Product Specifications.

6279, Eastern Front Tank Hunters. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene plastic with multi-media parts. Contains: 206 injection-molded styrene parts, 56 DS-100 soft styrene parts, 24 etched brass parts, decals, with painting and assembly guide on the box top.

Introduction.

Although it should come as no surprise that of DML's first ten Gen2 figure sets, nine depict German troops of the Second World War, I am constantly gratified at the variety in subject matter as well as the attention that is paid to many of the smaller details, especially where the weapons and equipment is concerned.

This latest Gen2 set depicts three German Heer (Army) troops and a single member of the Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth), all armed with the two main German infantry-portable anti-tank rocket launchers of the war, the "Panzerfaust" and the "Panzerschreck". The former was the one-shot, disposable launcher, while the latter was the much-improved German answer to the to the US Army's 2.36-inch M1 and M9 rocket launchers (Bazooka).

The Figures.

Figure 1 depicts an infantryman on both knees, in the act of firing the Panzrerfaust. He wears what appears to be a non-reversible padded winter tunic of the M1942 pattern with the infantryman's accoutrements; the remainder of his gear is M1943 trousers and the typical low-cut boots with canvas gaiters.

Figure 2 is the Hitlerjugend figure, wearing the typical uniform and cap, with his trousers tucked into his stockings, as was the style. He is equipped with his unique dagger and wears six pouches for his rifle; his Kar98k rifle lies on the ground as he stands and begins to sight his Panzerfaust.

Figure 3 is in the prone position and is preparing a rocket for the Panzerschreck gunner. He wears the M1944 uniform with the square pocket flaps and is also equipped as a typical infantryman; his rifle also lies on the ground next to him. He has a choice of heads and collars so he can be depicted looking towards his front or towards his rear.

Figure 4, the Panzerschreck gunner, wears an M1942 tunic with scalloped pocket flaps and no pleats, as well as the accompanying trousers. His short boots are equipped with gaiters and he also wears typical infantryman's gear. He has a choice of heads (gas mask, or not), each with the peculiar details. His hands can also be depicted with or without protective gloves. While the instructions don't show it, he should probably be armed with a pistol; there are several holsters included in the set.

Molding is sharp with excellent details throughout. Sleeves are hollowed out, collars and tunic tails are separate for the proper "undercut" appearance and the boots have complete detail, including hob-nailed soles. Naturally, the soldiers can be depicted in other places or times, as long as their configuration is appropriate. The Hitlerjugend member cannot be so widely-used, but is perfect for a vignette depicting the end in Berlin.

Weapons and Equipment.

The set provides four Kar98k bolt-action rifles with separate opened or closed bolts as well as pre-bored muzzles and opened fore-sights. Separate stripper clips are given, while etched brass parts provide for slings for three of the rifles. The modeler with a good spares collection could also change the figure's provided weapons to any other, provided they are appropriate for the time period.

The "Panzerschreck" measures out to be the 8.8cm Racketenpanzerbuchse 53 or 54. Both were almost identical in appearance, the RP54 had the addition of a shield for the gunner and could fire the longer-ranged (201-meters) RP.Gr.4992 rocket. The RP53 had no shield and fired the RP.Gr.4322 rocket, with a range of 150 meters. Decals for the latter rocket are given. The launcher is comprised of eight parts and is slide-molded, so the bore-end is opened; a separate part for the breech-end completes the "Ofenrohr" (stove-pipe) effect. The shield can be left on or off, with optional heads for the gunner depending on how the launcher is configured; note that the opening in the shield was covered with a clear plexiglass-like material, not included. The instructions correctly show the gunner wearing a gas mask when no shield is fitted and no mask when the shield is fitted. The weapon is finished off with an etched brass sling. There are four rockets for it, which are also slide-molded for enhanced detail of the drum-shaped stabilizing fins. They can be shown in a styrene carrying case, complete with decals for data.

A pair of Panzerfaust 60s are provided (identified by their unique sight assemblies; the "60" referred to their range in meters). They are each two-piece styrene affairs, which can be depicted with the sights erected or folded; an etched brass safety-pin and data decals adds the final details to them. They are also accompanied by a styrene and etched brass carrying case, with data decals, which can hold four complete units.

The troop's personal equipment is a mixture of traditional and DS-100 styrene items all of which are commonly seen in the Gen2 sets. In conventional styrene are the following: six M1935 steel helmets (with full rivet details, due to the use of slide molds), three-piece gas mask canisters, two piece canteens (six each) and mess tins (two each), as well as single-piece mess tins, entrenching tools, and bayonets (six each). A particularly nice addition in this set is the typical Hitlerjugend dagger, with its distinct handle and hooked guard.

In DS-100 soft styrene, DML has provided the following: three different opened and closed pistol holsters, eight gas cape pouches, four rolled Zeltbahns, eight bread-bags, three pairs of Gew43 magazine pouches, five pairs of Kar98k pouches, three pairs of MP40 pouches and three pairs of StG44 pouches. Each of the ammo pouches has one pair in the opened configuration. The final items are a map case and a tool case for a German MG34 or 42 machine-gun. Most of these items are not for use in this set, but will certainly prove useful for the spares box.

Instructions.

The instructions are made up of full-color drawings on two sides of a single sheet. They are an improvement over those seen previously in that they show several details in separate close-up fashion, including camouflage patterns and decal locations. Colors are keyed to Gunze and Testror's Model Master paints.

Conclusion.

While I'd like to see other nationalities done in the latest Gen2 standard, this set is nevertheless a welcome and useful addition to the diorama and vignette modeler. And, due to the detail and quality of the moldings, these figurines could easily stand alone as a straight up-and-down solo miniature.

Highly recommended.

- Frank V. De Sisto