Friday, October 11

Preview: MiniArt's new 35th scale "German Panzergrenadiers Set 2"

MiniArt's new 35th scale "German Panzergrenadiers Set 2" looks to complement their first set with four more mid-war soldiers of the Wehrmacht's mobile divisions. See what is in the set in our preview...

MiniArt's new 35th scale "German Panzergrenadiers Set 2"

German Panzergrenadiers Set 2
From MiniArt Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35484
Four figures & three sprues of weapons & equipment included...
The Subject: German Panzergrenadiers in WWII
During World War II, Panzer divisions were crucial to the German Army's success, consisting of both fast-moving light tanks and powerful medium and heavy tanks. Infantry support was essential, leading to the creation of Panzergrenadiers, infantry units that rode into battle in armoured vehicles. This concept was a return to the Prusso-German military tradition of rapid force movement, which had been hindered during World War I by trench warfare. Theorist Heinz Guderian played a significant role in the development of Panzergrenadiers, resolving challenges of delivering infantry to battle by truck instead of by foot. This led to the creation of Germany's motorized infantry divisions, highly trained and well-equipped units that significantly contributed to Germany's early military successes.

A German half-track unloading Panzergrenadiers in a Russian town, 1943
The Spanish Civil War highlighted the need for a light and inexpensive half-tracked armoured vehicle, leading to the Sd.Kfz 251. This half-track offered good off-road performance and could keep up with tanks, making it an essential part of the Panzer division's infantry component.

Panzergrenadier-Division Grossdeutschland on the Eastern Front 
On July 5, 1942, these infantry units were renamed Panzergrenadiers, simplifying the command chain by classifying them as armoured units instead of infantry units. In 1943, due to equipment shortages, many motorized divisions were reclassified as Panzergrenadier divisions, providing them with tanks and assault guns or anti-aircraft elements.

Colourized photos of German Panzergrenadiers taking a ride on a Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz.142 / 1), Eastern Front, 1943.
However, the Panzergrenadiers also experienced a decline in effectiveness due to lack of resources and attrition, sharing in the general decline of the German Army towards the end of the war. The concept of Panzergrenadiers has provided valuable lessons for contemporary infantry forces, many of which now use Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV’s).

The Kit:
A second part to MiniArt's recent Panzergrenadiers series, this set also gives the modeller four figures from their recently sculpted range and three sprues of accessories, gear and weapons to accessorize your soldiers.

The first and second sets of this series of Panzergrenadiers from MiniArt...
There are four small sprues that each hold one figure, moulded in light grey styrene. These feature easily distinguishable faces, fingers and sunken detail for their accessories to fit more neatly into their bodies.
Although this is not a special edition kit, the set comes with several sprues (three)  of weapons and equipment to suit German late WWII soldiers. One sprue houses just the equipment, with the M43 helmets, gas mask cannisters, flasks & entrenching tools, bayonets, bread bags and ammo pouches
The second sprue comes filled with MG42 parts, with the gun, ammo belt, bipod in extended or folded status.
Lastly, a plethora of weapons and ammo - Mp-40s, Kar.98s, a Walther & flare pistols, pistols in pouches and open pouches to show a removed pistol, ammo for all of these, map pouches, knives and an ammo box. Pretty much everything a German WWII soldier would carry on these three sprues.

This kit is due for release in a month's time
See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...