WWI Armoured Car Crew Figures

Copper State Models, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green
 

Summary

FirstLook

Copper State Models was originally an American cottage industry manufacturer of WWI aircraft kits and accessories. Its models were generally a multimedia mix of resin and white metal parts.

A change of ownership in 2012 led to a change in direction. Still focused on WWI subjects, the company is now revisiting the Copper State Models back catalogue and restoring the kits.

They also released a very nice 1:35 scale Lanchester Armoured Car early in 2018.

Copper State Models has now introduced a range of relevant WWI British Army and RNAS Armoured Car Division crew figures to complement their Lanchester.

No fewer than nine figures are available. They are all sold separately so you can mix and match to your own personal taste. The subjects are:

• Item No. F35-001 - British Armoured Car Division Officer on Tea Break

• Item No. F35-002 - British Armoured Car Division Serviceman on Tea Break

• Item No. F35-003 - British Armoured Car Division Serviceman With a Shovel

• Item No. F35-004 - British RNAS Armoured Car Division Officer

• Item No. F35-005 - British RNAS Armoured Car Division Crewman Observing

• Item No. F35-006 - British RNAS Armoured Car Division Seated Crewman

• Item No. F35-007 - British RNAS Armoured Car Division Crewman With a Bucket

• Item No. F35-008 - British RNAS Armoured Car Division Petty Officer

• Item No. F35-009 - British RNAS Armoured Car Division Petty Officer Relief

Each figure is perfectly cast in grey resin. Uniform draping and textures are beautifully done, and facial features are fine and very realistic.

Figures are generally broken down into a single part for legs and torso with separate arms. These are connected by a long and positive locating peg, which is keyed into holes in the sides of the torso.

There is a good selection of casual poses, standing beside the vehicle and a couple that are seated on the rear deck. There is even one anatomically correct figure heeding the call of nature! (Item No. F35-009)

Attachment to casting blocks are minimal. In fact quite a number of parts don’t have casting attachments at all. Clean-up of a few casting strips and raised seams won’t take long nor require specialised tools.

Instructions are not included and they are not really necessary as asembly is pretty self-explanatory, but a painting guide or at least a colour photo of a painted figure might have been useful.

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These are beautifully cast and detailed figures that are a must if you are building Copper State Models’ Lanchester armoured car. Your biggest challenge will be picking which ones you want to use. I can’t wait to paint mine!

Thanks to Copper State Models for the samples www.copperstatemodels.com