Introduction

MiniArt has become recognized recently as being one of the most innovative of figure manufacturers in 1/35 scale, as well as offering much improved detail in their figure sets. This release, German Paratroopers and Tankers, Italy, 1943, is certainly no letdown in either category.

Review

The end opening box features artwork depicting two paratroopers and three tankers, one of them standing and the other two seated. All the figures are wearing shorts, indicative of the hot climate they are serving in, and shirt sleeves are rolled up. On the rear of the box an assembly guide is provided that includes painting instructions. Paint colors are provided by name and brand assigned number for;

• Vallejo
• Testor model master enamel
• Tamiya
• Humberol
• Revell
• Mr Color
• Life Color

Inside the box is a single sprue molded in light grey styrene. None of the parts are numbered. A separate sheet has the sprue map and shows part numbers there for assembly. Each figure is molded in separate parts consisting of two leg, two arms, main torso and head, with each figure in one sprue section. Detail on the parts is very good and cleanly done. I had no sink marks, and only very faint creasing lines visible on the backs. The folds in the uniforms appear to fall naturally, and in particular, hand and face detail looks very good. Seam lines were prominent but easily removed with no loss of detail. There is also some very minor flash that was easily removed.

Figure A is a paratrooper, carrying a Karabiner 98K rifle, with ammunition pouches slung around his neck. His bread bag is molded so that it will conform to his body, and a water bottle and bayonet are included. He wears the German paratrooper helmet. His boots have nice lacing detail up the front but unlike the box art no stockings are visible

Figure B is armed with the MP40 and has an ammunition pouch and accompanying P38 in holster, as well as the bread bag, water bottle and bayonet. He also has a map case. He has two different left arms, one raised up in conversational mode, the other molded to hold binoculars included as an option. His boots feature nice lacing detail on the side.

Figure C is the tank commander, standing and holding binoculars in his right hand.

Figure D is seated upright, arms resting on his legs.

Figure E is seated, leaning forward slightly with one arm bracing him on whatever surface he is seated on (modeler option).

None of the tankers have any gear attached to them, aside from the commander’s binoculars. They are all wearing the soft field cap.

I did a basic assembly of each of the figures, testing fit of the lets and torso sections. On all of the figures the leg fit was quite good, and only on the two seated figures was there any gap between the legs and torso. The area where the legs go into the shorts is molded solid and is quite large, so I opted to carve out the plastic to give a better appearance of actual legs going into shorts.

As can be seen in the accompanying photos, there are some very minor and nice difference in the sizes of the figures, with figure A being taller than B or C.
As for time setting, this set would seem perfect as part of the Hermann Goering division at Sicily, although they could be in a summer setting on the Italian mainland as well.

I am not an expert in all things German, but I found nothing wrong with this set.

MRC has this set priced at $19.00, though shopping around should bring different results. This is a unique and very nicely detailed set that should prove very useful.