In Box Review of Tamiya 1/35th Scale French Infantry Set
Kit no. 35288
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2007
I paid $14.97 for this kit, years ago, at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Available at 6 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2007
I paid $14.97 for this kit, years ago, at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Available at 6 locations overseas on the web.
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Italy. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past the end-flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a color illustration of 6 French infantry-men, posed against one of Tamiya’s SIGNATURE all-white backgrounds, that they use for the majority of their box arts.
The men are all dressed in khaki uniforms and steel helmets. They all have full field gear on their belts.
Four men are armed with MAS M1836 rifles, one holds a pistol in his left hand, the fifth man is kneeling on his right knee and aiming his rifle, and the sixth man is prone and manning a Chatellerault Mle 1924/29 machine gun.
There are 2 paragraphs, each in Chinese and English, telling of the set’s components:
This set contains 5 figures depicting WWII French infantry on the counterattack against the German invasion. Set features soldiers in various poses, such as an commanding squad leader, advancing, kneeling riflemen and prone machine gunner. Figures come with field uniforms, overcoat and distinctive kepi (cap).
In addition to these figures, the set includes MAS M1936 rifles, Mle 1924/29 machine gun and pistol holster. Perfect for displaying with separately available B1 bis Tank and UE Armored Carrier.
Uniforms: M1920/35 field uniform was provided from 1935 and used with gaiters. In addition to the uniform, many soldiers wore an M1938 overcoat, while noncommissioned officers wore an M1932 overcoat and leather leggings. Outside of combat zones, the cylindrical kepi (cap) was intensively used.
One side panel of the box shows color illustrations of: the black kepi (cap) khaki steel helmet,ammo pouch, binoculars case, map case,holster, canteen and gas mask case. Copyright for the kit is 2007 and the kit was made in the Philippines.
The other side-panel of the box says Tamiya’s U.S. office location is in Irving, CA. Over their European office being in Germany. Followed by color illustrations of sergeants' and privates collar and sleeve patches, a Chatellerault Mle 1924/29 machine gun and the MAS M1936 rifle.
Illustrated in black and white, inside one of the end-flaps of the box, is the box art of Tamiya kit no.35282, a B1 bis French tank.
Illustrated in black and white, inside the other end-flap of the box, is the box art of Tamiya kit no.35284, a French Armored Carrier UE.
The back of the box shows the 6 assembled figures, the part numbers for assembly and Tamiya colors for each part. There are also profiles of the machine gun, black kepi and a front and back color profile of an infantryman.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 3 medium-grey parts trees in 2 sealed clear cello bags.
The trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical small medium-grey letter Y trees. They hold: 3 gas mask cases, 3 steel helmets, 4 ammo pouches, a map case, mess kit, 2 rifles, a machine gun with bipods (one open, one closed), a bucket with handle, a pistol holster, kepi (cap) an 3 canteens (22 parts ea.)
This kit holds 3 medium-grey parts trees in 2 sealed clear cello bags.
The trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical small medium-grey letter Y trees. They hold: 3 gas mask cases, 3 steel helmets, 4 ammo pouches, a map case, mess kit, 2 rifles, a machine gun with bipods (one open, one closed), a bucket with handle, a pistol holster, kepi (cap) an 3 canteens (22 parts ea.)
The large medium-grey tree letter Z holds: the six figures.
The kneeling figure is divided into separate head, torso, arms and legs.
Three figures are divided into separate heads, torsos, lower bodies and arms.
The last two figures are divided into separate full heads, full bodies and arms. Also on this tree are 3 oval base plates to mount 3 of the figures onto. (33 parts)
The kneeling figure is divided into separate head, torso, arms and legs.
Three figures are divided into separate heads, torsos, lower bodies and arms.
The last two figures are divided into separate full heads, full bodies and arms. Also on this tree are 3 oval base plates to mount 3 of the figures onto. (33 parts)
There is a slip included in the kit, that is printed on both sides in 4 ½” x 7” format. It has IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE KIT, in 13 languages, including English on it.
Detail is very nice.
Recommended.
Detail is very nice.
Recommended.