Modern British Infantry
Revell 1:72 Scale Figure Review
British infantry wearing the Combat Soldier 95 Clothing System (CS95) made of Disruptive Pattern Material – DPM, Soldier 90 PLCE (Personal Load Carrying Equipment), and rifles of the SA80 series – Small Arms for the 80s. The Soldier 90 PLCE was retained largely unchanged, except that its designation was updated to Type 95 Pattern webbing. PLCE is still used by the British Army today. In 2006, however, operational units, commandos and paratroopers were issued load bearing equipment compatible with Osprey Body Armour, which was superceded by Virtus Body Armour and its tactical vest in May 2016.
Contents
48 Figures in 12 Poses – 22.5 mm equal 162 cm Height
- Officer/NCO with Clansman PRC 349 Section Radio (3)
- Signaller with Clansman PRC 351 Platoon Radio (3)
- Designated Marksman with L96A1 DMR (3)
- British Infantryman with LAW-80, crawling (5)
- British Infantryman with LAW-80, standing, firing (5)
- British Infantryman with 2″ Mortar, kneeling (3)
- British Gunner with 7,62 mm L7 GPMG on Tripod, prone, firing (2)
- British Gunner with L86 Light Support Weapon, running (5)
- British Gunner with L86 LSW, prone, firing (5)
- British Rifleman with L85 and Ammunition Box, advancing (4)
- British Rifleman with L85 Assault Rifle, walking (5)
- British Rifleman with L85 Assault Rifle, standing, firing (5)
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject, British Infantry with the L85 assault rifle, introduced in 1985, and the L86 LSW is unique on this scale. The figures work well as British NATO troops from 1995.
The L7 GPMG “Gimpy” machine gun was retained in many units even after the introduction of the L86 LSW light support weapon, because of the higher rate of fire of the belt-fed machine gun. The prone LSW gunner may converted to act as loader for the Gimpy.
LAW 80 (Light Anti-armor Weapon 80), introduced in the early 1990s as the successor to the British Army‘s 84 mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle and 66 mm M72 LAW, was replaced in 2009 by the Swedish 150 mm NLAW (Next-generation Light Anti-armour Weapon). The two LAW gunners are ideal for simulation games involving the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in Western Europe.
With the introduction of the L85 assault rifle and the L86 LSW light support weapon, the British Army‘s infantry section was divided into two fire teams “Charlie” and “Delta” with four soldiers each. The fireteam now consisted of the team leader with an L85 and underslung grenade launcher, one rifleman with L85, the gunner with L86 LSW, and the designated marksman with an L96A1 sniper rifle. The L86 LSW was superceded by the L110 Minimi until the British Army returned to the old L7 GPMG “Gimpy” in 2019.
The figures are surprisingly short, they are actually more compatible with 1:76 scale miniatures. Many simulation gamers will consider the smaller size an advantage, because the figures are compatible with the popular Matchbox NATO Paratroopers, and with a variety of modern vehicles available in 1:76 scale.
The plastic is very hard, making the figures more difficult to convert. Rifle barrels and other small parts are more likely to be bent and broken by handling.
Historical Employment
- British Infantry, 1995 to today
- British Infantry in Theatre, 1995 to 2006
- British Royal Marine Commandos and Paratroopers, 1995 to 2006
Possible Conversions
- Modern British infantry with beret
- Royal Marines wearing the green beret instead of the helmet
- Paratroopers wearing the maroon beret instead of the helmet
While the number of poses is not particularly large, they are solid wargaming poses which lend themselves to a number of simple conversions. Matchbox NATO Paratroopers are an obvious source of alternate heads with berets.