Warriors Scale Models
WA35225

This is probably one of the most dynamic action poses of any pair of figures, U.S. or German. These two GIs are running for their lives up Omaha Beach or through the rubble of St. Lo. One brandishes an M1 Thompson submachine gun, aiming or firing at anything in his path. His companion carries an M1 Garand rifle.

Both figures wear M1941 jackets, webbing, and M1928 haversacks. The machine gunner carries two different bags for ammo magazines as well. There is a pair of canteens and M1942 first aid pouches. The kit does not include any shovels; you can add a couple from Verlinden Productions excellent “U.S. WWII Infantry Gear”(#1154). Actually, if you are going to put these figures in a later time and setting, in the fall of 1944, you could use the combat bag and cargo pack accessory in the aforementioned kit, so both figures aren’t carrying perfectly identical backpacks.

(This is a general pet peeve of mine---why do sculptors and manufacturers always include identically sculpted accessory pieces for their figures? The sculptors take such great pains to make these figures, uniforms and gear look as realistic as possible---but that realism is lost when you notice things like identical packs and other gear.  Of course, the answer is simple: it saves money to produce as few new articles as possible. At least Tamiya seems to have recognized this shortcoming when it created subtlety different bags on its U.S. accessory for the GMC.)

The parts are crisply rendered and go together well. The one hand of Tommy gunner is molded to the gun’s grip, and there was no problem attaching this and the arms together. The rifleman’s gun is a separate item, but slips convincingly into his hands.

I have both a major and a minor problem with this set. First, these two figures are exceedingly tall for 1/35 scale. It’s a bit deceptive as they’re fairly hunched over, but they roughly measure almost 7’ tall if they were fully extended. Consequently, they look like giants next to Tamiya or DML figures, though they work well next to other Warriors or Verlinden soldiers. So this may place some limits on diorama possibilities.

My minor quibble is that both men are stepping off from their left feet, their right knees raised high at relatively the same position. A bit more variety would set the two apart more physically.

Despite these shortcomings, this is an excellent pair, and kudos should be awarded to sculptor Rendall Patton.

-tss-