Introduction
Legend Productions are perhaps better known for their impressive range of AFV Updates and conversion sets. That said, they also produce a considerable range of figures in both 1/35th and 1/48th (aviation) scales. The question of course, why, when plastic figures are becoming so impressive, is the need for replacement heads greater than ever before? The reason, in my opinion is twofold - firstly variation. No matter how good a plastic figure is, there is (inevitably) a sameness in the heads provided in the kit. The second point inevitably turns to quality. No matter how well-produced, mastered or moulded, resin is a material which does hold detail much better than plastic. A good resin figure, will, in my opinion, always have the edge of its plastic counterpart. Not everyone has access or (the finacial means) to buy exclusively resin figures, a heads set (particularly at this price) can be an excellent compromise - improving without replacing...
Legends' new heads set...
LF0113 - German Heads Set # 3 (WWII) - contains 12, 1/35th scale resin heads on two sprues. There are a variety of caps and berets represented - 6 with the 'typical' German forage cap, two with the 'basebal--cap' style headgear (perfect for SP vehicle crews), one with the early 'Panzercrew' beret and three in offers peaked caps, one with stiffener, the remainder more 'informal'.. One of the heads has a headset and with the (often forgotten) throat mikes which picked up vibration from the vocal cords. This set contains, like the previous one, a wide variation of facial expressions, age and variation in thin, fat and 'normal' faces...
The only 'negative' note, comes from the sprue attachment point to the top of the heads, although the attachment is reasonably thin, it will require
VERY careful work witith a razor saw and sharp knife blade to avoid damaging the good detail in the headgear. The good news about this, is only six of the heads are moulded in the manner, the remainder have the attachment point on the bottom of the neck......
Reproducing my comments from the previous review, i.e. about '
combatibility with other manufacturers figures, I have 'dry-fitted the heads on the products of four manufacturers,
DML, Tristar, Warriors & Alpine Miniatures. The reults are very encouraging apart from the Tristar figures, where there is a tendency for the head to 'dwarf' the body...
Conclusions.
Firstly, the price. Although perhaps the details are NOT as 'finely-tuned' (yet) as some of the other manufacturers heads, these from
Legends Productions represent an absolutely extraordinary value for money. I have based the price on one of the HK retailers who are quoting
$6.99 per set, looking at one of the British retailers, they are quoting
£ 6.99, which, although (naturally) higher, still represents an amazing price for twelve heads....
I am very impressed with this, and the other sets. It will be very useful to anyone who is working with German figures in this scale. There is an incredibly well-balanced variation in both the heads and the headgear, although I can but hope, that
Legends will consider bringing out more 'dedicated' sets such as Early-war Tankers, Paras and late war AFV Crews....
VERY Highly Recommended
Acknowledgements and availability:
In the first instance, I am indebted to
Mr CHAN KIE LEE of
Legend Productions for providing this and the other review material.
Secondly, for availability ,
Legend Productions' products are available at a number of outlets. Here are just a few:
In the U.K.: friendship Models
In the U.S.A.: VLS
In Hong Kong: HobbyEasy AND:
LuckyModel
The other review (German Heads Set # 2), can be seen:
HERE
