Tamiya 35212 – German Soldiers at Field Briefing
One thing I’ve always found interesting with figure sets is that there is no shortage of sets with German troops dressed for the winter cold, yet you never see any allied sets dressed the same way. But whether they be intended for use in the Russian winters or in the snows of the Ardennes sets like this one offer plenty of opportunity to the German themed diorama.
This comes in Tamiya’s standard open ended box and consists of two grey sprues, one medium sized one holding the weapons and equipment, another larger one having the five figures and a dog. For some reason Tamiya have reverted to moulding some figures as almost complete figures in one, so some of the detail on the figures has been overly simplified resulting in a lack of detail definition in some areas. This has resulted in some of the moulding detail seeming a bit thick and undefined, mainly the clothing which seems lacking in good fold and crease definition, and the boots are also reminicent of their older kits lacking any real left/right shape and having no instep with a defined heel. The faces however a very good with well defined features and individual expressions.
The figures are all dressed for winter with three wearing the revesible camouflaged winter parka, one wearing a greatcoat, and one wearing both, with his parka over the greatcoat. All also wear gloves and balaclavas, with two having their balaclavas moulded as part of the head and the rest moulded around the necks.
The parkas and greatcoats are well moulded, with the greatcoats moulded in halves so that you do get undercut detail which is nice though on the standing figure the rear of the greatcoat skirt is still rather thick where it joins the legs and could use some relief work.
Three of the figures have moulded recesses at the left waist for the insertion of Type 24 “stick” grenades which is a nice touch. It is intended that these are then covered with other equipment to hide the missing section of belt but it would be a simple task to add the belt section with a piece of thin paper or foil.
The officer figure holds a small opened mapcase whilst one of the other figures holds a larger folding mapboard which includes a delicate woodgrain pattern. These can be used in conjunction with the printed maps that are included.
On the not so nice side one comes with moulded on Kar 98K rifle ammo pouches and another with moulded on G43 rifle mag pouches. These pouches lack the proper shape and definition being a little thick on detail, and they also mean a little work is involved removing them if you want to add better ones or to change the weapon of choice for those figures.
As well as the five figures there is a German Shepherd dog included who comes moulded as the body with a two part head and is actually quite well done. There is also a small wood burner with a flue included, as well as a printed sheet with which to make maps, newspapers and magazines. These are all nice touches that help elevate the usefulness of this set.
The weapons and equipment sprue included is the Tamiya “German Infantry Equipment Set B” and for personal equipment it consists of three helmets with covers, two helmets without covers, five gas mask containers, five breadbags, one soft cap, one entrenching spade without its cover, two entrenching tools with bayonets attached, two entrenching tools without bayonets, five canteens, a bayonet in a scabbard, a pair of binoculars and four MP44 triple mag pouches.
It also includes a range of weapons, namely three type 24 “stick” grenades, one holstered Luger P08, one holstered Walther P38, one mapcase, an MG34/42 maintenance kit pouch, one MG42, one folded MG42 bipod, one MG34/42 double spare barrel case, two MG34/42 ammo belts, one Panzerfaust 60, two G43 semi automatic rifles, and two MP44 assault rifles.
I’m really a little in two minds on this kit, Tamiya just seem to missed a few basic elements here. What you get isn’t terrible, most of it is very good but just let down by a few areas and it could have been so much better. There are some really good features and nice touches with the dog, the stove and the printed maps, and the generic weapon sprue gives you plenty of spare equipment, and a few weapons as well which is nice. Things like the shape of the boots and the lack of an instep can be easily remedied with a sharp knife, as can the moulded on ammo pouches, but it just would have been nice if those things had already been attended to. Overall though still a good set that really conveys the sense of the winter cold.
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