Product Review DiD's Albert Brown - Weapons shortcomings

pukingdog · #1 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 00:22

I haven't had an opportunity to assemble my Albert Brown figure yet, but had enough time to pull him from the box for a look over. I have to say that there's two items that are surprisingly disappointing.
The first is the SMLE rifle. The bolt does not close all the way, which is unbelievable, given that so many bolt action models have been produced which operate properly. A closer look at numerous promotion shots from DiD do indeed show the bolt open. Apparently they did not consider this a flaw. To my way of thinking, why bother to produce a wood and metal "functioning" piece, if it does not function properly.

The second item is their bayonet (Model 1907?), which features a metal blade, but which lacks the fullers (sometimes referred to as "blood grooves"). It is as if DiD wanted the bayonet material to be realistic, but declined to produce a realistic appearance.

Early discussions of the figure listed a variety of shortcomings. I addressed several of those by purchasing some of Tony Barton's excellent Brodie helmets, and brass unit titles. I felt that the rest were fixable, with some work, but the rifle and bayonet issues are unacceptable. Neither should have made it past the prototype, much less production model inspection.

In the future, I will keep a closer eye on DiD's promotional material. While they have done the hobby a service in producing WW1 figures, poor details like the rifle and bayonet considerably reduce the overall quality of their products.

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Tony Barton · #2 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 01:34

It's always been the problem with DiD.
They make a pretty original figure, or set of figures such as their Napoleonic range, then .... it up with poor research .
Producing it right costs EXACTLY the same as getting it wrong, when all the info is in the public domain : it just requires a little more care.

I'm very happy that Albert is now on the shelves : but I shall not be abandoning my scratchbuilt equipment , and BBI SMLE rifles , in favour of his kit .

Bluegum · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 02:47

Also how bad is the service cap! Mine come the visor off to left & unfinished on the underside, plus it looks like a muffin.

Eperitus · #4 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 06:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluegum

Also how bad is the service cap! Mine come the visor off to left & unfinished on the underside, plus it looks like a muffin.

The visor on mine was off-centre too. Fortunately, it's only glued on so I peeled it off carefully, stuck it with material glue and realligned it. The shape's still wrong, but it doesn't look quite so bad anymore.

Regarding the bolt action on the SMLE, mine seems to work alright even if it's a bit too loose. I agree about the blood grooves on the bayonet. My preference has always been for plastic weapons over wood and metal: the detail is better and I find the weight of wood & metal weapons tends to make it difficult for some figures to hold (especially DiD). Take BBI's plastic SMLE & bayonet - absolutely perfect in every way and no problems with weight.

That said, Soldier Story's wood and metal weapons are outstanding. They use a much lighter metal and the finish on the wood is superb - take their Garand, 30. cal, MP40 and Thompson for example - all excellent.

siquisiri · #5 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Barton

It's always been the problem with DiD.
They make a pretty original figure, or set of figures such as their Napoleonic range, then .... it up with poor research .
Producing it right costs EXACTLY the same as getting it wrong, when all the info is in the public domain : it just requires a little more care.

I'm very happy that Albert is now on the shelves : but I shall not be abandoning my scratchbuilt equipment , and BBI SMLE rifles , in favour of his kit .

Great post tony. Ive never understood why they get it wrong, being that so much time and money is put into the.pre production of a figure.. it pure slopiness, nothing more.

cdn_rhino · #6 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 17:09

Thanks for the tidbits of info PD

I was liking this figure when I first saw it.

Some of the gear can easily pass as WWI Canadian stuff. Not much of a rush right now to get it though.

knifesix · #7 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 17:28

Getting it wrong hurts sales too. Some people unwilling to pay today's figure prices and have a lot of things to fix. Maybe enough still will to sell out the run - but it could have been a larger run.

leontrotsky67 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-17-2012, 18:56

had the same problem with the bolt on the rifle (a loose buy) i was afraid i had somehow bent it by pulling it open . i had noticed it wasn't shut when i received it, but thought it just wasn't shut and rotated- not that it COULDN"T be shut and rotated.... that is a real disappointment from did! with todays prices for high-end figures ( (not excessive if you really want the whole figure, but i really have to want it to buy boxed) i tend to mostly look for the best high quality loose parts for the bashes i am doing.... and i really was looking forward to this rifle!
agree with everyones comments on getting things right before releasing a figure- it shouldnt be that hard, especially with something as simple as putting the bolt handle at the right angle to a lug........

cheers,
rob

sushimann99 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-18-2012, 00:38

Ive noticed the inaccuracies in DiDs figures, especially the Napoleonic series, and i must say, that their figures can be seen as contradictions, very well made and high quality, but you can tell that they are mass produced with little attention to the smallest details that still matter in a good figure. Regardless, I will still be purchasing Albert, I dont know about the other two, just looking at them they seem a little off to me.

H34crewchief · #10 (**permalink**) 06-18-2012, 02:36

You just need to used a bit of graphite to get the SMLE bolt to work properly. Plus patience and a little judicious back and forth with the bolt to get it to where it is no longer as tight as a gnat's butt.
As for the service cap mine just had two issues. The chin strapt was not mounted equally on each side. As for the visor the underside is horrid. Wrinkles and far too much clear plastic showing. It is repairable and I'll need to find some proper material for covering the underside.
A nice subject but a let down if you look at the price it is fetching. DID you need to get on game or you will soon be lost in the dust.

leontrotsky67 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-18-2012, 06:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by H34crewchief

You just need to used a bit of graphite to get the SMLE bolt to work properly. Plus patience and a little judicious back and forth with the bolt to get it to where it is no longer as tight as a gnat's butt.

unfortunately not so..... the bolt has a long rectangular protrusion (locking lug, i think) that slots into a matching cutout on the right side of the receiver when the bolt is closed and locked. it prevents the bolt from rotating any further clockwise, and does not allow the bolt handle to rotate far enough to lie flat against the stock of the rifle. i seem to have lost the charger to my camera so i cant take any pictures to show what i mean, but perhaps someone else could post one.

seriously, there is no way to close the bolt so that the handle is positioned realistically, short of perhaps cutting the bolt in half and gluing it back together with the rear piece rotated further clockwise relative to the front part with the locking lug!

other than that, the rifle is a very nice piece, but it never should have made it to the shelves with this fault.

cheers,
rob