For those of you needing more US GI’s to populate your dioramas look no further –, Alpine Miniatures has given us two new 35th scale American troops on the way to do something or other, much needed and of high quality, see what these look like in our new item preview…
New Releases from Alpine Miniatures
WW2 US Infantry NCO Winter
Kit No# 35241
1/35th scale
Each figure comes with two headgear choices included
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Dr. Jin Kim
The first of these figures is similar to his co-worker in that he is offered in 1/35th scale, and he is sculpted by Taesung Harmms and this case painted up by the equally talented Dr. Jin Kim. Like his comrade, he is offered with two different headgear choices also. Now where he IS different to his comrade in arms is his attire.
This sergeant in the US Army wears the standard issue M-1 helmet was developed as a replacement for the M-1917 helmet that had seen use since WW1. The liner and suspension were developed after a modified Riddel Football helmet. The M-1 helmet was approved for production in June of 1941. This helmet is offered “bare” without any camo covering, and also with the mesh netted covering which could hold foliage in it for camouflage.
The long overcoat favoured by U.S. G.I’s in the cold winter theatres of the ETO is on display here - his three stripes on his right arm denoting his rank sergeant’s rank. U.S. Overcoat. A olive drab wool Melton, double-breasted overcoat with eight, 3cm olive drab plastic buttons (two are under the collar), with roll collar and integral shoulder straps. Two slash hip pockets are to either side that allows access to pockets in the trousers. The coat goes all the way to the man’s knees, which are covered by cotton drill pants with are gathered by his high US Army Double Buckle Combat Boots of Russet Leather.
Gathering around his body is the cloth ribbed uniform belt, on which is hanging the small medical first aid kit on the front and a water flask on his rear right hip. A strap over his shoulder holds a map pouch, he might even be on the way to deliver a message, who knows?
Lastly but not least, he carries as his main weapon the trademark of motorized troops in the ETO in late WWII, the M3 .45-caliber submachine gun. The M3 was chambered for the same .45 round fired by the Thompson submachine gun, but was cheaper to produce, and lighter, although, contrary to popular belief, it was far less accurate. This myth stems from a US army training film portraying the M3 as more accurate than its counterparts. The M3 was commonly referred to as the "Grease Gun" or simply "the Greaser," owing to its visual similarity to the mechanic's tool.
Intended as a replacement for the .45-caliber Thompson series of submachine guns, the M3 began to replace the Thompson in first-line service in mid-1944. Due to delays caused by production issues and approved specification changes, the M3 saw limited combat use in World War II.
WW2 US Jeep Driver
Kit No# 35242
1/35th scale
Each figure comes with two headgear choices included
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Dr. Jin Kim
This mobile GI is seen at the wheel of his US JEEP looking like he would love to be anywhere else in the sculpt from Taesung Harms, again painted by Dr Jin Kim. Like his Sergeant, he comes in 35th scale and has been afforded the choice of two different headgears. The fist, again the M1 Steel Helmet, this time with some very handy M-1944 Goggles. Original M-1944 google sets were developed by Polaroid and delivered with three lenses (clear, dark polarizing, red) for dust, wind, and sun protection. "Goggle, M1944" is stamped into the one-piece rubber frame. The M-1944 pattern of goggles remained in use until the 1990s under several different names and part numbers and some soldiers used them in the first Gulf War. The other helmet is the camo net covered version.
A little more imply dressed in the "Jacket, Combat, Winter" (formal name) which was also called the "Tanker Jacket" because it was originally issued exclusively to armoured units. The jacket was part of the winter combat uniform that included the "Trousers, Combat, Winter" (bib-front overalls) worn over a shirt, with the jacket as a top layer. I cannot see what pants or boots he is wearing – I suppose we will find out in the review.
The tanker is rugged up against the cold with his leather/ cloth gloves thick on his fingers as he leans on his steering wheel, probably for his Sergeant to finish his task.
WW2 US NCO & Driver Set
Kit No# 35243
1/35th scale
Each of the two figures come with two head choices each
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Dr. Jin Kim
Sold as a set, these two could be used to populate the same scene, or separately to make their own place in your diorama. This impatient soldier at the wheel of his jeep and the Sergeant on an errand. They are fine together or alone. I think they would be good in the middle of a big US diorama.
Something like these?
These two are a good start anyway
