Dragon Models Limited
6038

This 1995 set saw a resurgence nearly ten years later, thanks in part to the film Windtalkers, which prompted a repackaging of this set with its Japanese counterpart and the addition of a "Nicholas Cage" figure. But I can swear that, up to 2005, I have never seen this figures in a diorama. Who bought them and where did they all go?

This is actually a fine set, at least for someone like me whose knowledge of the Pacific Theater and the Marine Corps is rather thin. But I've collected a few of the Warriors figures and when I found a beat up old box of these guys a year ago, I bought it. Haven't built them yet, of course, but I can give you an out-of-the-bag assessment.

All four action-posed figures are dressed in the standard P1941 herring bone twill combat utilities, with helmets subtly topped with cammo covers. The seven canteens (three men have two each) are of the later Marine style where the flaps cross over one another as they are secured. They are equipped with fighting knives and bandage pouches, and with the exception of the fellow with the Garand, the team also wears M12 trench gun ammo pouches on their belts.

The Marine actually wielding the shotgun has an M9A1 rocket launched broken down into two tubes and slung over his shoulder, leaning forward in an animated pose. The BAR gunner's ammo pouches are a noticeably smaller than those on DML's Rangers set, which may be more the difference between sculptors than a smaller version issued to Marines. The man with the Garand has a couple bandoliers slung around his torso. The final G.I. has an M2 flamethrower that looks nicely detailed.

The quality of the sculpting of these figures is good, but not as sharply defined as DML's recent products. The uniforms, especially the trousers, hang loosely and realistically. The faces are standard DML style, which means you'll want to consider replacing them. Warriors now has resin Marine heads available which should be a strong improvement and added life to these figures.

-tss-