6282, Hohenstauffen Division Normandy 1944. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene plastic with multi-media parts. Contains: 218 injection-molded styrene parts, 56 DS-100 soft styrene parts, 24 etched brass parts, one water-slide decal sheet and one double-sided instruction sheet.

The newest Gen2 set from the prolific DML continues the trend set by these excellently-designed figures. A total of four Waffen-SS Panzergrenadiers from the 9. SS-Panzerdivision "Hohenstauffen" can be built with what comes in the box. Typically for this series, there are also bonus parts in the form of two different types of Panzerfaust as well as four wooden packing crates for them.

Figure one is a rifleman down on one knee holding a Panzerfaust in one hand and his Kar98k in the other. Figure two is partly prone and holds a stick grenade in one hand and his rifle in the other. Figure three is also down on one knee holding his rifle butt on the ground and gesturing with his free hand. Figure four is a standing NCO armed with an MP40. All are wearing SS camouflage smocks and covered helmets (of which there are a total of ten in the box, plus six un-covered ones; lots of extras here!). The NCO wears traditional jackboots while the other three men wear the low, lace-up shoes with gaiters.

As is the case with all of these Gen2 sets, the figures are broken down into a multitude of parts. This allows for proper undercutting of such items as collars, and the bottom edge of their smocks. Likewise, the man's sleeves are hollow for insertion of separate hands. Overall, the molding and design of these figures is excellent. Careful fitting of the parts, as well as a bit of filler here and there will produce figures that rival their more expensive resin counter-parts. Most noteworthy in this set are the exquisite details on the soles of the various shoes and boots, as well as the folds, laces and "elastic band" effect on the camouflage smocks.

Weapons include new Panzerfaust 30 and Panzerfaust 60 individual anti-tank weapons. These are quite well-done with the larger "60" including separate sights that can be shown in one of three positions. Each also features complete data and instructional plates as water-slide decals, plus a tiny etched-brass safety pin. Finally, there are four wooden crates with separate tops and etched-brass rope carrying handles to store the Panzerfaust in. These can be marked with conventional water-slide decals or by using the etched-brass stencil included. The remaining weapons have been seen before and include a total of four Kar98k rifles, two MP40 machine-pistols, one Gew43 semi-automatic rifle and one MP44 assault rifle. All have pre-drilled bores, opened sights and separate bolts, all through the use of slide-molds. Etched brass parts are provided for belt buckles and other insignia, as well as weapons slings.

The following equipment is supplied in conventional injection-molded styrene: six M1935 steel helmets (with full rivet details), 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). Some nice options are a bayonet with separate frog, a folding shovel with separate handle, a larger "Pionier" shovel in carrying case, and binoculars with pre-bored front lens elements plus separate rear lens cover. Although separate stick grenades are shown on the box-top CAD renderings, the only one included in this set is attached to the hand of one of the figures.

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 MP44 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. Several of these items are not for use in this set, but will certainly prove useful for the spares box.

The instructions depict several variations in camouflage patterns for the helmet covers and smocks and clearly show the location of the markings for the Panzerfaust and the wooden crates. They are presented in full color and are keyed to both Gunze and Testors paints. They are drawn by Ron Volstad (DMLs figure designer), which attests to the care that has gone into this package. Although these figures are slated for use in Normandy, with care the modeler can depict various SS troops from about 1943 onwards (and probably earlier), in any non-winter setting.

Yet again, another winner.

Highly recommended.

- Frank De Sisto