Recently, Dragon Models announced a set of Allied figures suitable for the Monte Cassino campaign. Now. the Axis side - 6514 - Monte Cassino Defenders 1944 (Fallschirmjager). The Full report can be seen:


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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

I see a Fallschirmjager dio in my future

There was another old set with German paras at Cassino.


A combination of these two sets would make a good action diorama.

I was thinkng the same thing Actually I'm thinking of combining all (or at least most) of the DML Fallschirmjager set for a kick a$$ dio

Nice to see such a dynamic groupof figures. Loads of action, not a pointing figure in sight. The MG 40 figure looks great, hope he's as good looking as the CAD image. Nice one

It seems to be a very well made set. I like in particular the MP-40 figure's action. and also the choice of helmets. While DML 's other monte cassino set can be combined to this one, I feel that this latest set is "closer to the firing line". It was a good idea to include the gen 2 weapons. I always use extra gen 2 parts to upgrade older figures- I am sure everyone else is doing the same.

Thats going straight from th LHS to the Stash.

Looks like they've gone along with the superb "around-the-corner-shooter" idea that was introduced in the earlier set! I've never been a big fan of DML figure sets in the past - mainly because the figs are nothing like the boxart that Ron V so well painted and depicted. Lets just say that it was a far cry between artwork and plastic. It was like you buy the figs because of the boxart instead of the contents... Now, with the two recent sets - it will change all that! Much like why I've never bought any of Tamiya's figs... unless they also follow this route. Just give exactly what you've painted! I've always compared DML figs against the kit's artwork - the most recent sets are top notch, given the "shooter" fig and the much in-action poses - a winner in all aspects! Bring them on!

Hmm, a question pops up, did the Fallshirmjaeger were their smocks with the parts around the legs done up (as for jumping) or loose, when in 'ordinairy' combat? Compare the British Para smock, where the flap between the legs would not be fastened between the legs, but would be worn as a 'normal' coat. It is interesting to note that in the older set all the figures wearing the smock have the parts around the legs loose, whilst all the figures in the new set have them done up.

These should make for an impressive diorama with the new Commonwealth Troops set...

I'd say it's not a really good idea to combine the two sets since there are more than 15 years between them and old Dragon figures are way bigger than new ones and less detailed.

I think that combining those kids still works out very well. Currently I´m building a huge Fallschirmjäger-Dio "Italy 1944" and I´m using all available Para-Boxes from the Dragon-Range. I mixe parts as desired to achieve the right look.

Here´s one first picture:



Please apologise my English ;-) !

Hi Peter

I hope you don't mind me saying but the figure you've shown the head looks too big for the body in my opinion. Not overly so, but the more I look at it the more I think it's too big. Have you used or tried Hornet replacement heads ?

Alan

Thats a Verlinden head I believe Alan. I tried using Verlinden heads on the DML fallshirmjagers ages ago and gave up because they looked oversized. Verlinden figures in general are more around 1/32 scale and I agree these heads dont really look 'right'.

Hi

I did a little work in Photoshop to show you what I mean.



Alan

Thanks for your replies!!!

Looking at it now, you´re write, the head is far to large.

How about this (again Verlinden!):



Or that one:



Greetz, Peter.

I ment: "You´re right"!!! ;-)

Hi Peter

If you want to check to see if your figures have the correct head size you may want to take a look at this book. It's old but each page is downloadable and worth printing out the size chart for reference.
Certainly handy if you take up sculpting parts or complete figures.

Alan

http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?s=8&cat=12

Hi

The first picture, the half figure doesn't look too bad, still a little too big in my opinion but the second image looks a little strange in proportion to me anyway very elongated. Could be the picture, camera angle.

Of course we must take into account people come in all different shapes and sizes anyway but usually in proportion to other areas of their bodies. I've put Hornet heads, probably the best aftermarket heads on the market, on some Miniart figures and they look okay but on others they just look to small.

I've a fair collection of Dragon figures and they seem to vary in scale depending on their age of production, subject. Hornet heads generally work well with them.

Verlinden figures are well known for being oversize. I've heard this so much I have resisted buying any figure or body part sets of theirs.

Alan

Hi

As regards heads I make no secret of my liking for the excellent ones available from Roger Saunders at Hornet.

Here is a link to a pdf with pages showing the range at a glance.
http://www.historexagents.com/eBook/HornetHeads.pdf

If you go to his site you'll see them in closer detail. Just click on a head to see the complete set.
Hornet Heads

He doesn't sell direct but they are widely available.

Alan

Hi,

Hornet heads definatly look the part... how about Warriors heads? how do they stack up?

Gray

I don't have much experience with Warriors heads. I did buy a few sets a couple of years ago at a model show and they are good detail wise and seem to fit in scale to the figures, ICM ones, I replaced them on.Detail wise they are okay but not as good as Hornets, in my opinion.

I was wondering about getting replacement ones made by Legend, they are very keenly priced at Luckymodel.com last time I looked, but have never seen them "in the flesh" as it where.

I have to say that the figures coming out now, certainly from Dragon are so good they are getting closer to resin for detail and don't need replacing.

Alan

Hi Alan

thanks for your comments! I´m realy surprised how fast I get replies to my messages !!!

I´ll now try different heads for my "Fallis", I´ll keep you informed!

Since I´m planning to build round about 30 Paratroopers for my Diorama, I have to find a company that has enough different heads in range, so I don´t have to use one and the same too often in my setting.

Thank you very much, again, as this is my first day here!

Greetz, Peter.