Hobby Fan
HF522

Here is another versatile set from Hobby Fan. You can put this crew around any tank, really, if you change out the ammo supplies. Unfortunately, there were no rounds, as seen in the box art, included with my set. I don't know if this was by mistake or design, as the ammo would change from 3" to 76mm just between the M10 and M18 tank destroyers.

The supplies are nicely done, however, and could probably suffice between any of the larger caliber rounds. The empty fiberboard tubes are hollowed out on the open end, and like the full tubes, are attached to the casting blocks at the opposite end. That means you lose the detail that end cap, but that's a small issue. The boxes are engraved with wood grain and have rope handles, metal securing bands, and hasps.

The figures themselves are typical offerings from Hobby Fan: sharp sculpting and details (the closure tabs are included at the ankle openings of the worksuits) and no flash. This set does not have the mold seams along the sides of the legs, like Hobby Fan's other M10 crew set has. There's a more distinctive variety in the uniforms, too. While two of the figures wear the combat trousers (overalls), the other two wear the one-piece herringbone twill worksuits. The soldier handing the round to the man in the turret wears the winter combat jacket over his. The GI with the Tommy gun has a shoulder holster strapped on over his worksuit. Another nice change is the herringbone twill cap sported by the man in the turret, and the gloves on the hands of the GI with the round on his shoulder.

A slight problem might present itself with the M1 helmet worn by the soldier on guard. The casting plug is molded at a diagonal on the filled bottom of the helmet and will need to be carefully carved away. I've noticed that Hobby Fan has a tendency to do this, probably to avoid problems removing the plug from the top side of the helmet and losing the roundness, as can happen with Warriors heads.

One peculiarity is the Tommy gun, which has a pair of clamp-like objects, one behind the hand grip and the other forward of the magazine. I don't know if this was something used to secure the gun to the top of the vehicle; the parts aren't in the right position. I anyone knows the answer to this, please share it with me!

Other than that little mystery, this is a fine quartet that will make itself at home in front of any big green machine.

-tss-