BB009-BB018 German Waffen SS & Heer Panzer Grenadiers Pre-Order (4 Viewers)

[Sahara]

Preordered 7 of these figures and the Panther. I guess I might be one of the exceptions because I collect JJD, TGM and WB. As much as I enjoy my figures from these other company's there's just no denying the superior quality of FL's figures, IMO. Maybe it's because I'm only 39 and have 20/10 vision. Who knows though, maybe when I'm older and need bifocals I won't care as much

 

[TomNT]

No worries Matt and I'm referring to the newer WB figures (when Ken took over William Britains) and not the older WB figures as I agree, the older one's aren't all that great in detail. I have both the old and new WB figures and the new one's are miles ahead in detail when compared to the older one's. The old WB figures didn't meet my needs either and I stopped collecting them, but as soon as I saw the new one's I was hooked straight away.

Anyway, I have said my piece and I'm happy where I am and if collectors are happy to pay for your figures then again, good on them and happy collecting!

Tom

I'll just add to my post that I'm 50, have great vision and don't need bifocals!

Tom

 

[katana]

Not true; if you look at my prior posts you will see I have complemented FL products on many occasions i.e. the trebuchet, the Tiger I and the Panther G. The Panther G is quite well done and is at least equivalent to the Figarti Panther G and JJD Jagdpanther in quality. What I do not understand is where the FL and Figarti Panthers are equivalent in quality; why the price is $360.00 versus $209.00. A $160.00 difference in price is excessive. The JJD Jagdpanther is considered the best to date, with many unique features like interior detail and removable Schurtzen, yet the price is a modest $268.00.

The materials or techniques used or the level of detail do not explain the significant cost difference in these products. I agree with Tom that a side by side comparison between FL and WB BOB figures cannot justify the price difference of 100%. Ditto the differences between Figarti and FL Panzers.

You never fail to take a shot at FL when you can, do you :rolleyes2:

 

[Peter Reuss]

Not true; if you look at my prior posts you will see I have complemented FL products on many occasions i.e. the trebuchet, the Tiger I and the Panther G. The Panther G is quite well done and is at least equivalent to the Figarti Panther G and JJD Jagdpanther in quality. What I do not understand is where the FL and Figarti Panthers are equivalent in quality; why the price is $360.00 versus $209.00. A $160.00 difference in price is excessive. The JJD Jagdpanther is considered the best to date, with many unique features like interior detail and removable Schurtzen, yet the price is a modest $268.00.

The materials or techniques used or the level of detail do not explain the significant cost difference in these products. I agree with Tom that a side by side comparison between FL and WB BOB figures cannot justify the price difference of 100%. Ditto the differences between Figarti and FL Panzers.

Katana, you are entitled to your option, but not entitled to state your opinion as some sort of proven fact. A ton of people strongly disagree.

You have said your piece...time to move on.

 

[Jagdpanther]

Why does 2or3 of the SS Panzer Grenadiers have army decals on Helmets? Very little of that would have been seen in this late stage in the war. But the SS defiantly shouldn't have army decals on helmets.

 

[Gebhard]

Why does 2or3 of the SS Panzer Grenadiers have army decals on Helmets? Very little of that would have been seen in this late stage in the war. But the SS defiantly shouldn't have army decals on helmets.

Apparently there was a mistake made thats been discovered and will be corrected before the figures are shipped. Hope this helps, regards Gebhard

 

[Lo1863]

Apparently there was a mistake made thats been discovered and will be corrected before the figures are shipped. Hope this helps, regards Gebhard

So you're positive this will be corrected before they ship?

 

[Gebhard]

So you're positive this will be corrected before they ship?

That's what Matt has said and I certainly have no reason not to take him for his word. I've had many dealings with him over 10 years and have never had a bad experience he's always straightforward and honest. Of course he can get tired when dealing with "special" types but who can blame him really. :wink2:

 

[Jagdpanther]

Apparently there was a mistake made thats been discovered and will be corrected before the figures are shipped. Hope this helps, regards Gebhard

Thats good to hear. I'm not after FL by any means they make excellent stuff!!!!

 

[FirstLegion]

Thats good to hear. I'm not after FL by any means they make excellent stuff!!!!

Yes, these have been corrected to the proper SS isignia on both sides of the helmet for the ones that were incorrectly marked. I will note this on the catalog pages when i have time.

 

[Lo1863]

Yes, these have been corrected to the proper SS isignia on both sides of the helmet for the ones that were incorrectly marked. I will note this on the catalog pages when i have time.

Good to hear, Matt! I hope to maybe pick some of these up way into the future.

Curious though...would these units even have the SS markings on their helmets at this late stage in the war due to Germany running low on manufacturing? I know there was a mismatch of equipment.

 

[Gebhard]

Curious though...would these units even have the SS markings on their helmets at this late stage in the war due to Germany running low on manufacturing? I know there was a mismatch of equipment.

This is a very good question, are you asking about the national decal or the SS runes ? Anyway just a quick bit of info on the helmet decals as they pertain to the WSS.

The order to remove the national decal from the helmets being issued to the SS was first sent to the factories in August of 1940. It was seen as a target in the field and ordered removed and was no longer being applied at the factories after this date. So seeing what is known to collectors as a double decal WSS helmet at the end of the war is like hitting the lottery . Its possible and there are pictures to prove it but its very RARE.

Starting in August of 1943 an order was issued to the factories making helmets to no longer apply any decals to any helmets being produced period. Of course you will see just about every possible combination, double decal, single decal or none at all up till the end of the War. I would really prefer to see single WSS decal helmets on these figures, but a double decal is possible and would be historically accurate but rare. Hope this helps, regards Gebhard.

 

[Lo1863]

This is a very good question, are you asking about the national decal or the SS runes ? Anyway just a quick bit of info on the helmet decals as they pertain to the WSS.

The order to remove the national decal from the helmets being issued to the SS was first sent to the factories in August of 1940. It was seen as a target in the field and ordered removed and was no longer being applied at the factories after this date. So seeing what is known to collectors as a double decal WSS helmet at the end of the war is like hitting the lottery . Its possible and there are pictures to prove it but its very RARE.

Starting in August of 1943 an order was issued to the factories making helmets to no longer apply any decals to any helmets being produced period. Of course you will see just about every possible combination, double decal, single decal or none at all up till the end of the War. I would really prefer to see single WSS decal helmets on these figures, but a double decal is possible and would be historically accurate but rare. Hope this helps, regards Gebhard.

Thank you so much for that information, Gebhard! I was basically wondering in general terms as far as there being any type of helmet decals at this late stage in the war on the Heer or Waffen-SS due to rationing. I know the recent Normandy Heer releases have the helmet decals as well. So I'm assuming after reading your post it was possible for these Waffen-SS portrayed by First Legion to have them?

And going along with some earlier posts, if I was to pick some of these up the first I would get is this guy...

 

[Gebhard]

Thank you so much for that information, Gebhard! I was basically wondering in general terms as far as there being any type of helmet decals at this late stage in the war on the Heer or Waffen-SS due to rationing. I know the recent Normandy Heer releases have the helmet decals as well. So I'm assuming after reading your post it was possible for these Waffen-SS portrayed by First Legion to have them?
View attachment 225703

My pleasure,

The German helmet of WWII was issued in three distinct models during the war the M35, M40 and M42 the model number comes from the year of issue. The use of decals to designate branch of service had been in use since 1935.

The order to stop putting decals on helmets was first sent to the factories in 43 but never sent to soldiers in the field. Just like the German army never pulled or considered older models of helmets obsolete ,the same was for decals. Basically what you were issued or had is what you wore, and if you were issued a helmet with both decals and were still alive to wear it at the end thats what you wore. (Double decaled helmets were considered a sign of seniority by the men, and are highly prized by collectors to this day commanding huge sums).

Seeing any group of German soldiers at the end all wearing double decal helmets would be highly unlikely, but not impossible. Of course Police units would be the exception as no order was ever given to the factories to stop applying their decals.

The first order to the factories to stop putting the national decal was in 1940 so it was long before things were going bad and was done mostly because it was considered a glaring target in the field. Later with the war starting to go badly applying 5 different branch of service decals was costly and time consuming and considered a luxury no longer needed and discontinued. By late 44 the only helmets leaving the factories were plain slate grey helmets that were issued to all branches of service.

Even when camo was being applied in the field soldiers with both decals on their helmets went out of their way to protect those decals and painted around them. I hope I didn't run on and was able to answer your question providing some of the background information needed to have an educated opinion about decals on German helmets during WWII. Regards Gebhard

 

[joesgis]

I only have a few FL WWII figures (some of the fantastic frozen Germans), but these new Bulge figures are really nice. I'm just curious if you were only going to get 3 of them which 3 would you get? I'm thinking 10, 11, & 12 but 13 & 15 are trying to get into my top 3. What do you think?

Joe

 

[bradleyl30]

My pleasure,

The German helmet of WWII was issued in three distinct models during the war the M35, M40 and M42 the model number comes from the year of issue. The use of decals to designate branch of service had been in use since 1935.

The order to stop putting decals on helmets was first sent to the factories in 43 but never sent to soldiers in the field. Just like the German army never pulled or considered older models of helmets obsolete ,the same was for decals. Basically what you were issued or had is what you wore, and if you were issued a helmet with both decals and were still alive to wear it at the end thats what you wore. (Double decaled helmets were considered a sign of seniority by the men, and are highly prized by collectors to this day commanding huge sums).

Seeing any group of German soldiers at the end all wearing double decal helmets would be highly unlikely, but not impossible. Of course Police units would be the exception as no order was ever given to the factories to stop applying their decals.

The first order to the factories to stop putting the national decal was in 1940 so it was long before things were going bad and was done mostly because it was considered a glaring target in the field. Later with the war starting to go badly applying 5 different branch of service decals was costly and time consuming and considered a luxury no longer needed and discontinued. By late 44 the only helmets leaving the factories were plain slate grey helmets that were issued to all branches of service.

Even when camo was being applied in the field soldiers with both decals on their helmets went out of their way to protect those decals and painted around them. I hope I didn't run on and was able to answer your question providing some of the background information needed to have an educated opinion about decals on German helmets during WWII. Regards Gebhard

No, I love information like this.

 

[bradleyl30]

I only have a few FL WWII figures (some of the fantastic frozen Germans), but these new Bulge figures are really nice. I'm just curious if you were only going to get 3 of them which 3 would you get? I'm thinking 10, 11, & 12 but 13 & 15 are trying to get into my top 3. What do you think?

Joe

I would either go with Heer or SS. So, I would drop 10 for 13, and have 3 moving SS panzergrenadiers to walk by my Tiger or Panzer.

 

[Mark IV]

I would either go with Heer or SS. So, I would drop 10 for 13, and have 3 moving SS panzergrenadiers to walk by my Tiger or Panzer.

For effect next to the Tiger or new panther 12 & 15 would be 1 &2 IMO

Mark

 

[joesgis]

I would either go with Heer or SS. So, I would drop 10 for 13, and have 3 moving SS panzergrenadiers to walk by my Tiger or Panzer.

I like that idea.

Joe

 

[daruss]

I actually brought up this decal helmet issue a few weeks ago when the Normandy German Heer were released..

My pleasure,

The German helmet of WWII was issued in three distinct models during the war the M35, M40 and M42 the model number comes from the year of issue. The use of decals to designate branch of service had been in use since 1935.

The order to stop putting decals on helmets was first sent to the factories in 43 but never sent to soldiers in the field. Just like the German army never pulled or considered older models of helmets obsolete ,the same was for decals. Basically what you were issued or had is what you wore, and if you were issued a helmet with both decals and were still alive to wear it at the end thats what you wore. (Double decaled helmets were considered a sign of seniority by the men, and are highly prized by collectors to this day commanding huge sums).

Seeing any group of German soldiers at the end all wearing double decal helmets would be highly unlikely, but not impossible. Of course Police units would be the exception as no order was ever given to the factories to stop applying their decals.

The first order to the factories to stop putting the national decal was in 1940 so it was long before things were going bad and was done mostly because it was considered a glaring target in the field. Later with the war starting to go badly applying 5 different branch of service decals was costly and time consuming and considered a luxury no longer needed and discontinued. By late 44 the only helmets leaving the factories were plain slate grey helmets that were issued to all branches of service.

Even when camo was being applied in the field soldiers with both decals on their helmets went out of their way to protect those decals and painted around them. I hope I didn't run on and was able to answer your question providing some of the background information needed to have an educated opinion about decals on German helmets during WWII. Regards Gebhard