ON THE SHELF
DELTA DRIVER
1/48
Pilot Mirage 2000
By: PlusModel
Item no: AL4080 Price: €8.90
Web: www.plusmodel.cz
PlusModel’s Mirage 2000 pilot captures the appearance of a flight-ready, G-suit and survival waistcoat-clad individual perfectly, with calf pockets full of flight reference handbooks and knee boards prepped with mission details. This superb figure is posed with hands resting on the lifepreserver element of his survival waistcoat, and flying gloves tucked in to the latter’s elasticated harness; the helmet is separate, as is an overnight bag, which could be packed into either a baggage pod or links bay. The suggested paint scheme is for desert-hued equipment, but this can otherwise be substituted for dark green tones.
READY FOR ACTION
1/72
US Navy Pilot Seated in A/c
By: PJ Production
Item no: 721140
Price: €4.60
Web: www.pjproduction.net
Models of US Navy fighters, torpedo- or dive-bombers will benefit from these finely cast three-piece pilot figures, which are posed as if sitting in an aircraft. One is depicted facing directly ahead, while the second has the head inclined to one side. The detail is splendid, with well-defined parachute and seat harnesses; the arms are separate, but the configuration is the same — one hand gipping a control column, the other resting on the leg.
SHIVERING STAFF
1/72
German Headquarters in
Winter Uniform
By: Zvezda
Item no: 6232
Price: £3.50
Web: www.hobbyco.net
While intended for the Art of Tactic ‘World War Two’ wargaming system, these ‘snap-fit’ figures would be equally suited to a winter diorama, as they depict a fourman headquarters staff, with one viewing events through a set of tripod-mounted periscope binoculars. They can be arranged either on individual bases or a larger item for a group setting, and can be assembled without glue. All are clad in standard German winter greatcoats; two have the usual high collar, while the remainder have what appears to be fur-lined versions.
MEDIEVAL FIREPOWER
120mm
English Longbowman 1450
By: Mitches Military Models
Item no: N/A Price: £35
Web: www.mitchesmilitary
Featuring superb sculpting and casting, Mitches’ 24-piece figure is a convincing 120mm replica of a mid-15th Century longbowman, depicted wearing a sallet (helmet), front-fastening gambeson (tunic) and woollen hose, plus a money bag, short sword and dagger. Modellers will need to add the bowstring, but otherwise everything is supplied, including a base, on which the figure and protective sharpened stake are mounted. No arrowheads are supplied (as they are ‘stored’ in the ground, ready to fire), but there are two styles of fletching (feathers), indicating both broadhead and bodkin (armour-piercing) arrows.
FROGMAN COMMANDER
1/35
The Black Prince
By: The Body
Item no: 35115 Price: €12.50
Web: www.sbsmodels.com
Well-known military commanders are popular choices for figure manufacturers, and The Body has released a twopiece 1/35 ensemble depicting Italian Navy Frigate Captain Junio Valerio Borghese when he commanded the Decima Flottiglia MAS (Assault Vehicle Flotilla). The pose is nonchalant, with one hand in the trouser pocket and the other on the hip, but the sculptor has captured the uniform perfectly, from the mid-cut tunic and shoulder-slung pistol harness to the rank slides, medals and insignia.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
1/35
RKKA Drivers (1943-1945)
By: ICM
Item no: 35643
Price: £6.60
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
ICM has followed its modern Soviet Drivers’ set (35641, see Reviews October 2018) with the World War Two equivalent. There are sufficient parts on the two styrene runners for two seated Red Army figures (each comprising six or seven components), with one each in summer and winter attire, which even extends to the headgear. No weapons or other equipment are supplied, so these must be sourced from elsewhere. All components are moulded crisply, and the detail is excellent, notably the fasteners on the Telogreika tunic, while the facial expressions are convincing… these will make an excellent addition to any Soviet staff car or soft-skinned vehicle.
