U.S. Infantry WWII Rifleman and BAR Gunner
Modeling the U.S. Army in WWII


Verlinden Productions
711

These figures have been around since the late 1980s or early '90s, and are often seen in U.S.-themed dioramas. The moldings are not quite as crisp as later Verlinden figures.

The walking rifleman carries an M1 Garand. He wears an ammo bandoleer draped over his chest. His right hand is molded to the rifle. The rifle barrel was warped; gentle bending managed only to break it.

The BAR gunner, standing at ease, has his weapon slung over his right shoulder. The thumb on his right hand was broken off, but fortunately the piece was still in the bag.

Both soldiers wear fantasy jackets---they are longer than the tan M1941 jacket, so they appear to be the olive drab M1943 jackets. However, they do not have the breast or front hip pockets as found on the M1943 jackets. To further confuse things, the BAR gunner's tapered button cuffs are those found on the M1943, but the cuffs on the rifleman are the tab arrangements of the M1941! Moreover, they do not have buttons up the center as both the M1941 and M1943 do. Given the length of the coat, and that the absence of the front pockets is fairly concealed by webbing, I painted them the OD color normally associated with the M1943 jacket.

The pants are featureless and can painted a greenish rust color for the wool trousers (I use one part ModelMasters Field Drab to two parts Leather) or olive drab for the herringbone tweed pants. Both figures wear canvas leggings.

The figures are divided into heads, torso, legs and arms. Construction is straightforward, with the arm joints needing a bit of contour putty to fill small gaps. The figures, with helmets on, scale out to about 6'3" in height.

This kit has the two heads that are found in #747 and #1437. Both wear the M1 helmet, one plain and one with netting. Like nearly all of the early Verlinden heads, these are rather characterless noggins with rather vacant looks. Replacement heads from Warriors or Yanks would be an improvement (Hornet or Ultracast heads are too small).

There are two sets of M1944 combat and cargo packs. This dual pack was designed to replace the M1928 haversack, and enabled the GI to leave the bottom cargo pack behind, usually containing spare clothes, while bringing essentials along in the combat pack. The two packs are molded together, with the M1943 shovel on top of them.

Other accessories include two ammo/grenade pouches, six grenades, two canteens, and one carrier with a larger canteen, three Garand clip pouches, and one holstered pistol.

While the shoddy research on the jackets is unfortunate, the figures are quite serviceable.

-tss-

 

Modeling the U.S. Army in WWII © 2002—2007 Timothy S. Streeter