Mechanic #1
Modeling the U.S. Army in WWII

Verlinden Productions
142

This was another early 1980s VP set that tried to give the modeler some versatility with a generic uniform that could pass—with some generous leeway—as U.S., British, or German.

For U.S. use, the shirt suggests the herringbone tweed look, though in actuality the breast pockets were longer (more like chest pockets). But they'll do here because most modelers aren't as finicky about pockets as they are about sprockets! Add a button on each pocket flap and down the front of the shirt for a little more accuracy. The illustration on the packaging shows front thigh pockets on the trousers, but they don't appear on the actual piece.

This fellow stands casually with his legs crossed; this is a pose that seems to challenge sculptors to portray convincingly, but Verlinden's unidentified sculptor accomplishes it pretty well. As seen in the box art, he hold a cigarette in his left hand and a welding torch is in his right hand, but no such items are included in the kit.

Three heads are provided in soft caps: the OD utility cap for the GI, a beret for an English gent, and the soft cap for the German; there is no head with the goggles as on the package. The heads are quite large; the packaging labels the figure as "54mm-1/35 scale," typical for these initial VP figures. You can probably substitute a less massive head from Warriors, but Hornet heads are way too small.

While tall and not quite state-of-the-art, this is a decent addition to a casual scene if he doesn't dwarf the figures around him.

-tss


 

Modeling the U.S. Army in WWII © 2002—2008 Timothy S. Streeter