"20mm Early War Brits in plastic?" Topic

To follow on from recent threads about early war figures, does anyone do BEF plastic figures apart from Zvezda?

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They do some as part of their Art of Tactic series, but with only 5 figs a pack, it's an expensive way to buy my Sealion project force.

Not that I know of although a few of the figures from the ESCI 8th Army set might do (the ones in greatcoat with Hessian helmet covers).

With the release of Battlegroup Blitzkrieg I would not be surprised if Plastic Soldier Company released someat some stage – but they are not in their current forthcoming release list – so don't hold your breath

The basic British kit didn't change much during the war. The most noticeable change was the introduction of the mk III helmet in 1944, which was a different shape. Some weapons, such as Sten guns and PIATs, were introduced after 1940 but the Lee-Enfield and Bren gun were used from the start.

I would think most WW2 British figures could be used for Sealion!

Cerdic, the early war British all carried gas masks in a rather obvious case, which was dropped later in the war. So even those with the same weapons and helmets would still look very different.

Somehow I managed a triple message !

I am not particularly a rivet counter, but I would not use 1944 Brits in an early war force in the same way that I wouldn't use them for the Western Desert or the Far East.

Ah yes. The gas mask worn on the chest. I do wonder how long that rather ungainly looking piece of kit would be kept there by the average soldier in combat!

I know I could use late war Brits for this, but it somehow doesn't seem right, particularly for an extended campaign.

HaT does or is about to release, a number of WWI and WWII British sets in plastic in 1/72nd scale. You may find something of interest with them.

hat.com

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

Well my Grandfather brought his gas mask bag back from Dunkirk… the same cant be said of his Bren.

I suspect at the time they would not have discarded them as they would not have the benefit of hindsight to know that gas would not be used… at the time it was a very real risk.

Bit like wondering if in 2003 everyone dumped their NBC kit before going into Iraq…

Airfix did a British infantry that was early war. And the Esci brits would work too

As above, the distinctive thing was the gas mask bag (which people took very seriously, fully expecting to be gassed). Rivet counters will also note that the entrenching tool was different. Plus, no helmet nets, just plain metal or Hessian covers.

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I am sure that both Airfix and Esci are late war and are unsuitable for 1939-40. No gas masks, no Boys, lots of Sten guns, etc

The latest British set from Airfix has one figure with a gas mask haversack on his chest, that would make Zvedza seem quite economical however!

Doesn't really answer the mail but here is my solution. I have nine battalions of British. Three are metal and six are plastic. So the smaller battles can be done with just the metal and, if I need more, I turn to plastic. Mass tends to then obscure the lack of detail.

For plastics I use Airfix (old style), Esci and even Matchbox. Of the three the Esci are the best noting that I think the Esci ones are rereleased by Italieri and the Matchbox by Revell.

Thanks, guys – appreciate the input and ideas. I think I'm going to gird up my wallet and start with the Zvezda sets. Have also discovered some great 'First to Fight' early war vehicles, a Polish company.