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In-Box Review
135
K-9 Scout Team
U.S. Army Infantry(4) K-9 Scout Team
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by: Engin Kayral [ GRAYWOLF ]

introduction

Every month, Vladimir Demchenko sculpts a new unique subject and opens up new horizons to Vietnam diorama builders. Recently, he added a new kit to U.S.Army Infantry-Rumble in Jungle series. B6-35053 depicts a K-9 Scout Team with a Dog Handler and a German Shepherd.
about the kit

Vietnam War made a big increase in the use of dogs in direct combat roles. Dogs were used in scouting, patroling, tracking, locating enemy mines, hidden base camps, underground tunnel complexes, finding caches of enemy weapons, food, and medical supplies, detecting enemy infiltrations into airfields and base camps or alerting on snipers and ambushes. Especially jungle patrols were very limited in what the soldiers could see and hear, even more so at night. Their dogs were invaluable in extending the senses by the much superior canine ability in hearing, smell and signt.
Between the years 1964 and 1973, United States had deployed an estimated 4,000 war dogs and 10,000 handlers to Vietnam. Main breeds served in jungles were German shepherd and Labrador retriever. Shepherds were specially trained for scouting as Labradors were trackers.
K-9 units were credited with saving thousands of lives in Vietnam. These dogs were very effective that the Viet Cong offered bounties for killing them and their handlers. Sadly, at the end of the conflict, as K-9 units were deactived, dogs were transfered to South Vietnam Army or euthanized. Less than 250 dogs were returned to the United States or other locations.
box & casting

The kit comes in standard BRAVO-6 cardboard box labeled with a photo of K-9 Scout team. Kit content is elaborately inserted in 3 different transparent zip-lock bags to prevent possible damages. Parts are cast in grey resin and represented with the casting blocks. Quality is good with no air bubbles, casting mistakes or excess resin and there will be no need for a serious cleanwork.

DOG HANDLER
Posed slightly leaning forward to hold his dog, it comes in 13 parts.
  • Body : He wears standard uniform of 3rd pattern jungle jacket, trousers and black leather/canvas combined jungle boots. He carries a M16 bandolier on his waist over his M1956 pistol belt. Cloth folds, uniform details and harness of the backpack are well defined.
  • Head : Facial details, hair and open mouth are well defined.
  • Right arm : He carries a XM-177E2 with a collapsible stock,extended flash hider and twenty round magazine. Upfolded sleeves are well defined.
  • Left arm : Posed to hold the dog with upfolded sleeves. He has a wrist watch. Dog lead can be scratched from metal foil.
  • Lightweight Tropical Rucksack with metal frame : A 2 quart collapsable film bladder, a bedroll and a M17 Gasmask case are cast on the frame with crisp details.
  • First Aid/Compass pouch
  • M7 bayonet in M8A1 scabbard
  • 1 Qt canteen in canvas cover - 4 pieces
  • Helmet with Mitchell pattern camo canvas cover and strap
  • A water-slide decal sheet with different types of insignia, ranks and nametags is given inside the kit.


    DOG
    German Shepherd comes in 4 pieces. Two body halves, head and tail. It shows a nice texture.
    Vladimir first sculpted another dog for this kit and shared the kit boxart with modelers. After critics and comments, he decided to change it to a German shepherd. A good decision to appreciate for a model company.
    conclusion

    Another great pair to use in Vietnam jungle dioramas.
    Highly recommended
  • SUMMARY
    Highs: Dog of war is a good subject.Nice sculpt and nice cast.
    Lows: No lows on this one.
    Verdict: A dog of war will be a good addition to Vietnam War scenes.
    Percentage Rating
    94%
      Scale: 1:35
      Mfg. ID: B6-35053
      PUBLISHED: Oct 25, 2013
      NATIONALITY: United States
    NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
      THIS REVIEWER: 92.20%
      MAKER/PUBLISHER: 95.07%

    Our Thanks to BRAVO-6!
    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 Engin Kayral (Graywolf)
    FROM: IZMIR, TURKEY / TüRKçE

    Born in 1962,married and having 2 sons. I started modelling about 8 years old building USS Fletcher with mom. It was a model dad brought from USA., I think in those days only a few people in Turkey had info on scale model kits. Grown as an AF officer son , I built many aircraft models in years. Som...

    Copyright ©2021 text by Engin Kayral [ GRAYWOLF ]. All rights reserved.



    Comments

    Looks like excellent sculpting.....I particularly like the GSD....very realistic. Cheers, Joe
    OCT 25, 2013 - 08:05 AM
       
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