Tuesday, October 8

Preview: Dynamo Models the Bocage with Tiger #222 crew in 35th & 72nd...

Dynamo Models returns with another schmick-looking set of figures. These recreate a well-known scene in Normandy of the towing of a Tiger. We look at the set & singles in our preview...

Preview: Dynamo Models the Bocage with Tiger 222 crew in 35th & 72nd...

The Subject: Oberscharführer Kurt Sowa Tiger "222" & crew Normandy 1944
An evocative period of WWII is the timeframe around the D-Day landings in the Normandy region in June 1944. German tank lovers will laud the achievements against the odds of SS-Obersturmfuhrer  Michael Wittmann in that area, but this image is also famous with modellers, it is of a Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf.E Tiger I (Sd.Kfz.181) heavy tank of the 2.Kompanie/ schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 101 in the north-eastern outskirts of Villers-Bocage, France. 
In the foreground is Tiger #222 (commanded by SS-Oberscharführer Kurt Sowa) with a kradmantel (motorcyclist's coat) is SS-Untersturmfuhrer Georg Hantusch (Zugführer of 2.Zug/2.Kompanie/schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 101). Seen here in this photo series taking Tiger #231 (SS-Standartenoberjunker Heinz Belbe) under tow after a breakdown. #231 was a victim of British anti-tank gun. In the background is a captured American Personnel Half-track M5. 
These “Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler“ Tigers are shown heading back to Caen on Route Nationale 175. The officer in the long trench coat is probably SS-Unterscharfuhrer (Sergeant) Kurt Sowa, Tiger 222‘s commander. General field orders prohibited one Tiger towing another, due to the strain on the engine and transmission. Arriving at the battlefront on June 12 after a road march from Beauvais, Schwere SS Panzer Abteilung 101 had endured many breakdowns and sustained air attacks. The drive from Beauvais to Villers-Bocage takes three hours today; the Battalion took five days to move to the front.

This photo (by Kriegsberichter Arthur Grimm from Propaganda-Kompanie Signal-Einsatz) were taken just outside Villers-Bocage on June 14, 1944, just one day after Wittmann's attack there.

The figures:
Dynamo Models has engaged with digital sculptor Forghi, who has reated these figures in both 1/35th scale and 1/72nd scale. They are both sold in a "big set" of four figures, while the 35th scale figures are also sold as single figures (not in72nd guys). The 35th sets also have alrternate head choices and hand options for better posing to your needs. Let's look!

WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Crew Normandy 1944 big Set (include decals)
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM108
Designed by Forghi
 Four 3D sculpted figures, printed in resin
Alternate head & hand options included for each figure.
Decals included for Tiger #222
Price: €57
In this set you will get the four figures you see in the photo below, as well as the decals for Tiger #222. These decals include the numbers, plus the Balkenkreuz and SS-Panzerdivision "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" unit crest on the front glacis.
The four figures have alternate head options, and you can see that this set is at a slightly cheaper price than buying them in singles, which are also available, and we will show now.


WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Uscha. Kurt Sowa Normandy 1944
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM102
A 3D sculpted figure, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Price: €14.95
Seen in this sculpt in his long trench coat is SS-Unterscharfuhrer Kurt Sowa, Tiger 222‘s commander at the time of this incident. He is sculpted looking forward at the road ahead as his crew scanning the horizon. The kradmantel (motorcyclist's coat) is notable, as are the 6 x 30 binoculars and his crushed and worn officer's cap on his head.


WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Radio Crewman Normandy 1944
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM105
A 3D sculpted figure, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Alternate head & hand options included this figure.
Price: €14.95
This figure is that of the radioman of the Tiger, in the reference photos you can see he is seen with his hand on the gun's main barrel in one of the photos, and that is the pose that the sculptor has given this fellow. In panzer overalls, M43 peaked cap and looking forward to the front of the tank, he also is supplied with alternate head and hand posing options.


WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Crew Driver Normandy 1944
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM104
A 3D sculpted figure, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Alternate head & hand options included this figure.
Price: €10.95
This 3D printed figure is a half body sculpt. With just the head poking out of the Tiger. The driver is seen with goggles covering the front of his service cap while he looks forward to steer the vehicle. There are also two head choices with this figure.


WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Crew Gunner/Loader Normandy 1944
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM103
A 3D sculpted figure, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Alternate head & hand options included this figure.
Price: €14.95
Product Link on the Dynamo Models Website
This SS Panzerman can be posed as the gunner or loader of this Tiger. He is seen sitting on the gunner/loader's hatch opening, seen in his short SS Panzerjacke resting with his left hand on the turret top, His body language suits a tank in motion. Like the other figures, Dynamo give him alternate head & hand options for different posing possibilities.


WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Crew Normandy 1944 Set 1
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM104
Two 3D sculpted figures, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Alternate head & hand options included each figure.
Price: €14.95
The commander and the loader/ gunner are the subjects of the second set, sold with two figures, both with head and hand alternates.


WSS – Tiger ‘’222‘’ Crew Normandy 1944 Set 2
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35DM107
Two 3D sculpted figures, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Alternate head & hand options included each figure.
Price: €25.90
Two figures, of the driver and the radioman/ front MG gunner are a set of two figures sold if you prefer to have these two...


WSS – Tiger ‘’ 222 ‘’ Crew Normandy 1944 Set
From Dynamo Models
1/72nd scale
Kit No #35DM10
A 3D sculpted figure, printed in resin
Designed by Forghi
Alternate head & hand options included this figure.
Price: €14.95
These four figures are also downscaled to 1/72nd scale though that magic of 3D sculpting and printing. These can only be purchased as a set of four.


Special Pack – Tiger I Late Takom + WSS Tiger “222” Crew Big Set 1/35
From Dynamo Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #3505
Designed by Forghi
 Four 3D sculpted figures, printed in resin
Takom's Later Tiger I Wittmann's Tiger included
Alternate head & hand options included for each figure.
Decals included for Tiger #222
Price: €82.30
For those wanting these figures and the right tank to put them in, this set includes the 3D sculpts with the decals, Takom's Tiger I "Wittman's Tiger" late version with Zimmerit kit to recreate the scene - well you might need to get Tiger 231 to complete it!

The rest of the photos of this kit and crew combo, showing you what your may look like.

These are now available for from the Dynamo Models Website...