holster
at the ready.
His coveralls are added to with the tanker’s winter short
jacket again with a 5th armour patch placement on the shoulder. He
is wearing some simple boots with no leggings and a tanker’s helmet and
goggles. This tanker has a strap around his chest to which the .38 pistol and
holster are attached like some of the other figures here.
This set of tankers is quite dynamic in their poses and
should suit a diorama maker after an action packed scene - maybe a wounded
soldier wouldn’t go astray?
A nice little set – which could do with some decals for the
patches on the arms but apart from that this is a great set which you could
split up or use all at once. Original in concept with the tankers fighting back
outside the vehicle I like them. Just make sure you clean those seams!!
Adam Norenberg
Thanks to MiniArt
for sending this set to review.
These a pic below from
the MiniArt site of these figures
constructed.
