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In-Box Review
135
Gen2 Winter Grenadiers
Winter Grenadiers, Wiking Division Eastern Front 1943-45 Gen2
  • box_cover

by: Charles Reading [ CREADING ]

This kit contains the parts to make four German grenadiers circa 43-45 dependent on the type of weaponry you choose. As with all the latest Dragon Gen2 kits this one offers you various options as to the weapons and includes a fifth head and hand set.

The kit is cast in typical Dragon light grey plastic and each figure consists of approximately 18 parts. The detail is what we have come to expect from Dragon. The faces are very well detailed and although it has become a normal process to discard the kit heads and replace them with replacement Hornet renderings, this is not the necessity that it was in the past.

The kit consists of four figures representing members of the Wiking Division during the winter months. There are two figures cautiously moving forward and a prone machine gunner with his loader by his side. All are dressed in winter gear-parkas, gloves, etc. Weapons choices include two Kar 98K rifles with optional bolt positions. Two MP 38/40, again with the optional bolt positions. One Gewher 43 and one MP44. One MG42 with optional breech position and opened or retracted tripod. All weapons include various clips and accessories. There is a sprue of stick and egg type grenades.

The personal gear is where the Gen 2 kits really excel in my opinion as the detail is exquisite. there are two sprues of personal equipment including helmets, bread bags, canteens, gas mask canisters, knives, shovels, holsters, magazine holders etc. The small Etch fret included with Gen2 kits consists of various straps, clips and decorations. A nice touch for added detail.
SUMMARY
Highs: Dragon is getting scarily close to replicating resin detail in plastic with the detail at a quarter of the cost. There are usually enough extra detail stuff left over to add to other kits.
Lows: More soldiers dressed for winter! Dragon seems to really like the winter uniforms as it seems Germans dressed for bad weather out number summer uniforms considerably.
Verdict: I am a great fan of the Gen2 kits and this one is no exception.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 6372
  Suggested Retail: $15.95 USD
  PUBLISHED: Jun 03, 2007
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.80%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.16%

Our Thanks to Dragon Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Charles Reading (CReading)
FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

I live in the mountains north of Santa Cruz California. I have been building now since the early 1990's when I rediscovered modeling. Most of my kits are built with dioramas in mind. I took a "creative block" hiatis for a couple years - 2011 to 2013. I wasn't active in the modeling world. During tha...

Copyright ©2021 text by Charles Reading [ CREADING ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

16 dollars for 4 toy soldiers! what happened to 7 bucks for 4 soldiers.
JUN 09, 2007 - 06:34 AM
Maybe because they are not "toy soldiers" meant to be scooted around on the carpet while saying "BANG". Edit: C'mon PMP, probably due to the fact that they are Gen2, with extras.
JUN 09, 2007 - 07:19 AM
Great Models sells them for $12- I think you have to compare them with the quality of resin figures that cost $12-$15 each. I think Gen 2 fills the gap between plastic figures and resin figures as they are a vast improvement over the older plastic kits yet due to molding vs casting they are not quite as crisp as their resin brothers. In the end.......you get what you pay for Cheers, C.
JUN 09, 2007 - 09:40 AM
These are the new and improved Gen2 figures.... whatever that means... Did they get a new mold maker or just another sculptor. Anyway. I always look forward to seeing build-ups of the figgies. What happened? I hope you didn't box them back up to get your 16 bucks back... Just joking.
JUL 02, 2007 - 11:54 AM
Could these figs be modified easily to serve on the Western front? I know very little about German stuff.
JUL 03, 2007 - 01:23 AM
   
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