Tamiya 35192 - 1:35 U.S. Assault Infantry

Plastic figure kit: U.S. Assault Infantry in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35192 is a set of six figures depicting American infantrymen in an assault. The group comprises two NCOs and four privates, among them a gunner firing a BAR M1918A2 automatic rifle with its bipod deployed. The poses are dynamic, showing the men in motion and in action.

The weapons match the real equipment of an American rifle squad on the Western Front: two M1 Garand rifles, a Garand with a grenade launcher attachment, an M1 carbine, a Thompson M1A1 submachine gun and the BAR. The soldiers wear the 1941 and 1943 pattern field jackets. The tooling dates from 1995 and the kit belongs to the Military Miniature Series.

What is in the box:

• Plastic parts for six figures
• Two M1 Garand rifles and a Garand with grenade launcher
• M1 carbine
• Thompson M1A1 submachine gun
• BAR M1918A2 automatic rifle with bipod
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35192
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 6
• Tooling: 1995
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The figures are supplied for self-assembly and painting.

Assembly and painting:

Assembly is quick and simple — the figures consist of few parts and the fit is typical of Tamiya. It is worth carefully removing the gate marks and smoothing the mould seam lines before painting; on figures, any blemish on a face or uniform shows up clearly later. Painting the weapons and equipment separately before attaching them to the figures is a helpful approach.

American infantry wore olive shades — olive drab is the natural starting point (for example Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), keeping in mind that the 1941 jacket was noticeably lighter and more khaki than the later 1943 pattern. Varying these tones across the figures adds realism to the scene. A wash in the folds of the cloth and a light dry-brush on the edges finish the job. The instructions give Tamiya paint codes.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (for example Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out uniform folds and facial features
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the soldiers – U.S. infantry on the Western Front:

An American rifle squad numbered twelve men and was built around the BAR automatic rifle. The core of its firepower, however, was the M1 Garand — the first semi-automatic rifle issued on a mass scale to a line army, giving the soldier eight quick shots from a clip while his opponent with a Mauser had to work the bolt after every round.

The BAR M1918A2 weighed nearly nine kilograms and fired automatically from a twenty-round magazine. It could not match the sustained fire of the German MG42, but it was light, mobile and gave the squad a support weapon a single soldier could carry forward in the attack. The M1 carbine, lighter and shorter than the Garand, was issued mainly to NCOs, crew-served weapon teams and vehicle crews.

The 1941 field jacket, popularly known as the Parsons jacket, was light and not warm enough for a European autumn, so from 1943 it was replaced by the M1943 field uniform in a darker olive shade, with numerous pockets and a layered wear system. Units fighting in Normandy and beyond often had both patterns in use at once — exactly as shown in this set.

Historical background:

• Formation: United States Army infantry, Western Front, 1944–1945
• Weapons: M1 Garand (7.62 mm), M1 carbine, Thompson M1A1 (11.43 mm), BAR M1918A2
• The M1 Garand was the first semi-automatic rifle issued on a mass scale to the infantry
• Uniforms: 1941 and 1943 pattern field jackets
• Use of the kit: dioramas of the fighting in Western Europe and a complement to 1:35 U.S. vehicle models

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business initially traded in timber and produced wooden models from the late 1940s, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. In 1968 it launched the 1:35 Military Miniature Series, which grew to hundreds of items and established the standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and very good parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya figures are valued for their natural poses and clearly rendered uniforms and equipment. Besides plastic kits, the company offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Tamiya is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.