US Army SAW Gunner
from New World Miniatures
Review by Sean M. Lynch
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From the New World Miniatures Website:
“Our purpose is to provide you modeling enthusiasts with very high quality kits of original subjects at reasonable prices. Our plan is to produce resin figure kits in 1/35 scale, 54 mm, 1/16 scale and 1/9th scale and 1/35th Armor kits, and 1/48th Armor/Aircraft conversions. We plan to use the best sculptors/pattern builders and the finest casting techniques to insure that you get what you want. This is a ‘by modelers for modelers’ venture.”
The U.S. Army SAW Gunner figure is 1/35th scale. It features a Modern U.S. soldier in an action pose walking and covering a target with the SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). New World Miniatures lists this as SPC Stephan Ward 220th MP Brigade, 16th MP Brigade, Iraq 2003-2004.
The figure is listed as ‘coming soon’ on the company website at the time of the writing of this first look review. However, those that were able to attend the 2008 AMPS International Convention in Auburn, IN were able to pick up advanced copies of the figure, along with other current and advanced releases. The photo of the box indicates this with the AMPS 2008 logo.
The figure is very well sculpted with excellent detailing. The pose is very nice for an action type of setting. Often figure manufacturers depict figures in more of relaxed type settings or performing maintenance or very stoic as if posing for a photo. It is very welcomed to see a figure doing something soldiers do, which is walking or in position to fire/are firing their weapon at an enemy. It appears that New World Miniatures will be releasing several figures set in Iraq and/or part of Stryker teams in action type poses, which will be welcomed by those who want to model scenes from Iraq.
As can be seen in the following photos, there will be very little clean up required of the figure. There is minimal flash, and the casting blocks are kept to minimum overall. The exception will be clean up for the SAW. As parts of this will be fragile, such as the gun barrel, care will be needed in removing the casting blocks and flash. A nice feature is that the hands are molded onto the SAW. This will ensure the proper grip of the SAW when the figure is completed. The uniform and details appear accurate, however I am not an expert on current US uniforms so the reader will have to decide from the photos if this figure and uniform is what is desired.
Highly Recommended
Thanks to Chris Mrosko for the review sample.
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