German Troops, 1943
IMEX 1:72 Scale Miniatures Review
IMEX 1:72 scale WW2 German Troops are depicted in the Feldbluse M43 tunic without pocket flaps, but eleven of the 14 poses are still wearing the older marching boots, which were replaced by lace-up shoes with short gaiters in 1943.
Contents
50 Figures in 15 Poses – 24 mm equal 173 cm Height
- Officer with Pay Book or Message Pad, pointing (1)
- Signaler with Tornisterfunkgerät Torn.Fu.d2, kneeling (1)
- NCO with MP 40, advancing (6)
- NCO with MP 40 and Stick Grenade 24, falling (2)
- NCO with MP 40, fallen (1)
- Panzernahkampftrupp – tank close assault team
- Panzerknacker with 8.8 cm Raketenpanzerbüchse 54, prone, firing (2)
- Loader for the 8.8 cm RPzB 54, kneeling (2)
- Panzerknacker with Panzerfaust 60, kneeling, firing (2)
- Panzerknacker with Parabellum Pistol 08, kneeling, firing (6)
- Sturmsoldat with MP 43 / StG 44, advancing (6)
- German Soldier with Kar. 98k and Ammunition Box, advancing (5)
- German Soldier with Karabiner 98k, standing, firing (6)
- German Soldier priming Stick Grenade 24, standing (3)
- German Soldier throwing Stick Grenade 24, prone (3)
- German Soldier, surrendering (2)
Evaluation
Satisfactory choice of subject, IMEX WW2 German Troops offer interesting poses that can be combined with similar 1:72 scale figures, but the idiosyncratic combination of the M43 field blouse with marching boots – rather than lace-up boots and gaiters – significantly limits the figures‘ compatibility.
The advancing rifleman, carrying an ammunition box, is not a member of an MG team. If he were, his rifle would be slung, and he would be carrying four ammunition boxes. This pose is highly versatile if the ammunition box is carefully removed from the left hand.
The prone Panzerknacker tank buster has adopted the wrong firing position; he will suffer severe burns to his back and legs when firing his 8.8 cm Raketenpanzerbüchse 54. Revell’s German Infantry, on the other hand, includes a Panzerschreck gunner who has mastered the prone firing position more effectively.
The Einheitsfeldmütze M43 field cap depicted here has a visor that is far too short; it is more reminiscent of the Korean People’s Army field cap from the same manufacturer.
The Sturmsoldat assault trooper with MP 43 could alternatively have been used as a Volksgrenadier with StG 44 assault rifle, provided he wore the lace-up boots and gaiters introduced in 1943 instead of the older jackboots.
The kneeling soldier with the Pistol 08 is not an officer but a member of a machine gun team, mortar team, tank close assault team, or another infantry support weapon crew, fighting at close quarters with his sidearm. Unfortunately, the soldier is carrying too much Sturmgepäck assault gear, making him ill-suited for operating an anti-tank gun or an infantry gun.
The Panzerfaust gunner wears lace-up boots with short gaiters, which are more compatible with the Feldbluse M43 tunic than the older jackboots.
The plastic used for these miniatures is fairly hard. The material accepts paint and may be super-glued satisfactorily, but stick grenades, rifle barrels, and other small parts are prone to breakage.
Noticeable mould lines need to be removed prior to painting. The Rai-Ro ZEP-70 wax carving instrument is perfect for this kind of work.
Good value for money: in 2013, Hobby Lobby offered IMEX 1:72 scale WW2 German Troops bundled with US Paratroops of “Easy Company” (IMEX 527) under the Billy V lable for only 9.99 USD.
Historical Employment
- German Infantry, 1943
IMEX WW2 German Troops are suitable for both dioramas and wargames, though with the caveat that the peculiar combination of the M43 uniform with older marching boots limits the figures‘ versatility.