Introduction

A recent release from Wee Friends Models is an unusual figure in the form of a Royal Navy WW1 Sailor in Winter Dress.

The figure

The figure comes packed in the standard Friendship models format, the parts being contained with in a sealed zip bag stapled to a product card showing the product detail and contact information for the manufacturer.

The figure is cast in a cream coloured resin and depicts a WW1 Royal Navy Sailor on guard duty during the Winter. The figure consists of five parts. The body and head come cast as a whole with separate arms, rifle and bayonet. The casting looks good and I could see no cause for concern on the finished product.

The figure is unusually dressed wearing a duffle coat over what I assume would be a navy greatcoat. The hood of the duffel is pulled up over the sailors cap and the greatcoat hangs from under the duffel. Long WW1 Navy style gaiters and boots complete the figure. Over the great coat is a set of skeleton webbing.

To complete the figure you get a SMLE rifle and bayonet. The two arms show the Sailor with the rifle at the shoulder and the left hand comes moulded to the butt of the rifle for this purpose.

The bayonet and rifle will require careful removal from the pour stubs but look nicely detailed.

Conclusion

A very unusual figure that should interest figure builders particularly. Nicely sculpted and cast with good body proportions you might also have found him on duty in the early part of WW2 guarding some cold and windy dock.

Being a sentry he’s a bit static but depending on what your building diorama builders may find him just the ticket. With careful removal of the head and the addition of some sacking and a helmet it might be possible to convert the figure into an infantryman. I’ve seen plenty of pictures of the soldiers on the Somme in 1916 wearing more than one coat and an alternative left arm might help relax the pose.

Anyway, another very interesting figure from Wee Friends.