Tamiya 35048 - 1:35 US Infantry

Plastic model figures: US Infantry in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35048 is a set of eight US infantry figures from the fighting on the Western Front in 1944–45. They wear the 1941 and 1943 pattern uniforms, which reflects the reality of those months well — older and newer equipment were often seen side by side within the same unit.

The set stands out for the variety of its weapons: it includes M1 Garand semi-automatic rifles, among them a sniper version with a telescopic sight, the lighter M1 carbine, the Thompson submachine gun and the BAR M1918A2 automatic rifle — the weapon around which the firepower of the US squad was built. Eight figures in one box provide plenty of material for a diorama or for crewing a 1:35 vehicle model. The tooling dates from 1974.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the parts for eight US infantry figures
• 1941 and 1943 pattern uniforms
• Weapons: M1 Garand rifle (including a sniper version), M1 carbine, Thompson submachine gun, BAR M1918A2 automatic rifle
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35048
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 8
• Tooling: 1974
• Skill level: beginner

Note: The kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The figures are supplied for self-assembly and painting.

Assembly and painting:

The build is simple and accessible to beginners — each figure consists of a few well-fitting parts and the weapons come as separate pieces. With eight figures it is convenient to work in batches: clean all the parts of gate marks and mould parting lines first, then assemble the torsos, and paint the weapons and equipment before attaching them.

Figure painting is a skill of its own, but with this many figures progress comes quickly. The base is the olive drab of the field uniform (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab) and the lighter khaki of the 1943 pattern field jacket, complemented by leather browns, canvas equipment and the steel of the M1 helmet. Varying the shades slightly between figures is worth considering — uniforms faded in the field and rarely looked identical. A wash brings out the folds of the cloth, while dry-brushing highlights raised areas. The instructions provide Tamiya paint codes.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise uniform folds and equipment
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the soldiers – US infantry 1944–45:

The US rifle squad numbered twelve men and its firepower was built around the BAR M1918A2 automatic rifle. The remaining riflemen carried the M1 Garand — the mass introduction of a semi-automatic rifle was exceptional in this war and gave a clear advantage in rate of fire over bolt-action weapons. Squad leaders often carried the Thompson submachine gun, while crew-served weapon teams, drivers and support personnel used the lighter M1 carbine.

The uniforms of 1944–45 show a period of transition: alongside older 1941 pattern clothing, the practical 1943 pattern field jacket became widespread, offering better protection against rain and cold. It is precisely this mix that the set reproduces.

These soldiers fought their way from Normandy through France and Belgium into Germany — in the bocage, in towns, in the forests of the Ardennes and through the winter conditions of the 1944/45 campaign. Snipers with telescopically sighted M1 Garands supported the squads with precise fire at longer range.

Historical background:

• Formation: US Army infantry, Western Front 1944–45
• Weapons represented in the kit: M1 Garand (including sniper version), M1 carbine, Thompson, BAR M1918A2
• M1 Garand — semi-automatic rifle, .30-06 calibre (7.62 mm), eight-round clip
• M1 carbine — a lighter .30 Carbine weapon for support crews, drivers and leaders
• BAR M1918A2 — automatic rifle, the core of the rifle squad's firepower
• Uniforms: 1941 pattern clothing and 1943 pattern field jackets

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in the timber trade, moved on to wooden models in the late 1940s and released its first plastic model kit in 1960. In 1968 it launched the 1:35 Military Miniature Series, to which this figure set also belongs. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which makes its kits a popular choice for beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya figures are valued for their natural poses and clearly rendered uniforms, weapons and equipment. Besides plastic kits the company offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today Tamiya is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.