Introduction
The legacy of Airfix is deeply interwoven with the world of historical modeling, especially within the realms of military subjects. As one of the most iconic names in plastic scale modeling, Airfix has introduced generations of hobbyists to the intricate and rewarding world of historical re-creation. Among its extensive catalog of military-themed kits, the Gun Emplacement Assault Set stands out as a compelling combination of fortification and combat action.
The Airfix Gun Emplacement Assault Set immerses the modeler in the tactical world of artillery warfare—especially the dramatic encounters between entrenched gun positions and attacking infantry during the key battles of World War II. Whether you’re a military enthusiast, a seasoned modeler, or a newcomer to the hobby, this set offers both historical depth and creative scope, making it a favorite for those who enjoy constructing detailed battlefield scenes.
Historical Context: Artillery in WWII
Artillery has often been referred to as the “King of Battle”—and for good reason. In the Second World War, artillery emplacements played a central role in defensive strategy. Fixed gun positions were typically found protecting vital objectives such as airfields, coastal regions, supply depots, bridges, and command posts. These heavily fortified batteries—composed of anti-tank guns, howitzers, or field guns—were often dug into concrete casemates or reinforced bunkers, surrounded by sandbags, ammunition stores, and observation posts.
In both the Eastern and Western fronts, attacking forces had to deal with these gun emplacements through coordinated infantry assaults, tank support, airstrikes, or artillery bombardments. The Airfix Gun Emplacement Assault Set captures a snapshot of this kind of engagement—where infantry units move in to neutralize a heavily armed and dug-in enemy position.
Kit Overview: What’s in the Box?
The Airfix Gun Emplacement Assault Set (in 1:72 scale) is a rich diorama-style kit that provides a complete scene for builders to assemble and customize. It typically includes a mixture of structural components, artillery equipment, and infantry figures. While exact contents may vary depending on the edition or re-release, the core elements include:
- Gun Emplacement Bunker: A solid, semi-concrete-style structure with gun slits or open mountings to house the artillery piece.
- Field Gun or Anti-Tank Gun: Often based on historically accurate WWII designs like the German 88mm Flak gun or smaller Pak 40 anti-tank gun.
- Infantry Figures: A selection of soldiers representing both defenders and attackers. These figures are often posed in action—crouching, firing, charging, or throwing grenades.
- Accessories: Sandbags, ammunition crates, barbed wire, debris, and perhaps blast walls or barricades.
- Scenic Base (in some editions): A molded terrain base that helps frame the gun emplacement in a realistic setting, including shell holes and rugged textures.
The scale and composition make it ideal for combining with other Airfix kits, such as tanks, half-tracks, jeeps, or additional infantry units.
Modeling Features and Design Detail
One of the enduring qualities of Airfix kits is the balance between assembly accessibility and historical authenticity. The Gun Emplacement Assault Set delivers on both fronts. The components are generally straightforward to build, with clear instructions and intuitive parts. However, there is plenty of room for detail enhancement for experienced modelers.
Key Features:
- Historically Styled Gun Carriage: Airfix takes care to include accurate detailing on the field gun, including breech mechanisms, recoil systems, and elevation gears.
- Battle-Ready Infantry Poses: Figures come in varied dynamic poses, depicting real combat scenarios—riflemen, officers with binoculars, soldiers throwing grenades, and gunners operating the cannon.
- Weathered Structure Texture: The gun emplacement is molded to reflect worn, battle-damaged concrete or sandbagged fortifications—perfect for dry brushing, weathering, and washes.
- Diorama Compatibility: Designed to work seamlessly with other Airfix 1:72 sets, the modeler can create a whole scene with minimal need for adjustments.
Builders frequently modify the basic components—adding additional sandbags, mud effects, or smoke damage. Many also swap or kitbash elements with other brands or scratch-built accessories to personalize the scene.
Diorama Possibilities: A Story in Miniature
The Gun Emplacement Assault Set is practically a diorama in a box, but it also offers limitless potential for expanding into broader scenes. Hobbyists often use this set as the centerpiece of an action-packed WWII battlefield layout.
Creative Diorama Ideas:
- Assault on a German Battery: Combine with Allied infantry advancing under fire. Add a Sherman or Churchill tank for backup, with terrain mimicking the Normandy hedgerows.
- Stalingrad Urban Emplacement: Repaint and reposition the gun emplacement within a ruined brick building. Add Soviet infantry storming the position through shattered walls.
- Desert Warfare: Repaint in sandy tones to represent the North African campaign. Use British Desert Rats against an entrenched Afrika Korps artillery nest.
- Eastern Front Blizzard: Add snow effects to simulate a winter skirmish between Soviet forces and German defenders dug into a forest edge.
With the right base materials (foam board, static grass, sand, or plaster), the builder can construct roads, trenches, rubble piles, and impact craters to flesh out the realism. Additional lighting, figures, and vehicles help convey the chaos and movement of real battlefield moments.
Educational and Historical Appeal
Beyond its appeal as a hobby product, the Airfix Gun Emplacement Assault Set also serves as an educational resource. Teachers, parents, and museums have used it to illustrate key concepts in:
- World War II tactics and weaponry
- The role of artillery and static defenses
- The importance of terrain and strategy in battle
- Military engineering and logistics
By physically assembling a model of a gun position, young learners can engage with history in a tactile way. This deepens understanding of how soldiers fought, how defenses were constructed, and how battlefields were shaped by geography and technology.
The set can also serve as an introduction to broader topics such as the morality of war, the challenges of command, and the realities of frontline combat.
Painting and Finishing Techniques
One of the joys of building the Airfix Gun Emplacement is the opportunity to apply advanced painting techniques to elevate realism. Modelers can utilize a variety of methods to bring the set to life:
- Base Coating and Dry Brushing: Start with a flat base color for the gun and emplacement. Use dry brushing to highlight edges and textures.
- Weathering: Apply washes of dark brown or black to simulate grime. Use pastels or pigments for dust and mud effects.
- Camouflage: Apply period-accurate camo schemes to the gun crew uniforms or equipment.
- Battle Damage: Simulate cracks in concrete, shell impacts, or burned patches using a hot needle or modeling putty.
With proper painting and attention to detail, the static plastic model can appear startlingly lifelike.
Community and Collecting
The Airfix Gun Emplacement Assault Set has become a staple in modeling communities across the globe. Hobbyists share their builds on forums, social media, YouTube, and exhibitions, offering tips, modifications, and historical anecdotes.
Collectors often seek out vintage editions of the kit, sometimes complete with original box art that evokes the glory days of 1970s and 1980s model building. Meanwhile, reissued versions benefit from cleaner molding, better plastics, and improved instructions, making them ideal for newcomers to the hobby.
Conclusion
The Airfix Gun Emplacement Assault Set captures a dramatic moment in wartime history—the clash between entrenched artillery and advancing infantry. It offers something for everyone: history buffs, diorama artists, war gamers, educators, and traditional scale modelers.
Its engaging blend of action, realism, and creative freedom allows modelers to both reconstruct the past and tell new stories. Whether displayed in a cabinet or part of a larger battlefield setup, the Gun Emplacement Set stands as a reminder of the intensity and complexity of 20th-century warfare—and of the enduring appeal of building history one piece at a time.
