German Infantry, 1939–1945

Review of 1:76 Scale Airfix Reproductions

German Infantry, 1939–1945, 1:76 Airfix 1705 Reproductions Made in Hong Kong.

Poor reproductions “Made in Hong Kong” of Airfix H0/00 scale Germany Infantry. When Airfix published their 1st Edition German Infantry in 1960, this set contained 44 infantrymen in 16 poses and a 2.8 cm s.PzB. 41 taper-bore heavy anti-tank rifle with three crew. The “Made in Hong Kong” playset, on the other hand, only offers eight infantry poses, including a conversion of the kneeling anti-tank gunner shown above, whose Pzgr.41 anti-tank round has been converted into a carbine.

Contents

Figures in 8 Poses – 21,5 mm equal 163 cm Height

  • German Officer in Riding Breeches, signaling
  • Tank Close Assault Team
  • German Soldier with Karabiner 98 kurz, walking
  • German Soldier with Karabiner 98k, advancing
  • German Soldier with Kar.98k, running
  • German Soldier with K98k, kneeling
  • German Soldier throwing Stielhandgranate 24

Evaluation

Good choice of subject, Airfix German Infantry (1st Edition) is very popular with collectors and wargamers, especially because of the valuable 2.8 cm s.PzB. 41 anti-tank gun, which was sadly omitted from the re-released German Infantry (2nd Edition) of 1974. The “Made in Hong Kong” playset, however, only offers eight of Airfix‘s 19 figure poses and no anti-tank gun.

German Infantry, 1939–1945, 1:76 Airfix 1705 Reproductions Made in Hong Kong.
The rifleman second from the right is a former assault engineer whose flamethrower fuel tube is thought to represent a carbine now. The steel helmets on these figures are more akin to medieval kettle hats, they look nothing like the iconic M35 Fritz helmet.

These soldiers are slightly smaller than later 2nd edition Airfix figures, which is why Charles Grant‘s book “Battle! Practical Wargaming” shows perfectly compatible Airfix 1st edition German Infantry alongside 1:87 scale ROCO tanks and armoured cars.

The men‘s assault pack is strangely incomplete and not shown in much detail. While this really speeds up the painting process, wargamers may want to assume that they are motorized troops – Kradschützen, Panzergrenadiere (mechanized or motorized), Panzerfüsiliere etc. – who have left much of their gear in the accompanying vehicles.

The warhead of the Panzerschreck rocket carried by the loader is too big to fit inside the tube of the RPzB 54 anti-tank rocket launcher, and its shape is a little too reminiscent of a Panzerfaust warhead.

Mould lines on helmets and faces need to be removed prior to painting. The plastic material smells noticeably of plasticizers. A defect, which may be somewhat alleviated by painting and varnishing.

Compatible with Fujimi, Matchbox, Milicast, Cromwell Models, Ostmodels, MMS, and Vac-U-Cast.

Possible Conversions

  • The kneeling infantryman may be converted back to an anti-tank gunner by shortening the carbine and converting it to a Panzergranate 41 anti-tank round.
  • The former assault engineer turned rifleman may become the loader of the Panzerschreck team simply by painting his carbine as a rocket-propelled grenade.

The reproductions of Airfix German Infantry “Made in Hong Kong” are of much interest to collectors and nostalgics even if they are no longer state-of-the-art miniatures.

German Miniatures of World-War Two