Plastic Soldier Review - Airfix German Infantry

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Airfix

Set 01705

German Infantry

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

Stats

Date Released	Unknown
Contents	48 figures
Poses	15 poses
Material	Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours	Grey

Average Height

23 mm (= 1.66 m)

Review

German Infantry was one of the first sets Airfix produced, and therefore one of the very early sets in this scale. In due course Airfix decided that this set had to be redesigned to bring it up to the current standard, and so the 'type 2' set was created, which is the one we see today. To see the type 1 set, click here.

The poses in this set include all those in the 1:32 scale set plus some extra ones. The riflemen are accompanied by several privates carrying the MP40 sub-machine gun, one man using and another man carrying the MG34 medium machine-gun and a man using the first model Kleif flame-thrower. All the poses are well sculpted and realistic. However the figure firing his MP40 has managed to acquire an extra hand grip towards the front of his weapon, a feature that did not exist in reality.

Like many other sets of this subject, the figures are uniformed for the early part of the war, when they wore a smart tunic with pleated pockets and fairly tall marching boots. Since supply was less of a problem at this stage, all these men are properly attired, and have the classic Y-shaped straps on which are hung the gas-mask canister, water bottle and entrenching tool/bayonet holder. Some also carry the bread bag. However none carry the shelter quarter which doubled as a weatherproof poncho type of garment, or a mess tin. Sadly Airfix have cheated with the ammunition pouches, in that there should be three on each side of the belt buckle, yet this figures have only one each side, or two in the case of those with machine guns.

The figures are nicely sculpted and detail is not too bad. This is a set which, even in its second incarnation, has been around for a long time. Nonetheless it is still a fair product that remains popular.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	7
Pose Quality	8
Pose Number	9
Sculpting	8
Mould	8