Assembling Mitchell's Marauders with Blake Coster Your rifle company is well-equipped for assaulting and crushing the enemy. Prepare your assault with your Mark IV tanks. They will pulverize Jerry’s gun nests with high-explosives and rake his trenches with machine-gun fire. Then send in your highly-trained rifle platoons to clear out the trenches and breakthrough. Learn more about Mitchell's Marauders here...

Great War The Great War of 1914-18 was global in its reach. Yet this global conflict would be decided by the mighty clashes upon the battlefields of Europe. Learn more about Great War here...

In this article, I'll demonstrate how to assemble the contents of the British Great War box set Mitchell's Marauders. So let's not waste anytime as there is a lot to cover! But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's ensure the contents of our Mitchell's Marauders box set are all present and correct. Mitchell's Marauders contains the following: one Rifle Company HQ, two Rifle Platoons, one Machine-gun Platoon, one Heavy Tank Platoon, one Medium Tank Platoon, one Royal Artillery Detachment, and of course the 36-page Great War rules supplement itself. That's a lot of content; so let break it down unit by unit. If you have any problems or issues with the contents of your box set, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team at: [email protected]

The HQ & Rifle Platoon(s)

The HQ & Rifle Platoon is also available as a blister pack, click here to learn more...

The Officers Description of Components a. 1x Company Command officer figure. b. 1x 2iC Command officer figure. Assembling The Company Command Pistol Team To assemble the Company Command Pistol team, simply arrange the Company Command Officer figure, one NCO Rifleman figure and one Rifleman figure on one of the Small three-hole bases provided in the box set.

Assembling The 2iC Command Pistol Team To assemble the 2iC Command Pistol team, simply arrange the 2iC Command Officer figure, one NCO Rifleman and one Rifleman figure on one of the Small three-hole bases provided in the box set. Right: Examples of assembled Command Pistol teams.

Note: The HQ & Rifle Platoon contains two command teams. This is deliberate so you can create the compulsory units required to field a Rifle Company in Great War. From the two blister packs you will be able to create a Rifle Company HQ with a Company Command Pistol team, a 2iC Command Pistal team in addition to two full strength Rifle Platoons each with a HQ section (using the other two Command Pistol teams) and two Rifle Sections.

The NCOs Description of Components a. 1x NCO figure with hand pointing backwards. b. 1x Advancing NCO figure with hand pointing. c. 2x Standing NCO figures pointing forward. d. 1x Advancing NCO figure with hand in air. e. 2x Kneeling NCO figures pointing. Note: NCO figures are contained in Command teams as well as being spread out amongst to rest of the units.

The Sniper Team Description of Components a. 1x Prone Sniper figure. b. 1x Prone Observer figure. Assembling The Sniper Team The Rifle Company HQ has the option to add a Sniper team for +60 points.

To assemble the Sniper team simply arrange the Prone Observer figure and Prone Sniper figure on the Small two-hole base.  Left An example of an assembled Sniper team. Tip: Use the base plugs to fill both the figure holes on the Small two-hole base in order to attach the Observer and Sniper figures directly to the base.

The Riflemen

Description of Components

a. 1x Kneeling Rifleman figure. b. 1x Kneeling Rifleman figure throwing grenade. c. 1x Kneeling Rifleman figure aiming rifle. d. 3x Standing Riflemen figures. e. 2x Riflemen figures pulling pin on grenade.

f. 2x Advancing Riflemen A figures. g. 2x Advancing Riflemen B figures. h. 2x Standing Riflemen figures throwing grenade i. 2x Standing Rifleman figures aiming rifle. j. 2x Advancing Riflemen C figures.

Assembling The Rifle Squad A Rifle Platoon consists of the HQ Section containing the Command Pistol Team (which we've already covered) and two Rifle Sections. Each of these Rifle Sections contains two Rifle teams, one MG team and a Rifle Grenade team. The first Rifle team needs to contain one NCO figure and three Riflemen figures while the second team simply contains four Riflemen figures. The Rifle teams are modelled on the Medium four-hole bases included in the box set.

Below: An example of an assembled Rifle team with an NCO.	Below: An example of an assembled Rifle team without an NCO.

The MG Team Description of Components a. 2x Prone MG gunner figures. b. 2x Prone MG loader figures. Assembling The MG Team The MG team is made up of the two-man MG team (the prone gunner and loader figures) and one rifleman figure.

The MG team are modelled on the Medium four-hole bases included in the box set. Tip: Use the base plugs to fill the figure holes on the base intended for use for the MG team in order to attach the prone MG gunner and loader figures directly to the base. Left: An example of an assembled MG team.

The Rifle Grenade Team Description of Components a. 2x Kneeling Rifle Grenade figures. b. 2x Standing Rifle Grenade figures loading grenade. c. 2x Advancing Rifle Grenade figures.

Assembling The Rifle Grenade Team To represent this team, simply arrange the three Rifle Grenade figures and one NCO figure on a Medium four-hole base. Left: An example of an assembled Rifle Grenade team.

The Bases Description of Components a. 2x Small three-hole bases. b. 1x Small two-hole bases c. 8x Medium four-hole bases. d. 1x Base plug sprue.

The Heavy Tank Platoon

The Mark IV is also available as a seperate box set, click here to learn more...

The Mark IV Male & Female Tank

Description of Components

a. 2x Right-hand side tracks. b. 2x Left-hand side tracks. c. 2x Mark IV hulls. d. 4x Stowage brackets. e. 2x MG sprues.

f. 2x 6 pdr gun spures. g. 2x Wooden sleepers. h. 4x Mark IV Female sponsons. i. 2x Mark IV Male sponsons. j. 2x Mark IV Male sponsons.

WWI British Tank Decal Sheet Description of Components a. 1x WWI British Tank Decal sheet.

Assembling The Basic Mark IV Step 1. Begin assembling the Mark IV by attaching the tracks to the resin hull.	Which end is the front of the Mark IV you may ask? Where is MG goes.	Below: Attaching to the left-hand side of the hull.

Below: The left-hand side track attached to the left-hand side of the hull.	Below: Attaching to the right-hand side of the hull.	Below: Both tracks attached to the hull of the Mark IV.

Tip: When referring to left or right-hand side in regards to a Flames Of War miniature, the orientation is determined as if looking at the vehicle from the rear.
Step 2. Next, attach the stowage brackets to the top of the Mark IV. These may require some gently bending in order to align with the contours of the Mark IV hull.		Step 3. Attach the MG to the front of the hull.

Below: The MG attached to the front of the hull.	Step 4. Attach the wooden sleeper to the stowage brackets towards the rear of the vehicle.		Below: The basic Mark IV tank fully assembled.

Assembling The Mark IV Female Sponsons
Each Mark IV Female uses two female sponsons. These sponsons are ambidextrous and therefore can be used on both sides of the vehicle.	Step 1. Add the machine-guns to the sponsons.

Below: The machine-guns added to the sponsons.		Below: On the back of the sponson there is an arrow indicating which way is up.	Step 2. Next, attach the sponsons to each side of the hull.

Below: The female sponsons attached to the Mark IV hull.		Below: The fully assembled Mark IV Female.

Below: An example of a fully-painted Mark IV Female tank.

Assembling The Mark IV Male Sponsons
Unlike the female sponsons, male sponsons are side-specific to the vehicle. On the back of each sponson is a letter 'R' or 'L' indicating which side of the vehicle it attaches.		Step 1. Attach the 6 pdr guns to each of  the sponsons.

Below: The 6 pdr gun attached to the sponson.	Step 2. Next, attach the machine-guns to each of the sponsons.		Step 3. Attach each the sponsons to each side of the hull.

Below: Both sponsons attached to the hull of the Mark IV.		Below: The fully assembled Mark IV Male.

Below: An example of a fully-painted Mark IV Male tank.

Using Rare Earth Magnets To Attach The Sponsons
If you don't want to permanently attach the sponsons to the hull, you can use rare earth magnets in order to swap them out to create any combination of Mark IV Male and Female tanks. Learn more tricks and tips on using Rare Earth Magnets here...
Step 1. Attached a rare earth magnet into the sponson recess.		Step 2. Attach a rare earth magent into the back of the sponsons.

The Medium Tank Platoon

The Mark A Whippet Tank is also available as a blister pack, click here to learn more...

The Mark A Whippet Tank

Description of Components

a. 1x MG sprues. b. 1x Left-hand side track.

c. 1x Right-hand side track. d. 1x Resin Mark A Whippet hull.

Assembling The Mark A Whippet Tank
Step 1. Begin assemble of the Mark A Whippet by attaching the tracks to the hull.	Below: Attaching the left-hand side track to the hull of the Whippet.

Below: Attaching the right-hand side track to the hull of the Whippet.		Step 2. Attach the machine-guns to the four locations show in the images below.

Below: Two more locations for machine-guns of the Whippet.		Below: Attaching the machine-guns to the fighting compartment.

Below: Attaching the remaining machine-guns to the fighting compartment.		Below: With the machine-guns in place, the Mark A Whippet in now fully-assembled.

Below: An example of a fully-painted Mark A Whippet tank.

The Machine-gun Platoon

The Machine-gun Platoon is also available as a blister pack, click here to learn more...

The Machine-gun Platoon

Description of Components

a. 1x Officer figure looking at watch. b. 1x NCO figure with hand pointing backwards. c. 1x Standing NCO figure pointing forward. d. 1x Kneeling NCO figure pointing. e. 1x Standing Riflemen figure.

f. 2x Kneeling Rifleman figures. g. 4x Seated MG gunner figures. h. 4x Kneeling MG loader figures. i. 4x Vickers HMG tripods. j. 4x Vickets HMGs.

The Bases Description of Components a. 1x Small three-hole bases. b. 4x Medium four-hole bases. c. 1x Base plug sprue.

Assembling The Command Pistol Team To assemble the Command Pistol team, simply arrange the Officer figure, one NCO Rifleman figure and one Rifleman figure on one of the Small three-hole bases provided in the box set. Left: An example of an assembled Command Pistol team.

Assembling The Machine-gun Sections The Machine-gun Platoon contains a Command Pistol team (which I've already covered) and four Machine-gun sections. Two of the Machine-gun sections need to contain the two-man HMG crew consisting of the seated gunner and kneeling loader figures as well as the Vickers HMG itself and an NCO figure. The other two teams are made up of the same two-man HMG crew and a Rifleman figure. Tip: Use the base plugs to fill the leftover figure hole on the base as each Vickers HMG team consists of only a three figures.

Below: An example of a assembly Vickers HMG team with an NCO figure.	Below: An example of a assembly Vickers HMG team without an NCO figure.

Assembling The Vickers HMG
Step 1. Attach the Vickers HMG to the tripod ensuring the two prongs are pointing forward.			Step 2. Attach the Seated gunner figure in the desired location on a Medium four-hole base.

Step 3. Correctly position the Vickers HMG.	Step 4. Finally, add the loader figure ensuring the ammunition belt is being feed from the right-hand side of the gun.	Below: The assembled gunner, loader and HMG for our Vickers HMG team.

The Royal Artillery Detachment

The OQF 18 pdr Command Team & Crew

Description of Components

a. 1x Officer figure looking at watch. b. 1x Standing NCO figures pointing forward. c. 1x Standing Riflemen figure. d. 2x Standing loader figures holding shell.

e. 2x Standing figures with hand in air. f. 2x Kneeling loader figures holding shell. g.2x Kneeling loader figures. h. 2x Straddling gunner figures.

Assembling The Command Pistol Team To assemble the Command Pistol team, simply arrange the Officer figure, one NCO Rifleman figure and one Rifleman figure on one of the Small three-hole bases provided in the box set. Right: An example of an assembled Command Pistol team.

The OQF 18 pdr Gun & Limber

Description of Components

a. 2x Gun shields. b. 2x Gun trails. c. 2x 18 pdr gun barrels.

d. 2x Gun limber doors. e. 8x Gun trail and limber wheels. f. 2x Gun limbers.

The Bases Description of Components a. 1x Small three-hole bases. b. 2x Large six-hole bases. c. 1x Base plug sprue. Tip: Use the base plugs to fill the leftover figure hole on the base as each Vickers HMG team consists of only a three figures.

Assembling The 18 pdr Gun

Step 1. Begin by attaching the wheels to the gun trail.

Step 2. Next, attach the gun barrel to the gun trail.		Step 3. Attach the gun shield by sliding it over the gun barrel.

Below: With the gun shield in position the 18 pdr is assembled.		Tip: The Straddling gunner figure straddles the gun trail taking up a postion on one of the small seats located on the gun trail.

Assembling The Gun Limber
Step 1. Begin by attaching the wheels to the gun limber.

Step 2. Next, attach the door to the rear of the gun limber.	Note: The door to the gun limber can be modelled in either an open or closed position.		Below: The fully-assembled gun limber.

Below: Examples of the assembled 18 pdr gun with limber and crew.
I hope you find this assembly guide useful when it comes time to assemble your own Mitchell's Maraudersfor Great War. Till next time, happy modelling! ~ Blake.