20mm Britannia Miniatures
WWII British Airborne Forces

Review

by David Barnes

For D-Day, "Pegasus Bridge," or "Market Garden"

I'm pleased to be able to write about these figures, having years ago created a scenario that's appeared in Lone Warrior 104 - 106 (in several - called "Arnhem Lift". I used Peter Laing 15mm in those days and parts) of scratch-built stuff - fun, but time consuming. Now we're spoiled for choices. These figures are very "choice," being well modelled, well cast and .aell animated. I will list them, make remarks where I think any are called for and give prices of groups (at the time of writing).

ABP1 Command Group. Officer, NCO, Radio Op with Type 22 Radio. E1.50. in jumpsmocks and scrimmed helmets. Officer indicating, NCO with Sten, Radio with set on his chest and earphones, also with Sten.

ABP2 Bren gun team firing over rubble wall. £ 1.10. Bipod folded - range drum shown well - good pose. The chap with the spare magazines (one in his hand) was often the section 2 I/C. He is kneeling.

ABP3 Para, helmet, running with rifle.

ABP4 Para, beret, running with rifle. Having worked so hard to gain a Red Beret the lads didn't like parting with them. (They still don't)

ABP5 Para, helmet, advancing with rifle. In the old "ready" position. Not the "in the air" pose adopted now.

ABP6 Para, beret, advancing firing rifle. Good in the shoulder position.

ABP7 Para, helmet, crouching firing Stan Gun. All 1 shilling and eight pence worth of it. Grand pose.

ABP8 Para, helmet, firing from hip. I saw a SAS trooper knock A tin can down on the range doing this - so it's not too wild a pose.

ABP9 Para, beret, ditto. Good "gliding" moustache toot

ABP10 Para, helmet, throwing grenade. He has the long ammo pouches at his waist - Guaranteed to fill up with leaves, sticks and mud I found when crawling in them, the fastenings rarely worked properly.

ABP11 Vickers MG team lying firing (not "laying" as on the sheet. Hens they are not.) £ 1.10. Gunner with MG in low position - awfully tiring on the back. Ammo number feeding the beast and an officer with notepad, in beret watching the arc of fire - could be used elsewhere as a spotter, intelligence or staff officer. Great group.

ABP 12 inch mortar team kneeling firing. 85p. The only aiming aid on the ones I fired was a white line running up the barrel. So you either had the knack ranging - or you didn't.

ARP13 3 inch mortar and team kneeling firing. £ l.10. Very sensible firer holding his ears. Stonk! Hatless No 2 with next round. No 3 has a case (3 tubes) of rounds he's opening. Good group.

ABP14 PIAT team lying firing. 85p. Firer lying behind the weapon aiming. No 2 in beret prone and pointing. Range was about 100 yards so you had to be a bit of a free spirit to be a PIAT team man. No 2 has his rifle (No 4) behind him - not a good idea for rapid movement really.

Excellent figures. I look forward to replaying a bit of Arnhem etc with them. Drawings coming up:

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