Plastic Soldier Review - Revell US Infantry

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Revell

Set 02503

US Infantry

All figures are supplied unpainted (Numbers of each pose in brackets)

Stats

Date Released	1990
Contents	47 figures
Poses	13 poses
Material	Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours	Green

Average Height

23 mm (= 1.66 m)

Review

US infantry saw service in many parts of the World during World War II, and consequently their appearance varied considerably. However from the box artwork and references in the Revell catalogue it is clear that this set is meant to depict troops during the winter of 1944/45, particularly during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes.

These troops are wearing quite standard US gear for this period. Most have the M1943 field jacket, and a few are wearing a greatcoat, though this was not a popular item when in action as it was heavy. The second figure in the second row seems to wear the third type mackinow jacket, and all wear the M1 steel helmet, with camouflage net in some cases. The straps of this were normally worn untied and hanging as a tied helmet caught in a blast could, at least in the opinion of many GIs, break the neck of the wearer, but most of these figures seem to have theirs tied. The short 'double buckle' combat boots, which were again normal issue at this stage, are to be seen on all the figures. The webbing is all correct, though many men are very lightly equipped with just a canteen and entrenching tool, and some seem to be missing some of the ammunition pouches on the waistbelt. However a few have a full haversack, which might be left behind when combat was expected.

The small arms are also quite correct. Most carry Garands or carbines, and there is also a Thompson and a BAR. The ammunition carried by each man is appropriate to his weapon, so for example the standing firing figure is using a Thompson M1A1 .45 calibre sub machine gun, and on his belt he carries the five-magazine pouch rig. The officer is using a SCR536 radio, which was employed at platoon level, but also holds a pistol, which was no longer used by officers well before the Ardennes battle.

Many 20th century sets have a group piece on a separate base - this one has two. One is an 81mm mortar being loaded, although the crewman should be armed with a pistol, but this one has a carbine slung across his back. The other piece is of an M2 HB Browning .50 calibre machine gun with two crew. Unfortunately the trigger of the gun does not fit into the open hands of the man firing it without trimming, though this may actually be deliberate. Overall, however, these are both nicely done and they fit together well.

The poses are reasonable but unexceptional, though they have all been well done. The sculptor has managed to get real movement into the figures in a way frequently not evident in other sets. Accuracy is good all round, though we would have expected to see the man firing the bazooka with some rounds on him, or at least the carrier. This figure should also have another man feeding the rounds into the weapon, but this has been omitted from the set.

Though there was some flash to be removed, this is a fine set that accurately reflects its subject and covers an interesting and crucial period in the 'European Theatre of Operations'.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	9
Pose Quality	9
Pose Number	8
Sculpting	10
Mould	9

Further Reading

Books
"American Web Equipment 1910-1967" - Crowood (Europa Militaria Series No.33) - Martin J Brayley - 9781861268327
"Battle of the Ardennes 1944 (1)" - Osprey (Campaign Series No.115) - Steven Zaloga - 9781841765600
"Battle of the Bulge 1944 (2)" - Osprey (Campaign Series No.145) - Steven Zaloga - 9781841768106
"Infantry Weapons of World War II" - David & Charles - Jan Suermont - 9780715319253
"Patton's Third Army" - Greenhill (GI Series No.10) - Christopher Anderson - 9781853672903
"The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II" - Amber - Chris Bishop - 9781905704460
"The Fall of Fortress Europe" - Greenhill (GI Series No.18) - Christopher Anderson - 9781853673795
"The US Army in World War II (1) The Pacific" - Osprey (Men-at-Arms Series No.342) - Mark Henry - 9781855329959
"The US Army in World War II (2) The Mediterranean" - Osprey (Men-at-Arms Series No.347) - Mark R Henry - 9781841760858
"The US Army in World War II (3) North West Europe" - Osprey (Men-at-Arms Series No.350) - Mark Henry - 9781841760865
"The War in Europe" - Greenhill (GI Series No.1) - John P Langellier - 9781853672200
"The World War II GI" - Crowood - Richard Windrow - 9781847970336
"United States Army Uniforms: Europe 1944-45" - Arms & Armour Press (Uniforms Illustrated Series No.14) - Cameron Laughlin - 9780853687276
"US Army Uniforms of World War II" - Stackpole - Shelby Stanton - 9780811725958
"US Infantryman in World War II (2) Mediterranean Theater of Operations 1942–45" - Osprey (Warrior Series No.53) - Robert Rush - 9781841763316
"US Infantryman in World War II (3) European Theater of Operations 1944–45" - Osprey (Warrior Series No.56) - Robert Rush - 9781841763323

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