German Stowage & Tank Commanders - 1:72 Plastic Soldier Co.

[Paul A H]

German Stowage & Tank Commanders

1:72 Plastic Soldier Co.

Whilst modellers of 1:35 scale subjects have long been spoiled for choice when it comes to diorama accessories, I've often felt that modellers of 1:72 or 1:76 scale subjects have been somewhat hard done by. This is gradually starting to change, however, and it is now possible to get a decent range of affordable accessories without having to resort to expensive resin sets or raiding increasingly hard to find limited edition Dragon kits. The Plastic Soldier Company Ltd. are the latest firm to offer a nice range of injection moulded accessories for a sensible price. If you aren't familiar with the name, Plastic Soldier are a British firm from West Sussex. In the words of their own website: "The Plastic Soldier Company Ltd is the brainchild of William Townshend, a lifelong wargamer and military history enthusiast.

"Frustrated by the limitations of soft polythene gaming figures that one frequently finds in toyshops, which are usually both difficult to paint and which suffer from a surfeit of poses that are of little use to the average wargamer, Will saw the potential for creating a range of high-quality miniatures using modern hard plastics. This means that he can help wargamers wanting to build their armies rapidly and at the best possible value for money.

"At the same time, it was important to Will that his products are of a standard that will satisfy the demands of the modeller and diorama builder, with their particular demands for accurate period detail in both uniforms and weaponry." With appetite suitable whetted, let's take a look at what's inside the box.

This set is comprised of three identical sprues containing parts for tank commanders in various poses, as well as a range of commonly-seen stowage items for tanks and AFVs. The sprues are packed into a sturdy end-opening box with a large, clear window on the front so you can see exactly what you are buying. Who needs box art when you can just show the product off instead?! On the back of the box is a guide to the contents as well as a short but informative painting guide with reference made to the Vallejo range of paints.

Each sprue contains the following items:
12 x tank commander torsos, in various poses
3 x seated car driver/passenger bodies
6 x different heads for use with items listed above
2 x arms with binoculars
1 x steering wheel with hands
2 x steel helmets
1 x group of water bottles
1 x individual water bottle
1 x bag
1 x hand grenade
1 x Panzerschreck
1 x Panzerfaust
1 x MG 34
1 x MG 42
1 x rifle
1 x MP40
1 x large fuel drum
Various combinations of jerry cans
Various combinations or rolled tarpaulin and bedding
3 x different bag/helmet/can combinations
1 x short length of rope
1 x 88mm ammo crate
1 x 88mm ammo basket
2 x 75mm ammo boxes
1 x 50mm ammo crate
2 x 50mm ammo boxes
1 x rifle ammo crate
2 x MG ammo boxes
4 x generic ammo crates
1 x Pz. 38t road wheel
1 x Pz. II road wheel
2 x Pz. III road wheels
2 x Pz. IV road wheels
One length each of heavy, medium and light tank tracks.

As you can see for yourself, the sprues are nicely moulded and detail is generally very crisp and sharp. The smaller items such as the machine guns are immaculate; I certainly haven't seen any better, even cast from resin. The figures are also excellent, although they do have seam lines which will need to be cleaned up prior to use. Overall though, this is a very impressive showing.

Conclusion

This excellent set provides pretty much everything you will need to enhance and individualise a large number of tanks and AFVs, all for the price of a single 1:72 kit. It offers terrific value to the wargamer and modeller alike, and I can see myself reaching for this set again and again in order to add those little extra finishing touches to my models. Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of