Competition for the MG-34 Market (2 Viewers)

[King's Man]

It seems that Thomas Gunn Miniatures is working on its own winter version of this famous German machine gun. I had to take a second look at how closely they resemble each other. Look for yourself. Fun how great minds think alike. Both show excellent craftsmanship.

The Thomas Gunn one is shown first and is unpainted.


King's Man

 

[sammy719]

Sorry King, but there is little competition there, First Legion wins in a knock-out, but I have always liked Gunns product, and think his artillery pieces are very nice...Sammy

 

[Vezzolf]

I agree Sammy, the Thomas Gunn sculpt looks to be very good but the painting talent and detail of First Legion will be hard to match....It would be very interesting to compare finished products as ultimately that's what counts....We shall see

 

[MapleLeaf]

Competition makes u better

 

[sammy719]

Competition makes u better

Tis so true...Sammy

 

[Fusilier]

This question is for sammy or one of the other WW2 guys. Are the figures in the Gunn set wearing the reversible winter oversuits (or whatever they were called)? If so, would those be a little early for Stalingrad if a collector wanted to stay strictly in that battle? Still, while both sculpts look good, I would anticipate the FL version's paintwork to be superior.

Noah

 

[Gebhard]

This question is for sammy or one of the other WW2 guys. Are the figures in the Gunn set wearing the reversible winter oversuits (or whatever they were called)? If so, would those be a little early for Stalingrad if a collector wanted to stay strictly in that battle? Still, while both sculpts look good, I would anticipate the FL version's paintwork to be superior.

Noah

Hi Noah
From what I can tell the figures in the Tgunn set the figures are wearing the two piece Winter Uniform , It was issued from 1942 onward and there are photo's of Germans wearing them at Stalingrad although it would not be as common as the M34/36 M40 or M42 greatcoats . I would also guess that they will produce their figures with a Camo finish most likely WSS 44dot pattern / white reversible like their "the rocket men " set which would not go with Stalingrad as by 44 it was just a bad memory also no SS in Stalingrad .
While I do like what TGunn are doing they are IMO not in the same league when compared to First Legion from the sculpting to the finished product in terms of the painting level . All the best Gebhard

 

[Mitch]

TG will be doing a winter version of the MG34 set and a camo 45 version which could be utilised where the collector wishes as the uniforms were available to troops in Stalingrad theatre of operations. Many more of these uniforms were used by the troops trying to attack and break through to the 6th Army after encirclement so, can be used anywhere.

I think although as some have mentioned FL may have a better paint job there will also be a big difference in price and availability of the TG sets as theirs are anniversary sets and limited in number.

Hope it helps
Mitch

 

[Gebhard]

TG will be doing a winter version of the MG34 set and a camo 45 version which could be utilised where the collector wishes as the uniforms were available to troops in Stalingrad theatre of operations. Many more of these uniforms were used by the troops trying to attack and break through to the 6th Army after encirclement so, can be used anywhere.

I think although as some have mentioned FL may have a better paint job there will also be a big difference in price and availability of the TG sets as theirs are anniversary sets and limited in number.

Hope it helps
Mitch

Mitch ,
Could you please be so kind as to tell us what the pattern Camo 45 version you mention is as to my knowledge there was never a pattern of this name in use by any German forces during WWII or any war . I think you may be confusing this with the pattern 44 dot which was first issued to troops of the Waffen SS in March of 1944 , and as you know Stalingrad was but a memory at that time (The Battle of Stalingrad was over early Febuary 1942 ). The Leibermuster (very Rare) pattern was made in 45 but again not issued to SS troops fighting near Stalingrad Thanks.. I have been collecting Camo for over 30 years and that's one of the things I look for on my figures is accuracy in the depiction of Camo patterns.Thanks again... All the best Gebhard

 

[Mitch]

Gebhard...

Sorry for confusion its not a camo pattern its a camo painted set for 1945 that is being released in conjunction with the winter version which, is based on the year 1944. Two MG 34 teams being released in different colour combo's as is the norm with TG releases.
Mitch

Mitch ,
Could you please be so kind as to tell us what the pattern Camo 45 version you mention is as to my knowledge there was never a pattern of this name in use by any German forces during WWII or any war . I think you may be confusing this with the pattern 44 dot which was first issued to troops of the Waffen SS in March of 1944 , and as you know Stalingrad was but a memory at that time (The Battle of Stalingrad was over early Febuary 1942 ). The Leibermuster (very Rare) pattern was made in 45 but again not issued to SS troops fighting near Stalingrad Thanks.. I have been collecting Camo for over 30 years and that's one of the things I look for on my figures is accuracy in the depiction of Camo patterns.Thanks again... All the best Gebhard

 

[Fusilier]

Hi Noah
From what I can tell the figures in the Tgunn set the figures are wearing the two piece Winter Uniform , It was issued from 1942 onward and there are photo's of Germans wearing them at Stalingrad although it would not be as common as the M34/36 M40 or M42 greatcoats . I would also guess that they will produce their figures with a Camo finish most likely WSS 44dot pattern / white reversible like their "the rocket men " set which would not go with Stalingrad as by 44 it was just a bad memory also no SS in Stalingrad .
While I do like what TGunn are doing they are IMO not in the same league when compared to First Legion from the sculpting to the finished product in terms of the painting level . All the best Gebhard

Gebhard-
Thanks for the information. And I agree totally on the painting level.

Noah

 

[Mitch]

TG has now released pics of the painted versions of their 2 MG34 sets and, although they are not similar enough to offer a proper evaluation the sculpts are very good and, even the most staunch FL fan can deny that.
Mitch

 

[thebritfarmer]

I have cleaned up this thread, please let's keep it civil.

 

[Mitch]

Right, I think before it all went pete tong we were trying to address the similarity of two WWII releases and, the fact that the sets are available for critique is an interesting opportunity.

Now I don't say FL or TG are better or worse and not addressing the paint work as they are different but, my comparison is looking at the sculpt detail of the two in relation to their differing price.

Looking at the two sets they are both very well made and, would be interested in comments from fellow WWII collectors and hopefully, not those who do not collect WWII but just think one is better than the rest.

I have ordered the new Stalingrad line but, would be interested in others comments in the spirit of the thread
Mitch

 

[Rob]

At the risk of sounding obvious.. they both look really good to me

I know its been said a million times already, but just because I collect something doesn't mean I can't appreciate quality in others.

Rob

 

[Spitfrnd]

At the risk of sounding obvious.. they both look really good to me

I know its been said a million times already, but just because I collect something doesn't mean I can't appreciate quality in others.

Rob

Indeed Rob, happy to see you back BTW.

 

[Rob]

Indeed Rob, happy to see you back BTW.

Thanks Bill

Rob

 

[Mitch]

Nice to be able to compare and chat with WWII collectors about similar sets
Mitch

 

[fmethorst]

I have only seen low res pictures of both sets so I will reserve judgement on comparing the sculpting. That said in the low res pictures I have seen both sculpts look good.

As for painting, there is a bit of apples and oranges going on here with camo being compared to feldgrau. I don't own any Thomas Gunn but based on the pictures I have seen I haven't been overly impressed with the simplified camo or colors used.

To date we have only one WWII camouflage uniform painted by FL (Soviet Amoeba) and in this case I think the result is excellent. The real test of course will be when they do Waffen SS camo with all its complexities.

 

[Mike97]

Nice to be able to compare and chat with WWII collectors about similar sets
Mitch

That's the beauty of this hobby-there's room in the market for both company's sets. Having bought from FL and TG, I truly enjoy 'em both.
mike