W^D Models 1/72
WW1 British Infantry in full kit
 

As mentioned in a previous review of W^D Models British in casual poses, there has never been any big lack of 1/72-20mm scale Great War figures per se, it is just that they A.) often has been less than anatomically correct and B.) they have been very action oriented.

But Barry Williams of W^D Models has set out to change this - as many of us know now. His first sets, of Brits in casual poses, was quite simply superb: without doubt the best small scale Great War figures on the market. (Click here to see that first review.)

Now more sets of figures have continued to appear. Among them some "British infantry in full kit", standing (set WD8) or walking (set WD9). They follow the W^D Models pattern in as much as they are in white metal, VERY cleanly cast, and posable: on some there are separate arms, all comes with a choice of heads: standard service cap, Brodie helmet or australian bush hat.

Below you can see both types: one standing, one marching, one made into an early war Tommy, the other one into a Digger - notice that the sculptor has managed to put a real (singing) face on the Aussie! In this scale you often have to be happy if you get any facial features at all. All models here are shown after a black wash, so that the details will be at their best.

The fact that they all are more or less adaptable of course makes them even more useful for the modeller and diorama builder. The possible variations are BIG. It also makes them usable both for early and late war periods. (The webbing is of the M1908 type. For more info on British uniforms during the Great War, click here!)

As with the previous sets the detail, the sculpting, the anatomical proportions is absolutely first class! Upon my honour, the sculptor has produced tiny works of art! Many have detail like they were 1/48 or 1/35. On the photo below you can see that they are, however, really 1/72. (All photos show them at some four times their real size).

And if you don't believe me that these ARE really 1/72, just look at my thumb!

The only problem that I have found, is the fitting of the heads to the necks: you have to be careful both when cutting the neck of the head, so to speak, so it doesnt get to short or too long, and then the collar often has to been enlarged somewhat to take them.

But this is really no big thing at all, and I can't see how it can be done differently, IF you want to make the figures as adaptable as possible. Comes with the posable territory, I guess, and just requires a minute of extra time doing a dry-run or two.

WD Models and Barry Williams can be contacted at wdmodels(AT)googlemail.com. Some firms, like Retrokit, Tracks and Troops and Blitzkrieg Models also stock them.

Verdict

These are not just the best Great war figures I have seen, they are also among the best 1/72 scale figures that money can buy, regardless of period. Amazing! Get them! These of course also get a rare SIX star rating!