Modern British Infantry, 1995
Revell 1:72 Scale Figure Review
British infantry wearing CS95 DPM uniforms in conjunction with the earlier Soldier 90 PLCE personal load carrying equipment. When this figure set was researched and sculpted in the mid-90s, the British army was in transition from the ’90 pattern uniform and equipment to the new ’95 pattern. This new 90/95 pattern equipment replaced the 1958 pattern web equipment found on old Matchbox NATO Paratroopers which can be used to represent British and Dutch infantry. Territorial Reserve and Cadet formations of the British army continued to use ’58 pattern equipment for some time, until ’90 pattern equipment became available in 2001.
Contents
- 48 Figures in 12 Poses – 22.5 mm equal 162 cm Height
- Officer/NCO with Walky-Talky (3)
- Radio Operator (3)
- Sniper (3)
- Soldier crawling with LAW-80 (5)
- Soldier standing, firing LAW-80 (5)
- Soldier kneeling, firing 2″ Mortar (3)
- Soldier prone, firing 7.62 mm GPMG on tripod (2)
- Soldier advancing with Light Support Weapon (5)
- Soldier prone, firing LSW (5)
- Soldier advancing with Ammo-Box (4)
- Soldier advancing with SA-80 (5)
- Soldier standing, firing SA-80 (5)
Evaluation
Good choice of subject, modern British infantry had not be covered for some time.
The SA80 assault rifle has been in service since 1985, it fires standard NATO 5.56 × 45 mm ammunition.
Good wargaming poses. With the exception of the lone GPMG gunner and the prone soldier, these miniatures may be used to build modern British infantry platoons for Crossfire and other simulations. Sculpted by Bill Farmer.
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 cut apart.
The assistant gunner of the tripod-mounted 7.62 GPMG is missing. An unfortunate omission, because Wargamers will want to mount the GPMG on a support team stand of two or three men.
Historical Employment
- Modern British infantry
- British Royal Marines
- British Paratroopers
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
Archer Models and Cromwell Models offer 1:76 scale kits of British infantry fighting vehicles which may be used in conjunction with these figures. While the selection of poses is not great, wargamers may be able to convert enough figures to build small units. The old Matchbox set of modern British infantry is a good source of heads with berets which may be used to add variety.