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In-Box Review
135
Moroccan Goumier Rifles
Moroccan Goumier Rifles 1943
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

ICM continues to release the unusual and unexpected; in figure form from ICM we get a set Moroccan Goumier Rifles. The Goumier Rifles began World War Two fighting for the Allied Forces in North Africa, but while seen as French units they fought with all of the Allied Forces in that area of the War. This set of figures is described as being from 1943 and that will place these troops in Italy under US Forces. Moroccan Goumier Rifles have a good record as troops in Italy from what I have read on them; however Italy accused them of a number of atrocities during World War Two.

Contents

This offering from ICM is packaged in their now usual flip top cardboard tray with a separate card lid, at the risk of repeating myself I will say that this packaging should survive all reasonable handling by postal services. Inside the packaging is a single tan sprues packaged in a re-sealable plastic bag and a single sheet of paper covering assembly, contents and painting.

Review

This offering from ICM consists of four figures in relaxed standing poses. The parts are cleanly moulded for the most part; I only observed a small amount of flash on one of the hands. There are of course seam lines present on some parts, but these are not excessive and should be easily cleaned up.

The figures offer an interesting mix of uniform over the four figures. All four figures wear the tribal front fastening long coat, it is worth mentioning at this point that ICM in their painting instructions depict this as a brown colour with light brown vertical stripes, a reference check online will show that there is a lighter colour on both sides of the lighter stripes; this will be a difficult paint job.

The headwear is offered in two options, you can use the tribal headwear which will provide an interesting look, or there are British helmets as an option for all of the figures. I have checked through various online reference and most indicate that the native garb was usually worn with a mix of American uniform and webbing and so I am a little confused by the helmets.

The lower half of the uniform offers a nice mix. Two of the figures are wearing leggings, one with US army boot and the other with sandals. The other two figures are wearing US infantry trousers, gaiters and boots. Three of the figures are wearing early pattern US webbing and the appropriate ammunition pouches for the weapons that have been supplied. All of the figures are provided with water bottles and a nice touch is that one figure is shown drinking from the canteen and the empty water pouch has been supplied.

The weapons supplied with this set consist of;
2 M1 Garand rifles
1 M1 Springfield rifle
1 Thompson machine gun
These weapons have a nice level of detail, but they have not been slide moulded and so the muzzles will need attention to improve them. Despite that only three of the figures have rifles, all four figures have been supplied with bayonets which is good to see. Each of the figures is also equipped with what I believe is a tribal knife/dagger.

The faces of these figures are very nice for injection moulded plastic, I am especially pleased with the two figures that have beards as this aspect has been very well replicated. The hands are quite nice and have reasonable finger detail, the fingers I have learnt from experience will benefit from a scrap between the fingers as that will improve the look further.

Conclusion

ICM has to be one of the best companies for releasing figure sets that I doubt anyone ever expected to see. These Moroccan Goumier Rifles are a great set of figures that if finished well should attract a lot of attention from people who will likely not even be sure what they are. The mouldings are good as they are clean and have good detail. I strongly recommend you pick these figures up if it is an area that is of interest as I suspect it will be a while before we see their like again.

SUMMARY
Highs: The fact that these are such a novel release has to be the high mark for me, and they have a nice mix of uniform and weaponry.
Lows: I was surprised to see any flash on these figures.
Verdict: If you like the unusual this is a figure set you have to pick up.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35565
  PUBLISHED: Jan 17, 2016
  NATIONALITY: Morocco
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 84.86%

Our Thanks to ICM Holding!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Has anyone a clue about the vehicles they used, please? Seems to be a very nice set to break the olive tones.
JAN 17, 2016 - 01:50 AM
Hello, Goumier were pure infantry. No vehicule. They used a lot of mules.I mean a LOT. British plate helmet was pretty standard, they didn't use M1 helmet nor they received any garand rifle, specially in 1943. Only springfield or mas36 rifles. They mostly had nails, or french boots. They didn't have that much us equipment in 1943. Mostly french and uk, and old us one. Julien
JAN 17, 2016 - 01:20 PM
Julien; with you being French I bow to your superior knowledge, I will say however that the information I came across indicated that a mix of US infantry equipment was the norm for this unit when in Italy.
JAN 17, 2016 - 02:26 PM
Thrilled that ICM continues to issue unique subjects! Aside from some metal and possibly resin 1/35 models, the only other injection-molded Goumiers I know of are the Heller pair. I hope that ICM continues this series of colonial and 'special' troops.
JAN 17, 2016 - 07:27 PM
HI, Darren! Thanks for the "heads-up"! These Goumiers are quite welcome, as far as I'm concerned! The discrepancies in their weaponry can be easily remedied and the figures themselves provide a very good base for simple conversions... As a side note- According to Edwin Hoyt, author of "The GI's War", American GIs were quite taken aback by the Goumiers' habits, appearance and especially by their behavior when dealing with Germans that they had taken as prisoners of war. I won't go into detail, but German POWs didn't have a very long life-expectancy when captured by Goumiers...
JAN 23, 2016 - 04:03 PM
The goumiers in Italy were equipped, supplied and supported predominantly by the US. The French colonial troops had a horrendous reputation in Italy which negated their outstanding military feats. Ask a citizen of La Ciocciara what they think of Goums. (Or watch the movie Two Sisters starring Sophia Loren.) I believe Goum is an organisational description rather than a nationality: sort of a tribal grouping.
JAN 23, 2016 - 05:02 PM
Vittorio de Sicca's Two Women (1960) is the right title!
JAN 23, 2016 - 07:40 PM
Oops. Close but no cigar. Thanks for the correction.
JAN 23, 2016 - 10:38 PM
   
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