| Date of Review |
May 2006 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
U.S. Rangers Normandy 1944 - Premium Edition |
| Scale |
1/35 |
| Kit Number |
6306 |
| Primary Media |
224 parts (191 in grey styrene, 28 etched
brass, 5 DS plastic) |
| Pros |
"Pumps up" older kit with state-of-the-art
parts; four new character heads very useful |
| Cons |
One of the older basic DML kits whose figures
are more static than recent poses |
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
$14.00 |
Dragon continues its series of "Premium Edition" kits – older
kits with new state-of-the-art sprues and parts added – with
this set of Rangers which were first produced in 1994 as Kit No.
6021. The original 80-part kit is now joined by DML's new "GA" equipment
and "WA" weapons sprues, as well as a new American etched
brass fret and four totally new heads made from DML's unique "DS" glueable
vinyl-like plastic.
To recap, the original set of figures had four rangers from the
Pointe du Hoc with charge bags, an M1 with rifle grenade, a BAR
and a Bangalore torpedo section. All figures come wearing the special
D-Day assault vests as well. The poses were good, and it was one
of their first breakout figure sets which demonstrated that DML
was serious about doing good, useful figure sets for modelers.
But in comparison with today's DML figures, which now comprise
up to 17 parts for the human factor, each one here consists of
only six: legs, arms, torso and head. While some modelers like
this as it is not as "fussy" to assemble, there is a
loss of some fidelity in doing figures this way. Enter the new
head sets, which appear as good as any after-market set going and
will give much more "personality" to the figures. Two
are bareheaded and two are designed to take a helmet or the "ranger" cap
included in the original set. A helmet with camouflage netting
is included on the DS sprue.
The new parts consists of the "GA" set which covers
the ammo pouches and canteens as well as holsters and first aid
pouches. The original weapons sprue is included (primarily for
the M1 with rifle grenade) and other "WA" sprues are
provided, giving two M1 rifles, a BAR with different stock with
butt monopod, bipod and accessories, an M1A1 Thompson, and an M1
carbine with magazines and accessories. The "WA" weapons
are all "slide molded" with open bores and the rifles
and carbine give a choice of open or closed bolts.
The brass fret is unique to this kit and provides the requisite
straps for all weapons and helmets, and the carry straps for the
charge bags for explosives.
Overall this is a good older set now made better by the additions,
and re-release will help modelers who are looking for rangers or
other D-Day figures get the ones they want.
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.
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