Home > Reviews > Britain > Ultracast British Tank Commander, Crew Figures and Head Set

British Tank Commander, Crew Figures and Head Set

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

Catalogue Number and Price:	35043 - British/Empire Tank Crew Italy / NW Europe 1944 (wearing 1944 pattern denim summer tank overalls) CDN$29.95 35044 - British Heads WWII (Tank Crew #4) CDN$12.95 35045 - Canadian/British Tank Commander Europe/Italy/North Africa 1942-45 CDN$17.95 35046 - Canadian/British Tank Commander Europe/Italy/North Africa 1942-45 CDN$17.95 all available online from Ultracast's website
Scale:	1/35
Contents and Media:	Each set contains mulitple parts in cream coloured resin
Review Type:	FirstLook
Advantages:	Perfect casting; excellent detail; simple casting block removal and cleanup; natural poses (figures); variety of expressions (heads); expands an underpopulated field (ie Allied tank crew figures)
Disadvantages:
Recommendation:	Highly recommended to all Commonwealth figure and armour modellers

FirstLook

Ultracast continue their commitment to Commonwealth Armour Figures with their four latest offerings.

The quality of these sets maintain the remarkable standards set by their earlier releases. Casting is flawless, and Kevin McLaughlin's sculpting is attractive and realistic.

In common with their earlier releases, casting blocks are kept to an absolute minimum.

35043 - British/Empire Tank Crew Italy / NW Europe 1944 (wearing 1944 pattern denim summer tank overalls)

This is Ultracast's fourth Commonwealth Tank Crew set. This set fills an important gap by providing the light weight denim tanker's 1944 pattern uniform used in Italy and Northern Europe.

This new set includes one full figure and two torsos. The full figure includes separate arms and head. The remaining crew comprise two identical torsoes and five different heads. One of the heads wears a set of headphones, while another sports a tanker's helmet and goggles. The five heads for the three figures offer a nice selection depending on the mood of your scene.

A colour photograph of the Commander will help with painting the figures.

Normandy 1944 and the long slog up the boot of Italy are popular choices for modelling subjects. This attractive set will dress up Cromwells, Churchills, Shermans and Stuarts.

35044 - British Heads WWII (Tank Crew #4)

This head set comprises the same five heads included in the Tank Crew reviewed above. Modellers wanting some variety for the earlier tank crew sets will find these heads useful.

These heads will also offer lots of scope for improvement and variation to Tamiya's crew figures included in their kits.

35045 - Canadian/British Tank Commander Europe/Italy/North Africa 1942-45

This single figure is dressed cooler weather gear. His head and arms are separate. An intercom microphone is cast into one hand to ensure perfect fit of this small part.

The Commander's pose is casual and very natural.

A colour photo is included to assist painting and finishing.

Although the heading states British or Canadian, I am sure that this figure (and the one reviewed below) would be equally appropriate depicting New Zealand or South African armoured troops.

See the title image for another view of this excellent figure.

35046 - Canadian/British Tank Commander Europe/Italy/North Africa 1942-45

Another single Commander figure sitting on the cupola of his tank, this time gazing into the distance and holding a cigarette.

Once again a colour photo is included to assist painting and finishing.

Conclusion

Ultracast have made a welcome contribution to populating the 1/35 scale British and Commonwealth figure world over the last ten years.

These four new releases are versatile additions to Ultracast's ever-growing range, especially considering the relative explosion of British-related armour subjects recently available in 1/35 scale.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Kevin at Ultracast for the review samples.

You may view these and other products including photos at Ultracast's Web Site.

Text by Brett Green
Images Copyright 2007 by Ultracast (used with permission)
Page Created 08 April, 2007
Page Last Updated 07 April, 2007