Caesar - German Panzergrenadiers (Assembly)

[steve_pickstock]

Well, maybe you could make a scale comparison with other 1/72 figures of others commons brands or maybe you can tell me what's the average height of some figures?

I'll see what I can do for you - I do have some Pegasus figures somewhere I can use, give me a day or so.

[SKORRA]

Ok, sounds good, thanks !!!!

[jmchasco]

Yesterday we wrote our impression about these new sets,
http://www.1-72depot.com/miniatures/1-7 ... 7217-7215/

They are not bad figures but we was expecting some more...
the accessories sprue are equal in the 6 boxes... also the faces...
Only 16 figures per box... no assembly instructions/suggestions ... firing poses with Kar 98 hard to achieve...

Cheers.

[SKORRA]

That's good enough for me, I'm going to buy some anyway.

Thanks for the review!

[steve_pickstock]

So here we are after two frustrating weeks in which I got nothing done apart from a bout of very nasty flu that had me barking like a dog and drizzling snot all over the place.



The figure on the left is from the Pegasus Mortar Teams set
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=830

The middle figure os from the sets under discussion and the right hand figure is from this Caesar set
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=1977 - Panzer Crews - I just don't have that many German figures handy.

To be honest I'm getting frustrated with them they really are fiddly to put together and the fit to the bases isn't that solid. So as nice as they are I think I am going to have to bin my idea of using them for wargaming and go for soft figures (or perhaps metal).

[SKORRA]

I bought anyway 4 sets :

German Infantry 1943
German Panzergrenadiers 1943
German Panzergrenadiers Normandy 1944
Fallschirmjagers


I have a try on both German Infantry 1943 and German Panzergrenadiers 1943.

The infantry is really useless to my mind, I mean for a normal human size, the legs and body are too thin. Once assembled, they are ridiculous.

In contrast, Panzergrenadier are well proportioned and very useful.

For the hands, I agree, they are too thick. But it is not too bad for a wargamer.


About the assembly, at the beginning it could be difficult but after more tries you know how to make it, that's obvious it won't be as accurate than a one piece casting but still looks good at the end.


To conclude, historically speaking, the two sets are effectively for 1943 to the end of the war, and even Ardennes actually if you looks at the pictures.

The infantry more for whermacht and Panzergrenadier more for ss.

But you have to make conversions on legs to add gaiters for Panzergrenadier to give them a better appearance history for the bulk of the men. Some can stay with boots as veterans.

Panzerfausts and Sturgewehrs are missing and that's bad, really bad.


You can maybe feel free as well to mix some parts from differents sets.

I'll try to see what I can make with paratroopers torsos as a basic.


I have as well to match the size of Caesar German Infantry set H002 with the panzergrenadiers for a Berlin 1945 themed Force.


For the normandy 1944 Panzergrenadiers they are effectively dressed with hooded vest, they are more suitable for winter 1944 (Why not winter paratroopers in Ukraine), but once again, I have to match the size with others same periods figures.


I reckon at last the panzergrenadiers are perfect for what I want to make with them (They are close in size with italeri Russian Infantry Set 6057 and Pegasus Russian Naval Infantry).


For the two others sets I didn't assembled I have to watch it in details.

[WULT]

Mine are here now.

I just miss modern weapons.

No panzerfaust, no StG44, no K43/G43, no MG42 and no K98K!

Its something that is shaped like a K43/G43 but there is a magazine missing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gewehr_43

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K98

But the Fallschirmjäger have some FG42. That is good.

[PWalmsley]

Dont think these figures can compare with Preiser, Zvezda or Dragon (the figures that come with the Sd Kfz251 and Pak40). These are their main competitors in hard plastic and are all about the same size.
The equipment detail is nowhere near as crisp and the made up figures just dont look as natural anatomically.
I have not even bothered to paint mine up. Looking forward to spending energy on the new Zvezda platoon germans, which are on the way from UK........

[PWalmsley]

I think as far as I'm concerned the quality is okay - after all they're 1/72nd scale figures, and they'll be used for wargaming so it's fine as far as I can see. It could be sharper, but it will do.

I cant imagine putting this much work into multiples of these figures for wargaming, each figure takes about 10minutes minimum to put together....I'd consider the new Zvezda german platoon with all their excellent additional sets. More expensive but well worth it

[PWalmsley]

which leaves me with: what do you use for late war germans, in hard plastic.
Convert Preiser and Zvezda. Use the figures from the Sd Kfz251 kit by DML. Use Italeri SSM german DAK. (wish they would do other germans in this material)
"Plastic soldier" late war germans are an option but only slightly better than these. at least they don't take hours to finish a platoon

[PWalmsley]

"If this is the Normandy set as per link then the colour pic of the made up ones look as if they are in a hooded reversible smock and with mittens or gloves. More Ardennes than Normandy. The box art b/w background pic has a PzIII and a mg section looking like late Barbarossa and the single figure colour pic has the figure in a drawstring smock, rolled sleeves, pnzrfaust."

I think the hoods are meant to represent Army hooded summer smocks !(with drawstrings) These are seen in many period photos especially the panzergrenadiers.
Can't explain the Pz 3's !