introduction

Good news for all figure builders and diorama fans, Stalingrad Figures is branching out big time from their previous success with German subjects. Their latest offerings include a partial crew for big guns like the Soviet's 152mm howitzer.

contents

Inside a full-color box are two Ziploc baggies containing the base figure and five parts:

Figure
2 heads (one is cloth cap, the other fur hat)
2 arms
Shell

the review

In this reviewer's opinion, no other current figure manufacturer in either resin or styrene has captured the realism and detail of the life of the combat soldier as dynamically as Stalingrad Figures. They are currently setting the gold standard for useful, realistic and imaginative figures in 1/35th scale.

You generally will find no "Heroes of Socialism" grandiose poses, no "pointing" soldiers looking into the distance as if the Mother Ship from Mars was landing 1,000 meters away. No, Stalingrad Figures' soldiers loaf, work, huddle, cower, sleep and bleed to death like real soldiers in warfare.

This figure is no different: the casting is crisp, the detail at a level only resin can reach, and the pose is perfectly natural. Cradling a 152mm shell in his hands, he balances the burden on his heels, with no particular urgency as any loader would. Red legs, take not here!

As is the usual custom with figure makers these days, modelers have a choice of two heads, one with the Pilotka ridged cloth cap, the other with the distinctive fur hat.

My only quibble with the figure is the lack of a painting guide other than the smallish color photo on the box art. Matching colors is never easy for guys - my local paint store has a sign that says "no man will be allowed to purchase paint without a signed note from his wife." A shout-out for some standard paints like Lifecolor, Model Master or Tamiya would be appreciated.

conclusion

Red leg figure collectors will be pleased, and those looking to populate a gun diorama will also be happy to have such a fine offering. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Stalingrad Figures for this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw it reviewed on Armorama when ordering.