Tamiya 35314 – German Africa Corps Infantry Set
Once upon a time there were very few manufacturers making figure sets, with Tamiya figuring ( ‘scuse the pun ) most prominently, and probably being the best of what was available. But times change and new manufacturers came along to bump them off their mantle. In the process they picked up a reputation ( in many instances deserved ) of producing crappy figures, though there are still many sets that they have done that are actually very good. This is their newest set having been released just a few months ago so time to see how this one stacks up.
This set comes in a medium sized open ended type box containing two dark yellow sprues. The larger one holds the five figures while the smaller holds the weapons and equipment. This weapon and equipment sprue is a generic one that is included in several Tamiya figure kits so you get a few more bits than you need to use, which is always a bonus.
To be honest, despite the Tamiya name on the sprue, the figure’s layout, mouldings, and packaging remind me very much of Masterbox or Miniart ones, especially as they come with hollowed out hips, and come on an unnumbered sprue with an image of the parts with their numbers included in the instructions which are printed on the rear of the box. The sprues are also two distinctly different shades of dark yellow.
The moulding is typical Tamiya though, with sharp, clean detail and no flash, just the usual very faint mould seams to remove. The level of detail and the quality of the sculpting is excellent with very nicely done hands, that include well defined fingers with fingernails, and heads with sharp, clear features and ears that actually look like ears. My only complaint would be that the faces all look much alike. Averaging 50-51mm tall these scale out at 175-178cm tall ( 5 foot 9 to 5 foot 10) so are a good hieght.
The three enlisted men all wear the temperate Heer uniform with two in ankle boots and the third wearing the high lace up boots most often associated with the Afrika Korp. They all have their gas mask container strap moulded in place, though it is very well done. These come with a breadbag each, with their helmets and other equipment supplied on the weapon/equipment sprue which I’ll cover seperately. The gunner’s assistant also gets a pair of goggles.
The NCO also wears the same uniform and boots, sans the gas mask case strap, and with the same breadbag, but also two MP40 tripple mag ammo pouches, one of which includes the small cleaning kit pouch ( something that is surprisingly often missed ). The ammo pouches have a nice natural twist to them to match his pose and he also gets a moulded on Eisernes Kreuz ( Iron Cross ) ribbon.
The officer wears the traditional officer’s breeches with the high lace up boots and a cravat around his neck. He comes with a pair of goggles and has a Luger P08 moulded into his right hand and a seperate stick grenade with a short section of belt to be added at his waist. He has a moulded on combat badge, iron cross and another badge I can’t make out.
There are just a few areas where these could be improved, mainly by adding hobnails to the one and a bit soles of boots that are visible, and you’ll need to add a bit of undercut detail to the lower edge of the tunic skirts and the sleeve openings ( pretty much required on all but DML’s Gen 2 figures when dealing in injection moulded kits ). Other than that the overall moulding, fit and finich of the figures is very, very good.
Weaponwise you get an MP40, two Kar 98K rifles, two holstered pistols ( both look to be variations of the P08 holster ), an MG34 and an MG42, an MG42 cleaning kit, an MG34 cleaning kit, a folded bipod, an open bipod, a spare barrel case, and two ammo tins. There is a third ammo tin included with the figure sprue with its handle moulded into the gunners assistant’s hand.
The weapon moulding is in general very good on all of these though the ammo tins lack the end detail and are open underneath ( this is common with Tamiya german ammo cans and an area I really wish they would address ). Both MGs also lack the large, prominent cocking handle on the right side of the reciever.
Equipmentwise what you get is another five breadbags, three of the older style entrenching tools with attached bayonet, two of the folding version, also with attached bayonet, five rolled zeltbahns, five gas mask containers, five canteens, five mess tins, two bayonets, four Kar 98K ammo pouches, two MP40 tripple mag ammo pouches, one of which again includes the small cleaning kit pouch, a mapcase, a pair of binoculars and five helmets.
However there is no binoculars case and none of the helmets include straps to use with the googles so you’ll need to add these yourself. It would also be nice to see Tamiya step their game up a notch and start including the rivet and vent hole detail in the helmets. I’d also like to see a return to including decals like they used to do.
Conclusion. All in all this is a very good set that just has a few niggles, though they should only effect the fussy and the average builder will most likely never even notice. I know that those are the market Tamiya targets but it still would be nice to see them lift their game just a little because those few little details like the ends of the ammo cans, the helmets and the weapon details are all that this needs to make it an excellent set.
Click images to enlarge ( opens in new window )
Good review dean,
Looks like the have copied a few ideas from dragon,and man its a large leap from the older africa korps set,the ammo boxes , weapons and gear have improved alot,like you, I would like them to go back to including decals with figure kits.