Plastic Soldier is a British Manufacturer based in Henfield, West Sussex.  Established in 2008, Plastic Soldier has been producing quality models in injection moulded hard plastic, specifically intended for military modellers, wargamers and diorama builders.  In addition to troop types representing the major combatants, the company also produces a wide selection of vehicle types in 1:72 scale that are ideal subjects for collection by both modellers and wargamers alike.

Another aspect that may appeal to railway modellers is that the 1:72 scale used by Plastic Soldier is very similar to 1:76 which is the base scale for OO gauge layouts.  This could present useful options for railway modellers looking to create a WW2 themed layout. 

It is a well known military maxim, that an army can only advance as far as its supply lines are able to support it.  The British and Commonwealth 15 cwt truck kit represents a typical 'maid of all work' vehicle that Allied Armies of the Second World War were so dependent on. Built in Canada to British specifications, over 800,000 trucks of varying configurations were used on all major fronts carrying a wide range of equipment to support front line troops.  The kit seen here contains sufficient parts to build three trucks.  At first glance, the Universal Carrier was a similarly unglamorous vehicle that belied all expectations and performed valuable service in a wide range of roles, including infantry support, transport of personnel and equipment and reconnaissance.  Over 110,000 of these versatile vehicles were produced and the Plastic Soldier kit contains sufficient parts to build 7 vehicles.  The German Steyr Heavy Car was an all-wheel drive 1.5 ton utility transport that served on all major fronts and conducted a wide variety of tasks, including staff car, artillery truck and ambulance.  The kit seen here has sufficient parts to build 3 vehicles.

Halftracks have historically been popular with many armies.  The combination of road wheels and tracks allows these vehicles to navigate a wide variety of terrains that could otherwise prove troublesome for more conventional vehicles.  The Allied M3 Halftrack first entered service in 1942.  Although hindered by an underwhelming initial response, it gained plaudits for its mechanical reliability and the ease with which it could be adapted in the field.  Axis units also used the Halftrack, with the German Sdkfz 250 'Alte' Halftrack being utilised for a number of roles including that of a troop carrier and reconnaissance platform.  Rommel famously made use of a Sdkfz 250/3 Radio Vehicle, as his command vehicle in the desert campaigns of 1942.  Another versatile vehicle used by the Wehrmacht for reconnaissance was the Sdkfz 231 8-rad Armoured Car.  This 8-wheeled vehicle was both fast and reliable and was used in the Western Desert and on the Russian Front.  These 3 kits each contain sufficient parts to assemble three vehicles.

The German Panzer III was a medium tank designed in the 1930s.  It served with Wehrmacht units on all major fronts during the conflict, including the Russian front and with the Afrika Corps in North Africa.  During the early years of the conflict, the highly trained German crews and the reliable Panzer III proved to be a highly successful combination.  That changed however, with the introduction later in the war of the Russian T-34 and the M4 Sherman and in later years it was replaced by the highly capable Panther.  The kit contains 3 vehicles which can be made to represent any of the major sub types.  The M3 Stuart 'Honey' Light Tank was a contemporary of the Panzer III and the two frequently met in early tank clashes with the Germans often prevailing.  Although less successful in combat against Axis tanks, it provided valuable service in infantry support roles, especially against the Japanese.  The kit seen here contains parts for three vehicles.  Designed and built in Canada, the Sexton Self-Propelled Gun was developed as a result of experience in the western desert and was intended to offer artillery support to highly mobile forces.  Entering service with the British Army in 1943, it was widely used in the Normandy Campaign.  The kit contains parts to assemble 3 vehicles.

One of the most iconic tanks of the Second World War was the Soviet T-34.  Built in larger numbers than any other tank of that conflict, the T-34 boasted high mobility, effective armour protection and a respectable armament.  Generally numerically superior to tanks fielded by the Germans, it was upgraded later in the conflict and the kit contains parts for 3 vehicles to be built to either T-34/76 or T-34/85 configurations.  Classed as a medium tank, the German Panther replaced earlier medium tanks such as the Panzer III.  Although initially plagued by mechanical problems, the Panther was a respected opponent as it had strong frontal armour and the main armament had a high muzzle velocity giving it good penetration against enemy tanks.  The Panther kit seen here is based on the early 'A' variant and has the distinctive Zimmerit coating and sufficient parts to assemble 2 vehicles.  The Sherman M4A4 & Firefly kit allows a Modeller to build either the M4A4 or Firefly versions.  The A4 variant was an adaption of the initial Sherman design, with a longer hull and different engine.  The Firefly was a British adaption which 'upgunned' the standard Sherman to carry the 17-pounder anti-tank gun.  The kit provides sufficient parts to build 3 vehicles. 

The kits we have seen in this newsletter all contain enough parts to build multiple vehicles.  This is a standard feature of Plastic Soldier kits, which allows modellers and to create various vehicle adaptions and subtypes.  This is also an important factor for wargamers who may be looking to create multiple vehicles for their wargame scenarios.  The accuracy and diversity of vehicle kits offered by Plastic Soldier will inevitably appeal to a broad range of modellers, wargamers and diorama builders.  Why not examine the available options from Plastic Soldier for your next project?

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