Somme Diorama

[Snuffy]

I'm new here, so I'm sorry if this has already been discussed, but I am looking to get the Battle of the Somme diorama, and I am a disappointed to see that they are still using the infantry in the uniforms of the early war years. As we know both the British and German infantry were no longer wearing either the "flat" cap (Br) or the Pickelhaube (Ger) at that stage of the war. 

Is this likely to be rectified?

[nmcabecadas]

Both sets are old and need to be redone, but to be compatible with the Battle of the Somme, new sets are need because the changes aren't just the headgear. Using what is available is a common practice, but it should be changed and give place to more authentic and historically accurate sets.

[ironsides]

The steel helmet would have been the norm in the attack, though the1914 equipment was commomly used the ammo pouches are a little on the small side though, the best source for details of what the troops looked like on the Somme is most probably the Film shot by Geoffery Malins who also wrote a book of his experiences while filming....

 

Film:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battle_of_the_Somme_%28film%29                    is available on DVD

 

The book:    https://archive.org/details/howifilmedwarrec00malirich

 

The service hat  was worn during training  so there are a lot of photos from the time with this head gear...

 

I dont think the German helmet was standard issue at this time generally, but many troops should have it in the front line, the airfix figures themselves are more likely dismounted cavalry rather then infantry as they have cavalry webbing and appear to carry carbines rather then the much longer rifles so not necesarily wrong...

There are reasonably decent sets available to fill these roles, though I cant obviously mention the manufacturers here you might check out Plastic soldier Review...

[ukeking]

I had sets of all the Great War soldiers when they first came out back in the 60's.  I was disappointed with the British troops at the time - they aren't the best figures Airfix produced, but until recently, they were the only ones on the market.  It would be great if Airfix could re-tool them, and the Germans.  The French and Americans are very good.  In my view, it would be great if we could see a lot more First World War figures in 1/32 or 1/35, above all in 1/48.  There are swarms of Great War aircraft in that scale, but no vehicles, tanks or figures, except in the expensive white metal/resin market.  A model of the fantastically flexible model T Ford would be brilliant.  

[nmcabecadas]

Now there are many Great War figures, including smaller nations, made in plastic, some of them very good. Airfix still have the advantage of making figuras, airplanes and figures and being able to made more complete dioramas, but need to retool the figures and, if possible, choose a single scale instead of mixing 1/72 and 1/76. All the WW1 sets are old, need to be replaced because have errors and are not a match to more recent sets. The Americans with the hat are useless, except to be converted as they had steel helmets when fighting in France.

[ironsides]

The French are the best of the sets though they are now rather worn, these figures originally represented a reasonably accurate impression of french soldiers of Verdun 1916 though there are some important equipment omisions,  the single breasted uniform coat (Capote) Berthier rifle(with extended mag) and gas mask bag(a semi circular afair)were all depicted reasonably well, other figures availble from other manufacturers represent later French soldiers typically wearing the replacement double breasted Capote... most sets unfortunatly miss out on important variantions on weapons for example there are no light infantry trench mortars or automatic rifles and rifle grenades are under represented....

 

The US troops are in training in the USA rather then france, montana hats that were issued were replaced by one of several versions of the french side cap immediatly on arrival in france( with many montanas being recyled into hospital slippers) or before leaving the USA, relevant kit lists show the side cap as standard issue despite its iconic status... gaiters were initially worn in the trenches but quickly replaced, so changing the heads for steel helmeted ones would work for early arrivals only... again some equipment is missing, Gas mask bags in particular... there are other sets of American troops available though which fill this gap...

 

😀

[Ratch]

 It would be great if Airfix could deliver some newly sculpted sets of WW1 figures, but if they're not already in the pipeline I fear they'll have missed the Great War Anniversay boat.

[Howard Wright1707820367]

 I seem to recall they were having new figures tooled a few years ago for the Great War, but were not satisfied with the results and cancelled the sets.

[ironsides]

As I recall it was french and german artillery sets rather then infantry, I think the French Schneider 75mm and the German FK96na, a diorama called artillery Barrage was planned but never seems to have got beyond the drawing board... still both guns are available.... just not by airfix... personally I think they would have both been sellers if up to the current standard...

[simon_ford1]

I thought there were meant to be new figures out for the cenyeary of WW1, what happened to that idea?

[mike_arnold]

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[mike_arnold]

I've replied with my Airfix tanks and crews but agree; IMex figures are more authentic.

[Paul Astle]

The airfix sets are good for 1914-15, which was before the tanks. The problem is everyone else who does British (HaT does great WW1 sets, also do early war) so it's all the same cap and '08 web gear. the web gear is correct-except for the packs, in airfix But the hats are, as we all said, getting old. Emhar is the only one i've seen that does late war british in the Brodies and they are really bad quality.