Darren Baker provides a review of the German Field Howitzer Gun Crew, a Premium Edition set from Dragon Models to man the German s.10cm Kanone 18 (6411) or German sFH 18 Howitzer with limber (6392).

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

This is exactly the same crew that you get with the SIG33, except that there are the mats and shells as extras. This crew originated some years back to man the Dragon Railway gun, though they have worn quite well. The extra pouches are for MP40, MP44 and Gewehr43 automatic rifle, none of which are appropriate for artillery troops; they are obviously a standard sprue lobbed in for the 98K rifle pouches. The uniforms are early war, basically the 1936 pattern tunic with the box pleats on the pockets and blue-green collar, but it was possible to see this in wear throughout the war. By sanding down the box pleats you get a fair approximation of the M43 jacket. The tall marching boots were being supplanted by ankle boots by mid-war, but again could be seen in use virtually throughout the conflict.

I just got the Trumpeter s.K 18 10.5cm Kanone and have been looking for a crew. Definitly have to chalk this one up on my vingette roster.

Steve thank you for the added information on this kit. I am not however going to criticise the kit for including these items. I like this set so much with all the added extras that I have bought 3 sets of them, I would like to see a late war version of them as well but suspect they would have a lot less in the box and cost more. It is my opinion that as it stands it is the best set of WW2 German artillery figure available at this time, that is until MasterBox and MiniArt get their teeth into more artillery figures, I should add that these will be used in combination with figure products from these manufacturers.

Matt I believe you will be happy with the purchase of this figure set.

Darren, a very good review.

I built this set with DML's sIG 33 kit, and as Steve points out, they're a good set, especially as Dragon has added more arms to the original ones. These later items are better-molded and show more lifelike poses than the old-style static renderings we still see on Tamiya figures, for example.

Steve, your suggestions about "fixing" the uniforms are duly noted. Thanks!

Steve ref your comments on the uniform I understand what you are saying about the pleat on the jacket pockets, but it was my understanding that as the war progressed the collar became an open affair rather than the high collar depicted in this set is that correct?

Darren
Actually all the German tunics could be worn with an open neck including the M1936 pattern worn by these figures (orders permitting - e.g. in hot weather). The white neck liner in the early tunics could be unbuttoned and reattached with an open collar. I suspect what you are thinking of is the M1944 (Allied designation) uniform without skirts, British BD style, which is nearly always depicted with an open neck. You would be hard pushed to convert these figures to this spec without major work. However as the war progressed the early tunics were simplified, the bottle green badgecloth collar disappearing, becoming field grey as the rest of the jacket, the box pleats removed and the percentage of reworked "shoddy" or reclaimed cloth increased. The field grey colour also changed becoming almost slate grey in the late M1944 jacket. Naturally any serving soldier retaining an early better quality tunic would try and make it last as long as possible. I've seen photos of actual tunics where pockets from other jackets have been sewn on as repairs (even different colour).

Good review Darren. Definately a versitile set and very useful.
Great photos ... its 100% clear whats in the kit.
I wish Dragoon would put a little creative energy into the faces of their figures. As you say they are good enough, but they lack expression and character which is important when you have a small scene like this, IMO. For all Dragon´s achievements with molding and quality, this is one area where they are behind their competitors.

Steve thank you for that; if I have understood everything said to me about early and late German uniform it is:
1. Early pleat on breast pocket - late no pleat and from what I have seen sometimes no pocket.
2. High legged boots on early figures and ankle boots on later figures.
3. Collar is worn high on all early figures but it is also possible that later uniforms can look like this.
4. All early uniform can be seen in the later stages of the war due to declining standards in uniforms overall.

Frank I am forced to agree with you that the faces lack expression; in their defence I will say that they have come a long way since their early figures and just need a way or willingness put some life into the features. Thank you both for the feedback.

Hi Darren What's your reference for late war tunics with no pockets, I've never come across this.

3. Collar is worn high on all early figures but it is also possible that later uniforms can look like this.

The collar on the late tunics was also meant to be closed- it's just a lot of soldiers didn't button it up fully