1:72 Thomson M19285A1 / M1A1

The real subject

The Thompson is an American submachine gun in .45 ACP that was among the most frequently seen weapons of the Allied units of the Second World War. The M1928A1 version has a compensator at the muzzle and the cocking handle on top, while the simplified wartime M1A1 has a plain muzzle and the handle on the right side. In a small scale what shows of these differences is mainly the silhouette: the characteristic forward grip or forend and the long straight magazine.

What the set offers

Weapons worked out for 1:72 scale. In this scale the gun is only a few millimeters long, so on a model it works above all as a shape that completes a figure, fills a rack in a vehicle or brings the edge of a diorama to life. The exact number of pieces and the layout of the parts are in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Work over a tray with a raised rim, because a part of this size is searched for in vain on the floor. Cut the surplus material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand the remainder only lightly, so that the shape does not disappear. Choose the glue according to the material of the parts and apply it in a quite minute quantity, ideally with the tip of a toothpick. Wash and degrease the parts before painting. The painting is managed with a dark undercoat and two brush strokes: brown on the wood, steel on the barrel. Choose the shades a little lighter than in the large scales, because a small part looks darker than it really is.

Who it is for

For builders in the small scales who complete figures and vehicles with weapons. Paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.