Kit Review: Miniart 1/35 scale Kit No. 35071; British Soldiers Tank Riders; 75 parts in grey styrene; retail price US$16.50
Advantages: Commonwealth figure sets always welcome; nice poses and useful fittings as well as good weapons
Disadvantages: desert/hot climate areas only
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all Commonwealth and especially North African modelers
While it seems other manufacturers have either dropped the ball or flatly ignored modelers building other than German subjects, Miniart has seized the high ground and been producing one nice set of Commonwealth figures after another. This one now provides a tank commander with steel helmet and four =93squaddies=94 riding on a tank. The nice thing is that since they are general poses they can be used with any British tank in North Africa, Sicily or other warm climate theaters.
The commander has a set of headphones and microphone (provide your own wires) and is leaning forward on a hatch combing or hatch cover. The other four are either sitting or leaning against the back section of a tank engine deck with one man with a Bren gun and one with an Enfield on watch. All have short pants and short sleeve shirts with high stockings and shoes.
Each figure consists of six parts - head, torso, arms and legs =96 and comes with a weapon and basic kit such as bayonet, water bottle, and pack. All are well sculpted and nicely done.
The directions are my least favorite =93stick here and paint like the box art=94 type but at least a =93cheat sheet=94 for finding the parts for each figure is included.
Overall this is a nice and very useful set and should brighten up any of the recent Commonwealth tank kits =96 Shermans, Valentines, A13 Cruisers, or Grants.
Thanks to Bob Lewen of MRC for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell