DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

6345, Gebirgsjager 1940-1941. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene figure set. Contains 69 styrene parts, with instructions/painting guide on box exterior.

Introduction.

This conventionally-produced set depicts four German Gebirgsjager (mountain troops) in two pairs of two figures, each of which can comprise a small, distinct vignette. In addition, one pair of figures are in summer dress, with the other pair in cold weather garb. So, the two pairs of figures cannot be used together convincingly; their “actions” prohibit them from being used together. Both pairs are inspired by work that military painter and figure designer Ron Volstad had produced for his wonderful Concord book, “The German Army, Blitzkrieg 1939-41”.

The Figures.

Figure 1 depicts an NCO wearing one variation of a “mountain tunic” and the typical “Bergmutze” peaked cap. He carries a slung Kar.98k, and gestures with a pipe in his right hand. He wears typical trousers tucked into cloth puttees and typical lace-up mountain boots with metal cleats around the edges of the soles; he also wears the typical M1931 mountain rucksack.

Figure 2, an officer, is clothed and equipped nearly identically to the NCO except that he wears a variation of a lace-front anorak. He holds field glasses in his right hand, is equipped with a map case and is armed with a holstered automatic pistol.

Together, these two figures depict troops involved in operations in Norway during 1940. Of course, they can be used for other early-war scenarios.

Figure 3 is the mortar-man, who lies on a fold of the earth gripping his 5cm l.GrW.36. He wears the typical temperate wool uniform, mountain boots and “Bergmutze” peaked cap. Aside from the usual infantryman’s equipment, he wears the unique M1939 load-bearing frame.

Figure 4, the mortar’s ammunition bearer, is again clothed like his partner. He is depicted grabbing a mortar round from the ammunition box.

According to reference number 6, these figures specifically represent a pair seen during the assault on Crete during the spring of 1941, but again, can be used in other scenarios, such as the Balkan campaign.

Sculpting is sharp with excellent details throughout, within the limits of the conventional injection molding techniques employed in this set’s production. The animation and design of the figures are, as one would expect from Ron Volstad, superb.

Weapons and Equipment.

The featured weapon in this set is the 5cm l.GrW.36 light infantry mortar and its accompanying 10-round ammunition carrying case. The former is composed of five separate parts, while the latter can be shown opened or closed and contains five and four rounds, respectively, molded into each half. The set also provides three nicely-detailed Kar.98k rifles and a holstered automatic pistol. The modeler with a good spares collection could also change the figure’s provided weapons to any other, if they are appropriate.

The troop’s personal equipment consists of standard items such as magazine pouches for their Kar.98k rifles, officer’s map case and binoculars, water bottles, mess kits, gas mask canisters, bayonets and entrenching tools (one of which is shown out of its holder). Special items include M1931 mountain rucksack and M1939 load-bearing frames.

Instructions.

The instructions are similar to others seen with recent DML figure sets; they have been refined in that each figure is shown in two views of the actual assembled, but un-painted parts. Below these are smaller renditions of the box-top art showing colors, which are keyed to Gunze and Testror’s Model Master paints.

Conclusion.

This is certainly a fine set of figures by most conventional standards. But, I fail to understand why DML does not issue ALL new and up-coming figure sets at the “Gen2” level; since DML raised the bar of excellence in styrene figures, as a modeler I expect them to continue in that direction. Had this set been produced using “Gen2” methods, it would have made a fine product into an outstanding one.

Recommended.

- Frank V. De Sisto