1/35 L1A1 SLR or FN-FAL & 1960s/70s/80s Brits

[Mat Lambert]

Does anybody have a 1/35 scale L1A1 SLR or FN-FAL I could buy.

I see there are some available in resin and plastic kits weapons sets but I only need one.

Also does anyone know of 1960s/70s/80s British figures available in 1/35th. Seems an area in the market that is not represented. Particularly looking for desert or tropical types like below

Cheers
Mat

 

[peedee]

Hi Mat,
'Firestorm Miniatures' had a vietnam range with both problems solved in one figure.
I think it's www.Firestormminiatures.com

Darren at Tommy's War used to have them when he began trading, and they are very nice... check out the photographer.
Paul.

 

[Mat Lambert]

Hi Mat,
'Firestorm Miniatures' had a vietnam range with both problems solved in one figure.
I think it's www.Firestormminiatures.com

View attachment 230503
Darren at Tommy's War used to have them when he began trading, and they are very nice... check out the photographer.
Paul.

Thanks Paul
That is an excellent find - just like the first image I posted. Would you say that figure could be used for Middle East 1960s too if painted up in sand colours?
Cheers
Mat

 

[peedee]

I would say so Mat, If it's Aden though, the lads on patrol wore lightweight combat denims or crisply ironed shorts and regimental soft headgear.
Webbing was usually "musketry" order, which was just two front ammo pouches, field dressing tied to the rear and often a water bottle on the right rear hip.
heres some Aden piccies, the last one is patrolling up country in the Radfan area

 

[Mat Lambert]

I would say so Mat, If it's Aden though, the lads on patrol wore lightweight combat denims or crisply ironed shorts and regimental soft headgear.
Webbing was usually "musketry" order, which was just two front ammo pouches, field dressing tied to the rear and often a water bottle on the right rear hip.
heres some Aden piccies, the last one is patrolling up country in the Radfan area

Wow thanks Paul - you're a star, that's brilliant info. Thanks for taking the time to post help and add the images.

The figures you recommended are by Callsign and the website is www.Firestormmodels.com
http://www.firestormmodels.com/store/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=105

A great range of poses and equipment.

Cheers
Mat

 

[housecarl]

Bravo 6 do some nice Australian SAS 1/35th Mat.
I've got these primed if you're interested?

 

[peedee]

Pleasure Mat.

As long as it's a help.

I have also seen the Cameronians in a Mike Chappell photo with all their webbing polished black like their boots, wearing their all black glengarry and badge, with MP's in their famous scarlet topped peaked caps, chin straps under the chin iinstead of neatly above the peak and in shorts.

 

[peedee]

Wowser,

Those look to be some nice kits our Carl !

Paul

 

[Mat Lambert]

Bravo 6 do some nice Australian SAS 1/35th Mat.
I've got these primed if you're interested?

Thanks Carl but I think they look just a bit too jungle combat for my purposes - I was looking for some figs to go with a pink panther land rover that I am doing as a mini group build with my brother.
They do look like great figures though and I must get some Bravo 6 soon. Maybe I'll have a think on future projects and get back to you.
Cheers for posting
Mat

 

[peedee]

Mat if it's special forces in the desert you want, which landrover type are you using?
That decides the period uniform worn .
Paul.

 

[peedee]

sas desert 1960's and 70's a right old ragbag of uniforms were worn including dennison smock and native costume Mat.

 

[Mat Lambert]

Mat if it's special forces in the desert you want, which landrover type are you using?
That decides the period uniform worn .
Paul.

Hi Paul,
The Land Rover is the classic Pink Panther kit by Tamiya like this one...

I believe it was used from 1968 up to the early 80s but I'm no expert.
The figs I've gone for are these ...

(won't use the dog!)
Which I think should give me a few options - and like you say if they're special forces it may not matter too much what uniform they're in. I could always sculpt berets on them rather than slouch hats.

What do you think? Like I said this ain't my area really so all your input is appreciated.

Cheers
Mat

 

[peedee]

Good picks Mat. If you could put a .30 on it and give them alk different clothing, definately give one or two a dennison smock with sleeves rolled back and a shemag here and there. I wouldn't use berets. At least one would wear the cammo softhats with peak also.

 

[Range Rat]

The barrel looks to short...

 

[Mat Lambert]

Good picks Mat. If you could put a .30 on it and give them alk different clothing, definately give one or two a dennison smock with sleeves rolled back and a shemag here and there. I wouldn't use berets. At least one would wear the cammo softhats with peak also.

Glad you think so Paul. I'll try and add some variety to the figs when they arrive. I'm still not sure how special forces and ragbag I really want them to look as I think the slightly more 'pressed' look of the 1960/70s forces is an interesting one and I don't want them to look too 'modern' if that makes sense.

I can recommend the www.firestormmodels.com website too as the range (some big name brands) and prices they have are very reasonable and the site was adding extra discount to my purchases for being in the UK - so even when adding shipping from Australia its very good value. I got 5 resin 1/35th figs ,a big set of resin personal webbing equipment & pouches, 6 resin SLR rifles and shipping all for under £50. The proof is in the posting though so will update how soon they arrive.

Now, back to building that landrover - right what are these four round things and where do they go...

Cheers
Mat

 

[housecarl]

The barrel looks to short...

The Australians cut the flash suppressor off for jungle combat.

''Another interesting product of Australian participation in the conflict in South-East Asia was the field modification of L1A1 and L2A1 rifles by the Special Air Service Regiment SASR for better handling. Nicknamed "The Bitch", these rifles were field modified, often from heavy barrel L2A1 automatic rifles, with their barrels cut off right in front of the gas block, and often with the L2A1 bipods removed to install a XM148 40 mm grenade launcher mounted below the barrel.''

 

[Mat Lambert]

The barrel looks to short...

Thanks for the advice
Cheers
Mat

 

[Mat Lambert]

The Australians cut the flash suppressor off for jungle combat.

''Another interesting product of Australian participation in the conflict in South-East Asia was the field modification of L1A1 and L2A1 rifles by the Special Air Service Regiment SASR for better handling. Nicknamed "The Bitch", these rifles were field modified, often from heavy barrel L2A1 automatic rifles, with their barrels cut off right in front of the gas block, and often with the L2A1 bipods removed to install a XM148 40 mm grenade launcher mounted below the barrel.''

Thanks Carl
Looks like I'll have to lengthen them with with some plastic rod then.
Cheers
Mat

 

[Mat Lambert]

So my order from FirestormModels arrived and the castings of the Callsign and Firestorm figures are very good. Only I forgot about custom tax into the UK so including a substantial Royal Mail handling charge (£8!!) I had to pay a fairly hefty £15 extra - so things don't work out quite as great value as I originally thought. Just something to bear in mind if others in UK are reading this.
Cheers
Mat

 

[peedee]

Ouch sorry to hear that Mat.

Paul.