Since I am 1/35th modeller, 1/72nd was a challenge. Let alone I am no figure builder.

When I started a group-build project with Beachbum earlier this year, I wanted some 1/72nd figures to go with the T-34/76 1942. After seaching high and low over the net, I was recommended Preiser figures.

Preiser is small figure company in German (so expect to pay German prices). They have a full range of figures for the train scale (i.e. HO, O, N etc.) and recently, they have also ventured into the 1/35th and 1/72nd.

Like my T-34/76, I got myself this Preiser Russian Tankers for testing.



In the box, you will find two sprues for ten figures. The moldings are free from injection marks but they have some flashes which could be easily removed. A closer look on the tank drivers (lower right corner), I found on them has the cheek molded too high. It didn't really matter as the lower half of the face is mostly buried in the tank once positioned.


Details on the clothing are crisp as you can see the creases on the trousers and boots. The head gear recess areas are sharp but there are some excess plastic that need to be removed with a carving knife. What truly amazed me at this scale is that you see how the fingers are beautifully molded on the sprue. They require no cleaning and it would be a joy painting them with shodows and highlights. In addition, this sprue (top left) provides an extra head for interchanging. You could pose one of the figure as a tanker or a bike rider with a hard helmet.


I removed one of the figure from the sprue for scale check. Overall, they are correctly scale. Without its head, the figure seem to have the correct height compare to the observation bunker. No problem with scale here. In some websites on the other hand, there were comments that thess figures are designed for 1/70th scale. This could be a challenge when fitting the tank commanders into the tank hatches. In my case, I had to trim the figure (much like liposuction) to fit into the T-34 turret hatch. Courtesy of Marie-France Slimming centre,


CONCLUSION
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Overall, Preiser has done well with this set. Extra head is given to interchange the figure for other poses. The moldings are crisp with some flashes that are easily removed. With no injection markings, these figures can be easily and quickly assembled. Highly recommended for the 1/72nd modellers.

kenny... i see no number markings on the sprue, does it means this kit actualy allows u to attach any hand on any torso using our imagination...? rather than justfollow instruction manual and limited pose...

Like some Eastern Europe kits, the sprues are usually not labelled. The instruction sheet is printed inside the box where an outline of the sprues with numbers are shown. If you like, the parts breakdown allow one to interchange with one or another. In fact, Preiser does provide some recommendations on some interchangeability.

Finally, the good side of the force has won. Very good my young padwan you have come to join us in figures. ;)

Just to add my RM 0.02. Having seen these figs from Kenny up close and personal I have to say the details are pretty fantastic vs. other 1/72 figs out there unless we are talking about Warrior, Andrea (white metal) and H & G U-boat resin crews. Its definitely worth the price for anyone into 1/72 figs.

aihk..?? so how much is this kit in RM, kenny..??

+/- USD10 for this set. This is shop in Singapore that carries Preiser also. However, their variety is quite limited to train scale.

i have a set of Pressier German Infantry....i havent examine the full details yet...but from my first inspection, i can say that only the weapons that look like offscale or have flash...

the rest is ok...