DML have just announced another 1/35th scale Figure Set in the shape of: 6652 - Ostfront Winter Combatants 1942-43. Images and my highly opinionated comments on this new set, can be seen:

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Well put.

The problem with these sorts of figures is putting them in a diorama. I have seen few photos I'd want to replicate with a soldier firing a flare pistol, for example.

I think MB is on to something with their recreation of that Rommel photo. There are so many interesting photos out there that invite replication in a dio.

I still wonder when we'll see soldiers who've fallen out after a march, or are waiting for the artillery to soften up the objective before they go forward?

It looks like a set of four individual figure kits packaged together. Like Bill said, there are plenty of good photo references to use for figure sets. In this case they are being too original.

My thoughts exactly. I've rarely seen a set which has caused me to actually groan. Execution probably an 8.5, Imaginiation a 2.00?

Hi guys,

Jim, great review, I agree 100% with the points made (particularly about Masterbox's excellent recent releases).

However, I don't think thats the idea behind this figure set. Like the similarly boxed 6574 'German Warriors 1940-41'(figures in a line with white background) recent release, I think these are supposed to represent individual figures as you and Russ say.

I build dio's but often don't have time/space, a simple base is usually enough and I always like to include a figure for scale. These are excellent for this kind of thing and the mix of sides allows people who like to model a particular 'theatre' to have enough for a few projects. Often I end up buying a set of 4 interacting figures to get one figure for this purpose, the other option is more expensive resin figures. As I say, these are ideal for this or if you like to do the odd stand alone figure project from time to time.

Cheers,

James

Seems a rather perculiar release to me. If this is intended as a release of 4 individual figures then Im struggling to see the point. The German Warriors set at least had figures in unusual but useful poses. However, these are a return to the straight up and down (mostly) staring wistfully into the distance pose.

When you consider the really innovative poses being produce by companies in resin like Bravo and Stanlingrad or in plastic by masterbox these do seem to be rather ill thought out. To be honest it looks like DML had a few unused poses that they decided to throw together in a set.

As more of a figure builder than diorama builder, I kinda like this "set". I think it might not be the best marketing strategy in styrene world though.

I fully agree Jim. Not particularly inspirational at all. The only fig thats really of any interest to me is the Fallschirmjager which could be used with another DML F'Jager set. They're all fairly nondescript. While I like working with DML figures as they're nicely moulded and are useful as basekits, MB are leaving them way behind in relation to variety and the dynamics of figures. Not only are MB imaginative but their moulding is spot on. Unless DML start listening to modellers requests/ideas they're going to go the way of Tamiya figs when DML appeared. Consigned to history...

FWIW, these figures are based on Concord publishing and Dragon Action Figure artwork.

Now I cannot presume to speak for Dragon despite a long association with them but every company has to deal with changing circumstances. Talented staff come and go and economic situations change. I very much agree that there are some inspiring figure ideas coming from other manufacturers
and suspect that it originates solely from the unique talent of the designers/sculptors involved. Such talents are not common.

I've not been involved in Dragon's figure program for about 18 months so can't offer any comment on what their plans are in this regard. Perhaps the best is yet to come.



Cheers,
Ron Volstad

Hi, Ron, I would like to address this to you, as you perhaps have more influence and talent in the world of 1/35th figures than anyone I know of.

The world of modeling has many fine standing, sitting, pointing, shooting or walking figures.

What it lacks is figures in realistic soldier positions. My particular desideratum is figures at rest: soldiers flopped down on the ground or leaning against something with that 1,000 yard stare. After all, isn't the common soldier expression about it being "hours of excruciating boredom punctuated with a few moments of blinding terror"?

With so many photos coming to light from WW2 showing men interacting with their environment, it would be great to see figures or figure sets that replicated that kind of interaction, not standing around or pointing into the distance.

Thanks for listening, I appreciate the chance to express this point.

Dragon has issued figures in the past featuring "seperate" figures (such as the German sniper kit, German signal troops,etc.). I suppose they are hoping the buyer will want them as "stand alone" figures that can be mixed or matched with other sets, or as one or two figures alongside a vehicle or something...the downside of course being if you don't want certain figures, then the set will not sell. Considering the rather hefty price of four-pack figs these days, it's a risky move - especially when other manufacturers have confirmed the "new" figure market for dynamic or unique poses, at rest sets, etc. I'll wait for something a little more "fresh" - I probably have fifty Jerries standing around with MP40's!

Nice,accurate review,Jim. Looks like DML was going for the "universal use" reason for buying. I think they are Johnny-come-latelys to MB 'multipose'(between sets!)methodology. I'm going to be stocking more MB sets in my stash just for the multipose feature alone. Very underated feature of MB figures.
Keep on reviewing!
Rick

Let me clarify something. I don't like 'Instant Reviews' and it was NEVER my intention to do a review of this set. Rather, it could be described as 'Editorial' - something I don't do too often..

Why did I do it? Probably a good part of me was indignant. If it had been from some new company, or one who don't put a lot of stock in their figure releases, then I would probably have let sleeping dogs lie.

However, on both counts DML is a company who have pushed the limits in both their figure and armor releases and this set, strikes me as doing their reputation no good whatsoever. As I mentioned a probable 8/10 for execution, but a 2/10 for imagination, seems pretty fair. A few years ago, sets like this would have had a lot of people Ooohing and Aaahing, this looks like the planning was left out of the process completely. Sticking 4 figures together with a vague 'Östfront' theme doesn't cut it.

Reputations have to be constantly enhanced - resting on styrene laurels is a REAL recipe for disaster...

Not something I´d run out and buy immediatly, but they are definatly useable, in vignettes or as "life" detail along with a tank. The thing is, its the quality. Dragon´s figure quality is pretty good, so you have four decent figures for the price of one resin.
MBs figures ... I agree have great poses ... do not come close to this quality, and although they are great for filling in a diorama, dont really work as stand alone figures or for vignettes.
The 2 Russians would be worth the price for me, if I needed them.

If DML will continue introducing figures based on Concord Publishing artwork, I just hope they will also use Stephen Andrew's amazing artworks.

Guess I am the odd man out here, I'd buy this set the second I see it. Oh and BTW all four figures are indeed in winter gear

It is rare to find a good-quality plastic figure of early-war Red Army guys, much less one with an SVT rifle. The other soviet guy with the telogrika can be used for any period in the war as far as I can tell - he has no epaulettes but those were often left off this item of clothing, so I think he'd be OK from Moscow to Berlin.

As for the Germans, I don't build that many but these look OK. Tell youwhat, I'll swap my krauts for your commies, guys.

There's a superb one in one of the recent MB sets...

The German soldier with the flare gun might be a good combo with an anti-tank gun. I have watched one World War two doc where a sentry is standing on watch behind an 88. You could add another fig looking out across the field...with binocs and a map...maybe with a field phone...

Hi

I can understand why on the face of it one would come to the opinion that this is a very boring and not very imaginative release from Dragon and in some respects I'd agree with that.

On the other hand maybe the rationale behind Dragons release is that their figure moulding has got to a level that its as close to resin figures as any plastics manufacturer has got so far. As such they are releasing these in a similar way, to be used as individual figures by figure painters or combined with other figure sets to add or enhance them. With Dragons tendency to cram as much as possible into a box, give as much for the money as possible, they give us four figures to use rather than one as is the case with resin. Just a thought.

As for comparison to other figure manufacturers, it's getting harder and harder these days to compete and the levels of detail and sculpting, even in the few years I've returned to the hobby is very noticeable. As Masterbox seems to have been mentioned I'd say they are very good on ideas, animation etc. within their sets, but they've still got some way to go before their figures are as finely detailed and finished as the latest Dragon plastic figures, which are in my opinion the best in this respect, available.

Alan

Oh I dunno, Jim. It's not that bad a set.

Perhaps not one to set the world on fire, but 4 potentially useful *single* figures nonetheless. I quite like the fur-hatted Russian.

- Steve

Well, my hopes have come true. Just look at this:




:)