Title: DML Fallschirmjagers with Donkeys
Description: In-box Review
Description: In-box Review
beachbum - August 22, 2006 06:17 PM (GMT)
Hi All,
Time for another review and this time its another unusual 1/35th scale offering from DML, Fallschirmjagers with Donkeys.
Introduction
The following is not one of the daily run-of-the mill offerings as far as figures sets go and at least not one that brings together an unlikely pair, one of WWII Germany’s elite troops, the Fallschirmjäger and one of man’s older domesticated animals, donkeys. But with a penchant for offering a wide variety of subjects, DML has indeed brought together this unlikely pair in their 1/35 Fallschirmjager with donkey set.
Unlikely this pairing may be donkeys together with mules were in the thick of it with their Fallschirmjäger handlers from Crete to Monte Cassino. These pack animals served their masters well especially in the precarious and poorly accessible mountainous regions where they carried everything from supplies to the occasional artillery or anti-tank gun. Donkeys and mules were also a favorite with Germany’s other elite troop, the Gebirgsjager.
The Fallschirmjäger, the brainchild of Hermann Goring formed around a small nucleus of paratroops from the Prussian police Regiment, saw action in almost every front. From the daring capture of fortress at Eben Emael where they were outnumbered 10 to 1 to arguably one of their greatest moments, the stubborn defense of Monte Cassino, the ‘Green’ men have proven themselves more than worthy of their elite status.
The Set
The 1 piece box well illustrated by Ron Volstad depicts 2 Fallschirmjagers marching leisurely through the countryside with one donkey loaded up while a smaller one, presumably the former’s offspring follows behind.
Assembly instructions and painting guide is adequately illustrated at the back of the box. The painting guide suggest 2 different color schemes for the jump smocks with one having a plain pale green while the other Fallschirmjager has a water drop splinter pattern.
This was to differentiate the first pattern jump smock (pale green or grey) versus the second pattern jump smock (splinter pattern). Of course the smocks not only differed in their coloring but in their design as well. The 1st pattern had variations in the number of pockets (2-4) but had one similarity; they all had “leg” portions that required the wearer to slip in. The 1st pattern smock featured here has 2 large pockets.
The 2nd pattern had 4 pockets but had the much welcomed addition in that the “leg” could be unbuttoned forming a loose jacket. This was certainly much easier to put on and a convenience much appreciated by the Fallschirmjagers especially when they had to answer the call of nature in a hurry. The 2nd pattern smocks were already available by 1940. With the 1st pattern smock being featured here, it is likely the Fallschirmjagers of this set are on campaign most likely no later than 1941 by which time most of the Fallschirmjagers would have gotten rid off or worn out their 1st pattern smocks. Their tropical tan colored pants also places them around the Mediterranean region.
The set comes in 3 tree sprues. The first is the main sprue with the 2 Fallschirmjagers and their complement of personal equipment. Both men are armed with Kar98K and an ammo bandolier which hangs round the neck, one that was specifically designed for the Fallschirmjager. There is also a nice set of Stielgranate M1924 or stick grenade to be stuffed into the belts. The Fallschirmjagers did not normally carry their main weapon during a drop, at least not in the early drops. Instead they jumped with only pistols and the stick grenades, which is often seen stuffed into the belts in most photos of Fallschirmjagers was, an important if not critical addition, at least until they could recover their main weapons from the drop canisters. Moderate flash is present but manageable.
The second largest sprue carries the 2 donkeys with only the larger animal having a harness. As can be seen in the next 2 photos the donkeys are fairly well detailed. Fitting them requires some puttying as there is a gap at the joint near the head for both animals.
The last sprue had 2 containers with one being a receiver-transmitter, Torn Fu d 2 or otherwise known as ‘Dora’. The Fallschirmjagers had no specially designed communication equipment and relied on standard Army radios. The Dora was one of the common radios for communication between infantry regiments and battalions and battalions and platoons. Given the nature of operations perhaps a dedicated radio would have served the Fallschirmjagers modus operandi much better. Strangely enough Dora is fully detailed with dials and all but these details would not be visible as they would be covered once loaded on the donkey.
A nice feature of this set was that both figures had the tropical Luftwaffee sidecaps (Fliegermutze). Not as noticeable but one of the heads does appear to have a slight indentation on one side of the head due to the depiction of the sidecaps worn slightly sideways on the head.
Comments/Recommendations
The pluses for me for this set include the point that it features Fallschirmjagers in a totally different setting by pairing them with one of their modes of transport, donkeys. Other pluses include the addition of the Luftwaffee sidecaps and the diorama possibilities offered by this unusual set. The details on the donkeys were quite good too. What can I say I have a weakness for donkeys as well as a strong bias to anything Fallschirmjager, so much so I went and got myself 2 sets with some conversion in mind.
The downsides of this set would probably be the need for some light puttying and sanding for the animals and the presence of the younger donkey. Perhaps it would have been better if both were mature animals offering a wider variety of equipment to be carried and allowing a ‘donkey train’ diorama setting.
At any rate if your like me and have a fascination to collect and build anything related to Fallschirmjagers then this would be a nice addition.
Time for another review and this time its another unusual 1/35th scale offering from DML, Fallschirmjagers with Donkeys.
Introduction
The following is not one of the daily run-of-the mill offerings as far as figures sets go and at least not one that brings together an unlikely pair, one of WWII Germany’s elite troops, the Fallschirmjäger and one of man’s older domesticated animals, donkeys. But with a penchant for offering a wide variety of subjects, DML has indeed brought together this unlikely pair in their 1/35 Fallschirmjager with donkey set.
Unlikely this pairing may be donkeys together with mules were in the thick of it with their Fallschirmjäger handlers from Crete to Monte Cassino. These pack animals served their masters well especially in the precarious and poorly accessible mountainous regions where they carried everything from supplies to the occasional artillery or anti-tank gun. Donkeys and mules were also a favorite with Germany’s other elite troop, the Gebirgsjager.
The Fallschirmjäger, the brainchild of Hermann Goring formed around a small nucleus of paratroops from the Prussian police Regiment, saw action in almost every front. From the daring capture of fortress at Eben Emael where they were outnumbered 10 to 1 to arguably one of their greatest moments, the stubborn defense of Monte Cassino, the ‘Green’ men have proven themselves more than worthy of their elite status.
The Set
The 1 piece box well illustrated by Ron Volstad depicts 2 Fallschirmjagers marching leisurely through the countryside with one donkey loaded up while a smaller one, presumably the former’s offspring follows behind.
Assembly instructions and painting guide is adequately illustrated at the back of the box. The painting guide suggest 2 different color schemes for the jump smocks with one having a plain pale green while the other Fallschirmjager has a water drop splinter pattern.
This was to differentiate the first pattern jump smock (pale green or grey) versus the second pattern jump smock (splinter pattern). Of course the smocks not only differed in their coloring but in their design as well. The 1st pattern had variations in the number of pockets (2-4) but had one similarity; they all had “leg” portions that required the wearer to slip in. The 1st pattern smock featured here has 2 large pockets.
The 2nd pattern had 4 pockets but had the much welcomed addition in that the “leg” could be unbuttoned forming a loose jacket. This was certainly much easier to put on and a convenience much appreciated by the Fallschirmjagers especially when they had to answer the call of nature in a hurry. The 2nd pattern smocks were already available by 1940. With the 1st pattern smock being featured here, it is likely the Fallschirmjagers of this set are on campaign most likely no later than 1941 by which time most of the Fallschirmjagers would have gotten rid off or worn out their 1st pattern smocks. Their tropical tan colored pants also places them around the Mediterranean region.
The set comes in 3 tree sprues. The first is the main sprue with the 2 Fallschirmjagers and their complement of personal equipment. Both men are armed with Kar98K and an ammo bandolier which hangs round the neck, one that was specifically designed for the Fallschirmjager. There is also a nice set of Stielgranate M1924 or stick grenade to be stuffed into the belts. The Fallschirmjagers did not normally carry their main weapon during a drop, at least not in the early drops. Instead they jumped with only pistols and the stick grenades, which is often seen stuffed into the belts in most photos of Fallschirmjagers was, an important if not critical addition, at least until they could recover their main weapons from the drop canisters. Moderate flash is present but manageable.
The second largest sprue carries the 2 donkeys with only the larger animal having a harness. As can be seen in the next 2 photos the donkeys are fairly well detailed. Fitting them requires some puttying as there is a gap at the joint near the head for both animals.
The last sprue had 2 containers with one being a receiver-transmitter, Torn Fu d 2 or otherwise known as ‘Dora’. The Fallschirmjagers had no specially designed communication equipment and relied on standard Army radios. The Dora was one of the common radios for communication between infantry regiments and battalions and battalions and platoons. Given the nature of operations perhaps a dedicated radio would have served the Fallschirmjagers modus operandi much better. Strangely enough Dora is fully detailed with dials and all but these details would not be visible as they would be covered once loaded on the donkey.
A nice feature of this set was that both figures had the tropical Luftwaffee sidecaps (Fliegermutze). Not as noticeable but one of the heads does appear to have a slight indentation on one side of the head due to the depiction of the sidecaps worn slightly sideways on the head.
Comments/Recommendations
The pluses for me for this set include the point that it features Fallschirmjagers in a totally different setting by pairing them with one of their modes of transport, donkeys. Other pluses include the addition of the Luftwaffee sidecaps and the diorama possibilities offered by this unusual set. The details on the donkeys were quite good too. What can I say I have a weakness for donkeys as well as a strong bias to anything Fallschirmjager, so much so I went and got myself 2 sets with some conversion in mind.
The downsides of this set would probably be the need for some light puttying and sanding for the animals and the presence of the younger donkey. Perhaps it would have been better if both were mature animals offering a wider variety of equipment to be carried and allowing a ‘donkey train’ diorama setting.
At any rate if your like me and have a fascination to collect and build anything related to Fallschirmjagers then this would be a nice addition.
Argrillion - August 24, 2006 04:16 AM (GMT)
Thanks for the review CK.
Somehow the surface detail of the donkey is not as good as the mule. Is this true?
Somehow the surface detail of the donkey is not as good as the mule. Is this true?
beachbum - August 24, 2006 04:22 AM (GMT)
As far as I can tell Kenny with my limited knowledge of donkeys/mules/asses go they both look like donkeys. I suppose the younger donkeys have more hair. Got to admit they are fairly well sculpted donkeys though but then again I'm bias towards donkeys while you have a weakness for horses. :)
Argrillion - August 24, 2006 04:34 AM (GMT)
Time to go the zoo, my friend. Just don't take any pictures from the back of donkey. Certainly don't want to enjoy any sudden flying kick from it.
Silantra - August 25, 2006 01:49 AM (GMT)
missed this review
good review tauke....
the smaller donkey look like a wild boar minus the taring and the ears....that's what my first impression looking at the photo........
the box art show the donkeys with ears...does that mean DML supplied the ears separately??
good review tauke....
the smaller donkey look like a wild boar minus the taring and the ears....that's what my first impression looking at the photo........
the box art show the donkeys with ears...does that mean DML supplied the ears separately??
druid_99 - August 25, 2006 03:32 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Silantra @ Aug 25 2006, 09:49 AM) |
| the box art show the donkeys with ears...does that mean DML supplied the ears separately?? |
I think the parts on the end of the sprue that looks like a side mirror is the ears lah Zaidi. :lol:
Silantra - August 25, 2006 03:58 AM (GMT)
side mirrors?? wow..at least donkey doesnt have to turn back to see what's behind ......
beachbum - August 25, 2006 05:36 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (druid_99 @ Aug 25 2006, 11:32 AM) | ||
I think the parts on the end of the sprue that looks like a side mirror is the ears lah Zaidi. :lol: |
:lol: :lol: :lol: You almost had me rolling on the ground with that one Imran. Side mirrors that's an original. Come to think of it they really do look like side mirrors.
Yup, Sil those 'side mirrors' are their ears. Pretty detail and yes the little donkey's head does look a bit like a wild boar.
You guys should check out CP Tan's gladiator review as well. Looks like a very nice 120mm. set from Verlinden.