With all of these new Tigers from Dragon and Ryfield Model depicting “Afrika” Tigers (along with everything that is already out there) what better time to get two new figures for your DAK diorama? Let’s see what Alpine made with this set of two figures or two single 35th scale soldiers from Tunisia in our build review…
DAK AFV Commander Set Construction Review:Alpine Miniatures
Tiger Commander Tunisia
1/35th scale
35208
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
DAK AFV Commander
1/35th scale
35209
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
DAK AFV Commander Set
1/35th scale
35210
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
These three sets are all available from Alpine Miniatures Distributors Worldwide
These three sets are all available from Alpine Miniatures Distributors Worldwide
The Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) had a distinguished service record in North Africa, it’s soldiers fighting bravely only to be defeated by lack of supplies and distance (and superior numbers) The soldiers who fought in the desert seemed not to be as tagged with the negative connotations as other German army forces and new DAK gear is always highly anticipated by modellers.
Several tanks, from the captured enemy vehicles used by the DAK to the Panzer I & II, III& PZ IV can be depicted with these soldiers – even the mighty Tiger I saw action in Tunisia and this will be a popular choice with modellers.
At TMN HQ, we already have our new kit of the “Tiger 131” from Dragon already built up to receive these two. We can show you them in their natural environment as well as some painted and built up figures by two very talented modellers out there. We know that they will be sought after by Afrika Korps modellers and figure collectors alike. However, are they any good? Let’s have a look at what’s in the box…
The set comes in the distinctive lime and clear box that Alpine places their two or single figures in depending on what you have purchased. These two figures are both placed safely in a small zip-loc bag and with are made from grey resin. Sold as separate figures or together, this set has two head choices apiece and the small packet art shows as a painting guide or as some inspiration.
Looking at the two figures they are made from grey resin that is cast without much extra material and the detail is sharp. There are however some small almost overlaps on the resin which need to be lightly carved. I did not even notice them until I looked at the pictures blown up. Not sure if this carries on to the full production run but it’s a small issue amongst otherwise beautifully cast resin parts. The same goes for the hats where there are the smallest seams to trim.
Several tanks, from captured enemy vehicles to the Panzer I & II, III& PZ IV can be depicted with these soldiers – even the mighty Tiger I saw action in Tunisia and this will be a popular choice with modellers.
At TMN HQ, we already have our new kit of the “Tiger 131” from Dragon already built up to receive these two. They will be sought after by Afrika Korps modellers and figure collectors alike. Sold as separate figures or together, this set has two head choices apiece.
Tiger Commander Tunisia
1/35th scale
35208
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
The tropical peaked M38 cap was a popular choice in the desert and dry conditions as I protected the eyes from glare to some extent. It was also cooler and thinner in its material being made out of breathable cotton.
The impending German entrance into the North African campaign meant that tropical uniforms headgear and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for the soldier’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. The M41 tropical field cap was introduced in early 1941 and design of the cap was loosely based on the Mountain Troopers, Bergmütze with minor variations.
The faces themselves are well sculpted, with eyes, nose and teeth looking like he is talking – which in this set makes sense as he is talking to his fellow officer. You will notice that there is a slight amount of cleaning up to do under the big “can” headphones which are detailed very nicely also. He has on both choices the laryngophone which is around the neck as his “hands-free device.” A small seam mark on the left head below does not mar the excellent detail of the hair, ears, eyes and detail on headwear of these two choices.
The torso is adorned with his jacket which is the tapered type of German Army Afrika Korps DAK M1940 Tropical Uniform Cotton Field Tunic - Olive Brown. The M40 tropical tunic features four pleated patch pockets, scalloped flaps, five-button front and open collar. All buttons are the standard 19mm pebbled type with the removable "S" toggles. It has a partial interior lining with a field dressing pocket located in the lower right front of the jacket skirt. The back of the jacket has the usual centre vent and seam with three eyelets belt hook hangers on each side.
His quite baggy pants, almost like breeches are again suitably wrinkly and worn, especially on the back. There is, however, that seam on the right that goes over these wrinkles that takes a minute to carefully remove before you go on.
Over his pants he wears the tall Afrika Korps tropical boots. These are the almost knee-high version in green canvas and brown leather, complete with lace up front and hobnails on the sole. They are a good feature of this figure and it’s a shame they might be buried inside the tank – but you will know the detail of these cross threaded laces and all of the other detail here.
There are of course two full arms which sit inside the locating tabs provided for correct alignment in the sockets. These arms and the sleeves of the sagging tunic show the pull of gravity as the cloth points downwards. The cuffs are semi-hollow and show he is wearing a woollen jumper inside them. The fingers are finely sculpted and depicted and small details like the sewn seam on the cuffs and buttons are evident.
You can see here how the parts simply go together - his arm sockets fit in with the smallest of location tabs to help you
The commander carries a small pair of what look like to me a pair of standard issue 6 x 30 power Zeiss binoculars with a slightly longer zoom on his chest with straps moulded over his tunic. His tunic features several details that can be easily picked out by the more patient painters among us, the buttons on the tunic, the German eagle on the right breast with what looks like a panzer assault badge on his left chest. The sideboards and collars are very sharply sculpted also and the wrinkles on the back of the jacket really impressed me. The natural folds of the jacket as he leans forward and to the left along with the pleats on the rear of the jacket sit quite naturally which again show a good eye for how these clothes sit on the human form.
A close up of his sideboards...
...And here he is all together - showing both headgear to good effect - make your choice - first the peaked tropical cap.
...& the overseas sidecap. You might notice that the pictures above show the right leg not cleaned up while underneath shows the seam line taken away - a minute of scalpel work and it's gone.
Here he is in the turret of his early DAK Tiger I
DAK AFV Commander
1/35th scale
35209
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
The second figure on offer either by himself or as a set is an AFV commander that is smoking a cigarette (not included it’s bad for your health) with the Tiger commander. He is made up from the same nice quality and easy to work grey resin as his comrade and again he has his parts attached to some easy to remove casting blocks.
This AFV commander is a little bit different to his Tiger commander comrade in that he is maybe from a scout AFV, half-track or even an SPG. His headwear choice gives it away. The field grey M40 side cap is very similar to the Black one worn by the tank commander but in field grey.
The second choice is probably an M40 peaked tropical cap. The peaked Tropical versions were produced in both tan and olive green cloth, with light blue eagle on the same coloured cloth. You can see on this version the detail that can be picked out on the cap like the waffenfarbe, and the soutache applied to the front consisting of an inverted "V" encompassing the national tri-colour cockade.
The cap is pointed in the centre of the cap just like you would expect the thin material to be and the brim is pinched in the way that soldiers of the era often liked to wear their caps. Making them look old and worn was a badge of long service of an “old hare.” Speaking of hair - the tufts of an unkept desert fighting soldier is a fine feature - as is the rest of his facial figures which are just as fine.
The figure wears a large tropical great coat. to protect from the dust and harsh winds in Tunisia which had a climate more like southern Europe than the deserts of Egypt. This coat is double breasted at the front with a dual row of buttons decorating his chest. The scarf that this AFV tanker wears to protect from the dust and dirt is seen flicked to the side – probably by the wind or a breeze which is great because it brings mode life to the figure. The optics that this soldier wears are shorter than his comrade and again with straps already moulded finely on the torso – A perfect use of similar but not the same equipment on figures in a set as not to replicate too much of the same look for both choices.
We see the rear of the jacket pinched and gathered at the back and because of the gathering you can see the wrinkles all over this coat – it looks very nice and adds a lot of depth to this figure.The Officer also wears the tall 2nd pattern M40 tropical boots that his comrade wears. Again the laces on these boots are just excellent and I cannot guess how the sculptor includes this fine of a detail.
The arms of his thick coat are both present – one already in place but the other with thick wide-open cuffs just like his comrade but so much heavier looking. The fingers here are just as finely cast and again we have the notch in the shoulder socket. The fingers are clasping – a cigarette I think is meant to be inserted here.
A simple construction of only five parts makes this figure complete. He has one arm already attached so that makes it even easier – while the other has a socket and a lug to easily position the arm. For me, I think this is a very “classical” Alpine Miniatures figure as he looks pretty dapper and maybe a bit cool with his long coat, tufts of hair coming out of his two head choices supplied and wind dragging at the scarf around his neck.
Here he is made up – firstly in the side cap M40 overseas thin cotton cap - notice the coat and scarf billowing in the breeze?
And next with the peaked cap.
And here he is on the deck – seeing he is not the Tiger crewman I thought that I would show him looking up to his comrade in the tank.
DAK AFV Commander Set
1/35th scale
35210
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms headgear and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. These figures are both wearing the typical trappings of an Afrika Korps officer of the time.
Here they are in-situ on an Early Tiger I with different headgear showing the incarnations of this set
This picture below shows such a powwow as might have happened with a Tiger commander and another officer standing on the deck of his tank talking. The DAK officer on the left is a Knight’s cross recipient and has on the field grey version of the tropical officer’s M38 side cap. He could well be an AFV commander or even infantry but at least we know that some officers had these grey caps (and Italian tunics to boot.) The centre figure is more like the second figure in this set with the coat and peaked cap while the tank commander shows some of the details on the commander. Especially his hands over the cupola sides like in this kit.
The body language of these two soldiers fit together very well, and you can pose them either talking together on the deck of their tank or with one soldier on the ground and the Tiger commander of course in his cupola.
l I think and suit the scene of an officer talking to another about the battlefield. A scene replicated many times and seen in several pictures in this review.
The figures – after a small amount of clean up (more than usual but not at all excessive) go together really well, the parts are all well engineered and the body language is naturally portrayed. They fit the Tiger I have and I think that they might fit many a diorama you have planned either in your mind or on your modelling bench. 
They are another great and sure to be popular set from Alpine Miniatures. If you have an early DAK tank - especially a Tiger I would go for it and get the set.
Adam Norenberg
These two lovely looking figures are now available from Alpine Miniatures Distributors as singles or as a set. Thanks to them for sending them to us to make and review.
I have included more shots of the box art figures painted up by Toshihiro Sano - they look great and you can see what's possible with a careful hand and a lot of practice is applied to this great pair of figures.
Tiger Commander Tunisia
1/35th scale
35208
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
DAK AFV Commander
1/35th scale
35209
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
DAK AFV Commander Set
1/35th scale
35210
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Boxart by Toshihiro Sano
