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Preiser

Set 72504

WWII German Infantry Advancing

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All figures are supplied unpainted    (Numbers of each pose in brackets)
Stats
Date Released 1998
Contents 12 figures
Poses 6+ poses
Material Plastic (Very Hard)
Colours Grey
Average Height 25 mm (= 1.8 m)

Review

In Preiser's continuing quest to produce WWII German infantry in every conceivable pose we find this set of men advancing - in truth walking in a fairly relaxed attitude. The box has the parts necessary to assemble 12 figures, with each figure being made up of many parts, as can be seen from looking at the complete sprue. In fact the box contains two each of the top three sprues shown plus one of the weapons sprue, which means there are a few spare arms and heads. The middle two sprues are full of kit - helmets, caps, packs and all manner of other items - far more than could be used on just 12 figures (for example it includes no less than 16 pistol holsters). Almost everything seems to have been thought of here, and in such quantities that you can laden each figure as heavily as you like and still have plenty for the spares box.

This kit approach to making figures, much like the Historex system, does of course mean some time (and patience) is needed putting them together. However the ability to mix and match parts gives a lot of scope to design your own poses. Our picture shows six figures that are possible with one of each of the sprues, but of course the actual number of possible poses is enormous. The box helpfully provides some more suggestions and some nicely painted examples. Still all the parts fit well and it is hard to go far wrong.

The level of detail on the parts is very good and should paint up well. Being of hard plastic they glue together easily, and there is very little need to trim excess plastic beforehand. The lack of any bases means the modeller must reach for spare material from elsewhere to make them, which is annoying but not a show-stopper.

It has often been observed that a soldier's life is 99% boredom punctuated by 1% terror, and while naturally most sets concentrate on the terror it is good to see sets like this reflecting the broader picture. Clearly the flexibility of this set is an attractive feature, and with more kit and weapons than you can shake a stick grenade at there is much here to be recommended.
Ratings

Historical Accuracy 10
Pose Quality 9
Pose Number 7
Sculpting 9
Mould 9

Further Reading
Books
"German Combat Equipments 1939-45" - Osprey (Men-at-Arms Series No.234) - Gordon Rottman - 9780850459524
"German Soldiers of World War II" - Histoire & Collections - Jean de Lagarde - 9782915239355
"Infantry Weapons of World War II" - David & Charles - Jan Suermont - 9780715319253
"The German Army 1939-45 (1) Blitzkrieg" - Osprey (Men-at-Arms Series No.311) - Nigel Thomas - 9781855326392
"The German Army 1939-45 (3) Eastern Front 1941-43" - Osprey (Men-at-Arms Series No.326) - Nigel Thomas - 9781855327955
"The German Army: Blitzkrieg 1939-41" - Concord (Fighting Men Series No.6001) - Gordon Rottman - 9789623616010

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