Model Forum / General / Models / March 2006

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale '39-'45 Series Kit No.
6272; 2nd Division USMC Tarawa 1943 Gen 2; 233 parts (198 in grey
styrene and 35 in etched brass); estimated retail price US $10.95

Advantages: "Gen 2" molding now comes to American figures; first good
new set of styrene Marines in many, many years

Disadvantages: much of the etched brass not useable with these figures
(see text)

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all Pacific and USMC fans

    Dragon's "Gen 2" series of slide-molded figures have set a totally
new standard for styrene figures, but up until now they had
concentrated exclusively on German subjects. Now, with a USMC M4A2
mid-production model tank slated to represent those used in the Tawara
campaign on the horizon, DML has now offered up a set of four "Mud
Marines" to compliment that tank.

    The Marines have not fared well in injection molded figures over the
years. For a long time the only good set out there - if you could
find it - was the Airfix 1/32 scale (54mm) "Multipose" set. DML
had done some Marines earlier, but the primary ones they offered were
either for Operation Desert Storm or Korea. While the Korean ones could
be backdated, they still were not correct (as they came with winter
coats a la the Chosin Reservoir battle.)

    Each figure comes in a total of 17 parts - boots (2), legs (2),
torso (2), coat skirt (4), arms (2),  hands (2), collar (1) , and  head
(2). But for conversion purposes, a total of 15 arms and 15 hands are
provided to give the modeler a wide variety in what the figures do and
represent. They provide one standing, one kneeling, one squatting and
one prone pose.

    This kit provides Marines in 1943 gear with a flamethrower, an M1
Thompson submachine gun, an M1 carbine, and two M1 Garand rifles. The
carbine and the M1s both have optional bolts (open/closed, provide your
own "M1 Thumb") and all of them come with a number of extra
magazines or clips. All are slide molded with hollow bores.

    The American figures are now being graced with the same "G" and
"W" series sprues as the German kits provide, and GA covers the kit
for the figures and WA the weaponry. The GA sprue provides holsters,
canteens, first aid pouches, and ammo pouches for all of the included
weapons. The helmets are the USMC style with cloth camouflage covers
and no "rubber band" as was more common postwar. Three "Ka-Bar"
type knives in sheathes are provided as well as one "raider" or
"commando" type knife (I am not into edged weapons so bear with me
here; the box art refers to it as an M3 trench knife.)

    The etched brass is listed as specifically for this kit, but a close
examination with a jeweler's loupe shows that is not going to be the
case. It comes with US Army infantry brass, lieutenant's bars, and
general's stars as well as officers' "US" brass. It also
provides slings for all of the weapons as well as "loose" helmet
straps, but it is suggested that the brass be heated over an alcohol
lamp before use to anneal the tensile strength and make bending the
slings easier.

    The excellent boxtop painting by Ron Volsted and the matching interior
sheet provide good directions for painting as well as how DML suggests
the optional arms and legs be used.

    Overall this looks to be a great kit, and now to await US Army
figures.

    Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell