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US Tank Crew – Special Edition (35391) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd During WWII US tank crews were dressed differently to their Army colleagues, due to the cramped confines within their armoured vehicles, the likelihood that they may be called upon to twirl the spanners if the machinery broke down, and the effects of banging your head against any of the many prominences inside and around the tank. They’re also specifically equipped with more compact weapons to fit the confines of their vehicles, and in WWII US tank crews typically carried the M3 Grease Gun or an M1911 pistol for self-defence, the latter sometimes on a close-fitting three-point body holster keeping the holstered weapon close to their torso and avoiding snagging themselves on the tank when inside. They typically wore overalls with a t-shirt underneath, and a leather jacket to keep the top half warm that may be outside the moving tank at times, with an almost universally worn perforated helmet with communications equipment in the ear flaps, sometimes coupled with a pair of polarised goggles to reduce glare, to protect their eyes from cold, and other dangers. This figure set contains five tankers dressed in typical US tanker overalls, M38 Rawlings tank helmets with headset and throat mic., and some with leather jackets. Inside the shrink-wrapped box are five sprues, two containing the figures, three their helmets, weapons and accessories, a sheet containing a sprue diagram, and a small decal sheet with rank insignia and unit badges. They’re all wearing tanker overalls, and two of them are wearing the short bomber jackets typical of tankers of the day. The two jacket wearers are most likely senior in the crew and are stood in their hatches leaning on the surrounds, while the three others appear to be lounging on the exterior of the vehicle, with one possibly inside the driver’s hatch, but at rest. Each form-fitting helmet is made from four parts, with the largest being the top section that fits to the flat top of the figure’s head. There are two separate ear flap sections and another flap at the rear to protect the nape of the crewmember’s neck from falling debris and hot brass from their machine gunner outside the turret. The accessory sprues contain more helmets, goggles, Grease Guns with separate stocks, mag pouches, numerous pistols, a camera, a pair of field glasses with slide-moulded lenses, and a case that is next to a two-part map case. Conclusion As usual with MiniArt figures their sculpting is exceptional with crisp detail and sensible parts breakdown plus loads of extras to add some detail to their vicinity if you use them in a diorama. There’s a small amount of flash around a few parts, but as I always say, that’s infinitely better and easier to remedy than short-shot parts. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

British Weapons & Equipment for Tank crews & Infantry (35361) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models This new set from MiniArt supplies everything you’ll need to kit out your WWII British soldiers, whether they’re tankers or otherwise, there’s something for everyone. Inside the shrink-wrapped box are five sprues, each one full of weapons and accessories. 1 x Lee Enfield Rifle with sniper scope 1 x Bren Gun with optional open or closed bipod 1 x Sten Gun with wire stock 1 x Sten Gun with tube stock 1 x Thompson Gun with foregrip & drum mag 1 x Thompson Gun with stick mag 4 x pistol 3 x battle bowlers with mesh cover 1 x battle bowler 3 x shallow battle bowler 5 x American helmet 3 x grenade 9 x pistol holsters 16 x various magazine pouches 4 x canteens 1 x map case 1 x entrenching tool 1 x entrenching tool pouch 3 x knife in sheaths 1 x empty knife sheaths 1 x bayonet 1 x empty bayonet sheath 3 x bayonets in sheath 5 x goggle 6 x bag 3 x entrenching tool in pouch 1 x binoculars 1 x camera As usual with MiniArt sets their sculpting is exceptional with crisp detail and extras to add some detail to their vicinity if you use them in a diorama. The Bren is actually two Bren Guns and both have an optional bipod, while the Sten Guns have separate magazines and cocking handles. The Thompson “Tommy” Guns have separate mags, and there are an undocumented three Grease Guns with separate stocks on the same sprue, which is nice. The painting guide on the rear of the box includes part numbers too, that relate to colour swatches, Vallejo, Mr.Color, AK Real Color, Mission Models, AMMO, Tamiya and colour names in a chart below. Review sample courtesy of

British Tank Crew (35332) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models The British tank crews in WWII generally wore custom overalls and either a black beret with the tank regiment badge on the front, or a potty-style helmet without brim, so that they wouldn’t get hung up on the scenery inside their vehicles. This set depicts a crew of five in and around a tank wearing just such items of clothing, suitable for all but the hottest and coldest of weather. Inside the shrink-wrapped box are four sprues, two containing the figures and two their helmets, weapons and accessories, plus a small paper sprue map to show where all the parts are. The commander is wearing a leather tabard over his overalls, while the rest of the crew aren’t, but some of them are wearing drop-leg holsters for their side-arms, which look surprisingly modern. The commander is stood with hands on hips, two other crew are stood, one resting a hand and foot against something, while the other inspects some charts against his compass. The two seated characters could be half in or out of their hatches, one with a foot up level on the edge of the hatch, the other leaning forward talking into a microphone. Most of them also have comms headsets on under their helmets or over their berets. As usual with MiniArt figures their sculpting is exceptional with crisp detail and sensible parts breakdown plus extras to add some detail to their vicinity if you use them in a diorama. The helmets have their internal webbing moulded-in, and a set of goggles and holster is supplied for all, with a few ammo pouches, map case, unholstered pistols and even a sniper rifle with scope can be found on the sprues. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

German Tankers Refueling (35348) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd Tanks of all types all ways seemed to need re-fueling, in fact it was German General Heinz Guderian who famously said the Logistics was the ball and chain of Armoured Warfare. This set from Miniart gives us two crewmen refueling though they could be for any vehicle scene not just tanks. Inside the shrink-wrapped box are eight sprues, two containing the figures, the others containing fuel drums and jerricans. There is also a small PE fret. The two figures are posed in refueling positions. The modeller will have to source their own hose for this. Enough parts are provided for two fuel drums and three jerricans and two of the smaller triangular cans. As usual with MiniArt figures their sculpting is exceptional with crisp detail and sensible parts breakdown plus the extras to add some detail to their vicinity if you’re using them in a diorama. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Ukrainian Tank Crew at Rest (37067) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd Unsurprisingly, Ukrainian tanks have Ukrainian tank crews in them, and like other humans they need to have a rest in between drills, exercises and actual combat, to stretch out, eat, relax and even sleep. This set provides four figures of such gentlemen relaxing on boxes beside their tank having a chat, a snack and a sneaky cigarette. The kit arrives in a shrink-wrapped figure box that has instructions on the rear, and inside are eight sprues in grey styrene. There are four for the figures, and four more identical sprues that carry ammunition boxes and even the shells within, the latter being surplus to requirements but always handy for a diorama. Three of the figures are in a seated position, two shooting the breeze, one cutting up some food for a snack, while the other is leaning/sitting on something like the side of the tank or a higher box. The food guy is bare headed with shaved sides to his head, while the other three have the padded helmets with comms that are typical of Soviet and formerly Eastern Bloc countries and their vehicles. A box can be made from each of the four sprues, and although the internals are there, they aren’t used because no-one’s going to want to sit on an open box. Sculpting is up to MiniArt’s usual high standard, with high levels of detail as well as realistic texture and drape of the clothing, topped off with naturalistic poses. The instructions on the rear giving painting guides as well as showing the part numbers, with swatches of camo for those of us brave enough to attempt it. Parts breakdown is also sensibly along natural seamlines, with separate heads, torso, arms and legs, plus flat-tops to the heads with hats and side panels moulded separately for better detail. The bread man has a number of small pieces that represent a loaf with a couple of slices already cut, and in one hand he has a block of something resembling cheese, which he is about to cut with the knife moulded into his other hand. Conclusion A great little set to add a human scale to any Ukrainian tank in a vignette or diorama. It also shows that soldiering in the field is mostly passing of time while waiting for your next orders, with some abject terror mixed in at times. Is it me, or does that chap on the left look like more than a bit like Mr Vladmir Putin? Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Soviet Tank Crew 1950s (37053) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd After WWII the Cold War began, and our former allies became our enemy although war was never declared, but was sometimes fought in proxy wars around the world. In the 50s Soviet armour was a key component of the expected invasion of Europe, and their tank force was substantial. Their crews still wore clothing similar to that worn in WWII with some evolutionary changes from lessons learned in the field. The average crewman would wear black overalls with an element of cold protection and padding, calf-length boots and a padded tanker helmet that at least softened the frequent knocks that must have been commonplace in such a confined environment. This set arrives in a figure sized end-opening box and as advertised on the front it holds four figures on separate sprues that can be posed on and around the vehicle. The officer figure is wearing a flat peaked cap and is consulting a map from a folio, while one crewmember squats either on the ground or tank, another leans with his arms over the lip of his hatch, and the final member is stepping on something with his hands on what could be the lip of his hatch. Each figure has separate arms, legs, torso and head, with the helmets made up from a central top section and hanging sides for a more realistic look, and they each have a bag slung over their shoulders that is another separate part. The crewmen have additional Y-shaped parts to represent the cables for the comms gear sewn into their helmets, and the commander has a pistol on his belt and the map is moulded into his hand, separately from the rest of his arm. Sculpting is as ever spot on, with sensible breakdown of parts along natural seams, superb understanding of the draping of different materials, and realistic poses and proportions that all add realism to the finished figures. The painting and construction guide can be found of the back of the box in colour, with paints called out as numbers that relate to a table below converting between Vallejo, Life Color, Tamiya, AK, Mission Models and Hataka brand plus the colours and their names in English and Ukrainian. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

WWI British Tank Crew (35708) 1:35 ICM via Hannants With the introduction of the landships that became known as Tanks after the codename given to them during transport, a new breed of soldier came into being. The Tanker. Many of them had no clue where they were heading when they were signed up for service in these new armoured vehicles, but their bravery was without question. Going into battle in a clanking metal box with shards of metal spall hitting them every time a bullet impacted the outside, the frequent breakdowns leaving them stranded on the battlefield, as well as the noxious fumes from the engine that often left them feeling light-headed and nauseous. Add to that the fact that once the enemy got over their initial terror, they became bullet and shell magnets, drawing heavy fire from the opposition. This figure set depicts the British crews and arrives in a slightly oversized figure shaped box with a top opening lid and captive inner flap. Inside is a single grey styrene sprue and a glossy instruction sheet with a sprue diagram on one side and painting and build instructions on the other. The sprue contains parts for four figures, all of which have separate arms, torso, legs and heads, with map case, revolver holster and gas mask bags as additional parts. The theme of the set has them looking at a map for perhaps an upcoming engagement with one crew member hunkered down pointing at a map with a stick, an officer stood with a stick looking down at the map whilst holding a map case. The other two figures are both stood upright with their heads bowed as if viewing the map, one with his battle bowler on his head and arms behind his back, the other with it in his hands in front of him. The kneeling man also has his helmet in his hand, while the officer has a cap that is made of two parts to obtain the correct shape. The officer is also wearing putties above his boots, and the bare-headed standing figure is wearing spats, while the remaining figures have their trousers loose over their boots. Painting instructions are given around the drawings, using a letter code that corresponds with a chart of Revell and Tamiya paints on the opposite side that also has the colour names if you don't use those brands. Sculpting of the figures is excellent as you would expect from ICM, and the parts breakdown is sensible, with a view to improving detail whilst minimising any filler, breaking along seams or belts where possible. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to add a little human scale to their WWI tank diorama. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

So I received the Academy M1A2 TUSK last year, asking for it in part because I spotted the Miniart Modern U.S. Army Tank Crew set. Unfortunately, that set is still listed as 'Coming Soon' even when a new one, the USMC crew set, seems to have been simultaneously announced and released >< As I understand it, the Marine and Army crew uniforms are quite different, so you couldn't pass one off as the other. What is particularly frustrating is I always make the Army version (seem to have more gadgets on them), but all the modern tanker figures seem to be Marines, and for some reason Miniart is delaying the Army set for who knows how long. Does anyone know if Army tankers ever wore a one-piece uniform like this in the modern era, or are they completely wrong for an Army vehicle? Appreciate any assistance on this (and hurry up Miniart!) Gaz