|
DR6280:
German Mine Detectors
1/35 Injection plastic figure set with photo etch and decals.
The German Pioneers (combat engineers) were assigned a range of specialised
and often quite dangerous tasks, including the laying of mines to protect
positions and the lifting of mines to open paths for attacking forces
and to make rear areas safe for soldiers and civilians.
This Generation 2 figure set from Dragon offers four German soldiers
who are clearing mines, as well as several Russian mines to help complete
a diorama or vignette. The set offers good potential for dioramas, such
as placing them alongside a vehicle that has suffered mine damage. The
collar insignia and shoulder boards indicate they are enlisted low ranking
members of the Wehrmacht (regular army). Ron Volstad's impressive box
art accurately depicts the colours of the uniform and field kit.
POSES
The two standing men with helmets are wearing M1936/variation M1940
field jackets as evident by the pleated pockets with pointed flaps;
matching trousers and calf length boots. This uniform was most common
during the early to mid-war period including the invasion of Russia.
Like with the other two men their personal equipment includes bayonet
in scabbard, bread bag and gas mask cases.
One of these men is operating an Aachen 40 mine detector with a circular
probe on the end of a long metal arm and carrying the electronics case/battery
pack on his back with the headphones under his helmet. The second man
is using a Model 1939 Mine Detector Rod mine rod, which is simple rod
that is pushed into the ground to probe for mines. He has a Kar 98 rifle
slung across his back back for which the sling is molded into his torso
parts.
The other two men each wear a field cap, ankle length boots with canvas
gaiters and the M1943 field jacket with the more economical pockets
without pleats and with straight flaps. As these men have no helmet
straps where the face joins with the head, the faces will have to be
carefully placed onto the heads and it may pay to paint the face and
head as one. This uniform would be more typical of the defensive battles
of the later war years. The standing man is at ease
holding a Wien Model 1941 mine detector with the headphones on his head.
The supporting electronics case is attached to his back by webbing straps
and belt. The kneeling soldier is searching for mines using a bayonet
and has a Kar 98 rifle slung across his back for which the sling is
integrated in his torso parts. He also has an entrenching tool attached
to his belt.
Each pose has about a dozen key parts with separate pieces for the feet,
hands, faces, lower sections of the jackets and collars. This offers
benefits when painting the figures, such as having all arms attached
to achieve a consistent finish, but by leaving the hands off being able
to more readily paint inside the cuffs. The sculpturing is of a high
standard with crisp details, such as
lifelike faces and realistic folds in the clothing.
The mine detectors are all new and like the Generation 2 weapons have
crisp detail and are assembled from multiple parts. Detail on the detectors
includes sharply defined controls and handles on the electronics packs
and indentations where the sections, which made up the rods and arms
joined.
Eight Red Army mines are included, these being two each of the wooden
TDM-1940, T-IV, M1938 anti-tank mines and the round PMZ-1940 anti-tank/anti-personnel
mine. Each mine is assembled from two parts, which results in their
being detail on all external faces.
PHOTO ETCH AND EQUIPMENT
A small new PE fret contains the brass belt buckles and shoulder boards
which have plastic alternatives, as well as several badges and a PE
part for the head phone strap for the man holding the Wien Model 1941
detector.
The two standard issue Kar98K rifles have separate bolts, which give
the option of having the bolt mechanism pulled back or not; or alternatively
stripped for use in say a diorama. The muzzle end of these rifles has
been hollowed out. A dozen 5 round ammunition clips are provided. No
slings are provided, so the lead foil may prove useful.
Two sprues contain assorted personal field equipment for 6 to 8 men
leaving plenty of spares for improving other figures. One sprue is in
a softer plastic and contains assorted ammunition pouches of which some
have open pouches, bread bags, pistol holders, map case, clothing bag
and rolled blanket. The second sprue is in the same hard plastic as
the figures and contains helmets with grommets, six M1931 canteen (cook
pot) and lid of which two are hollow, gas mask cases with hollowed out
centre and separate lids, entrenching tools, binoculars and flask with
separate cap.
RECOMMENDATION
German Mine Detector Team is a well chosen subject which offers a set
of poses that are original and have considerable diorama and vignette
potential, particularly given the inclusion of the Red Army mines. Like
with other Generation 2 sets the figures and accessories are crisply
detailed, accurate and represent good value. Highly recommended.
-
Neville Lord
|
