Introduction

German Infantry With Camouflage Uniform is a multi-media set of six 1/87 resin figures with photo-etch parts by Artitec. It is Item 87.065.

Artitec also offers a pre-painted set.

The Set

Artitec packs this set in a flexible plastic carton that opens from the ends. The "box art" is a printed card label showing the assembled and painted figures. The figures are held inside a zip-lock baggie, as is the fret of photo-etch weapons and equipment.

These figures are camouflaged in smocks universally associated with the Waffen-SS. I recall that some elite Wehrmacht units were issued limited quantities of SS-style smocks although the German Army camouflage clothing was predominately of a different cut, with distinctly different camouflage patterns.

The six figures are crisply cast in buff resin. While some have a wisp of excess resin flash. One figure has a small sink hole in his lower back. Otherwise, I found no other casting flaws. The same figure has a square depression where he would wear the entrenching tool but, except for the photo-etch, no other parts are in the package.

These six figures are posed as casual marching, weapons at ease. Artitec put a lot of effort into proportion and sculpting. The poses are very realistic in terms of slouch and positioning of legs, arms, backs, and heads.

Detail

Resin
Each figure is clothed in jackboots, trousers, and waist-length camouflage smock. Their headgear are the M35 stahlhelm helmet or Feldmutz caps. The collars are exposed. My poor aging eyes can not tell if tiny collar patches are sculpted.

Loading each down is the "Y"-strap, ammunition pouches, entrenching tools with 84/98 bayonets, Brotbeutel 'bread bags', Feldflasche canteens, and Zeltbahn shelter quarters and gas mask canisters. One figure has the machine gun maintenance pouch on this left shoulder.

Most of the facial detail is suggested although some of the figures have definite cheeks, noses, lips, and eyes. I wonder how much of that will survive a brush stroke of paint?

Clothing and equipment are well detailed for the scale. Most items of kit are sharply defined from the rest of the figure. Even the smocks are not "cookie-cutter" as some are bunched just below the belt, exposing the bottom of the Feldbluse tunic, while others hang down below it.

Artitec's fidelity to detail and sculpting thereof is amazing.

Photo-Etch
Artitec includes a mini arsenal:

4 x Kar 98 rifles
4 x MP 40 submachine guns (2 with shoulder stocks deployed)
3 x Lugers
1 x MG 34 and bi-pod
1 X MG 42 and bi-pod
1 x belt of ammunition
1 X MP 44
1 x Gewehr 43 (or Karabiner 43) semi-automatic rifle
3 x Tellermines

The items even have bas-relief etched into them - cooling holes for the machine guns, surface characteristics of the MP 40s, and the like.

Instructions

A simple sheet of black-and-white line art illustrates German soldiers in warm and cold kit. A good illustration of the straps and personal kit is included.

Painting is shown with several colors keyed to particular areas of the figures and weapons. Humbrol and Revell paints are referenced. Most are stock colors although one or two mixes are described.

No camouflage patterns are depicted. This neither surprises nor disappoints me as there are so many references available these days.

My attempt to replicate the camouflage pattern can be viewed via Click here for additional images for this review, below.

Conclusion

German Infantry With Camouflage Uniform is an excellent set of six 1/87 Stoppelhopfern. Casting quality is high and detail is amazing. The photo-etch weapons fret enhances the quality of the set. Each body is posed in a realistic manner that avoids the rigid look of too many scale figures. My only concerns are a wisp of excess resin flash, and that one figure has a small sink hole in his lower back.

Braille-scale modelers and those who enjoy integrating military subjects with HO model trains should be thrilled about this set. I happily recommend it!

Please remember to mention to Artitec and retailers that you saw this set here - onArmorama.