Review

MiniArt has re-released their British Tank Riders in 1/35th scale and I for one I pleased to see them again. Armour modellers can never have enough tank riders and these being British make them as rare as hen’s teeth. This offering arrives in an end opening card carton which I do not like as they are too easily damaged, I had to completely re-glue to box as it was un-stuck. All of the assembly and painting of the product is on the back of this carton which can make assembly a challenge depending on ability. The contents are supplied in a single plastic bag which does mean there is the potential for damage as there is plenty of room to move about.

Looking over the figures and I am very pleased that that everything is cleanly moulded and easily accessed. There is nothing for me to critique as regards what I believe was available in the original release and these will build into good figures possibly excellent depending on ability. Uniform detail is very good in both what is presented and the finesse of the finished detail. These really are a very nice product from MiniArt. The hands and faces of the injection moulded figures is very good in all regards which makes me wonder why MiniArt has released these with resin heads as an option as I do not feel it offers anything above and beyond what has been replicated already, but as the heads are moulded separately it is easy enough to use either option.

Where this offering really shines is the supporting sprues included. It should be considered that the figures do not require anything from the supporting sprues even though the instructions show such. The duplicated sprue provides the following;

Bayonets both in and out of their scabbards

Water canteens both in and out of webbing

Hand grenades

Stowed entrenchment tools

Empty entrenchment webbing and an assembled pick elf

A good number of 3 different helmet options.

A good number of ammunition pouches

A large pouch  in 2 halves that I cannot identify.

Second sprue

4 SMLE’s

4 sets of three pouches that I believe mount on the belt and shoulder strap where they meet

Third sprue

2 Bren guns (the shorter weapon is an airborne version) 

The Bren’s also have the option of a deployed and folded bipod

2 ammo pouches for Bren’s

2 Sten guns with different stocks

2 magazines for Sten guns

4 ammunition pouches for Sten guns.

Conclusion

Despite being ambivalent towards the resin head options in this release it is a great offering that I advise everyone grabs the chance to have it as I expect it will be a hard product to find over time. I really believe that MiniArt could make a killing by releasing their figure sets as special releases containing decals and photo etched weapon slings as the resin heads do not add much for my money despite my rushing out and buying 2 more sets of these as they are great value