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In-Box Review
135
Tank Commander in Denims
British/Commonwealth Tank Commander in Denims
  • 001367

by: Alan McNeilly [ ALANL ]

Introduction

Another new release from Resicast is their latest Tank Commander in Denims. This will be a welcome figure, as there are not that many British/Commonwealth tankers in denims around.

The Figure

The figure comes packed in the standard double zip bag with a paper insert, typical of all Resicast figures. On the front of the insert is a good colour picture to aid in painting, along with the product information and the makers contact address and logo.

This is a full figure made up of 4 separate parts, the main body, head and arms. Cast in a light gray resin, I could see no flaws in the casting, there is a hole in his neck but that will be covered by his head. A little clean up will be required around his boots to remove some flash, but a sharp X-acto blade is all you should need to remove the pour stubs.

The figure represents a standing Tank Commander and is dressed in denims. Introduced in 1944, denims were often worn without or over the anklets. In this cast the legs are tucked into the anklets. It is a very good representation of the garment having the left breast pencil pocket with the correct number of holders, the plain right breast pocket and the two leg map pockets. The commanders 37 pattern holster sits over where the small top right leg pocket would be and the hip pocket is shown with a flap which is correct. Around the waist is a 37 pattern belt with the brasses evident both front and rear. As mentioned the figure wears a standard pistol holster hung from an ammo pouch on the RHS of the belt. Under the overall you can just make out the collar of the standard issue officers shirt/or DB as the case may be. The body has a good pose, being bent slightly forward at the waist and leaning to the left a little.

The arms come as separate items, the right arm is extended and bent slightly, one would assume resting on the rim of the cupola of a tank and the left arm is bent upwards holding a radio mike.

The head also comes as a separate item and is very good indeed. It shows the face of a mature man, with a moustache. The facial detail is excellent and on the head is a standard tankers beret with badge. What is of additional interest is the set of headphones worn over the beret, the right hand earpiece is naturally enough over the right ear, but the left hand ear piece is resting above the ear. This is a much more natural way for the phones to be worn, at least I believe so particularly in this situation, one ear listening to the radio traffic and one tuned into what is going on around him.

Normal safety precaution should be applied when working with resin.

Conclusion

I really like this figure, the pose, the accuracy of the denim overalls and in particular the head. A very useable figure that should fit into most British tank cupolas. I tried the body in both a Churchill and Sherman and I don’t believe there would be any problems using this figure in either or the Cromwell for that matter.

Excellent casting with 1st class detail, the figure should prove popular with both figure painters and Allied armour builders and will add a lot to any finished vehicle.
SUMMARY
Highs: 1st class casting and excellent detail. A much sought after order of dress with an excellent pose and interesting head.
Lows: None that I could think of.
Verdict: Highly Recommended.
Percentage Rating
92%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35.5601
  Suggested Retail: 11 euro
  PUBLISHED: Mar 29, 2009
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.73%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.29%

About Alan McNeilly (AlanL)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Greying slightly, but young at heart. I've been teaching adults off and on for most of my life. Left the services in 85 and first started modelling in about 87 for a few years. Then I had a long spell when I didn't build anything (too busy) and really just got started again during the summer of ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Alan McNeilly [ ALANL ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Morning John, Yip, I like the head a lot, it's an unusual and different casting. I don't recall seeing one with the headphones like that before. Thanks for looking in. Al
MAR 31, 2009 - 05:30 PM
Again, with some paint, needs some plumbing for the radio mike etc but another great figure to work with. Al Al
MAR 20, 2010 - 04:29 AM
Great group photo, Al....nice to see all these guys painted up and in a 'setting'. Also shows how much 'life' figures can give to a vehicle, from static to vibrant.
MAR 20, 2010 - 06:21 AM
Hi James, If I remember I try to add a picture of the painted model in at some point. I'm not entirely happy with the Pixie Suit colour so will add an orch wash to give the suits a slightly more yellowish look. Cheers Al
MAR 20, 2010 - 09:04 PM
Al, Whats the figure with his hands in his pockets? and does it have a seperate head? looks spot on for a build I've got planned, which I'm collecting figures for, as it's a copy of a picture this is taking a bit of time. Cheers Craig
MAR 20, 2010 - 10:27 PM
Hi Craig, if you mean the Officer in Battle Dress, he is one of the Wee Friends new figures. I did a review on him here, although I have used a Hornet Head as I wanted an Officer. http://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/4888 He originated form the Wee Friends Latest RN Sailor by Pete Morton but modified to be a British Tanker http://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/4889 Al
MAR 20, 2010 - 11:18 PM
Hey Al, I'm no expert but from what I've read and been told, the Pixie Suit was found in a variety of brownish ochre tones. Before he passed away a few years ago, Vince, my Dad's jeep driver and I had a long chat. Vince was a Universal Carrier driver before being assigned to my Dad. He wore the PS regularly as he operated a WASP and found it offered extra protection. Vince said the colour of the suit's he wore varied and were anything from a pale yellow brown to a dark khaki. I have a good BW photo of Vince in a PS and it looks quite dark. Will try and get it scanned and uploaded to my gallery. Cheers. jjumbo
MAR 21, 2010 - 07:49 PM
Alan when you place these in what I believe is an in progress diorama I would like to see it. I will be honest and say that WW2 British and Common Wealth tankers are not an area I have that much interest in or knowledge for that matter (at least until some funnies appear in plastic) but I do take an interest in dioramas including these figures. In the last 12 to 18 months I would imagine that the large number of releases covering the participation of British and the Common Wealth has depleted your bank balance to a high degree. While I don't comment always on your reviews Alan I do make a point to read them, however my knowledge and interest in the subject matter means I rarely have anything to say that will help or encourage you beyond "good review" sorry. I also know how frustrating it is when you do what the members want and then get so little feedback in return,
MAR 22, 2010 - 05:12 AM
Hi John and Darren, Thanks for looking in guys. John, These are what I'm working towards on the PIxie Suite chaps: The colour is close as I've also been using the referenmce pic from The British Soldier. They need a bit more weathering and some mud and grime but in natural light at hoime and after an orche wash hey look much better. They only appeared here by de-fault as I had a picture of the commander in the tank . Him I'm very pleased with, just needs some plumbing and he's good to go. Hi Darren, No worries, we will convert you to the right side sooner or later, especially with all those AVRE's Cheers Al
MAR 22, 2010 - 06:25 AM
   
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