British Forces Infantry Patrol - 1:48 Airfix

[Mike]

British Forces Infantry Patrol

1:48 Airfix

A set of 1:48 figures from Airfix is a nice surprise, especially when they are modern British Army, another rarity in injection styrene. This set is an accompaniment to the Operation Herrick series that is being released by Airfix to include the WMIK & Snatch Land Rovers, Lynx and the forthcoming Merlin helicopters, as well as a couple of nifty resin buildings to complete the diorama potential.

The set includes eight figures in various poses, and on opening the end of the standard figure sized box, you are confronted with an unusual looking sprue with flat edges reminiscent of the "olden days". The parts aren't at all retro in their moulding though, and are well sculpted, with a good portrayal of the Osprey body armour used by the Army, including MOLLE loops for attaching pouches to the front, sides and rear of the vest. The Mk.6 kevlar helmet is similarly well moulded, and a number of the figures have knee pads that are often worn in-theatre these days. One chap is sporting only the one as is sometimes the case, to protect the favoured kneeling knee, whilst sparing the other from the chaffing of the straps of non-integrated pads. Radios, pouches and backpacks are similarly well done, and of course the ubiquitous L98A-2, sporting the newer RIS railed handguard and foregrip, with two of the older type with smooth handgrip. A pair of LSW (Light Support Weapon) machine guns complete the weapons supply, and one is usually carried by a member of a patrol for support of the squad.

From the box, you can build five walking soldiers, and three crouching, one of whom has a hand raised in the "stop" signal to the rest of the troop. Construction is straightforward, with separate arms, heads and appropriate legs where moulding dictates. Backpacks and weapons are also separate parts, allowing some degree of customisation if you wish. Each soldier is supplied with oval base, which is probably supplied for the younger modeller to play with after construction.

There are no decals in the set, but the full-colour painting diagram gives all of the colours necessary to paint the camouflage uniforms, including samples of Desert DPM, which is being phased out in favour of the newer Multicam based European MTP pattern. A sample of the traditional European DPM is also given if you plan on painting your troop in service outside the desert environment.

Conclusion

Moulding is good, as is the sculpting of the figures, so don't be put off by the chunky sprues. This is every inch a modern set, and with careful painting should really look the part. Painting the camo pattern convincingly will be the hardest part to tackle, and if some enterprising decal manufacturer were to provide some sheets of the various patterns, similar to the ones sometimes found in Trumpeter figure sets, I'm sure the job would be made easier.

Full marks to Airfix for providing us with this set. A set to crew a Merlin, including sitting soldiers, medics etc. would make a good addition, as would standing soldiers about to board or just disembarked from a Merlin or Chinook.

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[GMK]

Thanks Mike,

Nice review. I picked the set up based on your review. I agree: overall very nice. The only 'improves' would be more (or all) helmets with brackets for night vision goggles (only two of the eight is so fitted), one of the L85 fitted with a 40mm underslung grenade launcher and one soldier carrying a GPMG.

With those 'improves' (IMO) the set would've been 9.5/10!

Greg

Edited November 4, 2012 by GMK

[John_W]

There are diferences in the pockets and buttonsetc between 95 patern (aka DPM) and the new MTP, though there was an interim issue of MTP in 95 style.

Osprey body armour was only ever produced in Desert DPM appart from a few very rare prototypes. You will see training photos of Osprey over temperate DPM, but you may wish to add yellow mags and BFAs if you chose a temperate scheme.

[pte1643]

The Mk.6 kevlar helmet is similarly well moulded

Kevlar?

Surely you mean Balistic Grade Nylon old chap.

[Rob P]

Nice, just wish they'd give us a Lynx/Merlin crew too.

[Mike]

You know, I'm sure I read somewhere that the Merlin crew is in the offing? Could have imagined that though

[paul_c]

There are diferences in the pockets and buttonsetc between 95 patern (aka DPM) and the new MTP, though there was an interim issue of MTP in 95 style.

Osprey body armour was only ever produced in Desert DPM appart from a few very rare prototypes. You will see training photos of Osprey over temperate DPM, but you may wish to add yellow mags and BFAs if you chose a temperate scheme.

 

Yeah, it's a pity this set was released just as all CS95 pattern combats were being replaced by the new PCS pattern MTP kit. Like you say John, the interim CS95 MTP can be modelled but this was only around in theatre for a year or so (I do still see it worn in now and again, mainly by RAF and RN guys but very rarely). Although, at this scale, to modify the 95 pattern to PCS you only really need to remove all of the buttons and add something to represent the velcro-attached arm patches. As for the Osprey, it is now being issued in MTP.

 

All very complicated so if you want to represent a certain period of time make sure your references are spot on as there have been plenty of mixes in uniform as and when the new pattern kit has become available in stores.......

[John_W]

Yeah, it's a pity this set was released just as all CS95 pattern combats were being replaced by the new PCS pattern MTP kit. Like you say John, the interim CS95 MTP can be modelled but this was only around in theatre for a year or so (I do still see it worn in now and again, mainly by RAF and RN guys but very rarely). Although, at this scale, to modify the 95 pattern to PCS you only really need to remove all of the buttons and add something to represent the velcro-attached arm patches. As for the Osprey, it is now being issued in MTP.

All very complicated so if you want to represent a certain period of time make sure your references are spot on as there have been plenty of mixes in uniform as and when the new pattern kit has become available in stores.......

Just been issued with MTP myself. Might take some photos for the "Walkaround" section.

The patern is very complex and is going to be very dificult to replicate in 1/48 as it alternates sharp and feathered edges.

Yeah, it's a pity this set was released just as all CS95 pattern combats were being replaced by the new PCS pattern MTP kit. Like you say John, the interim CS95 MTP can be modelled but this was only around in theatre for a year or so (I do still see it worn in now and again, mainly by RAF and RN guys but very rarely). Although, at this scale, to modify the 95 pattern to PCS you only really need to remove all of the buttons and add something to represent the velcro-attached arm patches. As for the Osprey, it is now being issued in MTP.

All very complicated so if you want to represent a certain period of time make sure your references are spot on as there have been plenty of mixes in uniform as and when the new pattern kit has become available in stores.......

Just been issued with MTP myself. Might take some photos for the "Walkaround" section.

The patern is very complex and is going to be very dificult to replicate in 1/48 as it alternates sharp and feathered edges.