Dragon continue to release quality figure sets at a rapid rate and this latest set provides four DAK figures in action pose for the El Alamein battles of 1942.
This first thing to note this is not a Gen2 figure set but just a “normal” set in the ’39-’45 Series and as such if fairly conventional in figure breakdown and accessories provided, that is not to they are poor just not up to the Gen2 standards, most notable the weapons.
The sets consists of 53 parts in light grey plastic for the figures and personal gear and another 24 parts for the weapons but quite a few of these can be added to the spares box as they are not applicable such as the MG42, MP40, MP44, Panzerfaust, and G3 rifle with the only weapons used being the Kar98 and MG34 with tripod, ammo box and belt of 7.92mm ammo.
Standard of moulding is good overall with just the usual mould seams to be removed for the parts and thankfully the fabric seams are in different locations to the mould seams. There is one issue needing attention in that all four figures had imperfections on the back caused by the mould flow lines resulting in distinct indentations you can feel with your fingers or the point of a blade and you will have to fill these or they will show up after painting.
The four figures included are the prone MG34 team, the standing Officer pointing and kneeling grenadier loading his Kar98 for a nicely animated scene if used together but you can also use the figures in conjunction with others for a larger diorama.
The figures wear the standard DAK tunic and trousers with two having angle gussets which I don’t think were on issue at El Alamein but doesn’t mean they are not possible. All four have steel helmets with two having cloth covers but only one has sand goggles. Detail on the figures is very well done with realistic fabric folds, seams on the trousers and tunic arms and nicely rendered pockets and collar lapels as well as good facial and hand features and look very good for “standard” figures.
The helmet straps are included on the heads but are not well defined at all and it would be best to remove the raised straps and replace with etched, paper or lead sheet depending on your preference. The sand goggles on the Officers helmet will also need straps added as will the binoculars as none are provided and the slings will need to be added to the weapons and also to the spare barrel container.
A few other small detail issues is the Officer holding his Luger but the holster if fully done up and this would be undone in reality and the exposed boots on the prone and kneeling figures have no hobnails on the soles. Also the kneeling figure is depicted reloading but the older Kar98 provided has the breech closed and providing the Gen2 Kar98 with separate bolt would have allowed you to show the beech open.
I assembled two of the figures, one standing and one prone to test the fit and they went together easily without the need for any trimming apart from the machine gunner’s right shoulder that will need a little attention. Apart from the two stick grenades there is no provision in the uniform mouldings for the personal gear and just gluing them in place gives the impression they are just that, stuck on and it would be better to trim a little from the uniforms so the gear “sits” more realistically in place. Test fitting before trimming is advisable as trimming the equipment rather than the uniform may be better in some cases such as the bread bag.
The arms on the machine gunner hold the MG34 nicely without any problems and the figure rests evenly on the shoulders for a nicely proportioned and posed figure. But the standing Officer’s head, helmet and left arm look a little out of proportion to the rest of the figure and this is more noticeable from certain angles than others but there is little that can be done regarding this if you feel it is an issue?
The weapons come from the earlier kits #6002, #6003 and have been universally used before the advent of the Gen2 weapons and are quite basic by comparison, for example the MG34 has the feed cover moulded in place and the muzzle is not hollowed out at all with the cooling jacket holes fairly basic. Replacing the barrel with one of the available metal barrels would be a good option but this does highlight another issue which seems to be prevailing more and more with these kits.
That is where we have highly detailed preview CAD drawings promoting the virtues of new kits both vehicle and figures but the actual kit parts can vary considerably from the promotional images and this is especially noticeable with the preview images for this set that show the MG34 and some uniform details that are simply not on the kit parts.
I personally would prefer images of the actual kit parts the same as other manufacturers provide so you can see things warts and all and not these highly detailed CAD images, which are just that, computer aided designs, not the kits parts.
Conclusion:
Overall this is another nice set of figures with very good uniform details such as the fabric seams and folds and will scrub up very well with careful painting. There is a little work needed in eliminating the mould pour lines on the backs and in fitting the equipment realistically but nothing really out of the ordinary as well as scope for additional detailing with the equipment straps etc.
The weapons while adequate are the low point of the set compared to the newer Gen2 weapons and it would have been nice for those to be included for better detailing as mentioned above.
But this figure set will be welcomed as DAK figures are rather thin on the ground compared to other theatres and despite a few issues look excellent overall.
Highly recommended 7.5/10
