1/72 Caesar - WWII German Panzergrenadiers set 2 (Img and Review)

The second set in Caesar's Parade on Panzer Grenadiers topic. It also the one including some of  the best poses (3) in the Series.

hope you will like the painting and the review.

Cristian Florescu

CAESAR 1/72

Parade Series

"WWII German Panzergrenadiers set 2"

                                                                      "(attack poses)"                                       

Review  

Inside the first sets of the Parade Series, launched in the same time on the market by Caesar, only Panzer Grenadiers benefited by four sets, in a collection of attacking poses that seems to be complete. In fact, gathering all the poses from the four sets, we get 21 poses, meaning that when the unpainted versions of these soldiers will appear, and on account that previous sets of this manufacturer related to WWII Germans included 10 poses, Caesar is able to group these figures in two regular sets, "WWII German Panzergrenadiers1" and "WWII German Panzergrenadiers2" being already announced on its own internet site within the History Series. Nevertheless, the supposition that identical soldiers from the Parade Series will constitute the base for future unpainted sets could be erroneous, the producer being free to decide either to come with new figures or to bring several modifications to the Parade Series figures before incorporating them in unpainted sets. Of course, for the happiness of all modellers, the best way would be the appearance of new poses, but also some slight modifications of the Parade figures would be nice to be seen in their un-painted versions. In this regard, adjustments should focus on both the improvement of the mould, for getting rid of flash and excess of plastic, and increasing the size of figures in order to better match the previous unpainted sets of Caesar on WWII German Army topics. On the other hand, it is improbable such things to happen, the easiest solution for the manufacturer being the simple incorporation of the Parade' poses in unpainted sets. 

The second set of the painted series dedicated to Panzer Grenadiers includes five figures, and starting with it, all the rest will have only five figures, diverging from the first one containing six soldiers. Another difference between the first and the present set is that figures have marching boots and not ankle boots with gaiters. The troopers are dressed in M38 camouflage smocks, regular trousers, marching boots and helmets covered by camouflage cloth while their equipment comprise for all "Y" straps, gas mask containers, bread bags and canteens. Inside the present set it is also registered the largest amount of mess-tins of the series, three figures having them on their backs. In addition, with a single exception, all the rest possess folding combat shovels, but no bayonet is present here. The percent of weapons, common for almost all the sets in the series, is maintained, two Kar98K and three MP40 being in the use of these figures. Concerning the ammo pouches, a single problem could intervene at the crouched figure, it seems that he has ammo pouches for kar98K instead of ammo pouches for his MP40, but due to its pose, this is hard to be noticed. Without any doubt, all his other mates have the appropriate ammo pouches for their weapons. Based on the analyze of all the sets of the series, it can be stressed that with small changes, three poses are familiar for almost all of them, respectively standing figures shooting from shoulder and from chest as well as grenade thrower. Here the last just mentioned pose misses, but the set retaliates through other very nice poses, most of them unlike than the rest spotted in the series, but still feasible for the subtitle of the set, "attack poses. Four figures stands, one is crouched, two fire off their weapons, two advance while the crouched figure is looking after his comrades or after a target.   

The two firing poses are often encountered in Braille scale Germans, but the other three are not so widespread and may please the owner of the set. The crouched figure is very interesting, depicting a soldier with MP40 ready to open fire after identifying the target or simply staring at a vehicle or units passing near him. The advancing figure, holding a kar98K in a position frequent seen in reference materials, but not often perceived in the scale, represents one of the strength of the set, and even of the entire series. Nevertheless, the most attractive pose is the soldier which may be the NCO of the unit, according to his stance.  Pointing the direction for his troops, he holds in the right hand the MP40 in an exciting position. This pose is extremely successful and wonderfully describes the attitude of a NCO in combat.

Like in the previous set, the sculpture of the uniforms is not impressive, but accurate, also including several enjoyable details at small figures, namely collar boards for displaying Wehrmacht or Waffen SS emblems and realistic creases. Some of figures have the tunics buttoned up, with collars tight, while some have the collars loose, so the tunics under the smocks were not buttoned till the last button. It should be mentioned that both variants are correct as images of the period reflect. All weapons are correctly done and correspond with various offers in the scale. In addition, the anatomy matches in size with the one provided by other 1/72 manufacturers. Facial expressions are also acceptable and exactly like the rest of the sets in the Parade Series, these figures are entering in the circle of small 1/72 figures, too. In this regard, as well as from the point of view of uniforms, they agreeably match Pegasus Hobbies' "Waffen SS - Set 2", CMK's "Wehrmacht Mounted Infantry" and "WWII German Mortar Team" and "WWII German Machine Gun Team". Again flash is present, but it is not complicate to escape of it as it is the removal of excess of plastic, especially annoying at the figure firing the MP40 from the chest. Between the body and weapon, instead of a gap, there is an excess of plastic and for destroying it, there is necessary an entire procedure to be carried out. The initial paint of the figures does not affect the application of another layer of enamel, accepting it quite good. Based on this fact, there is no need for removing the first paint. The manufacturer chose to fast paint the figures and many people will rather repaint them than having some gloss soldiers. The camouflage on the smocks and helmets is merely reduced to several spots that make impossible the clear identification of the pattern. The figures received the standard Plexiglas box protected by another one side opened cardboard box. The device is also the one common for al Parade Series sets and for getting off the soldiers, it has to be removed the front or back pin. Bases of all the soldiers can be quickly detached by those not wanting such a component for their figs.  

The second set related to Panzer Grenadiers is the one incorporating some of the most interesting poses of the pre-painted Parade Series, with three soldiers surprised in good-looking postures. Furthermore, due to the fact that they are wearing marching boots, the present figures can be used along the entire period of war, in the early period more appropriate is to depict Waffen SS units and after 1942, they may embody Wehrmacht troops as well.   

FACTORY PAINT