It’s the latest release hot off the press from the prodigious Wargames Atlantic! Not only is this British Expeditionary Force the seventh plastic WWII kit from Wargames Atlantic (incredible), it was produced via the Vox Populi voting system in which the community voted to decide what WA would release next. It’s been a long journey from concept to production but the British have arrived!

Unlike the previous articles looking at the SAS/Commandos and the Italian Army, there is no direct plastic kit comparison available. It’s not often we get brand new plastic infantry for WWII and it’s always an event worth celebrating!

Wargames Atlantic British Expeditionary Force

In the kit there are five identical sprues. Each sprue contains:

• 6 bodies:
  • 4 standing
  • 1 kneeling
  • 1 prone
• 17 heads
  • 9 with steel helmets (6 uncovered, 3 covered)
  • 3 with sidecaps
  • 3 with tam o’shanter caps
  • 2 with officer caps
• 13 weapons:
  • 8 rifles with arms/hands attached in various positions
  • 2 Bren LMGs with arms/hands attached in various positions
  • 1 Lewis Gun LMG with arm/hand attached
  • 1 Light Mortar with arm/hand attached
  • 1 drum-mag Tommy Gun with arm/hands attached
  • 1 BAR with arm/hands attached
  • 1 pistol with hand/arm attached
• 6 backpacks
• Various entrenching tools, ammo pouches, bedrolls, canteens, etc.
• ammo pouches, bags, knives, canteens, grenades, etc.

The Takeaway

And let’s not overlook the fantastic paint work from Chris Hindmarsh.

This kit is fantastic. It’s so characterful. You can create a unique British Bolt Action force with these options. And don’t forget, you can combine this kit with a box of British Infantry (1916-1918) to really go for the old and decommissioned equipment used by the Home Guard or even for A Very British Civil War.

My only complaint is the loss of the Boys AT Rifle. It was included in the initial draft and concept but was removed in the final update (by the way, shouts to showing the changes being made to the sprue while still in production. That is amazing.) I understand the thought behind having two Bren’s – one for prone firing and one slung for carrying – but at the cost of the venerable Boys AT? A truly iconic Early-War weapon. A damn shame. I do love the inclusion of a Lewis Gun though.

More options for plastic WWII minis is always a blessing. And when it’s a niche option like the BEF. Bolt Action needs more Early-War options and this is a fantastic addition to the ever-growing and impressive range from Wargames Atlantic.

And be sure to give our latest 1 Box, 1 Army writeup a look using this very kit!