Figures DML 6280, German Mine Detectors.

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED


6280, German Mine Detectors. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene plastic with multi-media parts. Contains: 201 injection-molded styrene parts, 56 DS-100 soft styrene parts, 21 etched brass parts and one single-sided instruction sheet.


The latest Gen2 figure set from this manufacturer will allow the modeler to depict two pairs of German Heer soldiers in the act of looking for mines. Two figures are for the early war period, while another two can be used if a later period is preferred. According to information published in his review of this set, Cookie Sewell has identified the detector types as the M1938 mine detector rod, M1940 mine detecting coil and the M1941 mine detector. Thanks Cookie; I had no idea what these things were called! He further identifies the Soviet land mines that are included in the set as the TDM, T-IV, PZM and Model 1938. I don’t know which is which, but DML supplies two different “box” mines, a “bar” mine and the more conventional appearing “pancake” type. There are two of each, for a total of eight.


The early war figure pair consists of one man in a walking pose, with the coil-type detector deployed as if he is sweeping an area. He wears the animal-hide back pack, which houses some of his detector’s electronic gear as well as a smaller device on his suspenders; he is otherwise kitted out as a standard rifleman. He is accompanied by a comrade using a mine detector rod, who is depicted “poking” the earth; this figure has his Kar98k slung over his back and is equipped as a rifleman. Both wear steel helmets as well as the typical “jackboot”, while their tunics have pleated pockets, thus their description as “early war”. The second pair are wearing caps, the short lace-up boots with gaiters and their tunics have pockets without pleats. This makes them suitable for a later war scenario. The man with M1941 detector stands idle, while his partner kneels down to probe the earth with a bayonet. Each is otherwise equipped as a rifleman.


As is the case with all of these Gen2 sets, the figures are broken down into a multitude of parts. This allows for proper undercutting of such items as collars, and the bottom edge of their tunics. Likewise, the man’s sleeves are hollow for insertion of separate hands. Overall, the molding and design of these figures is excellent. Careful fitting of the parts, as well as a bit of filler here and there will produce figures that rival their more expensive resin counter-parts.


Aside from the men’s Kar98k rifles with separate bolts and stripper clips, the following equipment is supplied in conventional injection-molded styrene: six M1935 steel helmets (with full rivet details), three-piece gas mask canisters, two piece canteens (six each) and mess tins (two each), as well as single-piece mess tins, entrenching tools, and bayonets (six each). Some nice options are a bayonet with separate frog, a folding shovel with separate handle, a larger “Pionier” shovel in carrying case, and binoculars with pre-bored front lens elements plus separate rear lens cover. Etched brass parts are provided for belt buckles, shoulder straps and other insignia. There is also an etched brass part which along with plastic ear-pieces, will make up one of the detector’s headphone sets. Curiously (especially since DML includes them in a previous set) there are no etched brass slings for the Kar98k rifles. Likewise, there are no helmet decals to depict the national shield or Heer eagle.


In DS-100 soft styrene, DML has provided the following: three different opened and closed pistol holsters, eight gas cape pouches, four rolled Zeltbahns, eight bread-bags, three pairs of Gew43 magazine pouches, five pairs of Kar98k pouches, three pairs of MP40 pouches and three pairs of MP44 pouches. Each of the ammo pouches has one pair in the opened configuration. The final items are a map case and a tool case for a German MG34 or 42 machine-gun. Several of these items are not for use in this set, but will certainly prove useful for the spares box.


Altogether Mr. Volstad’s design of the four figures will allow the modeler quite a bit of latitude in display, weather in a vignette or a full-scale diorama.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.


DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.


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