Plastic Soldier Review - Caesar German Panzergrenadiers (Set 1)

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Caesar

Set H052

German Panzergrenadiers (Set 1)

All figures are supplied unpainted (Numbers of each pose in brackets)

Stats

Date Released	2008
Contents	43 figures
Poses	13 poses
Material	Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours	Grey

Average Height

23 mm (= 1.66 m)

Review

The term Panzergrenadier first came into use in 1942-3, and essentially meant the infantry was motorised and supported armour. Such divisions were better equipped than the rest, but as attrition and loss of equipment took their toll their effectiveness diminished. Individual soldiers in such divisions differed little in appearance from the rest of the infantry.

All the figures here wear a smock, which seems to be the earlier M1942 pattern as there is no sign of any hood. Also universal here is the camouflage cover for the helmet, but most still wear the long marching boots rather then the later short variety. The men have all or most of the following kit items – field flask, bread bag, gas mask container, entrenching tool and cook pot, and all carry them on the standard infantry ‘Y’ shaped belts. All this leads us to suggest that these figures are most appropriate for the 1942-44 period, although of course later dates are not out of the question either.

As far as we can make out all the weapons are either the standard Karabiner 98 rifle or the MP40 sub-machine gun. There are no assault rifles, nor any heavier weapons, and although two men are in the act of throwing a grenade we would have liked to have seen grenades about the person of a few of the others too.

There can’t be any complaint about the poses, which all look natural and appropriate, and much the same applies to the sculpting, which is very good. Some poses have clearly benefited from a multi-part mould as there are no separate parts here yet the poses are anything but flat and there is no loss of detail on any surface. Detail such as the lace-ups on the smock is good throughout and all clothing folds realistically. Some small amount of flash does not noticeably detract from the whole.

Having everyone dressed in much the same way is not a fair reflection of the considerable diversity that the real battlefield witnessed, but this is labelled as set number one so we shall have to see what subsequent sets have to offer. Certainly there is precious little to moan about with any of these figures, so another great set from Caesar.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	10
Pose Quality	10
Pose Number	8
Sculpting	10
Mould	9