Actual tank crew even in wartime spend a lot time just standing around and waiting. At least two could be posed in hatches That's the obvious reason for the officer's pose. He's in a hatch. The radio man is standing radio watch and probably sitting in a hatch. The leaning guy could be another tank commander or the officer's gunner and hurrying up and waiting. And the guy with the submachine gun could be coming off guard duty or a runner telling the officer that chow is on the way. That's military life. Hurry up and wait and think about home or indeed nothing at all because there is finally a quiet moment.

Point taken That makes a vignette, but not really a diorama. It tells four different stories, but not really a single drama where the four actors are participating together. Conveying the story tying these figures together needs some text: Tank waiting in position with driver or loader on guard carrying the MP40. The other of the loader or driver is "idling". Commander and radio operator in the tank, radio operator is "idling" (no equipment on his ears and a de-focused look). The guard calls the commanders attention to something in the distance. I am familiar with the notion of "hurry up and wait", if it isn't too cold there could even be time for a little nap Oh well, I never bother with figures anyway / Robin

Point taken That makes a vignette, but not really a diorama. It tells four different stories, but not really a single drama where the four actors are participating together. Conveying the story tying these figures together needs some text: Tank waiting in position with driver or loader on guard carrying the MP40. The other of the loader or driver is "idling". Commander and radio operator in the tank, radio operator is "idling" (no equipment on his ears and a de-focused look). The guard calls the commanders attention to something in the distance. I am familiar with the notion of "hurry up and wait", if it isn't too cold there could even be time for a little nap Oh well, I never bother with figures anyway / Robin [/quote] See? That's what I'm talking about; different impressions from different people... Robin! Why not, with the figures? It could open up a whole new world for you!

My life isn't long enough for that

It looks like they are sculpted quite nicely. As for the positions, the radio operator is obviously supposed to be inside the tank. The commander isn't about to "take a step" I don't think, but perhaps is standing inside with one leg leaning on something. The guy with the MP40 is maybe standing at a "casual but cautious" stance outside the tank. The forlorn guy standing has maybe disembarked to decipher a road sign or question a civilian like the child from the Miniart line? Might make a nice vignette, maybe even for a Kharkov factory produced beutepanzer T34. Just takes some imagination.

Actually, despite labelling this set as Kharkov 1943, I'm not sure that their clothing is typical of SS men at that time. The Kharkov battles usually show the first photographic evidence of the SS only fur lined pull over parka and padded trousers. Tank crews had a one piece reversible winter overall, as shown in photos of Panzermeyer so attired. These men are all wearing parts of the Wehrmacht reversible mouse grey padded winter clothing, which although seen in some photos was not on general issue to the SS until winter 1943-4, in camo replacing their parkas. The two figures wearing the sheepskin lined jackets are OK, but are still wearing the trousers of the mouse grey clothing.

I thought that I'd interrupt your collective serious rant to point out that the German crewman in the center probably should be told that he can't text worth a damn with those gloves on. (snicker).