Gurkhas, 1936–1945
Airfix 1:76 Scale Figure Review
Airfix Gurkhas are a tribute to the Tibeto-Burman-speaking hill tribes of the Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Limbu, and Rai, who served in the British East India Company from 1815 and transferred into the British Indian Army in 1858. The Airfix Gurkhas are reminiscent of the “Monument to the Gurkha Soldier” on Horse Guards Avenue in London.
Bravest of the brave
most generous of the generous,
never had country
more faithful friends
than you.
– Professor Sir Ralph Turner MC
Contents
48 Figures in 14 Poses – 22 mm equal 167 cm Height
- Officer with Webley .38/200 Service Revolver, firing (1)
- NCO with Thompson Machine Carbine, standing, firing (4)
- № 1 Bren with Bren LMG, standing, firing (4)
- Gurkha with SMLE, walking (3)
- Gurkha with SMLE and Kukri, advancing (4)
- Gurkha with SMLE and Bajonett, running (4)
- Gurkha with SMLE, charging (4)
- Gurkha with SMLE, standing, firing (4)
- Gurkha with SMLE, kneeling, firing (4)
- Gurkha with SMLE, prone, firing (3)
- Gurkha with SMLE and Kukri, Stealth Patrol (3)
- Gurkha with Kukri, standing (4)
- Gurkha with Kukri, kneeling (4)
- Gurkha with Kukri, fallen (2)
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject. Airfix Gurkhas are a perfect figure set of British Indian troops serving in campaigns in Waziristan 1936–1939, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe. The Indian-made tropical uniform may be painted jungle green or khaki drill.
The figures are wearing an Indian-made tropical bush shirt, khaki drill shorts, puttees, 1937 pattern web equipment, slouch hat, or knit cap.
Excellent poses. Airfix offers a Gurkha officer and enough NCOs, light machine gunners, and riflemen to raise an infantry platoon. The missing 2″ mortar may be scratch-built or recruited from Revell British Infantry.
The standing machine gunner is perfect for wargames. The two soldiers with drawn Kukri may be converted to mortar and anti-tank gunners simply by replacing the Kukri with a mortar bomb or anti-tank shell of the appropriate caliber.
Eight Gurkha riflemen are a nice selection of this key figure pose.
Rifles and bayonets are well done. If the Kukri is removed and the bush hat replaced by a steel helmet or turban, the Gurkhas may be used as British Indian infantry of other regiments.
Painting Guide
The original painting instructions for Airfix Gurkhas recommended enamel paints which are not really suitable for soft plastic miniatures. Cf. Plastic Corrosion
- Humbrol 11 »Silber«: Bayonet, Khukuri
- Humbrol 29 »Dark Earth«: Water Bottle, Puttees
- Humbrol 33 »Black«: Boots, Bayonet Scabbard, Kukri Handle
- Humbrol 53 »Gun Metal«: Gun Metal
- Humbrol 56 »Aluminium«: Muzzle Flash Hider
- Humbrol 61 »Flesh«: Face, Hands
- Humbrol 72 »Khaki Drill«: Puggaree
- Humbrol 78 »Cockpit Green (RAF)«: Bush Shirt, Shorts
- Humbrol 83 »Ochre«: ‘37 Pattern Webbing
- Humbrol 98 »Chocolate«: Chin Strap, Bajonett Handle
- Humbrol 102 »Army Green«: Hosetops
- Humbrol 186 »Brown«: Rifle Stock, Kukri Scabbard
The painting guide only covers the jungle green tropical uniform worn in the Pacific Theater of Operations. In North Africa and Italy, khaki drill bush shirts and khaki drill shorts were worn.
Historical Employment
- Gurkha Infantry, 1941–1945
Possible Conversion
- Gurkha Mortar Crew, 1941–1945
- Gurkha Gun Crew, 1941–1945
- British Indian Infantry with Steel Helmets, 1941–1945
Airfix Gurkhas are a valuable addition to the British Indian Army serving in Southeast Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe during World-War Two.