Darren Baker reviews Panzer Crew LAH Division Russia 1943, one of Dragons older figure sets that still makes the grade.

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Thanks!

Darren,
Thanks for the review, very competent fair description of what you get in the box, and the potted history of LAH was informative also.
I've put this set together so am familiar with the figures, so I'd just like to correct a slight error in your review. The uniform the figures are wearing is specifically Waffen SS. To my knowledge there was no Wehrmacht eqivalent. They are wearing the reversible camoflauged Panzer coveralls, which is why there are the spring and autumn pattern SS "oak leaf" camo patches on the box. These items were not truly reversible, as despite having "spring" pattern one side, and autumn on the other, the pockets only appear on the spring side. They were only issued in camo, not in black or any other colour, I think you are confusing them with the black one-piece coveralls issued to Flak crews (including SS), which lacked the patch pockets. So sorry folks, but if you don't like SS figures, you won't want these. This is a shame, as they are very good figures depicting a fairly rarely modelled, but very widespread (amongst SS panzer crew) worn item of clothing.

[quote] I believe this product is based on a crew during the Kursk offensive.
[quote]
And this is why I can't use them for my Kharkov build. Perhaps later, for a Kursk build of the SS. Dragon always puts out some great figures and these seem to be no different. Getting to the point of too many figs and too little kits.

Steve thank you for your input. I checked the uniform using Osprey books skipping between SS titles and Wermacht titles and the uniforms in some Wermacht titles did look to be identical other than the colour. That said I am more than happy to have your input in clarifying the facts. In the book I mentioned at the end of the review it does specifically say black, grey, or camouflage offerings.

Matt these figures can be used in a warm setting after I believe mid to late 1943 onwards, I say warm as nothing about these figures indicate the cold although the camouflage coverall was worn over other uniform in the cold typically and on its own in the heat of Summer.

Glad you liked the review and brief history.

Steve. Thanks for the additional information. I just ordered these figures and I was wondering what you used for the base colors, highlights and shadows on the uniforms. Thanks for any input you can give me.

John