Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale =9139-=9145 Series Kit No.
6490; German Panzergrenadiers Cherkassy 1944; 80 parts (78 in grey styrene, 2 paper maps); price about US$10Advantages: more German figures in winter kit, some detail variations to provide personality for figures
Disadvantages: limited weapons options
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German winter war fans
DML has now provided a set of SS Panzergrenadiers in winter camouflage smocks and kit for use in late war scenarios and dioramas. The set provides four figures, three soldiers in smocks and one officer in a camouflage jacket and with the German version of the Soviet =93ushanka=94 fur cap.
Each figure consists of seven parts =96 separate hoods for the smocks and the usual six-part basic figure of head, torso, legs and arms. Two different styles of camouflage helmet covers are provided as well as regular helmets and the =93ushanka=94 copy. One soldier is wearing the head wrap which fits under the helmet to protect his ears and neck under harsh cold conditions.
One soldier is shown stepping on a log while peering ahead; another is kneeling with binoculars. The remaining two are coordinating directions on their maps for their next operation.
As usual the figures are well detailed with a great deal of individual personality, and with the poses chosen should work well in small vignettes or single model displays.
While many modelers prefer the DML =93Gen1" figures as much easier to assemble and paint than their =93Gen2" line, the weapons here are limited and are all from an early DML set. DML really should give consideration to using their much better =93Gen2" weapons sets in all of their figure sets as they are much better looking and more realistic in scale.
Artwork here is provided by Carlos Chagas, a new artist to me but the results are nicely done. However, unlike the Ron Volstad efforts the directions consist of a set of B&W photos of assembled figures and a small version of the cover art with arrows and numbers.
Overall this is a nice set for late-war German modelers.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell