Tank Model

1/35 German Tank Crew - Winter 1944-1945

Kit Number: 35003

Reviewed by  Kip Rudge, IPMS# 40597

MSRP: $45.00 Website: www.tank-model.ru Available from: Model Point U.S. It is always a continual fascination what two human hands can create in 1/35th scale. The figure maker's trade may be the ultimate in our small hobby. Examples abound of figures with a head the size of a pea exhibiting the full gamut of facial expression. The Russian company Tahk (Tank Models) has really been churning out high quality figure and accessory kits for several years, but this is the first time I've had the pleasure of working with some of their goodies myself. These guys got game! Their German tank crew is a very nice and highly useful set of three winter figures. The detail is very sharp and certainly holds its own with any resin figure manufacturer I've come across. What you get is the tank commander, one sitting figure and another relaxed figure, leaning back on his arm. The Tahk artwork has these fellows perched on a King Tiger, but they will look at home on virtually any livery in the Wehrmachts' stable from 1943 through 1945. I won't (well actually can't) bore you with all the various German phraseology for the garb they are wearing (just check out the photos). But I can wax poetic about the excellent molding and neat stuff like undercut lapels, natural looking folds and terrific facial detail. The figures come with a minimum of parts. For instance the sitting fellow was simply a body and head... yep...all that detail and just two measly parts - even I can't screw that up. The fit of the arms and heads is spot on with just a little clean up.

But the aspect of these figure I really like is that the sculptor has really captured the sullen look of guys who are cold, tired and really just want to go home. Despite not having a readily definable expression, the body language and seriousness on the faces just reeks of bad times. Very cool. Tahk has provided a very versatile and extremely well detailed addition to any German late war vehicle. These figures can hold their own with pretty much anything else on the market right now, if not in detail, then certainly in attitude. Thanks to Tank Models for supplying this review sample.

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