GCLaser
35-0012

This slick kit replicates the container that held the battle-worldly possessions for most G.I.s during the war. It is the crate style, one of several versions of the Army foot locker (visit G.I. Intelligence Dept. for some examples).

Construction is straightforward and the instructions, printed on the backside of the display card, are small but laid out logically. Once you've built one box, the next come easier. Be sure to use a new hobby blade with a nice sharp tip (I often employ the tip to pick up the small pieces and set them in place).

Only area to watch for on this set is the rounded corners on pieces 4a, 4b, 5, and 6. As seen in the photo above, the bottom corners are rounded off. The rounded ends of the H-shaped 4a and 4b should be positioned downward; likewise with the rounded corners of 5 and 6. It's a bit hard to tell this for sure from the instruction card.

This is an item that would have been painted olive drab, inside and out (officer's foot lockers had a lining). The tray is a snug fit. If you are going to have the locker opened with the tray in place, you'd probably be better off painting it while it's inserted, rather than separately. The thickness of the paint might hamper the fit.

There is a "US" burned into the center of the lid, but you're left to find your own markings for the locker, generally the last name anf first initial of the owner and his serial number. A fun challenge would be to leave it open and fill it with some of this gear.

How often a foot locker would end up on the front lines is up for question; certainly it would be exceedingly rare for soldiers on the move, such as infantry and armored troops; foot lockers were more probable for soldiers and airmen housed on a base. Nonetheless, this is a unique offering that suggests GCLaser is going to come up with some interesting surprises from time to time.

Sample provided by GCLaser.

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