DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

Product Specifications.

6216, German 1st Cavalry Division Russia 1941 Gen2. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene plastic with multi-media parts. Contains: 152 injection-molded styrene parts, 56 DS-100 soft styrene parts, two etched brass frets, plus a single-sided full-color instruction leaflet.

Introduction.

While horse-cavalry had seen its day as a decisive arm by the time the Second World War commenced, there were still those in positions of power who longed for the "good old days". Thus, several continental European armies still had mounted formations in their orders-of-battle, although on a relatively limited scale. Of course, horse-drawn logistics transport still predominated in many of these armies, notably that of Germany. When used wisely and with their limits clearly understood, horses could provide excellent mobility for scouts and mounted infantry, especially in suitable terrain. The reviewer has hiked many a mountain trail lugging an 80-pound back-pack; he has also ridden horses over similar terrain. He has concluded that riding is better than walking; so, apparently, have some military minds!

DML has just introduced a pair of mounted riflemen from the 1.Kavallerie-Division as they were seen during Operation Barbarossa in 1941. While producing mounted figure sets is not new to DML, this is their first to take advantage of the latest Gen2 molding techniques.

The Figures.

There are two figures and two horses included in this set. Both men carry Kar98K bolt-action carbines slung over their shoulders and grasp the horse's reins with their right hands; although the poses are both very similar, there is still enough difference to give them character. They are typical for Gen2 figures in that they consist of many separate parts including hands, arms, legs, two-part torsos and heads. Separate tunic collars and tails allow for undercutting normally only seen on more expensive resin and white metal figurines; separate belt buckles and epaulets in either styrene or etched brass, as well as etched brass badges complete the figures. In keeping with the details provided in most Gen2 figure sets, the separate riding boots have nicely-rendered hobnail soles; references state that the soles were normally smooth, so the hobnails need to be removed. Etched brass spurs finish off the figures' boots.

Supplied in two main halves each, the horses are depicted as positioned at what I would suppose is a very slow trot (canter?); each also has a choice of separate heads (and separate pairs of ears) with either closed or opened mouths. Their tails and manes are separate as are their hooves, complete with molded-on and well-detailed shoes; etched brass replacement shoes are also provided. Anatomically, the horses look good to me, but my "expertise" in this area is extremely suspect! Horse furniture includes two pairs of styrene M1934 Packtaschen (saddle bags; the larger item was for the mount, the smaller for the rider). The horse's M1925 saddles are in two parts each for excellent detail definition, while the horse blanket seen beneath is molded in place on the animal's body. Separate stirrups and girths (the item that attached to the saddle and was wrapped around the horse's belly) are provided as etched brass items, as are the reins, bridle and bit.

Weapons and Equipment.

The set provides two Kar98k bolt-action rifles with separate opened or closed bolts as well as pre-bored muzzles and opened fore-sights. Separate stripper clips are given, while etched brass parts provide for the weapon's slings. The modeler with a good spares collection could also change the figure's provided weapons to any other, provided they are appropriate for the time period.

The troop's personal equipment is a mixture of traditional and DS-100 styrene items, all of which are commonly seen in the Gen2 sets. In conventional styrene are the following: six M1935 steel helmets (with full rivet details, due to the use of slide molds), three-piece gas mask canisters, two piece canteens (six each) and mess tins (two each), as well as single-piece mess tins, entrenching tools, and bayonets (six each).

In DS-100 soft styrene, DML has provided the following: three different opened and closed pistol holsters, eight gas cape pouches, four rolled Zeltbahns, eight bread-bags, three pairs of Gew43 magazine pouches, five pairs of Kar98k pouches, three pairs of MP40 pouches and three pairs of StG44 pouches. Each of the ammo pouches has one pair in the opened configuration. The final items are a map case and a tool case for a German MG34 or 42 machine-gun. Most of these items are not for use in this set, but will certainly prove useful for the spares box.

Instructions.

The instruction leaflet is, unfortunately, inadequate when it comes to the horse's furniture. While many a modeler will know where a German soldier's equipment fits on the figure, the same familiarity with that of the horses is probably relatively rare. The locations of the girths are not clearly depicted, nor are the placement of the bridle and bit for the horse's head and mouth; the same can be said of the stirrups. References will be especially helpful with this set, with the Osprey title mentioned below being an excellent starting point. Colors are as usual, keyed to Testors and Gunze paints.

Conclusion.

Quite frankly, I welcome this set although the subject is neither armored nor mechanized. It provides a "balance" of types in any figure collection and will certainly be historically appropriate for many an Ostfront scenario. How about some Polish mounted infantry (properly without sabers and lances, please) from the 1939 campaign, DML?

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

- Frank De Sisto