German Infantry, 1939–1944
Airfix 1:32 Scale Figure Review
Airfix 1:32 scale German infantry offers eight different posed which are also featured in Airfix 1:76 scale German Infantry.
Contents
14 Figures in 8 Poses – 54 mm equal 173 cm Height
- Officer with Walther P38 Pistol, standing, firing
- Junior Officer with MP 41 Machine-Pistol (2)
- Nr. 1 Gunner with MG 34 LMG, prone, firing
- Nr. 2 Gunner with Ammunition Box, prone
- Rifleman with Karabiner 98k, running (2)
- Grenadier with Karabiner 98k, throwing Stick Grenade 24 (2)
- Rifleman with Karabiner 98k, standing, firing (2)
- Rifleman with Karabiner 98k, kneeling, firing (3)
Evaluation
Good choice of subject, these German soldiers are wearing the field-grey Feldbluse M36 tunic and stone grey Hosen M36 trousers in long Knobelbecher jackboots, the waistbelt with Patronentaschen M.1911 ammunition pouches, Koppeltragegestell (Y-straps), Schirmmütze field cap, and Stahlhelm M35 steel helmet. A uniform that, with minor modifications, was worn until the introduction of the Einheitsfeldbluse M.1944 standard field blouse. The figures are correctly proportioned and appear absolutely realistic; only the soldier advancing at a run holds his rifle in a slightly cramped manner. This figure would look better if the soldier simply carried his light and handy Karabiner 98k at arm‘s length while advancing in a crouched position.
The Gruppenführer squad leader carries an unusual submachine gun whose configuration, with a front pistol grip and central box magazine, strongly resembles the Colt M.1921 Thompson submachine gun. It‘s possible this is a failed Schmeisser MP 41, which, however, was never adopted by the Wehrmacht. If it is indeed a Schmeisser MP 41 or the similar-looking Orita M1941 submachine gun, the box magazine would have to be carefully removed and the front pistol grip converted into a box magazine. However, the effort is probably not worthwhile, as ESCI 1:32 scale German infantry includes a good selection of three soldiers armed with the MP 40 who could replace this non-commissioned officer.
Seven different poses are just enough to represent the twelve soldiers of a Wehrmacht infantry section. One section leader and the officer are left over.
German Infantry Painting Guide
The Airfix German Infantry Painting Guide recommends 14 Humbrol paints, four of which (11, 32, 33, and 85) can be eliminated by selecting more appropriate colours for these figures.
- Humbrol 11 »Silver«: Belt Buckle
- Humbrol 27 »Sea Grey«: Hosen M36 Trousers
- Humbrol 32 »Dark Grey«: Stahlhelm M35 Steel Helmet
- Humbrol 33 »Black« + Humbrol 85 »Coal Black«: Boots, Waistbelt, Y-Straps, Ammunition Pouches, Entrenching Tool Carrier, Feldflasche M31 Drinking Cup, Binoculars
- Humbrol 61 »Flesh«: Faces and Hands
- Humbrol 72 »Khaki Drill«: Feldflasche M31 Water Bottle Cover
- Humbrol 75 »Bronze Green«: Tunic Collar, Schirmmütze Cap Band, Gas Mask Canister
- Humbrol 78 »Cockpit Green (RAF)«: Feldbluse M36 Tunic
- Humbrol 80 »Grass Green«: Base
- Humbrol 94 »Brown Yellow«: Entrenching Tool Handle
- Humbrol 160 »German Camouflage Red Brown«: Karabiner 98k, Map Case
- Humbrol 27004 »Gun Metal Metal Cote«: Karabiner 98k and MG 34 Barrels
- Humbrol 27003 »Polished Steel Metal Cote«: Walther P38 Pistol
Since these are early war German infantry, the steel helmet, gas mask canister, drinking cup, belt buckle, and machine gun ammunition box are best painted Field Grey No. 3.
To account for aerial perspective, the »Black«/»Coal Black« mixture should be replaced by »Neutral Grey«.
These Airfix 1:32 scale German Infantry are among the oldest scale miniatures on the market today, but they continue to set a sculpting standard against which other manufacturer’s German infantry need to be judged.