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In-Box Review
135
German Elite Infantry
German Elite Infantry; Russia 1941-43
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by: Rick Cooper [ CLOVIS899 ]

introduction

Dragon has recently released another set of figures, German Elite Infantry; Russia 1941-43, kit #6707, that are sure to be polarizing; four German SS infantry that some will love because of the subject matter and some will hate because it is another set of Germans. Either way it is similar to many of the more recent Dragon releases in that the four figures are all for the most part separate and not really meant to be grouped together.

review

Inside the typical Dragon end opening figure set box you will find four SS infantry types, all very well molded although a bit of flash can be found along the mold separation line here and there. The only thing that passes for instructions is the back of the box which shows built up examples and repeats the box top artwork from Zgonnik with paint colors called out and keyed to Mr. Hobby and Model Master paints. One thing to point out with the artwork, as you probably know the collar tabs for these figures are not just black rectangles but SS runes which can’t be legally depicted in many countries.

Besides the one large sprue that carries all the figures you also receive the now almost ubiquitous sprue G Gen2 personal gear sprue as well as the Gen2 sprue W individual weapons sprue plus two sprues that house different styles of four entrenching tools. I won’t add anything more about the equipment on these sprues as they have been well covered in the past and you probably have a few hanging about in your spares bin anyhow.

Two of the figures wear the M40 tunic; the machine gunner with the MG34 up on his shoulder and a more typical infantryman thumbing a clip into his Kar98k. One of the other figures, wearing the camouflaged combat smock and taking a long pull from his water bottle, looks suspiciously like the same guy from the cover of Concord’s The Waffen SS in Russia! Nevertheless, he is a very nice looking figure on the sprue and should build and paint up nicely. One issue that I noted was his sniper rifle, which you could easily swap out, is not very well molded as it suffers from mold creep that has filled inside the trigger guard with solid plastic as well as the areas between the scope and the rifle. The other figure is my favorite, wearing the winter white snowsuit, armed with a MP40, with his head wrapped in a scarf wearing a field cap with goggles pushed up on his cap.

Conclusion

That’s pretty much it, another very nice set of figures from Dragon. While no one will mistake these figures as being in any kind of heavy action pose I like the more mundane drinking pose as well as the rifle loading figure and the goggles molded on to the winter soldier’s cap gives him enough interest that he should prove popular as should the set as a whole.

SUMMARY
Highs: Some nice poses, very nice molding with excellent definition in the clothing. Excellent selection of personal weapons and equipment provided.
Lows: No weapon slings as depicted prominently on the box top art. Some flash starting to creep in on some of the moldings.
Verdict: Recommended for any fan of German figures.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 6707
  Suggested Retail: $16.95
  Related Link: DragonUSA Item Page
  PUBLISHED: Dec 02, 2012
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.60%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.16%

Our Thanks to Dragon USA!
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 Rick Cooper (clovis899)
FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

I have been modeling for about 30 years now. Once upon a time in another century I owned my own hobby shop; way more work than it was worth. I tip my opti-visor to those who make a real living at it. Mainly build armor these days but I keep working at figures, planes and the occasional ship.

Copyright ©2021 text by Rick Cooper [ CLOVIS899 ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Once again DML have surpassed themselves at releasing a nicely moulded set which to be fair is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Utterly unimaginative random figures standing about not really doing anything. The most dynamic is a bloke drinking some water. Wow! I'm blown away by that! Is it any wonder that a lot of us who do figures are now buying MB and Miniart. Same quality (if not better), cheaper and a damned site more interesting than some bloke gazing into space. DML have really had their day...
DEC 02, 2012 - 09:20 AM
Yes, they seem to be on a self destructive course the last year or two. Still waiting for two out of three replacement sprues for the last USMC set. Promises, promises. Or as Gomer Pyle would say, surprise surprise surprise. Even though the earlier set were crude to a degree, much better animation. They seem to be riding their wave of succeeds to the very end. A real shame, much like Tamiya did. And I can say I'm making a good call on this as I have over 83 sets of their figures built and in the stock closet. I have slowly be going over to Masterbox even though they are more expensive here. Much better animation, subjects, interacting poses, and no-one pointing. This is figures only as I have not built any of the vehicles from either company yet.
DEC 02, 2012 - 11:02 AM
The figures as stand alone figures are very good however I am a little rattled that all I want is the second figure from the left and I refuse to buy four figures to get one.
DEC 02, 2012 - 11:24 AM
Personally, I think they are 4 nice figures ... could work as stand alones or join up with other sets. I wouldn´t necessarily knock a set, just because the 4 figures do not have interaction with each other, or are intended to be posed together. Would be a perfect set for somebody who likes to pose a figure together/beside a vehicle. One set - 4 vehicles?
DEC 02, 2012 - 12:22 PM
Hey Frank, you do have a good point there. Looking from my point though, I look for sets that interact with each other and can be incorporated with other sets for my vigns. Being on disability,I have to get as much out of my purchase as possible. But as stand alones, in ones or twos, they would work pretty well. Probably should looked at them with a more open eye to be honest. Guess it's all in what your looking for or need.
DEC 02, 2012 - 01:19 PM
Their poses really don't convey anything "elite" about them But whatever, I'm pretty exited about that Brandenburg figure set. Frank has a good point though. . . -Conor
DEC 02, 2012 - 01:37 PM
   
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