WWII U.S.Army Infantry GI Set
1:48 Scale - Kit No.32513
First Look by Terry Ashley

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The figures are based on poses from some of Tamiya’s 1:35 figure sets with four from set #35086 US Gun & Mortar Team, six from set #35192 US Army Infantry Set and five from the figures included with kit #35250 M4A3 Sherman 75mm (Frontline Breakthrough) with three infantry and two tank crew.

Breakdown of the figures is similar to the 1:35 figures but simplified in some areas due to the smaller size and fewer parts with most infantry figures having the belt ammo pouches as well as the squad leaders Thompson ammo pouches and a bandoleer included in the body mouldings.

A couple of the infantry figures wear the OD field jacket and HBT trousers with most wearing the M1943 field jacket and trousers with one tank crew with HBT suit and the other a winter combat jacket and all except the tank driver wear the M1 steel helmet.

Detail on the figures if fairly well done for this scale if a little soft in some places but overall the uniform details of collars, pockets and webbing are well defined with good fabric folds on the trousers and tunics but there is substantial mould seams on the figures that can easily be removed but take care not to take some detail with them.

Also included is a large selection of personal equipment such as canteens, entrenching tools, rucksacks and bayonets to add to the figures as required and the detail on these items is also nicely done for this scale.

The weapons are especially well done with a selection of six M1 Garands (two with rifle grenades attached), two M1 Carbines, two M1A1 Thompsons, two M1918A2 BARs, two Rocket Launcher M9 (Bazooka) and two Browning M1917 water cooled machine guns with separate tripod, water can and ammo belt.

All the weapons scale out exactly in size and have fine details included with just slings needed to finish off and help add finesse to the figures.

Assembly is straightforward with the fit of parts on the two assembled figures being very good especially when it came to positioning the weapons which had a natural sit in the hands without any trimming or modifications needed which is very good.

The box top and side illustrations of the figures and equipment can be used as painting guide with additional colour notes in the instructions.

Conclusion:
Overall a nice set of figures with good detail for the scale and a good selection of personal equipment with the weapons being noteworthy and there are plenty of figures in the set mostly in action poses that should find homes in different settings.

Highly recommended.

Kit courtesy of my Credit Card and the excellent service from Rainbow Ten.

Page created 25 July 2005