introduction

C-ration was the individual canned, pre-cooked, and prepared wet ration issued by the United States Armed Forces to combat troops until 1958, then it was replaced by Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) and in 1983 by Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). Despite the new name in 1958, it was popularly referred by the troops as C-rats or Charlie rats during the Vietnam War. Each C-ration contained a complete meal of packaged and precooked foods that can be eaten hot or cold. Each one provided 1200 calories, and daily ration of three large C-rations provided minimum of 3600 calories needed each day to sustain an average soldier. Each ration contained a meat item, a vegetable, fruit or bread food and a B-unit containing various types of crackers. There was a decent variety of choices, but many soldiers complained about the taste and quality. Spaghetti and meatballs was a favorite, potted ham was not bad, but ham and lima beans was one of the worst and nicknamed as ham and motherf***ers by those forced to eat it during Nam war.

B6-35070 U.S. G.I.s Ham & Limas...again includes two soldiers sitting on the ground with spoons and C-ration cans on their hands.

packing &casting

Figure parts come well packed in standard light brown cardboard box labeled with a photo of painted figures. Two body parts and other small parts are split into three transparent bags. Resin quality is good with no casting mistakes. You don’t need a serious cleanwork other than seamlines on the outer side of arms. Note that casting block on back of one figure is removed for review.

figures

Kit includes two 1/35 scale medium grey resin cast figures. Each figure comes in 4 pieces ; body, head and two seperate arms.

Figures are posed to sit on the ground in different poses. Both wear tropical jungle uniform of jacket with two chest and two lower bellows pockets - all with flap covers, trousers and canvas-leather combined Vibram boots. Trotters are inserted into boots. Uniform details, wrinkles and folds are well defined.

Heads show nice facial details for two characters with different hairstyles and expressions. Seperate heads allow multi-use of same body parts with head replacements on the same scene.

Right arms are posed to hold a spoon and left arms to carry a can. All are with upfolded sleeves and show nice cloth folds.

Two spoons and eight cans in three different sizes are given as PE parts. A humorous how to guide for assemblying photo-etched parts is given on box cover. You may visit following links to see photos and get basic info about C-ration cans and contents.
Vietnamgear.com
Charlie Troop 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment website
Fox Company website
Charlie Company website

conclusion

Another nice set for at rest scenes. They can be used as US soldiers for different periods as uniform style will fit all and figures of this kit can be used on the same dio more than once with head and arms replacements. It can make a good scene when used together with B6-35072 Looking Better Every Beer.

Very Highly Recommended