The Modelling News: We dispatch a review for D-Day Miniature Studio’s latest roadside figures..

Today we look at two figures from the British Army in 1/35^th scale from D-day Miniature Studios - a new company focusing on releasing resin figures from WWII has two new figures of the “Allied” lovers amongst us – their set of two single or in a pair Dispatch Rider and British Military Policeman are a welcome change to the genre..

Reviewed here:

British Dispatch Rider 1942-1945
35010
1/35th Scale

British Military Policeman 1943-45
35011
1/35th Scale

British Dispatch Rider & MP 1943-45 (set of 2)
35012
1/35th Scale

All of these are sculpted & painted by Pawel Krasicki

In a constant stream it seems of elite SS and German types of figures in the top shelf 1/35^th scale resin figure business there is often a call for something different from modellers. When we chance against an American or British and Commonwealth figure set we take notice as we know that people will rejoice – but the problem is will the same people buy it?

Good quality resin British and commonwealth figures are pretty light on the ground. New company D-Day Miniatures are onto their second set of brit figures now – recently we previewed their pair of “Tommy” infantrymen recently but these are their first British set – two single figures, one Dispatch Rider and the other a roadside Military Policeman who are sold also as a pair conversing on what looks like a discussion on directions on the side of the road.

The picture here was indeed one of the shots used in the inspiration of the sculpting of these figures..

There is a fair bit of pointing going on here – so much for people who go on about too much pointing in pictures – it did after all happen in real life!

The figures either come as separate or in a pair. They arrived at HQ in a box safely encapsulating their retail box which in turn held each figure in a zip-loc plastic bag keeping the parts separate. In the case of individual figures you get the same just one inside the box of course.

Both of the figures are cast in light grey resin. It isn’t smelly and there is only a little very thin extra resin to remove if any. No real seams to remove either and there was one single bubble showing on the rear of the soldier’s helmet head. I like the casting quality overall

On to each of the figures in turn now. Then we will look at them as a pair – and lastly we have them painted up at the end of the review to see what is achievable if you paint it yourself ( well maybe – anything is possible).

35010 - British Despatch Rider 1942-1945
1/35^th Scale
Sculpted & painted by Pawel Krasicki

This British Despatch Rider represents a either a “Brit” or empire dispatch rider in the period of 1942-45 Sculpted in Resin by Pawel Krasicki he is seen pointing and talking at something in the proximity to him. He does look actually like he is giving or asking directions which could well be the case seeing his profession.

The figure comes with a single head choice – and two arms which are separate to the torso all sculpted in grey resin.

The head is seen here on the small casting block – he is wearing goggles and a Dispatch Rider's Khaki Rubberized "Pilot-style" Cloth riding helmet made by the Harley Davidson Company– his goggles are up on his head. He has a long face which kind of reminds me of a Stalingrad sculpt – which isn’t a bad thing. This long face and pointy nose on this face are slim, as most people were in the war because of hard work and poor food. The face fits his body very well and the wrinkles on the leather helmet will come up very nicely during a painting session.

His long skinny body is wearing a thick battledress is held in at the midriff by the belt which also holds the holster of his Webbley revolver. He has some gloves tucked into his belt breaks the flow of the jacket and makes for some interesting folds and creases in his jacket that will again come up very nicely when painted.

Dispatch Riders Battledress trousers which like his tunic was made of wool but with cotton drill lined to inside of leg these at wide like britches until the despatch rider boots which had three leather buckles on the top to gather in a wayward trouser leg to keep them clear of the bike’s chain. These are high boot in black or brown – your choice.

His arms slip neatly into the spaces left on the torso – there are indeed notched and holes provided for locating these arms but to be hones they did not work for me – I snipped them off and carefully trimmed and trimmed the arms to fit the sockets. They just didn’t want to go into in the lug holes for me so I was glad when this still worked out ok.

Here he is all together – a nicely executed sculpt – nice and thin and realistic in the face and body language. Easy to put together as well much to my surprise after the lugs not fitting.

35011 - British Military Policeman 1943-45
1/35th Scale
Sculpted & painted by Pawel Krasicki

This Military Police rider is seen – silent, but with an interesting expression on his face almost as if to say he is trying hard to keep his mouth shut! Arms behind his back he is taking it all in as the dispatch rider talking to or asking him directions.

He comes as his comrade did in grey resin but in two simple pieces only - the head and the torso only.

The head choice is only one that is wearing a flat brimmed steel “Tommy” style helmet. There is a very delicate removal from the pouring block needed to not damage the thin rim of the helmet – so take care. My helmet had one bubble in it which is an easy fix.

The MP has a pointy nose and chin. He also has a complentative look on his face which supports the fact he is listening to the dispatch rider – whether he is agreeing with him is up to you!

This Military Policeman wears a despatch rider’s motorcycle rubberised coat which could clamp closed around his legs giving him protection from the elements and wind. This coat featured a slanted map pocket at the front, deep leather trimmed flapped pockets, a double buckled belt, Inner boot straps a removable chin strap storm guard and buckled chin strap. Also between the legs you can see the popper studs at the hem which can snap together with those along the inner front edge to form a protective over-trouser type set up.

The coat is partitioned neatly by the soldier’s belt which not only wrinkles up the fabric neatly but also the belt flaps loosely over the waist to site loosely at the waist. This looks realistic and a nice distraction and bit of depth to the figure. The boots with puttees/galoshes also gather the fabric of his pants which are really wrinkly underneath the warm coat. He is a simple figure but the sculptor has gotten a lot out of him!

Here he is all together – it took all of two minutes to get him ready!

35012 - British Despatch Rider & MP 1943-45
1/35th Scale
Sculpted & painted by Pawel Krasicki

The motorcycle dispatch rider is seen pointing down the road whilst the MP intently listens.

These two figures really do fit in well as a set though – the rider talking (or at) the policeman makes a really nice scenes – and the painting in this instance done by the sculptor Pawel Krasicki really does complete the scene.

I like both of these figures – they went together easily and are very nicely sculpted in a unique style. The slim bodies and angular faces were quite different to each other but very similar in look. There is just enough difference to make these look like soldiers from the same army but very different individuals.

I like the fact that someone is taking British and commonwealth figures seriously and providing us with some nice figures in resin. I hope they keep making them.

Adam Norenberg

You can buy these figures directly from the D-Day website: ddayminiaturestudio.com or just send an email with your order to: office@ddayminiaturestudio.com

Here are these two firgures painted individually and as a pair - all painted up by Pawel Krasicki - showing you what they are like once completed - very nice figures indeed.

35010 - British Despatch Rider 1942-1945

1/35^th Scale

Sculpted & painted by Pawel Krasicki