Italeri new WWII sets (1 Viewer)

[Wraith]

Just got the latest 2 releases today. They are the German Elite Troops and the Russian Infantry (winter uniform) in 1/32. Each has two sprues of 8 different figures which appear to be the big brothers of the 1/72 range. They come in a reasonably hard plastic.

In terms of scale, they are definately 'European' 1/32, rather than 'American' 1/32. They match up to the likes of Airfix and Matchbox figures of old, rather than Conte and TSSD.

I'm afraid to say, there's not that much going for these figures. The poses are fairly bland and there are some scale 'issues' with some of the weapons (picture an adult with a childs toy gun and you get the idea). Me thinks we may have been spoiled of late with some of the modern plastics manufacturers products.

I'll see if I can get some photo comparisons up with TSSD / Conte et al in the next day or two.

Simon

 

[gk5717]

Simon, would really appreciate a side by side pose of the Italeri and TSSD.
I was afraid of this!
Gary

 

[modwalls]

Thats sad to hear, we need more plastics in all ranges in this hobby. I would love to see more in the scale of Conte, TSSD scale. I wish the Barzo's were the Conte scale, they do great sculpting. Mike.

 

[Wraith]

Here goes. Apologies in advance re quality / size of photos. Down to:
1. Cheap camera
2. Cheap photographer
3. Lousy editing programme

Shots of the two sets.

 

[Wraith]

And some comparison shots. Have to say that the difference in scale looks more noticable than in the photos. Might work together if you're not too fussy.

Simon

 

[binder001]

The figures look basically good.

I find it unfortunate that Conte, ONTC, and TSSD have gone to the "large" scale. "Classic" or "true" 1/32nd scale was great with Airfix, Revell, Matchbox, various model companies, etc all offering good figures that went well together. True, the Conte GI's are about the nicest plastic figures available, but they are too bloody large to look right with most of the vehicles and accessories available. FoV is SLIGHTLY larger than 21C, but most of the vehicles (at least the US ones) are much closer than Conte figures and Airfix ones and mate well with 1/32nd models. The Conte-sized figures look like a race of giants has populated the vehicles. So now I have one series of troops in "true" 1/32nd to go with the tanks and vehicles and plan to use the Conte figures by themselves in infantry actions.

Gary

 

[Wraith]

Gary,

I may have been a bit harsh when I said that these didn't have much going for them. It's just that we have become accustomed to some really excellent plastics courtesy of RC and TSSD, and these aren't up there with them (IMO). They're not bad and would certainly look fine with some of the more traditional 1/32 ranges.

It will be interesting to see how Pegasus shape up with their proposed 1/32 scale releases.

Simon

 

[modwalls]

Simon, thanks for the pics. I have to agree with Gary, I am to fussy myself with size scale. Saying that they are not that bad. They would go better with the Airfix, Marx and other 1/32 scale. Just remember what we had to deal with as kids with soldiers to armour. Three Marx giant GI's, could carry a tank on their backs. We are becomming a spoiled generation, our imaginations made those tanks proper scale back then. The poses are not bad, the detail is not great. I would buy them to go with Marx, and Airfix. But with Conte and TSSD, I don't seem to have much intrest in the old guys. Mike.

 

[eborris]

Is it really a scale issue or a stand issue? That is aside from the Conte figure who's girth makes him look like he is on roids.

 

[gk5717]

It looks like the Russians fit in a little bit better than the Germans, but photos can be decieving.
There is something to be said about the height of stands.
One thing about plastic, you can get a whole box of figures for the price of one K&C, so if they don,t quite work out it,s not that big a deal.
Now we have to wait for the Pegasus figures, they do have some interesting poses.
Gary

 

[Wraith]

As I said earlier, I'm afraid the photos aren't that brilliant, but, the moldings are quite crisp in their detail (take a look at the German sniper scope), the poses are fairly routine, as for the scale, the bases don't help, as the TSSD start off with a height advantage.

I think Gary is right in that the scale is closer for the Russian figures. That said, if you line up the TSSD Germans, there appears quite a variety in heights as well, so....

Simon

 

[plasmapulse]

I painted one of them. I am aware the red on the cap is for panzer troops, at least, that's what I thought. I don't know if it was logical to paint it this way but anyhow, this is how the figure looks with paint; it brings out the detail.

This one doesn't have too many undercuts and is imho the best of the bunch.
Italeri will produce two artillery sets in soft plastic this year as well (PAK 40 and ZIS 3)

 

[modwalls]

Plasmapulse, nice attention to detail. I like the dirt on boots look, I do that also. Mike.

 

[Wraith]

Nice paint job!

 

[fishead19690]

Nice paint job!!! Its good to see some painted plastics on the forum again.

 

[plasmapulse]

Thanks guys. I'll try to paint more in the future, have a bunch lying around. Some will get a classic toy soldier paintjob and others a more detailed one.

I also painted Italeri's gladiators and am trying to get the quadriga painted but that's the problem with soft plastic; how to assemble a assembly-heavy piece like that without paint chipping all over the place and still get it secured to make it last.