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Thursday, February 20, 2014

REVIEW: PERRY WW2 Metal British

Hi Guys
I'll admit it. I'm a PERRY-O-PHILE.
I've never been disappointed be anything the PERRYS produce. I think their plastics are particularly good. Highly detailed, easy to assemble and brilliant value for money. Their latest venture into the Second World War is particularly good, as each box set so far produces a complete Platoon. Coupled with their Metals and you have a very nice range of miniatures.
They decided to enter the WW2 market with troops from the Western Desert theater. An unusual choice one might think, given you're average pimply faced teen only thinks of WW2 starting some time in December 1941 and being fought only in the Pacific and in France with the GIs saving the rest of the free worlds sorry arse.
But the choice the Perrys' have come up with is actually pretty smart. Not only can these 'Desert Rats' (British 8th Army) set be utilized for fighting in the Western Desert of North Africa, but they are suitable for Commonwealth forces fighting in Crete, Sicily, Italy and Singapore, Malaya, Burma, India and also used as Aussies in PNG.
To supplement the Plastic box set they have recently released some metal miniatures but these lads are wearing Battle Dress (BD) trousers in contrast to the plastic soldiers in Shorts.
Naturally I couldn't resist getting some so here is a short review of some of the Metals with a focus on how they compare to the plastics.
I purchased one pack each of codes WW11, WW12 WW13 and WW14. You can see them HERE
The four packs combined give an under strength platoon of two rather than three sections. Not unrealistic at all.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box of WW13 (infantry charging with fixed bayonets in battle Dress Trousers) was how very fine the bayonets and rifles were. The bayonets in particular were almost bent back upon themselves. Fortunately I was able to bend them back into their correct position without any breakages but one needs to be aware that the rifles and bayonets appear to be rather fragile. I guess this is the price one pays for correctly scaled weapons. 
The poses are (as to be expected) excellent. The Bren Gun Teams from WW12 are my favorites. The set consists of a Bren Gunner, Loader and NCO with a Thompson SMG. The kneeling bren gun team is a real gem with the loader / assistant passing a magazine to the gunner as the NCO gives a target indication. The advancing Bren team is also lovely, the the assistant being depicted with a bandoleer of Mags draped over his shoulder and a very determined looking Bren gunner leading the way firing from the hip
Casting was excellent with only some minor flash. One or two figures from  packs WW13 and 14 did have mold lines across the helmets, but these are easily fixed with a scalpel and or file.
Most importantly the metals fit in perfectly with the plastics. Mixing the metals and plastics will not be an issue at all.
As you can see from the photos I posed the metals on plasticard to compensate for the Plastics being mounted on the bases that the come with in the box set.
Fortunately the PERRYS have made the 20mm round plastic bases that come with their box sets available as for purchase. SEE THEM HERE



I would HIGHLY recommend these metal additions to the PERRYS' WW2 British range. They are quite simply beautiful miniatures.
Cheers

3 comments:

david bromley said...

I appreciate the comparison shots. My first ho /oo troops were the 8th Army and the Afrika Korps after proving to my parents I knew something about them! I had the airfix and matchbox models that would fight over Tyco train sets.
I've been contemplating Bolt Action, but looking at the Perry troops. You've nudged me closer to getting a few sets!

Sparker said...

Thanks Scott a very useful review.

Trailape said...

I'd recommend TFL's 'CHAIN OF COMMAND' over 'Bolt Action' (or as I like to say, 'Dolt Action').
Cheers