UK Paras - Figure Identification

[ZAJACMWZ]

Hello all. I'm building the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade using the British para figures. There is one figure that I can't quite make out what it is supposed to be. The figure is the kneeling one with the sten gun across its knee and what looks like a box on its chest. There are 4 per sprue with the 5 kneeling NCO figures. Anyone know what this figure is supposed to be doing?

Thanks,
Matt

[Bezmozgu7]

Matt,

I use them as the 2" mortar assistant gunner/loader:



You could also use them on an HQ stand to represent a radio operator.

I'm looking forward to seeing your finished forces. Cheers,

Bez

[paul]

I would think mortar man, radio operator or engineer planting explosives would all work for the figure.

[ZAJACMWZ]

Thanks guys. I had figured he was carrying a box of 2" mortar shells - although the 2" rounds were usually carried in a canvas bag or their tubular case. At 6mm I think the figure passes.

I like the idea of him being a sapper with an explosive charge - would make the engineer stands look a bit different.

Do you guys mix any other 6mm figures with the GHQ infantry? Any recommendations?

Thanks all,
Matt

[Waddell]

I have picked up figures from other manufacturers but they do not mix well with GHQ's lines. The only companies that make these make them much smaller. The difference is not 1:285 versus 1:300. The difference is sufficient that you can use GHQ's competitors' offerings to simulate child soldiers. They are probably closer to actual scale than GHQ's but I'll happily take GHQ infantry any day of the week and twice on Sunday due to it's detail and quality.

[Bezmozgu7]

I never mix GHQ figs with other manufacturers' figs on the same stand; as noted, the size difference is obvious. I do have a few other manufacturers' figs based on their own stands, which works OK in my opinion.