Dragon

1/35 German Warriors 1940-41

Kit Number: 6574

Reviewed by  Tom Jett, IPMS# 46082

MSRP: $14.95 Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com I've purchased and built a lot of plastic figures from all the major manufacturers over the years and I'd have to say that in my opinion, these are the best I've seen to date. From the standpoint of pose, composition, equipment and animation, these are just great. What you get. The set includes 5 figures composed of two panzer crewmembers, and three grenadiers "rucking up" preparing for a long day ahead. Although these guys aren't firing weapons or running, there's quite a bit going on which would work well in a small diorama or vignette with a vehicle. The set also includes some beautifully molded weapons and equipment including an un-holstered Lugar and P38! Figures 1, 4 and 5 are all grenadiers wearing the M35 Field Grey Blouse, and Stone grey wool trousers. Figures 2 and 3 are both panzer crewman wearing the standard black panzer tunic and trousers. Let's look at each individually; Figure 1, is fully dressed, in a relaxed yet watchful pose with his MP 40 at the ready. He wears a the standard leather "Y" strap equipment belt which includes a canteen, M31 bread bag, gas mask canister, and mess tin.

Figure 2, is a panzer crewman in the process of buckling his belt. He wears the later style panzer tunic, trousers and black field cap.

Figure 3, is the second tanker, also wearing the later style tunic is tightening the chin strap on his M35 Steel Helmet. He has an MP 40 slung across his stomach and carries a single MP 40 ammo pouch on his belt.

Figure 4, is another grenadier, in the M35 Blouse and Stone grey trousers holding his equipment belt and suspenders in his hands. I love this guy's pose. This troop has a particularly well sculpted face and feature rivaling good aftermarket heads. The detail on the blouse is very good and includes the two sets of small holes on the front and back panels of the blouse that helped support the equipment belt. Some minor seam filling was necessary around the right arm, again using Apoxie Sculpt.

Figure 5, is my favorite of all five poses. Dragon ingeniously breaks down the blouse to convincingly pull off the animation of the soldier putting on his coat. Again this is the field grey M35 Blouse and trousers. Under his wool blouse is a white long sleeved undershirt. My references don't show this particular item, but it is more than likely part of a shirt and pant set, similar to long-john's. Dragon also has taken the time to add detail to the inside of the blouse that needs to be painted to accurately depict the inside of the garment. The equipment belt at his feet is built up with the various equipment items but it was hard to know where each piece goes from the instruction on the back of the box.

Construction and painting Construction was a breeze. There was the typical minor mold seam to clean up, and a few of the joints required some filler. The panzer crewman buckling his belt was the only figure who had any significant gaps to fill. There was a large gap to fill on the back of the figure, just above the belt line, which I filled with Apoxie-sculpt. I like to use Apoxie-sculpt for these applications because it can be smoothed out with water, minimizing sanding later on after it cures. Aside from these there were no issues with construction. The uniforms were painted using Lifecolor and Vallejo acrylics and based on reference photos of actual surviving uniforms. The faces and hands were painted with oils.

Again this is an extremely useful set of figure for any early war setting. Very highly recommended! Thanks to Dragon and IPMS for supplying this review sample.