Tamiya 35347 - 1:35 US Tank Crew Set European Theater

Plastic figure kit: US Tank Crew Set (European Theater) in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35347 is a set of six figures of American tank crewmen fighting in Western Europe. Four are full figures and two are busts intended for open hatches, so a single set can populate both the vehicle and the scene around it.

The kit is based on tooling from 2015 and stands out for its well-detailed accessories. It includes an M3A1 submachine gun, two types of ammunition boxes and three types of goggles moulded in clear parts — a detail that, once painted and fitted to a helmet, adds noticeably to the realism of a figure. The decal sheet provides rank insignia and unit markings.

What is in the box:

• Plastic parts for six figures
• Four full figures and two busts
• M3A1 submachine gun
• Two types of ammunition boxes
• Three types of goggles moulded in clear parts
• Decal sheet with rank insignia and unit markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35347
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 6 (4 full figures and 2 busts)
• Tooling: new tooling from 2015
• 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:

The newer tooling means fine seam lines and well-hidden joints, so preparing the figures for painting is quick. The clear goggles are best fitted last, after the helmet has been painted, to avoid clouding the lenses; a clear-parts adhesive or a minimal amount of plastic cement is recommended.

The American tanker overalls and field uniforms are painted in olive shades (for example Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), with browns and khaki on the tanker jackets. Decals are best applied over a gloss coat, which prevents silvering, and then sealed with a matt varnish. 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)
• Fine modelling tweezers for small parts and decals
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for the decals and matt varnish for the final finish
• A wash to bring out uniform folds and facial features

About the soldiers – American tank crews in Europe:

The crew of an American M4 Sherman medium tank numbered five men: commander, gunner, loader, driver and assistant driver, who manned the hull machine gun. Tankers wore the distinctive soft armoured crew helmet with ear cut-outs — closer in construction to a sports helmet than a combat one, since its purpose was to protect against knocks inside the vehicle rather than against shell fragments.

The standard personal weapon of the crews was the M3 submachine gun, nicknamed the grease gun for its shape. The M3A1 version was simplified and cheaper to produce, and its compact size made it convenient in the cramped interior of a tank — far more so than a long Garand rifle.

The campaign in Western Europe set American tankers a difficult task: the Sherman was fast, reliable and produced in enormous numbers, but it was outgunned and outarmoured by the Panther and the Tiger. Superiority was achieved through numbers, air and artillery support and tactics. This set recreates a crew in natural, everyday poses — the kind familiar from photographs of Normandy and the Ardennes.

Historical background:

• Formation: United States Army tank crews, Western Front, 1944–1945
• Typical M4 Sherman crew: 5 men
• Personal weapon: M3A1 submachine gun (11.43 mm)
• Equipment: soft armoured crew helmets, goggles, tanker jackets
• Use of the kit: a complement to 1:35 models of U.S. tanks and vehicles

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.