Introduction :
The Rhodesian Bush War lasted from July 1964 to 1979 and led to universal suffrage, the end of white minority-rule in Rhodesia, and the creation of the Republic of Zimbabwe. During this war, RLI and Selous Scouts were a special forces units of the Rhodesian Army that operated from 1973 until the reconstitution of the country as Zimbabwe. RLI was a standard, though elite, infantry battalion composed of regulars and conscripts. The Selous Scouts were a specialized covert unit. RLI focused on direct action—often heliborne—to destroy guerrillas, while the Scouts focused on deception, infiltration, and intelligence to locate insurgents for the RLI to eliminate.
A Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI) Stick was a highly effective four-man tactical unit, acting as the fundamental building block of the Fireforce rapid-deployment counter-insurgency system. Standardized by passenger capacity of an Alouette III helicopter, each stick comprised a stick leader (radio/FN FAL), a machine-gunner (FN MAG), and two riflemen.
Another kit of BRAVO*6 Under Sanctions series B6-35212 RLI Stick (1) includes 2 members of the team - The leader and a rifleman.
Review :
Kit comes in standard cardboard box of the company labeled with a photo of the painted figures. Figure bodies and other small parts are seperately inserted zip-lock bags and lumped together into a larger bag.
Sculpting and casting quality is very nice on the figures with clean and crisp details. Not much need for a detailed cleanwork, just a few seamlines and quick sanding will be enough before priming.
Parts can be easily removed from casting blocks, but please note that fragile parts like barrels may need extra care.
As always sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko in 1/35 scale and cast in grey resin.
FIGURE-A
Posed to kneel on his right knee and talking on the radio ; Figure-A Stick leader comes in 8 parts.
- Body ; He wears RLI primarily used Rhodesian BrushStroke Camouflage uniform of jacket and trousers with side pockets. Over his uniform, he has a Rhodesian FireForce vest made of lightweight green canvas material, features two water bottle canteen pouches with press snaps, six magazine pouches to hold FN FAL magazines, two large compartments on the upper reverse that close by way of two pull straps and four press studs, and one large lower compartment that closes by way of zipper on the reverse. Body posture, proportions, cloth folds and wrinkles, details of the uniform and vest are all well defined. Neck part is hollowed for the fit of head. As for the footgear; he has black tennis shoes worn during physical training in Rhodesian Army named Black Takkies.
- Head ; Facial details, hair, moustache and expression are well defined. He carries a headband.
- Left arm holding the handset
- Right arm to hold the rifle
- FN FAL rifle with right hand
- Canteen - 3 pieces
Note that antenna and handset cable should be added on this figure.
FIGURE-B
Posed to lean forward on an advance pose ; Figure-B Rifleman comes in 7 parts.
- Body ; He also wears Rhodesian BrushStroke Camouflage uniform. He carries British Army '58 Pattern Yoke type, local production Rhodesian P69 Type Belt and H Suspenders, FN FAL ammo pouches on both sides, personal gear bag and poncho in case on the backside. As for the footgear; he has jungle boots.
- Head shows nice facial features and expression. He has Rhodesian Army Split Tail Flap Cap that can be secured with 2 buttons on the backside. The cap can be painted in khaki, beige, black or camouflage pattern.
- Left arm with wrist watch
- Right arm holding the FN FAL rifle with left hand cast on
- Canteen - 3 pieces
* Though the figures are supposed to carry 2 canteens, 3 different type canteens used by Rhodesian Light Infantry are supplied in the kit.
1. British M1944 canteen
2. South African canteen which looks like 100% copy of US plastic M1956 canteen but with South African marking
3. Rhodesian P69 canteen
* 7.62 FN FAL rifles used by RLI and Selous scouts are painted in yellow-green camouflage named Baby-poop camo.
Conclusion :
B6-35212 RLI Stick (1) is a unique kit as there is not much 1/35 scale resin cast Rhodesian Bush War figures on market.
Sculpted in crisp details and clean cast, ease on assembly with less parts, easy and correct fit on heads to neck holes and arms to shoulders, different water bottle choices, different painting options make this kit a pleasure to paint. Figures can be displayed alone or next to a vehicle used during Bush War.
Thanks to Vladimir Demchenko for the review sample.
For more info and photos of all products of the company ; please visit BRAVO*6 .
Photos below can be helpful on painting these figures. :))