Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale =9139-=9145 Series Kit No.
6656; Advance to Kharkov 1942 - Gen2 Gear; 134 parts (132 in grey stryene, 2 etched brass); estimated retail price $14.95Advantages: four nice vignette figures, good selection of weapons
Disadvantages: not designed as a true set (see text)
Rating: Highly Rated
Recommendation: for German fans, especially for summer uniform wear locations
Lately DML seems to be marketing figures they sculpted and worked up as figures but could not fit into other sets in groups of four single figures. This as was previously noted is great for use in single figure situations such as posing with a single vehicle on a base. But for those who want coordinated sets to go with a diorama, then the choice of poses here is not so good.
What the kit provides are four single figures, two of which seem to compose a machine gun team. One figure is a Luftwaffe flak gunner in field blouse with side cap and what appears to be a helmet with bullet hole in it (probably from a photo); two are infantry in helmets and with one carrying an MG-34 and ammo belt; the other is kneeling with a rifle but would appear to be the ammo bearer for the machine gun. The last figure is another infantry soldier in march order with side cap and slung MP-40.
Each figure is =93Gen1" with six parts to the basic figure (torso, head, arms and legs) with the apparent machine gun team having their sleeves rolled up to the elbow. All look the part and overall the poses are somewhat static but casual.
Cover art is by an artist named Zgonnik and appear based on photos of actual German soldiers. But the assembly instructions are of the =93point and stick=94 type with assembled black and white photos and only a reproduction of the box front with color callouts. NO color key is provided other than a small blurb which keys them to Gunze Sangyo or Model Master colors by number.
Overall this concept of four in a box seems popular but those wanting an =93instant diorama=94 will have to look elsewhere for a set of posed =93action=94 figures.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell