Winter Panzer III and Tank Riders (1 Viewer)

[Mitch]

I think, this is the first post I have began in FL! Anyway, the Stalingrad line was a good range but one I could not get away with for a number of reasons mentioned before so, I steered away from the Winter Panzer II and the tank riders for the same reasons. I had taken a dio down to a mates who wanted one for these sets done and got a chance to see them and was impressed so, here they are.

I would say that I think they are the best three sets from FL of all the WWII they have released to date. I had most of the Stalingrad Germans and have all the SS so, perhaps I should say the best of what I have or had!!

I can't find much wrong with these sets I think the Panzer III is well made and I like the way they have made the winterketten and overall it is not a bad weathering pattern for a standard produced AFV. The tank riders are for me excellent I like all the poses. A lot of tank riders released on the market have rather unnatural and rigid poses which make them hard to see actually sitting on a AFV. These however are really good well posed and sculpted and, as I have given FL a hard time for the ''inbred'' look to their WWII faces they all don't look like they are related!!LOL. For me based on how I collect, what I like and can tolerate then if all the other sets were like this then I would only be buying FL.
Mitch


Glad I bought them

 

[Mitch]

A couple with the Tank riders in the back of a K&C wintered Blitz. I really think the figure with the cloth helmet cover is an excellent figure and pick of the four for me
Mitch

 

[cnq]

FL produces excellent figures and armors as it shows in your photos. I'm now limited to only FL Russian figures due to budget. I like the weathering on K&C truck. It goes nicely with the FL tank riders.

 

[Kollos]

By far my favorite piece! I agree with you about the riders, the subtle shading and blending of the faces are perfect.

 

[uksubs]

Very nice Mitch

 

[Mike97]

Agreed, LOVE the FL Winter Panzer III-it's actually the tank that 'forced' me into the FL WWII line-and have been there ever since. Nice winter Blitz by the way :salute::.

 

[sammy719]

Mitch, we have had our difference of opinions on occasion but we are in total agreement here, both the riders and the winter Panzer are some great looking sets, the weathering on the tank is spot on and the clothing of the soldiers is done very well also, (love the gloves) I will be getting the First Legion winter Opel next week to add on to these sets, now with some winter Russians that are out this winter battle is starting to take shape...Sammy

 

[Mitch]

Cheers for the comments on the items. It will look better when the diorama I am building for it is complete. Russian front snow scene with a Russian Isba
Mitch

 

[thrawn]

Mitch,
The rider/tank combo is an excellent one, thank you for sharing and congrats on your acquisition.
Best,
Josh

 

[amund]

Hi Mitch,

The tank and the figures look outstanding! This is not surprising coming from First Legion!

Alex :salute::

I think, this is the first post I have began in FL! Anyway, the Stalingrad line was a good range but one I could not get away with for a number of reasons mentioned before so, I steered away from the Winter Panzer II and the tank riders for the same reasons. I had taken a dio down to a mates who wanted one for these sets done and got a chance to see them and was impressed so, here they are.

I would say that I think they are the best three sets from FL of all the WWII they have released to date. I had most of the Stalingrad Germans and have all the SS so, perhaps I should say the best of what I have or had!!

I can't find much wrong with these sets I think the Panzer III is well made and I like the way they have made the winterketten and overall it is not a bad weathering pattern for a standard produced AFV. The tank riders are for me excellent I like all the poses. A lot of tank riders released on the market have rather unnatural and rigid poses which make them hard to see actually sitting on a AFV. These however are really good well posed and sculpted and, as I have given FL a hard time for the ''inbred'' look to their WWII faces they all don't look like they are related!!LOL. For me based on how I collect, what I like and can tolerate then if all the other sets were like this then I would only be buying FL.
Mitch


Glad I bought them

 

[jager7080]

Cheers for the comments on the items. It will look better when the diorama I am building for it is complete. Russian front snow scene with a Russian Isba
Mitch

Mitch , I am looking forward to seeing it...

Joe

 

[Vezzolf]

I think, this is the first post I have began in FL! Anyway, the Stalingrad line was a good range but one I could not get away with for a number of reasons mentioned before so, I steered away from the Winter Panzer II and the tank riders for the same reasons. I had taken a dio down to a mates who wanted one for these sets done and got a chance to see them and was impressed so, here they are.

I would say that I think they are the best three sets from FL of all the WWII they have released to date. I had most of the Stalingrad Germans and have all the SS so, perhaps I should say the best of what I have or had!!

I can't find much wrong with these sets I think the Panzer III is well made and I like the way they have made the winterketten and overall it is not a bad weathering pattern for a standard produced AFV. The tank riders are for me excellent I like all the poses. A lot of tank riders released on the market have rather unnatural and rigid poses which make them hard to see actually sitting on a AFV. These however are really good well posed and sculpted and, as I have given FL a hard time for the ''inbred'' look to their WWII faces they all don't look like they are related!!LOL. For me based on how I collect, what I like and can tolerate then if all the other sets were like this then I would only be buying FL.
Mitch


Glad I bought them

The FL Winter Panzer III and Tank Riders are really good:salute::....Excellent Photos Mitch...Thanks for posting

 

[Mitch]

Thanks for the comments. I would like to see some more winter clad German troops
Mitch

 

[ivanmoe]

I think, this is the first post I have began in FL! Anyway, the Stalingrad line was a good range but one I could not get away with for a number of reasons mentioned before so, I steered away from the Winter Panzer II and the tank riders for the same reasons. I had taken a dio down to a mates who wanted one for these sets done and got a chance to see them and was impressed so, here they are.

I would say that I think they are the best three sets from FL of all the WWII they have released to date. I had most of the Stalingrad Germans and have all the SS so, perhaps I should say the best of what I have or had!!

I can't find much wrong with these sets I think the Panzer III is well made and I like the way they have made the winterketten and overall it is not a bad weathering pattern for a standard produced AFV. The tank riders are for me excellent I like all the poses. A lot of tank riders released on the market have rather unnatural and rigid poses which make them hard to see actually sitting on a AFV. These however are really good well posed and sculpted and, as I have given FL a hard time for the ''inbred'' look to their WWII faces they all don't look like they are related!!LOL. For me based on how I collect, what I like and can tolerate then if all the other sets were like this then I would only be buying FL.
Mitch


Glad I bought them

Hi Mitch,

What's your opinion of these items when compared to the FL AK Pz.III and supporting figures?

-Moe

 

[Mitch]

Moe...

I have not owned the DAK panzer III or figures but, my mate has them I think the detail on the Panzer III is good. I have always said the AFV's were detailed and good. I commented on some of the details that I would personally have liked to have seen metal barrel etc but that is just personal things I would like to see added.

I think the facial details on the DAK are similar to the majority (not all) of the Stalingrad range there is too much facial similarity for me to overlook and buy them and, be happy. Its why I overlooked the winter sets as I just thought they would be the same (I was wrong about that and why I bought them).

Its a personal thing some people don't care some don't see it but, the winter tank riders are IMO really good and have no facial issues. Detail on the figures is good on all their sets just issues with the faces that stopped me buying.

I think, or hope that answers your question!
Mitch

Hi Mitch,

What's your opinion of these items when compared to the FL AK Pz.III and supporting figures?

-Moe

 

[ivanmoe]

Moe...

I have not owned the DAK panzer III or figures but, my mate has them I think the detail on the Panzer III is good. I have always said the AFV's were detailed and good. I commented on some of the details that I would personally have liked to have seen metal barrel etc but that is just personal things I would like to see added.

There are several Pz.III around now, and I was originally going to buy one of the K&C examples. Then one day I was looking at some pics here very carefully and noticed the suspension. {eek3} Anyway, I'm still looking.

I think the facial details on the DAK are similar to the majority (not all) of the Stalingrad range there is too much facial similarity for me to overlook and buy them and, be happy. Its why I overlooked the winter sets as I just thought they would be the same (I was wrong about that and why I bought them).

Its a personal thing some people don't care some don't see it but, the winter tank riders are IMO really good and have no facial issues. Detail on the figures is good on all their sets just issues with the faces that stopped me buying.

My problem with many of these figures is that they don't look particularly "Northern European." Perhaps the hooded smocks on the winter-set examples soften the visage (which offends) just a tad. And I agree with you that the fellas frequently appear to have been hatched from the same litter, of Turks perhaps.

I think, or hope that answers your question!
Mitch

Absolutely, and thanks for responding. I always enjoy reading your posts and value your insights into matters like those that you've offered in this thread. There's not a TS dealer in my area, so virtually all of my purchases are made on the basis of what I can glean from posts like yours.

Thanks again,

-Moe

 

[Mitch]

I don't think I would have went as far as naming an area for familiar likeness but, that is me!!LOL however, I have always stated the familiarity in facial sculpts and some of the rather mongol look to them including the germans but, I have spoken with a lot of FL collectors and a few dealers who also agree so, its not just something I have thought.

I must say I really have had a real good scrutinise of the tank riders and its not the smocks that reduce the visage as you say. They really are very good facial sculpts and each strikingly individual in features. That is why I said if they were all like this I would be buying them as the norm.

I think I am the wrong person to be listening to for advice on what to buy as what I will dislike will probably be liked by several and vice versa but, as this is the place to talk all things toy soldiers I will give my impressions and thoughts on them.
Mitch

There are several Pz.III around now, and I was originally going to buy one of the K&C examples. Then one day I was looking at some pics here very carefully and noticed the suspension. {eek3} Anyway, I'm still looking.



My problem with many of these figures is that they don't look particularly "Northern European." Perhaps the hooded smocks on the winter-set examples soften the visage (which offends) just a tad. And I agree with you that the fellas frequently appear to have been hatched from the same litter, of Turks perhaps.



Absolutely, and thanks for responding. I always enjoy reading your posts and value your insights into matters like those that you've offered in this thread. There's not a TS dealer in my area, so virtually all of my purchases are made on the basis of what I can glean from posts like yours.

Thanks again,

-Moe

 

[ivanmoe]

I don't think I would have went as far as naming an area for familiar likeness but, that is me!!LOL however, I have always stated the familiarity in facial sculpts and some of the rather mongol look to them including the germans but, I have spoken with a lot of FL collectors and a few dealers who also agree so, its not just something I have thought.

I'm sure that the sculpting is attributable to a model, real or from some photograph.

True story...

Many years ago, a friend of mine came home from a tour of duty on the Korean Peninsula. He brought with him a large, and apparently genuine oil painting of a battalion of British foot-guards in square formation. He hung it over his sofa and illuminated it with track-lighting. Of course, I was thoroughly jealous of his find, and assumed that he had rescued it from an officer's club or some such venue. Then one day, I decided to take a closer look at his treasure. Closer examination revealed that the Guards in question were Koreans! I fell down on the sofa and laughed so hard, for so long, that my gut was sore for days. Is nothing sacred???

Moral of story...

I guess that it's just the nature of artistic-types that they will tend to model that which is familiar to them, whether the medium be a painting or some toy soldiers.

 

[bradleyl30]

I posted this a while back. Could be inspiration!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deckarudo/8494791595/in/photostream/

 

[Vezzolf]

Thanks for the comments. I would like to see some more winter clad German troops
Mitch

Totally agree...need more Winter Germans for Stalingrad...The FL Winter Stalingrad tank riders are superb.....Simply the best....FIRST LEGION RULES:salute::