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British Infantry – Somme Period, 1916 1:35


Mike

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British Infantry – Somme Period, 1916
1:35 Master Box Ltd


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Master Box have seen a market for some well-sculpted, modern mouldings of WWI soldiers, that will be a must-have to anyone building the rash of newly tooled WWI armour that we are currently blessed with. The old Emhar figures are nice, but limited in stance, so without surgery you'll be in for a lot of work.

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This set arrives in the de facto standard figure shaped box with a painting of the included figures on the front, and parts breakdown with pictorial instructions on the rear. On opening the end of the box, you're greeted by a re-sealable bag containing one large sprue and one smaller one containing all the parts you'll need to build five figures in fairly relaxed non-combat stances. Contrary to the sprue photos on the back of the box, the styrene is grey, which shows off the contours and captures all the detail that has been included in the kit.

All figures are standing, with four standing upright in a pose that suggests they're taking a breather from a trudge somewhere, which could explain the fifth figure, who appears to be giving directions, having one arm outstretched, pointing behind him. He is also dressed as an officer, having a greatcoat and swagger stick, with a pistol on a belt at his waist. The other figures have their fatigues over which are the sleeveless leather jackets that gave some level of weather and wear resistance to their torsos. Some are open, while others are buttoned up, and weapons are slung over shoulders and rested butt-first on the ground. Weapons include a Lewis gun and Lee Enfields with and without bayonets fitted. Various bags and pouches are also included, both for rifle ammo and the dinner-plate style drum mags for the Lewis gun, which one of the soldiers is shown carrying in the instructions.

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Torsos, legs, arms and heads are all separate parts, with coat-tails also separate for a more realistic in-scale feel, with helmets, weapons and load-out also separate, which gives the modeller some scope for individualising each figure without too much work. The sculpting is first rate, and the sheer detail of each part is stunning, from the smallest pucker in the corner of a bag to belts that cut into the shoulder, plus realistic drape of the clothing.


Conclusion
Master Box have a superb range of figures, and this set is both timely and very well done. If you want to add a sense of scale to your WWI armour, this set will do just that.

Very highly recommended.

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  • 9 months later...

After reading this review a couple of weeks ago I got out & assembled the set I have. I am very impressed with the method of assembly, How all of the parts fit together & look so real. I have since assembled all of the Masterbox WW1 figure sets, & most of the ICM sets. They are all excellent. Worth what you pay for them. They are not shake & bake kits. Some require very careful assembly. Particularly the ICM French infantry ones. Carl T

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  • 4 months later...

Great looking figures. If used in a diorama, would need to be set behind the lines. An officer dressed like that on the Somme front line would have a life-expectancy measured in minutes. Junior officers took pains to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible on the front line, many carrying rifles and wearing other ranks' kit in an attempt to avoid sniper attention. 

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