Model: 35617 Scale: 1/35
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/soon-on-sale-montgomery-s-staff
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/soon-on-sale-montgomery-s-staff
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Not quite sure who the “Lieutenant General” represents. Could be “Bimbo” Dempsey or Harry Crerar.
To me, although I rarely dabble in WW2 stuff, this is a very useful set, depicting command and control; a reminder perhaps that formations and units do not just appear on the battlefield; someone, somewhere has planned and directed their movement.
Obviously, FM Montgomery is shown although I can’t quite discern his rank badges on the illustration; no matter, it’s easy enough in this scale to show what one wishes. As Commander 21 Army Group he was full General up until Sep 1944 when he was promoted to Field Marshal.
The other General is Miles Dempsey, commander of 2nd British Army. Initially he was the same rank as his subordinate Corps Commanders (Lieutenant General) but must have been promoted to full General in due course (probably when Montgomery was made FM), which must have made life difficult for him if the Corps Commanders played up, although I understand he was the consummate professional and greatly respected by all.
The other officer is described as a Major but this cannot be as he’s wearing a General’s gorget patches and a General Staff cap badge; this would mean he is either a full Colonel or a Brigadier, but again, it doesn’t really matter, in this scale you can easily alter/adjust as you see fit. If a Colonel or a Brigadier his gorget patches would have crimson gimp not gold. His cap would also have a scarlet band.
The remaining figure is described as a radio operator, and wearing Corporal’s chevrons, fair enough, but I am slightly mystified as to why he’s got his headset round his neck, yet not still attached to any radio.
I’ve since looked at the ICM website and note that the ‘37 pat web belt worn by the Staff Officer does not portray the rear buckles so it looks like those will have to be added by the modeller.
However, all in all I feel a very welcome set; any HQ diorama utilising these would really require other figures around and the relevant HQ impedimenta, but these would look pretty good alongside an office truck, or tentage.
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Can “Monty’s” Humber be far behind?
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It does looks like a bit of a mish mash The photo they used for the coming soon on the site is of (After quick picture search) from left to right: British army officers Lieutenant General Brian Horrocks and Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery with Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. September 8, 1944. No wonder the ranking is a bit iffy.
I saw that pic too, and it was clearly the inspiration for the box art; in a way I don’t think it matters too much as it does enable the modeller to portray the higher command of the Brit forces in NW Europe. Of course, if one leaves out the Monty figure or even modifies it, you can still have a grouping of senior officers amidst say, a small diorama or collection of vehicles as one sees fit.
We don’t want for much when it comes to showing German high command so I think it’s nice to see the Allied side for once, even if they do need a bit of care and attention.
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I think the Airfix 1:32 version has been re-released but one in 1:35 would be quite something.
That Airfix kit is a bit long in the tooth (1973) and not that accurate. I’m hope someone is working on a 1/35 one.
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Having likewise done a bit of research I’m almost 100% sure that the left hand figure represents Dempsey. He appears to be the right build and stature and not quite right for Horrocks. It may seem pointless speculating, but there weren’t that many British Lieutenant Generals in NWE, so almost by definition it has to be someone known. I’m slightly disappointed in the uniforms though. It’s pretty hard to find a photo of Monty post D-Day in which he’s wearing anything approaching regulation uniform, usually favouring pullovers and a flying jacket and most of his subordinate generals seemed to have followed his lead.
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To be honest I think it’s good to see Monty looking spic and span (he could turn it on when he needed to not least at the German surrender); I think there’s been enough of him in more casual dress; remember this one:
and even this one:
(same pose but a much earlier rendition than the Masterbox one)
I’d forgotten this one:
Riich describe the LH figure as General Horrocks, but it isn’t; the figure in the picture (which inspired the kit) was that of a war correspondent. The FM looking very spruce in his best BD!
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These figure sets all get me thinking (which can be dangerous!), I have the IBG QLR wireless truck, a British motorcycle set from Tamiya , and an old set of Verlinden British MPs which has me contemplating a scene with Monty lol.
Is there a resin figure of the FM? I’m looking for the most detailed figure I can get with in reason. I haven’t seen any of the plastic figures up close, that’s why I’m curious.
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I’m unaware of any resin figures of Monty, but I haven’t looked either!
The scope is endless with the models you describe. A Dorchester ACV wouldn’t go amiss either if you wish to show Monty visiting say, a Div HQ. But HQs, any HQs, are busy places so you might have to populate whatever you wish a little bit more (it depends of course what you have in mind); this set might help a bit:
That is if you combine it with the ICM kit.
Accurate Armour also provide a couple of officer figures:
You’d probably have to replace the helmeted head depending on the scenario you envisage but Hornet Heads do a good set of peaked capped heads.
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Thanks Brian. A project for another day I suppose.
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Don’t let me dampen it! I suspect the ICM figures could probably be wrestled into something more than half decent, and with the QLR a smashing little dio could be built I’m sure.
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On a not unconnected note (bit of a thread hijack I concede), does anyone know the type of Mercedes staff car the German delegation used at Luneburg Heath?
Clearly a 4-door type.
Does it exist in 1:35 I wonder?
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Looks like something ICM or Miniart had made, can’t be sure. Many of them look similar to one another.
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They do indeed, but I cannot find a match for the sort of scalloped lower front, or one with 2 x spare wheel holders.
It’s not vital but I was intrigued; it’s not like I’m planning a German surrender dio or anything(!)
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I was gonna say that would make a great diorama!
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It would indeed; just look at this pic from the same sequence:
Dingo scout car, Daimler armoured car, zillions of figures, and some very unhappy Germans:
though they don’t look that solemn, but later that day (or possibly the day before) they were harangued by Montgomery who gave them a huge bollocking, and then some. No wonder a couple of them topped themselves.
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