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In-Box Review
M60 Machine Gunner
US Infantry Machine Gunner Vietnam ‘68 |  |
by: Pat McGrath [ ]
introductionThe latest review sample in Bravo 6’s series of Vietnam era figures based on the movie “Platoon” to reach Armorama is the M60 Machine Gunner. The figure comes in a neat small brown cardboard box with a color picture of the painted figure on the front.
FigureThe figure comes in three parts –not counting the equipment. The head, torso and legs come in one piece with the arms separate. The rucksack and poncho are also moulded in place on the figure’s back.
The casting is very fine and there is a small runner between the chin and the neck which needs to be removed. There is a substantial pour block attached to the feet but this is cleverly engineered so that it will easily be removed with a sharp razor saw. The casting seam line is minimal and will require very little clean up.
The arms come on a separate sprue and are well sculpted. The attachment points are on the elbow and will require sanding to remove all traces. There are also small resin runners that will need to be carefully removed. I Dry fitted the arms which are a perfect fit with no gaps.
The figure is posed walking purposefully along with the M60 balanced on one shoulder. The face is that of the actor Keith David who played “King” in Platoon. On his head the figure wears a 'doo rag', although a helmet is supplied. He wears the late tropical fatigues, with the tilted pockets and fly front, along with leather and nylon jungle boots. The detail on the uniform is outstanding, especially noticeable on the boots and the web equipment. There is an indentation on the right hip where the holstered .45 sits and also on top of the rucksack, where the ammo belts for the M60 rest when wound around the figure, and on both hips where the canteens should be attached..
Equipment:
The helmet is well cast with the elastic band holding a bottle of insect repellent. It will need careful removal from the resin pour plug. Another sprue comes with two nicely moulded canteens, a holstered .45 and a first aid pouch.
Also included are two long belts of ammo for the M60 each belt holding either 70 or 71 rounds, (I lost count,) these will need to be cut carefully from the sprue. They also need to be cleaned up and bent into shape around the figure either by using a hair drier or hot water.
The M60 is well cast with no warping. The bipod legs come on a separate sprue and are very fine. So fine in fact that they came away from the sprue as I was handling them for the photos, and blew away in the wind never to be seen again. I will have to replace this with a plastic version - luckily I have some in my spares box..
Decals:
A decal sheet is included with rank insignia, name tapes, and unit patches. As mentioned in other reviews of figures in this series the decals are slightly yellow in color when they should be green but this can be remedied with a green wash once the decals are in place.
Conclusion
This is another excellent figure in the Vietnam’68 series by Bravo 6. Well worth getting whether you’re a fan of the movie “Platoon” or just want a well sculpted infantry man toting an M60. .
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