Cruel Seas - Third Party Models (2) G5 MTBs

Following hot on the heels of the Bronekaters here are some thoughts on the G5s

The G5 is the standard Soviet MTB of WW2, if such a thing existed. It was unlike most other craft in it's design in a number of ways. Firstly it was made of Duralumin, at the time an advanced type of aluminium more usually encountered in aircraft design - maybe not so surprising as it's designer was Andrei Tupolev, the famous aircraft designer. This allowed a fast, strong and lightweight hull. This has some "issues" as without treatment it reacts to salt water...............something of a drawback for a boat designed to operate at sea. Secondly the G5 had a very "futuristic" appearance, with a streamlined turtle backed hull and enclosed wheelhouse that looks very much like a submarine. The design also lacks what we think of as traditional torpedo tubes, instead carrying the two torpedoes in troughs on the rear hull and launching them by dropping them backwards, followed by an obligatory tight turn! This is a method copied from earlier British Coastal Motor Boats (CMBs) that the Soviets encountered during and after the Revolution. Like most navies the Soviets struggled to find a reliable source for good fast boat engines, so a number of different engines were used and top speed varied, but some G5s were VERY fast - in CS up to 57 knots. Unlike some other boats the G5s didn't carry much in the way of other weapons - at best a couple of DshK HMGs, which combined with their low (20) hit points make them just a light snack for an S Boat in a gunfight in Cruel Seas. Then again, they're cheap, and did I mention how fast they are? If you are looking for a "pure" torpedo boat, look no further.

Warlord have just released their G5, and Heroics and Ros also have one in their vast WW2 1:300 range so I thought it would be interesting to look at both models side by side. Materials wise they are both identical - metal castings with some metal fittings - mainly guns. So here they are - Warlord nearest the camera in this pic.

Ros nearest in this

Overall I think the Warlord model is nicer. It has more detail, and is much crisper and a bit bulkier. In addition it has crew on it's guns, which immediately give it more character. The torpedoes are fully visible on the Warlord model but partly covered on the H&R - this is fine as it seems to have been a variation. Also the Warlord model has a mast, but being thin metal I'm not sure how long that will last in play.

Given there were a number of variations on the G5 design you could probably use them side by side if you wanted.

Cost wise the H&R model wins hands down, available for £2.00 each (two quid!) from H&R. The Warlord model is now available on their website in a four pack for £15, so £3.75 each. There is no mention of data cards or wake markers but they will be easy to come by if you play CS. That's quite a difference and makes the H&R version worth considering on cost alone, however if that is less important then I think the Warlord version just looks better.

Links
Heroics & Ros 1/300 Naval Range
Warlord Games G5 MTBs

Next I'll look at the Soviet D3 MTB

Cheers