The term Panzergrenadiers always conjures up images of troops riding into battle on the backs of tanks and this is exactly what this kit sets out to provide with four figures intended to be portrayed riding on the rear of a tank.
This comes in an open ended box on one large, one medium, and one small sprue, all moulded in light grey plastic. The large sprue contains the four figures that make up the kit, the two other sprues provide an assortment of weapons and equipment. The moulding quality is average with small ammounts of flash and the usual mould seam clean-up. Being an older Tristar kit the detail can be a little soft in some places, mainly the creases and folds in the clothing which are a little understated, with some detail very good while at the same time other areas, such as around the faces, boots and personal equipment could use a bit of sharpening up.
The four figures are designed for a winter setting, with all of them wearing the reversible camouflage smock together with ankle boots and gaiters on three, high boots on the fourth. One also wears a greatcoat under his smock although his torso could have done with being beefed up to properly pull off this look. Three have moulded on balaclavas with the fourth having his moulded around his neck. One has a moulded on overseas cap and there is an optional field cap for one, though all four get an M41 steel helmet. The figure wearing the greatcoat comes with a grenade moulded into his belt and is supposed to be smoking so a cigarette is included, although scalewise it would be closer to a cigar in size. There is also a small part included to go in the hand of the seated figure which is meant to be a piece of cheese or similar.
As part of their personal equipment each gets a breadbag, a canteen, a mess tin and a gasmask container, while three also get folding shovels in carriers, and two get bayonets in scabbards. Also included are one MP44 triple mag pouch, four G43 rifle mag pouches, four Kar 98K rifle ammo pouches, a mapcase, and a pair of binoculars. All of these will require a bit of cleanup as they all have small ammounts of flashing.
For weapons you get a few choices, which will decide who gets what ammo pouches, as there are two G43 semi automatic rifles, two MP44 assault rifles, one Walther P38 pistol, and three Kar 98K rifles that come with separate bolts, three that are moulded closed and one that is moulded open. The weapons are actually quite well done and the separate bolts are a very nice touch.
This is an older kit and it shows in the mouldings, being on a par with similar vintage Dragon figure sets. It does offer some useful poses and good weapons, and though there are much better, more contemprary sets out there this still has a degree of potential if you want to take the time to sharpen up some of the detail, or replace the heads with aftermarket resin ones. It also has the advantage that although the intended design is as tank riders the poses aren’t so specific that they are limited to that use, so they can be used in pretty much any setting where the unifroms fit.
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