BEF! Decisions, Decisions! Help Us Pick!

Comments

Wargames Atlantic - December 22, 2023

There’s some confusion as to what you are looking at here. Just because something is on or off the frame in this image does not mean it is on or off the frame in the final version.

And as said previously some of the changed parts are not represented here – like the bodies, pouches, other Bren carry, etc.

Doshu Tokeshi - December 22, 2023

the poses look good. But I will echo the others in that there are too many SMGs on the sprue. I’m sure the pulp, role-playing, et. al types will like that, but to build units that is a lot of plastic that will either get binned or wasting space. As stated before, for the BEF, most infantry units didn’t have SMGs at all, NCOs were usually armed with rifles. at most one SMG per sprue and sod the rest. While head options are nice, I would keep the number to the number of bodies with maybe one extra per type? Not really my thing but I know others are real keen on that sort of thing. I guess the carrying the Bren by the hot barrel is staying. That’s a shame. Again, photo evidence and training manuals show otherwise. That’s my 2p

James M - December 22, 2023

Reduce the number of flat caps down to one or two. Those would mostly get used for officers and MPs.

General Jim - December 22, 2023

First off it looks an excellent kit and I am very much looking forward to it!

Like many I don’t care much about the Home Guard aspects. I suspect anyone who is playing a wargame with HG will just fudge it enough to make it work and not care that much as they’re dealing in fantasy anyway.

That said you don’t need any pieces that glue to the front of the prone body so that will save a touch of space.

Leave the Boyes off along with BARs, Thompsons, and most of HG rifles. One or two is fine I guess. Ditto with most of the non plain helmet heads. You only need a couple of each of the others if that.

To the fellow who wants ankle straps and is worried about the thickness of the webbing Good God man just paint it on if it’s that much of a problem for you. No one will notice one way or the other!

Get those changes made and get it to us pronto!

Andrew - December 22, 2023

Straps on the anklets please!!!

Jeff Ewing - December 22, 2023

I’d be very sorry to see the e-tools go: they’re a really unique, authentic bit of BEF kit. Do we really need a scarf? I know why it’s there, but that could be added with greenstuff.

Doug - December 22, 2023

The number of Tommy guns is excessive. Typically the BEF would have 10 or 11 man squads, with a Bren, one Tommy gun (at most!) And the rest would be rifles, with two men in particular ammo carriers as part of the Bren team. Platoon command would be pistol, rifle or Tommy gun plus 2inch mortar. And sometimes the Boyes AT rifle.

Brooks Flugaur-Leavitt - December 22, 2023

I lpve the variety and customizability you work into all of your kits! Here, though, I think the things to sacrifice are the pose variety for the special weapons, as you won’t have many of them in a force anyway.

Roughly in order of priority;
I would reduce the Thompson SMGs for sure, one should be enough as they won’t even see use in every assembly.

The head selection is impressive, but while I wouldn’t want to remove any of the types entirely I don’t think you need a full set of covered helmets (as they can be mixed). Potentially also look at what hats are duplicated from your late WWI British.

The duplicate LMGs can also go (if only one was to be duplicated I’d say keep the second Lewis gun). However, I’d be inclined to KEEP the Boys ATR and 2" mortar on the sprue, as those allow a complete platoon to be assembled from a single box and also allow the more heavily armed carrier-born troops to be depicted.

Finally, the one thing I don’t see here is pointing/gesturing hands with which to indicate officers and NCOs.

William - December 22, 2023

Less Thompson and the antitank rifle can be delete (for a heavy set for exemple)

More rifles and revolvers and orders arms.

Y. Whateley - December 22, 2023

I’m not the target audience for this set (though I really like it!), but it seems to me that parts 2, 5 and 77 (the mortar and ammo(?), and anti-tank rifle) look like they’d be a natural fit for a heavy/special weapons sprue/set. That alone would, I think, free up a LOT of room on the sprue!

Parts 18, 68 and 69 (the shoulder-slung weapons) are really well done and look great, but might be easy to sacrifice to make room for at least one of the pistols and/or the rifles (78-79, 83-86). (Part 69 might also find a home on that heavy/special weapons sprue?)

I imagine some of those heads could also be moved to a heavy/special weapons sprue/set, making some room for the small bits of loose gear, mags, holsters, etc. (74, 82, 89-91). Actually, I can’t believe the drum mag 74 can’t be squeeze in between parts 8 and 70 so that it’s right there next to the Lewis Gun I believe it goes with! Part 91 is mandatory to keep (I for one would NOT want to get between a British fighting man and his cup of tea!)

Personally, I like seeing all those Thompsons (as well as the BARs, Lewis guns, and Madsens(?)), but it pains me to say I think the experts below are probably right: it might be more historically comfortable to drop at least one of the Thompsons if room is still needed at this point.