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In-Box Review
135
Italian Infantry W.W.1
Italian Infantry W.W.1
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by: Bob Davis [ DIOMAN13 ]

Review

These figures are provided in an open end box with the instructions and painting guide on the reverse. Like the first set the box art work does not do the figures any justice what so ever. Within you will find a fold out set of instructions and sprue lay out and 2 sprues inside a plastic bag for protection and keeping any loose parts there. The first sprue is of the four figures in the usual 1 figure per quarter corner of the sprue configuration. The second is the weapons sprue with a menagerie of assorted implements of destruction.

The figures comprise of a N.C.O. and 3 enlisted men. They are rendered in a light tan plastic. I find this a good thing as the mold lines are easier to see compared to grey. The mold lines are very thin and remove easily with a scrap of a new blade.

The uniforms are of the 1908 issue, grigio-verde, or grey green which is the uniform color. A stand collar which holds a cloth designating the reg. and rank is correctly sculpted. The buttons are covered by a fly and no pockets are on the tunic except for N.C.O.s and above rank. Above enlisted rank, pockets have a flap with a button to close them on the tunic. There are 2 vents to regulate internal temp, but are not visible. The trousers are baggy to allow movement and are tucked into naturel brown leather lace up gaiters that are integral to the boots, which are natural leather also. The N.C.O.'s boots are lace up with leather gaiters and are black. No polish is on the N.C.O. or enlisted men's boots, just grease for a preservative. The leather belts, suspenders, ammo pouch's ect. are painted grey green and the packs according to Osprey are a light tan color. Kepi caps are a grey color to match the uniforms and have a black chin strap and visor. A cloth badge with the crown and regiment number for NCO's and crown above crossed rifles for enlisted men.

The sprue breakdown is the again usual, of 1-head, 2-arms, 1-torso, 2-legs, parts for tunic bottoms, kepi hats, packs, pouch's. 2 of the figures have the separate hands for weapon placement.

The heads and hands all have nice detail. The hands have creases and even tendons that are pronounced and the N.C.O.'s splayed fingers are beautiful. The facial expressions fit the figures well and creased brows, lips, moustaches all combine to make them better than your average mold injection heads from other companies. Even the ears look better. Uniform wrinkles and creases look good but some under cutting might be desired on the web gear. There are even rank stars on the collar tabs.

The weapons sprue was a delight once again. ICM's decision to include such a large variety of weapons opens up the time period of years to date your dioramas. The detail is fantastic. As the usual (NOW) the bolts are separate allowing correct positioning. I had to reference these weapons as I had no clue as to what type the rifles were or what somethings even were. I will include a list of the major weapons to save some the hassle of referencing them all. The sprue really says the rest.

The Build

Assembly was straight forward with no fit or trim problems. No large gaps were left when assembled. NOTE! The first figure inside the instruction paper, (far right on the box art) shows in the instructions to position the hand as if holding the rifle, that is incorrect. The hand won’t hold the rifle in the finger position. As in the art work, turn it palm up so it is in the position of pulling the bolt back to eject and chamber a new round. When you glue the 2 hands, before the glue sets, use the rifle of your choice to finalize the hand position for a good fit.

These figures are in the advance, of a typical cover me bravo as alpha advances manoeuvre. The poses and facial expressions fit this scenario very well. Another set of these Italian figures advancing would be great but instead of waiting I will probably just pick up another set to Frankenstein them into other poses to enlarge the scene for a diorama.

It only took me less than an hour to cut off the parts from the sprues and glue them together. I did not remove the mold lines, just the attachment points so what you see is what you get.

Main weapons included---Mannlicher-Carcaino model 1892 6.5 m.m. rifle/Carcano Carbine with folding bayonet/Gilsente 9 m.m. model 1910 pistol/Truppe Speciali carbine model 1891/Villar Perosa m1915 9 m.m. double barrel M.G./Gilsente Chamelut=Delvigne et Schmidt model 1872 41 cal. Revolver

Reference Used

The Illustrated Book Of Guns by David Miller,20th Century Arms And Armor by Stephen Bull, Military Uniforms Visual Encyclopedia by Chris McNab, World War 1 by H. P. Willmott, Osprey Men at Arms/The Italian Army of World War 1 by David Nicolle and our friend Goggle.


SUMMARY
Highs: Easy straight forward assembly. Parts lay out was good. Styrene is good quality and easy to work with. Reacts well with Tamiya thin glue.
Lows: Suspenders on web gear should be a bit bolder. Would like to have some decals for kepi hat insignia and rank tabs.
Verdict: These figures are an easy build,with no over complication to complete them. A very good subject which has finally been remedied. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any one looking for figures of Italian infantry for W.W.1
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 6532
  PUBLISHED: Feb 25, 2017
  NATIONALITY: Italy
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.09%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 79.68%

Our Thanks to Italeri!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Bob Davis (dioman13)
FROM: INDIANA, UNITED STATES

Copyright ©2021 text by Bob Davis [ DIOMAN13 ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

One should note that these, like the Austo-Hungarian troops mentioned below, are in no way representative of original Italeri moulds, and that they are the work of ICM. They (the ICM figures) are among the best plastic 1/35 figures I've ever seen.
FEB 24, 2017 - 09:15 PM
With out a doubt who ever sculpted these figures did a great job. The detail on the faces and hands alone is fantastic. I thought I mentioned that the sprue indicates that the parent company was I.C.M. They are also sold under I.C.M.'s label. Only difference is the art work on the box. Just saw how out of focus the pic's are, sorry for that. They looked god in the camera play back, but a friend resized then and sent them out for me.
FEB 24, 2017 - 11:04 PM
Excellent review and great that you took the time to make it a build review. Not a set that would be immediately attractive to me but your review has me thinking about them
FEB 25, 2017 - 12:27 AM
Nice Rebox,also Tamiya rebox some ICM,but that uniform without leggings,with caps and backpacks (they stop wear it in battle during 1916) are only good for the first year of war 1915-16, but at the same time they added a lot of different weapons also unusual one like the Villar Perosa or Lipmann helmet guards, then forget about other weapons and equipment far more used as Fiat14 or Corazza Farina, though the weapons are very well made and a very big choice, a few things like the wire Cutters or the trench Club are Austrian not Italian, but it's also true that they were often "stolen" from the enemy, the box for gas mask is the model that bore the inscription "who takes away the mask dies" "chi leva la maschera muore" pity that many Italian soldiers as well as my great-grandfather were illiterate...,was nice have a decal for that, apart from the legs of the private, is ready in order to represent the whole war 15- 18 becose they add the cap,the French helmet issued in the end of 15 and the Italian Adrian one issued in 16, the officer with the leather leggings is fine for all the war.
FEB 25, 2017 - 04:47 AM
   
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