Normandy Campaign U.S. Figure Sets
Dragon Kits No. 6234, 6235, 6236, 6237, 6238(Left to right)
1:35th Scale
Reviews by Terry Ashley
New Weapons/Equipment Sprue:
The new parts not only include weapons but several other useful items to use
in conjunction with the figures for alternative appearances and the same sprue
is included in all five figure sets.
There are four bare heads with nice facial features and full heads of hair so they can be used without the helmets if required while the four M1 Steel helmets are hollow inside to fit the full heads and two have no cover with one having net covering and the other the net and foliage attached.
There are also 2 x M1910 Intrenching Shovel, 3 x M1943 Intrenching Shovel (folding) and 4 x Canteens with cover plus two large logs that form part of the sprue outer edge and can be used for any purpose you see fit?
The weapons included are;
3 x M1 Garand (also with rifle grenade and bayonet)
2 x M1A1 Carbine with folding stock
1 x M1918A2 BAR with bipod (both folded and extended included)
2 x M1A1 Thompson SMG
1 x M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka" with ammunition
2 x M1911A1 Colt .45 Automatic in M1916 Holster
3 x M3 Trench Knife in scabbard
2 x German Tellermine 42 (often seen attached to logs and other beach obstacles)
The details on the weapons is very good with fine details included with the infantry weapons (M1, M1A1, BAR and Thompson) being far nicer than with the original weapons which are still included with the sets so it is easy to see the improvement with the new weapons, all that is needed is to add the various weapons slings.
With the Bazooka there are several separate parts to be added to the main rocket tube but no assembly instructions so some additional reference will be needed and there are two rockets with separate rear fins and the canvas rocket carrying bag.
The details on this new sprue are well done and add a new dimension to the re-released figure sets.
Individual figure sets:
Each set as mentioned is a re-issue of previous sets with the quality of the
sets all we have come to expect from Dragon with nice uniform details and
facial features.
The figures in each set are broken down with upper torso, arms, heads, helmets and both legs all separate parts which allows for good detail with only the usual moulding seams to be removed.
Set #6234 U.S. Airborne Normandy 1944
The four figures wear the typical Paratrooper coat and trousers with a good
selection of personal equipment with three wearing the M1 Steel Helmet while
the forth has a full head with the distinctive Mohican hair style worn by some
101st airborne troops on D-Day.
The original weapons sprue has 1 x M1 Garand bayonet, 2 x M1A1 Carbine with
folding stock, 1 x M1A1 Thompson SMG and 1 x M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka".
A small instruction sheet has colour illustrations of the figures calling out
the parts by number and giving a guide for the painting.
Set #6235 U.S. Rangers Normandy 1944
These four figures wear the 1943 HBT combat fatigues with service shoes and
leggings with one also wearing U.S. Assault fest and two with the M1926 US
Navy life belt with all four wearing the M1 Steel Helmet with a single Wool
Knit Cap to substitute for a bit of variety.
There is a good selection of rucksacks, ammo packs, first aid packs, trenching
tools and gas mask bags to fully kit out the figures how you wish.
The original weapons are from set #6021 with 1 x M1 Garand, 1 x M1 Garand with
grenade, 1 x M1A1 Thompson SMG and 1 x BAR.
A small instruction sheet has colour illustrations of the figures calling out
the parts by number and giving a guide for the painting.
Set #6236 U.S. Infantry 2nd Armored Division Normandy 1944
This set again has four figures all wearing the two-piece camouflage suit worn
for a short time after the D-Day landings but were quickly withdrawn as the
similarity with the Waffen-SS camouflage pattern saw some cases of mistaken
identity.
There is also a good selection of ammo packs, first aid packs, water bottles
and trenching tools to kit out the figures.
The original weapons are from set #6802 U.S. Marines, Korea 1950/51 with 2
x M1 Garand, 1 x M1 Carbine and 1 x BAR plus a Thompson SMG on the figure sprue.
A small instruction sheet has colour illustrations of the figures calling out
the parts by number and giving a guide for the painting.
Set #6237 U.S. Army Anti-Tank Team
This four figure set has two figures wearing the OD field Jacket with OD HBT
trousers with two wearing the two piece HBT combat fatigues with all wearing
the M1 Steel Helmet again with a good selection of ammo packs, first aid
packs, water bottles and trenching tools to kit out the figures.
There is a large selection of weapons with this set, one sprue from Set #6010
with 1 x M1 Garand bayonet, 2 x M1A1 Carbine with folding stock, 1 x M1A1 Thompson
SMG and 1 x M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka". A sprue from set #6021
with 1 x M1 Garand, 1 x M1 Garand with grenade, 1 x M1A1 Thompson SMG and 1
x BAR and the sprue from Set #6038 U.S. Marines (Iwo Jima 1945) which has 1
x M1 Garand with bayonet, 1 x BAR, 1 x M9A1 late pattern Rocket Launcher "Bazooka" plus
a shotgun and flamethrower unit which wouldn’t be used with this figure
set.
Finally there are the weapons from Set #6020 German Volkssturm (Berlin 1945)
with an MP40, K98 Rifle, G43 Rifle and Panzerfaust.
Again there is a small instruction sheet has colour illustrations of the figures
calling out the parts by number and giving a guide for the painting.
Set #6238 U.S. Tank Crew
This
five figure set has three full figures and two half figures, with one full
figure wearing the OD field Jacket with OD trousers with Winter Combat Jacket,
the second wears the one piece HBT suit and Winter Combat Jacket while the
third wears the Winter Combat Trousers with Winter Combat Jacket while the
two half
figures wear the Winter Combat Jacket.
Three wear the leather Tankers Helmet, one the M1 Steel Helmet and the fifth
wears only the winter wool cover often worn under the Tankers Helmet.
The figures
mostly have the collars moulded separate from the upper body for better detail
definition and include separate side flaps for the Tankers Helmet.
The weapons included in the set are 1 x M3 Submachine gun, 1 x M1911A1 Colt
.45 Automatic and 1 x M1911A1 Colt .45 Automatic in M7 Shoulder Holster plus
a U.S. style Jerry Can and personal ammo and first aid pouches.
Again there is a small instruction sheet has colour illustrations of the figures
calling out the parts by number and giving a guide for the painting.
Conclusion:
If you haven’t already bought these figure sets then the added weapons
and equipment sprue should be just the incentive and probably a good reason
to get even if you have the original sets as you never have enough Allied figure
sets, do you?
Figure sets courtesy of my Credit Card and the excellent service from Rainbow Ten.
Page created 10 July 2004
Updated 13 July 2004