Battlefront

15mm WWII Vehicles

Reviewed by Bill Rutherford

Humber Mk I Armored Car (B409), Tiger Ie late model (G106), T34/76 M43 (R030), British Jeep & Crew (B051), Tiger Ie early model (G105), and Daimler Mk I Armored Car (B050) , by Crusader Distributors Ltd, imported by Military Miniatures Distribution - USA.

These six samples just arrived and are typical of what Crusader now produces. All of the models except the jeeps have resin bodies and turrets (jeeps are metal), with metal detail parts - wheels, tracks, turret hatches, gun barrels, and other small parts. The resin's almost pit-free and shows a great deal of care in casting. In the cases of the jeeps (two to a box) and tanks, there is a crew figure (2 on each jeep) as well. As usual, apply a coat of primer before judging the resin parts. The T-34's rear engine deck, for example, is extremely well done but you can't really see it all until you've applied a thin coat of primer! Tracks are just a bit wider than in the past and this improves their looks immensely. The metal parts, in general, have improved considerably in crispness and complexity of detail as this miniatures line has matured. The vehicles all scaled out within a percent or so of 1/105th scale, which is consistent with past models in this range and is compatible with the majority of other 15mm vehicle ranges. There were some details I found particularly nice, including the zimmerit on the late model Tiger I, the sand channel included as a separate part with the Daimler, the aforementioned T-34 engine deck, and the spare tire on the Daimler. This last seems a bit trivial, but it's cast onto the hull and really makes the model due to it's fine detailing! The Tigers have Pfieffel air cleaners cast onto their engine decks; my first impression (pre-priming!) was that they were a bit molded-on looking but with a bit of painting and shading, they're going to look quite good.

At $5.50 per pack, these models remain a bargain, especially considering their consistently good quality. See them at your local game shop. If they haven't got them, contact Military Miniatures Distribution - USA, 8554 122nd Ave., NE Suite 108, Kirkland, WA 98033 or visit them at their website at http://members.aol.com/MilMinUsa to locate the nearest store carrying the Battlefront Miniature Line. Recommended!

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