Title: Review of Tamiya 1/48 Panzer Grenadiers
Description: Set Review
Description: Set Review
beachbum - June 4, 2006 03:28 PM (GMT)
Hi All,
Before we jump into the review, I am sure most readers are aware that the following review or any other review for that matter is based largely on the personal views of the reviewer and as such any review done will tend to vary with the reviewer’s preferences.
Introduction
I wanted to share with you a review of a figure set that is in a scale that is still being debated, namely 1/48th. scale. Lying between the common 1/35th. and the traditional 1/72nd. scale, the jury is still out on whether this scale will eventually gain popularity especially with figure enthusiasts. However, Tamiya of late appears to be leaning towards 1/48th. with the introduction of a limited range of both figures and vehicles in this scale.
The Set
Consisting of a total of 14 figures the Tamiya Panzer Grenadier set (Late WW II) is moulded in typical Tamiya grey styrene.
Found on 4 sprues are:
1 Large sprue with 10 figures
1 smaller sprue with 4 figures
2 Weapon / Equipment sprues
The figures consisting of 9 Grenadiers, 3 Tank crew and 2 light vehicle personnel are in various poses. 6 figures are in non-action poses while the remaining 8 are in combat poses of either running or firing their weapons. One of the tank crew is in winter smock offering some variation to the modeler. Suprisingly 5 heads were given separated from the body to allow for some adjustment in their viewing angle. The poses of the figures especially those of the tank and light vehicle crews are similar to their counterparts in 1/35th.
The range of weapons are fairly wide and the presence of the MP44 puts this set as the box suggests late WWII, likely 1944 or later. Weapons consists of 4 MG34, 2 MG42, 4 MP40, 4 MP44, 2 K98 rifles, 2 G43 rifles and 2 panzerfausts totaling 16 (not including an assortment of pistol holsters). All in all no worries losing one or two to the plastic gremlin that loves to hide all tiny plastic parts from modelers.
A painting scheme of either the pea pattern or oak leaf (autumn or spring) camo pattern is suggested. The camo pattern is explained fairly clearly in the assembly leaflet as well as the side of the box cover and should be clear enough to modelers unfamiliar with these camo schemes.
Comments / Recommendations
This reviewer personally found the weapons and equipment to be fairly detailed at this scale. Tamiya has never been exceptional in their detailing of their weapons although they do an adequate job of it but finding the level of detail at this scale was refreshing. Molding in general was average with the normal amount of flash although it may be slightly tricky for those with thick fingers at this scale. Hands and fingers were well done though.
This set has potential to be placed as a stand alone as well as in a diorama with the latter being preferred in view of the scale. I find that this scale lends itself better to beginning figure painters as it is large enough to have some detail but yet small enough to be less demanding on the painter’s skills.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of SFTPMS Society, I would like to thank Tamiya Underground, 1 Utama for graciously providing this set for review.
Lastly the above review remains solely the personal views of the reviewer and in no manner reflect that of SFTPMS as a whole.
Boxart:
Figure Sprue #1
Figure Sprue #2
Equipment/Weapon Sprue #1
Equipment/Weapon Sprue #2
Thank you for viewing.
Before we jump into the review, I am sure most readers are aware that the following review or any other review for that matter is based largely on the personal views of the reviewer and as such any review done will tend to vary with the reviewer’s preferences.
Introduction
I wanted to share with you a review of a figure set that is in a scale that is still being debated, namely 1/48th. scale. Lying between the common 1/35th. and the traditional 1/72nd. scale, the jury is still out on whether this scale will eventually gain popularity especially with figure enthusiasts. However, Tamiya of late appears to be leaning towards 1/48th. with the introduction of a limited range of both figures and vehicles in this scale.
The Set
Consisting of a total of 14 figures the Tamiya Panzer Grenadier set (Late WW II) is moulded in typical Tamiya grey styrene.
Found on 4 sprues are:
1 Large sprue with 10 figures
1 smaller sprue with 4 figures
2 Weapon / Equipment sprues
The figures consisting of 9 Grenadiers, 3 Tank crew and 2 light vehicle personnel are in various poses. 6 figures are in non-action poses while the remaining 8 are in combat poses of either running or firing their weapons. One of the tank crew is in winter smock offering some variation to the modeler. Suprisingly 5 heads were given separated from the body to allow for some adjustment in their viewing angle. The poses of the figures especially those of the tank and light vehicle crews are similar to their counterparts in 1/35th.
The range of weapons are fairly wide and the presence of the MP44 puts this set as the box suggests late WWII, likely 1944 or later. Weapons consists of 4 MG34, 2 MG42, 4 MP40, 4 MP44, 2 K98 rifles, 2 G43 rifles and 2 panzerfausts totaling 16 (not including an assortment of pistol holsters). All in all no worries losing one or two to the plastic gremlin that loves to hide all tiny plastic parts from modelers.
A painting scheme of either the pea pattern or oak leaf (autumn or spring) camo pattern is suggested. The camo pattern is explained fairly clearly in the assembly leaflet as well as the side of the box cover and should be clear enough to modelers unfamiliar with these camo schemes.
Comments / Recommendations
This reviewer personally found the weapons and equipment to be fairly detailed at this scale. Tamiya has never been exceptional in their detailing of their weapons although they do an adequate job of it but finding the level of detail at this scale was refreshing. Molding in general was average with the normal amount of flash although it may be slightly tricky for those with thick fingers at this scale. Hands and fingers were well done though.
This set has potential to be placed as a stand alone as well as in a diorama with the latter being preferred in view of the scale. I find that this scale lends itself better to beginning figure painters as it is large enough to have some detail but yet small enough to be less demanding on the painter’s skills.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of SFTPMS Society, I would like to thank Tamiya Underground, 1 Utama for graciously providing this set for review.
Lastly the above review remains solely the personal views of the reviewer and in no manner reflect that of SFTPMS as a whole.
Boxart:
Figure Sprue #1
Figure Sprue #2
Equipment/Weapon Sprue #1
Equipment/Weapon Sprue #2
Thank you for viewing.
RX-78-2 - June 4, 2006 04:14 PM (GMT)
ck, u r really fast!! nice review!
btw, missing the pic for the manual leh!!!
btw, missing the pic for the manual leh!!!
beachbum - June 5, 2006 12:27 AM (GMT)
Not that fast-lah RX, I've still got 2 more sets to review. Since you have joined the Figure category would you like to practice on some of the figs as a warm-up?
I left out a photo of the instruction sheet as it is pretty standard tamiya instructions which are normally clear and easy to follow.
I left out a photo of the instruction sheet as it is pretty standard tamiya instructions which are normally clear and easy to follow.
seelianglim - June 5, 2006 02:36 AM (GMT)
Hello all,
When Tamiya first announced that they are launching this new 1/48th scale armour models, i had wanted to pounce on the 1st kit in the range as i believe that the scale would fit alot of people's budget and space.
BTW, for the curious, Tamiya had kinda soft launched the series with the Kettenkraft towing the Me 262 and the 1st in the series is actually the Kubelwagen.
Anyways, the range had now grown to include figures but i still havent gotten any 1/48 armour yet. :P
I hope to get my Tiger I or Panzer IV soon . Woohoo. Thanks for the review of the figures. As these are miniaturised figures (most of them) of Tamiya's current 1/35 figures, i am very familiar with poses and hope to populate a diorama with them in the future.
sllim
When Tamiya first announced that they are launching this new 1/48th scale armour models, i had wanted to pounce on the 1st kit in the range as i believe that the scale would fit alot of people's budget and space.
BTW, for the curious, Tamiya had kinda soft launched the series with the Kettenkraft towing the Me 262 and the 1st in the series is actually the Kubelwagen.
Anyways, the range had now grown to include figures but i still havent gotten any 1/48 armour yet. :P
I hope to get my Tiger I or Panzer IV soon . Woohoo. Thanks for the review of the figures. As these are miniaturised figures (most of them) of Tamiya's current 1/35 figures, i am very familiar with poses and hope to populate a diorama with them in the future.
sllim
beachbum - June 5, 2006 02:47 AM (GMT)
Lim aka Siti if you can hold on a while Loo may be doing a review for the Tamiya 1/48 Panther and M-10 kit that we will be using with these figs for a diorama. I will put out the review for the American GI's next week or so if I can manage it.
Loo CK - June 5, 2006 02:36 PM (GMT)
well done beachy baby! A very professional and objective review. As you wish, the M10 review shall be up in the forum tommorrow night.
I share Lim's enthusiasm to give this guys a go as if its a scaled down version of the 1:35 scaled kist, it may be just a perfect balance for Tamiya's otherwise oversized details. Can't wait to see you put your mastery to work here.
I share Lim's enthusiasm to give this guys a go as if its a scaled down version of the 1:35 scaled kist, it may be just a perfect balance for Tamiya's otherwise oversized details. Can't wait to see you put your mastery to work here.