Battlegroup

25mm WWII

by David Barnes

Review of Battlegroup Figures (part of Village Green) 25mm World War II, available from 17, Rotunda Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6LE

These figures represent American infantry and they come in bags of three at a cost, at the time of writing, of £ 1.80. Individual figures, alt.o.w., 70p. A section of 10 figures costs E6.5 (all plus P&P of course). "A" denotes a plain helmet on the figure, "B" denotes a netted helmet, "C" = a mix at random. Also available a "Basic Starter Pack" of 6 British or Americans, 6 Germans, a set of "At the Sharp End" rules and two D 10 dice for £ 10 unpainted or £ 30 painted. I will list the figures sampled, comment and draw some of them, not to scale.

First general comments. These are well modeled figures you can believe in as scaled down human beings; they wear their kit, as opposed to it apparently being stuck on. Their animation is good and their facial features adequate. I only wish I had figure A9 which with his BAR could complete a hard hitting section.

A1 Officer advancing with carbine. Weight on the right foot, left lifted to pass right, he looks 1/4 left. Slung at left front carbine mag pouches, under the stock of the carbine a holstered .45 pistol, above and rear bino case with a small pouch on his right butt. Under his left forearm (carbine held across the body) more mags, pouches and survival knife between them and his water bottle. He has the high gaiters of the period and no evidence or rank about him (sensible fellow).

A2 Sergeant advancing with Thompson SMG, waving men on. Fixed netted helmet. His expression I would describe as a snarl "Shift ya butt dogface!" He has bigger ammo pouches on both sides, his water bottle is center back and his knife on his left hip. Weight on his left foot, he looks full left.

A3 Walkie talkie operator advancing with Thompson SMG. He's talking into his wireless which is in his left hand. In his right he holds his tommy gun, the muzzle beside his right foot. His pistol is holstered on his belt hanging on his right thigh. A fragmentation grenade hangs from his equipment at the right collar bone.

A4 Advancing with leveled Garand rifle. A large cigar tucked in the left side of his mouth, netted helmet, fighting knife[bayonet on left hip, water bottle center rear back, Weight on his left foot.

A6 Advancing with Garand rifle pointing down, with bandolier. Plain helmet. A real "footslogger" atmosphere.

All Advancing with carbine pointing up. I find this carbine to be a bit large in proportion. A good pose all the same and well animated.

A16 Advancing with grease gun pointing up. Fixed netted helmet, 45 pistol holstered on his right hip. Ammunition pouches on his belt. A useful member of the team in close country or house to house fighting. A high rate of fire from a short weapon needing to be used wisely.

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© Copyright 1998 Hal Thinglum
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