Tamiya were amongst the first manufacturers to bring us 1/35 scale figure back in the 70s, and some of those moulds, and others of similar age, are still around which means that these days they are showing their age and don’t really compare well alongside some of the more recent figure kits on offer from other manufacturers.
But over the last 10-12 years Tamiya have been introducing a number of new figure kits which have improved greatly on quality compared to those earlier kits. The easiest way to recognise the new from the old is that traditionally the older sets came with 7-8 figures whereas the newer ones will more often only come with 5-6. This set is one of the newer ones and the improvement in quality over time is very noticeable, in fact side by side you can easily see the full generation of moulding evolution between them.
This set comes on two sprues moulded in dark yellow and are the usual Tamiya quality of finish, no flash, minimal mould seams, and clear sharp detail. Averaging 48-49mm tall these scale out at 168-170cm tall ( 5 foot 6 to 5 foot 7 ). This has always been one of Tamiya’s “shortcomings” with their figures. The average height of a soldier in 1940 was 5 foot 8 ( 173cm ) so people weren’t all 6 foot plus, but Tamiya’s figures frequently still represent the shorter people.
In this set you get five figures in late war uniforms, all depicted as being in action. All wear the SS Type Two camouflage smock with the foliage loops together with a mix of high boots, and low boots with gaiters. The faces are well done with good expressions and clearly defined detail, and the hands likewise look good, a long way from the old stumpy fingers of earlier kits. Unlike older sets these do not have the moulded on gas mask container straps which is something I like as it allows you to choose whether or not to add one and if so exactly where.
The machine gunner is armed with an MG42 with a folded bipod, the other four get two MP44 assault riles and two G43 semi automatic rifles. Two lengths of ammo belt, a double spare barrel carrier, and a maintenance kit pouch are included for the MG42. There is also a Panzerfaust 60, three type 24 “stick” grenades, and two holstered P08 Lugers included.
A full range of light kit is provided consisting of one bayonet, two folding shovels in their carrier, two short shovels in their carrier, one short shovel without a carrier, five gas mask containers, five breadbags, three canteens with the metal cup, two canteens with the smaller bakerlite cup, four MP44 triple mag pouches, a mapcase, a pair of binoculars, a soft cap, three helmets with covers and two helmets without covers. The mag pouches for the G43 rifles are moulded to their respective figures, not a technique I’m in favour of as it removes the option to change weapons.
I do like the fact that Tamiya have stopped moulding the gas mask container straps onto the bodies, and they must be commended on the vast improvement in the detail on the faces and hands. Make these a couple mm taller, added a small decal sheet for the uniform insignias and I think Tamiya would be back at the top with their figures. But even all that aside these are a very good set of figures. Being a mid-late ’90s kit they aren’t as good as the latest Tamiya figure kits, but they are well ahead of the older ones.
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