Zvezda 1/35 German Sturmpioniere WWII

This particular figure set is for the German  Sturmpionieres, those troops who generally go ahead of the rest of the forces to prepare an opening in the battlefield when it is necessary. Generally, they are known by most of us a 'sappers'. These men used things like wire cutters to get through barbed wire, flame throwers to help route out intransient enemy troops and set land mines in areas where they thought the enemy would try to escape or counter attack.

All of these operations are provided for in this set. There is a two man team for a very large flame thrower, a man inserting a mine using a long pole, one cutting barbed wire and then two somewhat generic figures with one firing from a kneeling position and another bringing up more explosives.

The molding on the parts is extremely good with no sunken areas, no flash and no ejector pin markings. The mounting positions for the various pieces of equipment (packs and such) is well defined to help make for trouble-free construction. Unlike many other figure sets, this one has a clear set of construction drawings for each figure and a painting guide using Model Master paints. This is repeated on the back of the box with full color images of the completed figures.

Overall an interesting and well done set. Something that one doesn't see every day and should be useful in your next diorama.

February 2008