Darren Baker reviews the first of MasterBox's Bloody Atoll Series, Japanese Imperial Marines, Tarawa, November 1943.



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Thanks!

Thanks for this review Darren! I have been interested in this set for some time but have not had a chance to actually look at an example. I agree that particular arm looks very odd, would definitely need surgery.
I was wondering if you have had the opportunity to examine any of the Fine Molds figure sets, and if so how they would compare to this set?

Sorry Jeremy i do not have any or ever had any figures sets by Fine Molds.

Not a problem, just curious. My guess is that these figures are probably better than the FineMolds offerings.

Thanks for the review Darren. I've been thinking about a dio with these three sets, just haven't found a good deal on all three at the same time yet. Looking forward to the other two reviews!

Cheers!
Stefan

Hi

Just a comment on the height issue. One needs to remember that the Japanese Marines were an elite unit with larger personnel than the average Imperial Army conscript. Many a US unit was surprised by the size of their marine opponents who were much larger than wartime propaganda had lead them to expect.

I would therefore submit that proportionally the Masterbox figures are probably correctly sized to the historical reality.

Deathdork

Thank you for that information as it is the first time I have ever heard that.

Japan did not have Marines so to speak. They were special naval landing forces that were part of the IJN and utilized Naval Rank system.

John I have heard then identified as Imperial Marines on several occasions and so I have no reason to question the title. It is my belief that the word Marines indicates navel forces that fight on the land but are landed from the sea, which while not strictly accurate in the present it was in the past.

Darren, I agree about naval ground fighting forces landed from the sea. I guess I was trying to say the Japan did not have a separate branch of service as the USMC and the Royal Marines that utilize "Army" style ranks (IE Sargents etc) So yes I agree that the Special Naval Landing Forces performed "marine" duties. But when they are referred to as imperial marines it leads people to belive they were set up like he USMC and/or Royal Marines, when they were members of the IJN with Navy type ranks. IE Petty Officer/Commander) but I guess it is splitting hairs, they were a type of marine force.

Thank you for the clarification John.

There is a great little Osprey book on the IJN naval landing forces and that is where I got my original information contained in my prior comment. The book is highly recommended.

Deathdork

No mention in the review of how the decals fit onto the rifles!! Any ideas on this, fellow modellers???

Place them on tinfoil and attach that way. Leave it until the last job as well.