1943 – the battle of Karkov saw some of the most
severe fighting in the second world war – and now Dragon has brought out a four figure set to replicate the scene on
your diorama..
Dragon’s
new kit – August 2013
48 parts on one sprue
Box Size: 6.4" x 10.2" x 1.5"
Dragon has released plenty of German and Soviet
infantry plastic figures in its 1/35 scale series…but seldom together! The
latest figure set is such a rare combination. The set includes two German and
two Russian infantrymen all clad in winter clothing. Germany mounted a massive
invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, and the powerful force’s momentum
took troops to the very gates of Moscow. However, few expected to still be
fighting when the freezing weather and bitter cold hit later that year, let alone
the successive winters as German forces were forced into a bloody and drawn-out
retreat. The dreadful winter conditions that both sides had to contend with are
now the stuff of lore, and it’s from such a desperate period of winter fighting
that this current figure set emanates.
The box-top illustration shows two Soviet soldiers
dressed for winter combat with such uniform gear as a greatcoat, fur hats and a
snowsuit. Their weapons include a Mosin-Nagant rifle and a ubiquitous PPSh-41
submachine gun. One Russian is smoking a cigarette during a lull in the
fighting, and this classic pose makes this figure a suitable candidate for a
standalone vignette. The two Germans are also outfitted to resist the severe
weather conditions. One is delivering food supplies (bread, food container and
water canteens) to the frontline while the other is firing an MP40 submachine
gun. The interesting mix of action and at-rest poses are very suitable for
depicting an Eastern Front scene in the snow and ice, and the plastic sculpting
is sharp and realistic. The inclusion of soldiers of two nationalities also
adds to the versatility of this unique 1/35 figure set.