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In-Box Review
135
WW1 US. Weapons and equipment
WWI US. Infantry Weapon and Equipment
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by: Adie Roberts [ IN_WAR_AND_PEACE ]

Introduction

The American Expeditionary Forces joined the war under the guidance of General John J Pershing in 1917. The AEF fought alongside the French, British and Commonwealth Allied Forces in the last year of the war against German Axis forces. Some of the troops from the AEF fought alongside Italian forces in that same year, against Austro-Hungarian forces.

When they joined the war they did not have any light machine guns and were issued with the French Chauchat where it was officially renamed the Automatic Rifle, Model 1915, a total of 262,000 of these guns were made and used during the war.

Contents

ICM have put some thought into the WW1 U.S. Infantry Weapon and Equipment model kit bringing together some of the most recognised and widely used weapons of World War 1. In the box, which is I have to say, one of the sturdiest boxes for model kits and some of the other manufacturers could take some idea from this and improve their kit boxes. Two brown sprues full of weapons and equipment, one instruction sheet which combines the painting details.
Paints required are listed for model masters and include;
1597 Semi gloss Black
1567 Flat Tan
1764 European Green
1780 Steel
1781 Aluminium
1782 Bright Brass
1795 Gun Metal
1701 Military Brown
1735 Wood
1736 Leather
1790 Chrome Silver

Review

When I first opened the box I thought I might have difficulty in naming some of the weapons which could not have been further from the truth. The detail in the moulds was very good and actually made identification quite easy indeed, the first gun that caught my eye was the Lewis gun or Lewis automatic rifle as the Americans like to call it. The detail was very good and to a surprisingly high standard with its separate pan shaped round magazine and air cooling shroud and bipod. For something so small, the level of small parts moulded on the gun is good and gives some sense of its original look. There is a little building here, with it coming with a separate magazine that has to be mounted on the top of the gun, although there were no fit issues. Ironically this was a gun that initially was first designed in America but after several rejections, Issac Newton Lewis retired from the Army and left the United States and left for Belgium in 1913 where he established the Armes Automatique Lewis company in Liege. Lewis had been working closely with the British arms manufacturer Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA), who later managed to get a license to manufacture the Lewis machine gun in England.

Another light machine gun that is portrayed with good detail is the Chauchat, which was the light machine gun of the French infantry; the French troops often called it the FM Chauchat. With the entry of the AEF into the first world war they did not have any light machine guns and was widely used by the American forces ICM have done well here to have managed to get the level of detail with its under slung magazine and forward handle all looking good, the small indents along the muzzle making it look even more realistic, there is again a small bit of building with a bipod being fitted underneath it.

Next a Springfield M1903 Rifle, which was the standard issue rifle through the first half of the 20th century its simple but effective design and five clip ammo for ease of use. The bolt action rifle continued during the Second World War as there was not enough M1 Garand's to go around. In fact when used with a scope it proved to be a very popular sniper rifle and as such its life was extended through the Second World War on to the Korean War and even the beginning part of the Vietnam War. ICM have made a very good mould of the springfield and included all the detail you would expect to see.

Next is the Browning M1918 Bar machine gun or bar was a familiar sight during the Second World War, but did see some action during the First World War. There is also a left and right bar pouch. ICM's variant is again in good detail with clip magazine. The Springfield, this one has a bayonet fitted to it for close combat a tiny bit of building on this weapon, placing the bolt action bolt on to the top of the gun. There is also a very nicely detailed separate M1905 bayonet. M1903 Springfield rifle with rifle mortar which comes with a separate mortar grenade.

A Winchester M1997 trench gun with bayonet, this weapon a pump action shotgun proved to be very deadly at close range an M1997 bayonet scabbard. A trench knife which incorporated a brass handle with spikes, these were used to stop the opponent from grabbing the knife hand in one to one combat, it also provided a secondary function as a crude knuckle duster. Some Springfield pouches 2 sections and 3 sections a small pouch. A colt Army M1917 revolver and Smith and Wesson Army M1917 revolver a scabbard for each revolver. A lovely looking M1911 Colt pistol I could not believe that the Colt had been around for so long there is also a Colt in a pistol scabbard. M1 Grenade, shovel, shovel in case, Pickaxe. A wooden trench periscope a canteen, a respirator in bag, Officer bag , binoculars and finally an M1917 Steel helmet. I have to say I was surprised at how much detail can be made out of plastic moulds.

Conclusion

I have to say that ICM just seem to be going from strength to strength. There is a nice selection of weapons and equipment to give you a good selection for any diorama or vignette.

SUMMARY
Highs: The detail is very good on most of the items in the box. moulding is crisp loads of different options.
Lows: Not many really some fine parts which would require care when cutting from the sprue and the tiniest of flash on the extreme edges, which can be seen in pictures.
Verdict: For some one who makes figure vignette's or dioramas based on World War One, then this is the set for you crisp, good level of detail and plenty of different weapons and equipment. Add to this the low retail price of £6.99 makes it a great buy.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35688
  Suggested Retail: £6.99
  PUBLISHED: Dec 23, 2015
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.70%
  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 Adie Roberts (In_War_and_Peace)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I am disabled after a terrorist bomb I have in the past made models for TV and film and work with local museums making new models for display. I also take on commission builds for people

Copyright ©2021 text by Adie Roberts [ IN_WAR_AND_PEACE ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

They don't call 'em 1911s for nothin' . Te handguns are beautiful and one can differentiate between the Colt and the Smith with no problem.
DEC 23, 2015 - 03:26 AM
Thank You Adie for a good review, I'am working on 3 different dioarma's on WW1, this kit is a must buy for sure.
DEC 23, 2015 - 04:24 AM
THANKS, DARREN! Just the thing to go with the new US Infantry Figure set!!! Trivia: The Chauchats were VERY UNPOPULAR with US Troops...
DEC 23, 2015 - 06:15 PM
Only quibbles are- The BAR has the WW2 M1918A2 buttstock with shoulder support and trigger housing with the "Ears" on the magazine well, and the A2 squared off rear sight. all can be fixed with careful trimming. As to the Lewis they were only used in ground role by the US units attached to the British (US 27th & 30th Divisions IIRC) as the USMC .30 Lewis were taken away when they arrived in france for the Air Service to use. The Mle 1915 Chauchat could be made into the .30 US version by trimming the half moon magazine off and making a new one from stock, moving the front grip I am kind of surprised by one glaring omission. the AEF's most numerous rifle was not the M1903 Springfield but the M1917 "Enfield" made by Winchester, Remington & Eddystone. The Bulk of the AEF ''doughfoots'' carried that rifle.
DEC 24, 2015 - 11:18 AM
   
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