Plastic Soldier Review - Preiser German Riflemen Lined Up

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Preiser

Set 72533

German Riflemen Lined Up

All figures are supplied unpainted (Numbers of each pose in brackets)

Stats

Date Released	Unknown
Contents	36 figures
Poses	6 poses
Material	Plastic (Very Hard)
Colours	Grey

Average Height

25.5 mm (= 1.84 m)

Review

In many ways there is little to be gained from writing a review of this set – the title could hardly be more precise as to its contents, and a glance at the photograph on the box will dispel what little doubt there might remain as quickly as a hurricane dispels a picnic.

As you can see there are two poses. Those of you that are good with numbers might argue that there are six, and in a purely numerical sense you would be right, but the differences between any of the first three, or any of the second three, are tiny and basically consist of small variations in the placement of kit. This of course is exactly what was intended, and how it should be. A smart, well drilled troop of similarly dressed and equipped soldiers on parade would of course all look much the same (leaving aside unavoidable variations such as height), with hopefully only small variations. These figures fulfil that scenario perfectly, with just enough difference to make it plain this is not the same sole figure repeated endlessly, but a group of well drilled soldiers doing their best to be identical to each other. The two actual poses, Order Arms and Sling Arms, both make very presentable parades as the box photographs illustrate nicely.

The clothing typifies the popular impression of the German soldier of the period, with the distinctive steel helmet, smart tunic and jack boots. As riflemen these all have the two groups of three ammunition pouches on the waist belt. Round the back every man has his mess tin, rolled tent section, gasmask container, bread bag and canteen – all standard issue. Apart from the bayonet on the left hip there is nothing more – none of the extra items that infantrymen often had to carry around but which spoiled the look when on parade.

Unusually for Preiser every figure is in one piece – there is no assembly here, nor even any items as optional extras (which unfortunately includes bases). The standard of sculpting is pretty good and there is no real flash, while the simple poses must have been so easy to create, with no issues of hidden surfaces etc.

With a set so dedicated purely to the parade and nothing else, this is the obvious choice should you want to create such a thing, and with a respectable 36 figures in each box you can achieve quite high numbers of troops quite easily. It simply does the job, and does it well.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	10
Pose Quality	10
Pose Number	10
Sculpting	9
Mould	10