Introduction

With about five Airborne Jeep conversions, Resicast have naturally enough (or thoughtfully enough), provided a number of sets of airborne drivers to crew the jeep sets.

This is a brief look at the two figure set 35.5221 Para Jeep Crew. Note that Resicast have recently changed the kit number, so the 35.521 reference on the set is now 35.5521, this additional 5 is in all the price listings and will probably be the one you see if you visit their site.

The Set

The set comes in the standard Resicast Zip bag with the figures being contained within a further set of smaller zip bags inside. On the front is a paper insert with a good colour photograph showing the finished drivers in place to aid painting, together with the product information and makers name.

Cast in a light grey resin, the figures were free from any air bubbles or damage, and the only thing you will need to do is cut off and clean up the small pour stubs. Normal precautions apply when working with resin.

Jeep Driver:
Cast naturally enough in a seated position, the figure is designed to fit the Tamiya jeep drivers’ seat. The lower back of the figure is smooth so that it sits naturally in the drivers’ seat. The left arm is cast to grip the steering wheel and the right arm rests on top of the gear lever. The sit of the figure is quite relaxed and natural looking, and he is wearing the standard paratrooper smock, battledress trousers with anklets and ammo boots. The map pocket is evident on the left leg. The pockets of the smock are filled out as if packed with small items and the figure wears skeleton battle order in the form of 37 pattern web belt, left and right ammo pouches and shoulder straps.

Detail on the kit is excellent, a good set of brasses are evident on the belt and detail on the kit and uniform look good. There are nice bulging pockets and good natural creases in the uniform, so this figure should paint up very well indeed.

The driver has Head AB with good sharp facial detail, a paratroopers helmet with fine detailed netting and on top of which are a pair of driving goggles. The chin strap is fastened below the chin.
I previously reviewed Airborne Heads No 1 here on Armorama.


Jeep Passenger:
Again cast naturally enough in a seated position, this figure is in a more upright pose. The right leg is bent slightly higher than the left to sit on the raised side of the jeep. The figure is wearing the standard paratrooper smock, battledress trousers with anklets and ammo boots. The map pocket is evident on the left leg. The pockets of the smock are filled out as if packed with small items and the figure also wears skeleton battle order in the form of 37 pattern web belt, left and right ammo pouched and shoulder straps. The right arm is designed to be holding a map and resting on the right knee, whilst the left arms is fashioned to be pointing, at the route.

Detail on the figure is excellent, a good set of brasses are evident on the belt and detail on the kit and uniform look good. There are nice bulging pockets and good natural creases in the uniform so this figure should paint up very well indeed.
The passenger has head AA, this shows the face of a young paratrooper, the mouth is open in the act of shouting/talking. Facial detail is very sharp and the head is wearing a standard paratroopers helmet with detailed fine netting. The chin strap is linked across the front of the helmet.

There was one piece of additional equipment in the form of a 1943 gas mask holder and there is a nice sized map for the navigator to hold.

Conclusion

Two excellent figures to stock your airborne jeeps with. Good, sharp and clean casting, these figures have been designed with a specific setting in mind and should fulfil that purpose admirably. That said, they could be used outside the vehicle in seated positions providing their backs were against a wall or vehicle so there should be flexibility of use if needed.

The uniform and equipment detail looks good, the heads are well cast and appropriate for the setting, but again you could change these out to beret wearing ones if that suited your setting more.

I have a feeling that the breast pockets of the jump smocks should be sitting a mm or so higher at least on the driver figure, but it may just be my perception as they are moulded to look filled out. Also the jacket epaulets sit over the webbing which might be good for the parade ground but probably not appropriate for the field.

These 2 figures are shown in the Signals Jeep Conversion I also reviewed on Armorama, but I imagine they would work well in any of the Paratrooper jeeps, whether converted airborne jeeps or standard GS ones used by the echelons.

I built these two figures as I was writing this review. Both needed a tiny amount of filler around the arms and there was a slight blemish on the drivers’ right side that I filled too. I test fit them both into the RA jeep I already had and both fit well and naturally into the vehicle.

I’ve enclosed 4 pictures of the built figures so far, not quite finished but advanced enough to give you an idea of their look.