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Built Review
135
SS Panzer Recon Crew

by: Vinnie Branigan [ TEACHER ]

introduction
Taesung Harmms, owner and sculptor of the majority of Alpine Miniature figures, based in New Jersey, USA, has built a solid reputation for producing high quality resin figure sets. This set of two figures #35044 is bound to enhance this reputation, and each of them is also available separately as #35042 - SS Panzer Recon Officer, and #35043 - SS Panzer Recon Crew.


the figures
I have to say it for those of you unfamiliar with these figures, that the packaging of Alpines figures just oozes quality. The two figures are supplied in a transparent polycarbonate box, each of the figures separate bagged and a small insert showing photographs of the completed, painted figures, along with another of Alpine's latest releases.

Inside that bags are the parts that go together to make up two complete figures that can be posed together to make up a reconnaissance officer and crewman. The arms, heads and pistol holster's of each figure are supplied as separate parts, each still connected to a small pouring block. The only tiny amount of flash I could find was between the legs of each of the figures, but I do mean tiny, and with one swipe of a scalpel blade it was cleared. The torso of each figure is free from a casting block, although the soles of the feet of each figure is where the block was attached, and these did require a little cleaning up of residue, which was very easy because of it's location.

The moulding blocks on the arms were also quite easy to remove, apart from the left arm on the Officer. This wasn't perfectly clear where the casting block ended and the arm began, and as a consequence I took off a little too much leaving a gap between the arm and the torso when it was fitted. Easy to remedy with a little super glue which was then sanded back. I have to say, having built Alpine figures before, that the fit of the arms on both figures was as near perfect as it could be. Apart from the mistake I made on that one arm, absolutely no filler whatsoever was required for an absolutely perfect fit. Well done Taesung!

Another touch I particularly liked, was the way that the Officer's hands fitting to the binoculars was achieved. As you can see from the photographs, both hands were cast already holding the binoculars, each wrist then being fitted positively into the cuff of the figure's sleeves. This left another perfect fit, between the hands and the binoculars, which as most modeller's will know, is particularly difficult to achieve. Taesung has even sculpted a wedding ring onto the Officer's left ring finger, and a wristwatch on his wrist!

Each of the figures in this set comes as usual, with two heads and and therefore a choice of headgear. My only gripe was that the head wearing the peaked Officer's cap was attached to it's casting block by the top of the cap, unlike the rest that were attached by their necks. I suspect technical reasons and avoiding air bubbles was the reason, and when I removed the casting block, I was glad to see that it with a few moments work, the area where it had been joined was unmarred.

The first of the figures, the SS Panzer crewman, is wearing a camouflage smock over his tunic, with the collar outside, and has a stick grenade in his belt. His right arm is raised as if to indicate a direction. The choice of head for this figure is camouflaged field cap or sidecap. The Officer figure is standing holding binoculars to his chest, again wearing the camouflaged smock, with the collar out. The choice of heads for this figure is either Officer's peaked cap or field cap. Both figures have collar insignia appropriate to their rank.


conclusion
I didn't think Taesung could improve the quality of his figures, since I thought so highly of them to begin with. He has. The parts fit is perfect, and they just look so in proportion. They just look 'right'. Very highly recommended indeed.

SUMMARY
Taesung Harmms continues to improve his figures, and this latest set consisting of a two man SS Panzer Reconnaissance team fit absolutely perfectly!
  SCULPTING:98%
  CASTING:98%
  FIT OF PARTS:98%
Percentage Rating
98%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35044
  Related Link: Alpine Miniatures
  PUBLISHED: Dec 23, 2006
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.97%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 93.33%

Our Thanks to Alpine Miniatures!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Vinnie Branigan (Teacher)
FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

Copyright ©2021 text by Vinnie Branigan [ TEACHER ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

I'm working on these guys, too. They are the first Alpine figures I've built and I think they are really good. The fit is damn near perfect. And I agree, I do like how the hands are molded with the binocs. Really nice touch.
DEC 23, 2006 - 04:36 AM
These look incredible. Alpine's work just goes from strength to strength. I just wish there was more extreme poses such as shooting, running, grenade throwing, etc etc. Taesung if you do read this could you shed some light on your pose choice - is it volume of sales? In my opinion Alpine's german firing the Kar98 is about as good as 1/35 figures can get.
DEC 23, 2006 - 05:51 AM
Merry Christmas, everyone! Hi Andy Thank you for your kind words and interest in Alpine Miniatures. Alpine's 1/35 line is designed to cater to AFV modelers and vignette builders. This is why most of Alpine's 1/35 figures are tankers. When I sketch out ideas, I tend to go for "general" poses that can be used in several different settings. I like relaxed standing poses because I feel that these types of figures would not only be more useful in many different vignettes and dioramas but also they tend to look better standing alone on top of a tank. An action posed figure has limited potential in this aspect. This gets translated into sales, of course. Also I have to make sure all the parts in a figure are casting-friendly. With an action posed figure, it's more difficult to design and cast parts. And this gets translated into clean and quality castings. FYI, it is not easy to design a figure and its parts for "production" where a mold has to cast out multiple parts many times over. Most of the resin figure companies will tell you the same story. Before I started Alpine, I used wonder why there were so many neglected subjects and poses in 1/35 resin figures. Now I know there are good reasons for it However, I plan to make a pair of grenadiers in action poses this year. Taesung
DEC 23, 2006 - 10:00 PM
No need to convince me of the Alpine quality ... I bought a few sets earlier this year. and its hard to believe how fine they are without actually seeing them live. Haven´t seen this set yet, but it will not be long!
DEC 24, 2006 - 12:48 AM
Thanks for interesting reply Taesung. You've made my day with the above news! Could I ask where they are vailable in Australia? *Edit - found 'em - Firestorm models http://www.firestormmodels.com for any other ANZACS out there that are reading this thread.* Merry Christmas all!
DEC 24, 2006 - 02:34 AM
   
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