Post by Smudge on May 30, 2012 7:40:23 GMT -5
Hi all
This is just quick kit preview while I have a few minutes to spare.
Introduction:
Bronco recently released a kit of the Bofors 40mm L/60 Anti-Aircraft Gun (Canadian Version), kit# CB35028.
To go with this kit they have also released a six man gun crew; British/Commonwealth Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew Set# CB35084. These figures are the feature of this preview.
The six man crew consists of the aimer No.1 standing behind the left-hand layer No.2, and right hand layer No3. These are supported by the loader No4 who is supplied with ammunition by two gunners No5 and 6.
The figures; a first look:
The figures come in Bronco’s usual open ended box. The artwork isn’t up to Bronco’s usual standards but it’s perfectly acceptable. The reverse carries the painting guide, parts map list of recommended paints; from Gunze Sangyo, Hobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya.
The set comes in a sealed plastic bag to avoid parts getting lost. In total there are three sprues; two for the figures (three figures per sprue) and one small sprue for the helmets. In total there are 55 parts in tan coloured styrene. The figures follow the usual multipart construction…torso, separate arms, legs and heads. Some have separate hands. The figures work out at around 48-50mm which is about 5’8’’ or so, perfectly acceptable IMHO. There is a small amount of flash and minor seams lines to contend with; but nothing out of the ordinary. The heads are fairly good, all having different features and good character…and these have helmet straps moulded in place. The clothing is very well done, with good creases and folds in place. The various buckles and straps are very well represented.
I haven’t built any of these yet but based on other Broncos figures I have constructed fit is normally very good, with little or no filler being required.
Uniforms and equipment:
The figures are all wearing the early Battle Dress Serge or 1940 Pattern BD. This makes the figures suitable from 1938 to the end of the war because although superseded by the ‘Austerity Pattern’ from June 1942 they were never fully replaced. It also makes them suitable for Canadian troops whose BD uniform was based on the early pre 1942 patterns. Note the figures aren’t wearing webbing of any kind.
Equipment is limited to Mk1/Mk2 steel helmets and respirator haversacks for the early war Small Box Respirator. The straps for the haversack is moulded in place along with the string that fastened around the back to stop them bouncing about. Note only five haversacks are provided, and the chests of the figures are flattened slightly to accommodate these; these are I think a great addition. The helmets don’t quite capture the look of the ‘Tommy helmet’ I think the rims are slightly too small.
40mm ammunition clips aren’t provided for the three figures (crew numbers 4-6) and this is highlighted on the box front. Is this a problem? These are provided in the Bofors kit after all; well yes it may be a little if you want to make sure the ammo fits in the hands correctly…you will need ammo clips at the figure construction stage to ensure a positive fit.
I would say the dress makes them more suitable for static AA positions like British Home Defence ( pre 1943-44) units or maybe Mediterranean detachments like Malta ( pre 1944-but maybe to the end of the war) during the colder months when BD would be worn. These Bofors photos are from the Newark Expo 2009 to give an idea of such a static home defence AA site; the figures would be great for something like this especially.
I haven’t spotted any obvious errors apart from the cuffs of figure C (see picture) and I reckon this is down to an error on the painting instructions. This figure represents the aimer No.1 or Stiffkey Sight operator, and period photos of this crew member, at times, shows them wearing leather gauntlets. I would paint them as such.
Note that there unlike other releases of Bronco’s no insignia decals are provided. A great source of rank transfers are available from Archers Fine Transfers.
Conclusion:
I think this is a great set of figures. Use is probably limited to the Bofors or similar because of their dress, but it’s possible they could be utilised for other subjects, if you want to represent British, Commonwealth or soldiers of occupied countries, without webbing and wearing respirator haversacks of course.
The flash is unusual for Bronco figures, but the seam lines minimal. Nothing that a sharp blade can’t cure! The problem with figure C hands really isn’t…in my humble opinion. I think the flattened chests limit the figure’s versatility because it’s difficult to portray them without the respirator haversack, without some remedial work to the uniform torso.
All we need now from Bronco, is a suitable tractor like the Bedford QLB 4x4 Bofors Gun Tractor, and an accessory set of ammunition, and the combination is pretty much complete.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Bronco for the review sample
References:• British Army Uniforms and Insignia of World War Two; B Davis, Arms & Armour Press 1993
• The British Army, 1939-45: Middle East & Mediterranean; M Brayley & M Chappell, Osprey Publishing 2002
• The British Soldier of the Second World War; Peter Doyle, Shire Library 2009
• World Army Uniforms Since 1939; Mollo, McGregor, Smith and Chappell, Blandford Press 1981
This is just quick kit preview while I have a few minutes to spare.
Introduction:
Bronco recently released a kit of the Bofors 40mm L/60 Anti-Aircraft Gun (Canadian Version), kit# CB35028.
To go with this kit they have also released a six man gun crew; British/Commonwealth Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew Set# CB35084. These figures are the feature of this preview.
The six man crew consists of the aimer No.1 standing behind the left-hand layer No.2, and right hand layer No3. These are supported by the loader No4 who is supplied with ammunition by two gunners No5 and 6.
The figures; a first look:
The figures come in Bronco’s usual open ended box. The artwork isn’t up to Bronco’s usual standards but it’s perfectly acceptable. The reverse carries the painting guide, parts map list of recommended paints; from Gunze Sangyo, Hobby Color, Humbrol and Tamiya.
The set comes in a sealed plastic bag to avoid parts getting lost. In total there are three sprues; two for the figures (three figures per sprue) and one small sprue for the helmets. In total there are 55 parts in tan coloured styrene. The figures follow the usual multipart construction…torso, separate arms, legs and heads. Some have separate hands. The figures work out at around 48-50mm which is about 5’8’’ or so, perfectly acceptable IMHO. There is a small amount of flash and minor seams lines to contend with; but nothing out of the ordinary. The heads are fairly good, all having different features and good character…and these have helmet straps moulded in place. The clothing is very well done, with good creases and folds in place. The various buckles and straps are very well represented.
I haven’t built any of these yet but based on other Broncos figures I have constructed fit is normally very good, with little or no filler being required.
Uniforms and equipment:
The figures are all wearing the early Battle Dress Serge or 1940 Pattern BD. This makes the figures suitable from 1938 to the end of the war because although superseded by the ‘Austerity Pattern’ from June 1942 they were never fully replaced. It also makes them suitable for Canadian troops whose BD uniform was based on the early pre 1942 patterns. Note the figures aren’t wearing webbing of any kind.
Equipment is limited to Mk1/Mk2 steel helmets and respirator haversacks for the early war Small Box Respirator. The straps for the haversack is moulded in place along with the string that fastened around the back to stop them bouncing about. Note only five haversacks are provided, and the chests of the figures are flattened slightly to accommodate these; these are I think a great addition. The helmets don’t quite capture the look of the ‘Tommy helmet’ I think the rims are slightly too small.
40mm ammunition clips aren’t provided for the three figures (crew numbers 4-6) and this is highlighted on the box front. Is this a problem? These are provided in the Bofors kit after all; well yes it may be a little if you want to make sure the ammo fits in the hands correctly…you will need ammo clips at the figure construction stage to ensure a positive fit.
I would say the dress makes them more suitable for static AA positions like British Home Defence ( pre 1943-44) units or maybe Mediterranean detachments like Malta ( pre 1944-but maybe to the end of the war) during the colder months when BD would be worn. These Bofors photos are from the Newark Expo 2009 to give an idea of such a static home defence AA site; the figures would be great for something like this especially.
I haven’t spotted any obvious errors apart from the cuffs of figure C (see picture) and I reckon this is down to an error on the painting instructions. This figure represents the aimer No.1 or Stiffkey Sight operator, and period photos of this crew member, at times, shows them wearing leather gauntlets. I would paint them as such.
Note that there unlike other releases of Bronco’s no insignia decals are provided. A great source of rank transfers are available from Archers Fine Transfers.
Conclusion:
I think this is a great set of figures. Use is probably limited to the Bofors or similar because of their dress, but it’s possible they could be utilised for other subjects, if you want to represent British, Commonwealth or soldiers of occupied countries, without webbing and wearing respirator haversacks of course.
The flash is unusual for Bronco figures, but the seam lines minimal. Nothing that a sharp blade can’t cure! The problem with figure C hands really isn’t…in my humble opinion. I think the flattened chests limit the figure’s versatility because it’s difficult to portray them without the respirator haversack, without some remedial work to the uniform torso.
All we need now from Bronco, is a suitable tractor like the Bedford QLB 4x4 Bofors Gun Tractor, and an accessory set of ammunition, and the combination is pretty much complete.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Bronco for the review sample
References:• British Army Uniforms and Insignia of World War Two; B Davis, Arms & Armour Press 1993
• The British Army, 1939-45: Middle East & Mediterranean; M Brayley & M Chappell, Osprey Publishing 2002
• The British Soldier of the Second World War; Peter Doyle, Shire Library 2009
• World Army Uniforms Since 1939; Mollo, McGregor, Smith and Chappell, Blandford Press 1981
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