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German Tank Riders Set 1 & 2 with Resin heads (53022 & 53024) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd Getting a lift on a tank was a treat for the foot-soldier that occasionally turned sour if their ride came under fire from an enemy tank, especially if the turret starts to rotate and the crew begins using the main gun. Sometimes they’d ride into battle on the back of a tank, using the turret as temporary cover until it came time to dismount, usually off the rear avoiding the exhausts, other times it was a case of sitting somewhere flat on the hull of the tank for a well-earned rest, and saving some boot-leather whilst getting from A to Battle. During winter periods, especially in the freezing cold of the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge and on the Eastern Front, a seat on the warm engine deck would be prime real-estate, helping to defend against the biting cold that required heavy uniforms and great-coats, of which the Nazi invaders were woefully short. In later war years, the German troops adopted a variety of camouflage patterns for their uniforms that included several different patterns for the seasons of the year, although it’s unlikely that they would have sufficient wardrobe space to store them at all times, so it could be luck of the draw whether a squad was dressed the same, particularly as the war situation deteriorated for the Nazis and supplies became harder to obtain. These two figure sets have been upgraded with separate resin heads that offer a greater level of detail due to the nature of resin casting in flexible moulds, plus a level of difference in facial expression thanks again to the moulds, with subtle differences in physical shape for each one. Each set arrives in an end-opening figure-sized box with a painting of the figures, striking the same poses as their plastic counterparts, which also gives some hints about painting and camouflage design, with diagrams on the back of the box that give the full picture. Inside each box are seven sprues in grey styrene, plus a Ziploc bag that contains the new resin heads on a single casting block, all four heads having a flat-top to accommodate the stahlhelm helmets so typical of German WWII soldiers. There are four figures per set, the parts for each figure are found on separate sprues for ease of identification, and parts breakdown is sensibly placed along clothing seams or natural breaks to minimise clean-up of the figures once they are built up. The sculpting is typically excellent, as we’ve come to expect from MiniArt’s artists and tool-makers, with natural poses, drape of clothing and textures appropriate to the different parts of the model. Riding on a tank will entail plenty of sitting down, so the poses consist of seated soldiers without looking like the figures have all been made from the same mould. This variation in pose will give a more natural look to them when they are in situ on your chosen AFV model, and many will look equally at home perched on a building, makeshift seat or on the ground if you see fit. Set 1 (53022) All four figures are seated, three with their lower legs near vertical, and one soldier with his legs out in front of him, one leg folded under the other. They are all wearing camouflaged overalls and helmet covers, with a complement of accessories typical of the individual soldier, which will be found on the three accessory sprues. One of the accessory sprues will allow an MG42 to be made for one of the squad members to cradle with the buttstock on the ground, complete with a small snail-mag and a length of link that could be warmed and draped around the neck of the gunner or his colleague. Bedrolls, water bottles, ammo pouches, pistols and their holsters, plus sundry other items and weapons are also to be found on those sprues, such as uncovered helmets, gas mask cylinders more typical of early war load-outs, entrenching tools and bayonets for the rifles, or in their scabbards. Set 2 (53024) Two of the figures are sat with their lower legs near vertical, while one kneels on a flat area, and the final figure crouches with his MP40 lowered in front of him, but ready for action in case he spots enemy movement. The accessory sprues include many of the same items as the other set, but the third sprue has some more unusual weapons for the soldiers to carry, such as the late-war MP44, the grandfather of the AK-47, an FG42, MP38, Lugers and a rifle with a sniper scope, with appropriate pouches for these weapons. Conclusion Figures make a statement when pressed into action in conjunction with AFV models, and these two sets offer four in each box for you to choose from. Careful painting will bring a human scale to your model that’s impossible to achieve without them. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of