Kit Review: Hobby Fan 1/35 scale figure set No. HF 384; British Churchill Tank Crew Alamein - Three Figures; 12 parts in tan resin; estimated price US$25
Advantages: perfect for the new AFV Club Churchill series tank kits; very well sculpted
Disadvantages: must be posed in tank; more suitable for Italy and later operations
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all Commonwealth fans
One of the biggest news items of the years for Commonwealth modelers was the pending release of a new Churchill kit from AFV Club, and in concert with them now Hobby Fan has released a lovely set of figures for that kit. While the box art advertises them as =93Alamein=94 period, they are basically pretty standard Commonwealth figures (British uppermost in that meaning) with berets. Two figures have long trousers and one has shorts.
Each figure consists of a one-piece torso and leg component, separate arms and head. The commander figure has a microphone in his right hand and headsets, and is nearly vertical. The gunner or loader figure also wears headsets but has a short pipe in his left hand. The driver figure (in shorts) is posed sitting on the egde of the driver=92s hatch opening and holding onto the front flap.
Molding is crisp and the figures are very nicely done. While as noted they may not be apropos for a Churchill at El Alamein, they are also going to be very useful for other kits such as the DML Sherman II or the Bronco A13 kit which are also due out.
Thanks to Hobby Fan Trading Company for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell