introduction

Another interesting group of German soldiers from Dragon, this one a Machine Gun team from 5th SS Panzer Division “Wiking” Although the box is generically titled ‘German Wiking Division’ one can assume from the SS dot pattern camouflage depicted on the cover art and the blank collar tabs that this is an SS unit with a politically correct title and box art. From Wikipedia:“The 5th SS Panzer Division ‘Wiking’ was one of the elite Panzer divisions of the thirty eight Waffen SS divisions. It was recruited from foreign volunteers, from Scandinavia, The Netherlands, and Belgium under the command of German officers. During the course of World War II, the division progressed from a motorized infantry division to a Panzer division and served on the Eastern Front during World War II. It surrendered in May 1945 to the advancing American forces in Austria.”

the kit

The kit is a typical Dragon figure kit with four figures in various poses. The figures are regular Dragon fare with ‘Gen2 Gear’
There is one large sprue with the four figures, belts of MG ammo, an ammo box, extra barrel case and several hand grenades. Three smaller sprues have the Gen2 weapons, various combat gear such as helmets, pouches, gasmask canisters and shovels.
The detail on the figures is very crisp with little or no flash. Seam lines are minimal.

Figure No.1 This figure is the ammunition carrier. He is kneeling, propped up with his rifle in his right hand and resting his left hand on his leg. He has multiple ammo belts draped around his neck .

Figure No.2 This figure appears to be in command as he is motioning forward with his rifle and hold binoculars.

Figure No.3 This figure is firing (or pointing) his MG42 from a waist held position. He also is draped in belted ammo and is wearing the older style high boots.

Figure No.4 This figure is cautiously peering around (a building corner if built to the box art) a corner.

The figures and the box art come pretty close although I don’t think the binocular guy’s right arm and rifle have the urgency and ‘pointing toward an objective’ that the box art depicts. The figure (as compared to the box art) appears to be lifting his rifle to rest or set it on a chest high ledge or wall.
Either way these figures are pretty versatile and I can envision them being used in many situations both as a unit of four or individually.