introduction

Besides nice posed static and dynamic figures, Evolution Miniatures rarely release complementary figures for AFV, tanks and softskins. One of them EM-35053 SS Schwimmwagen Crew includes two World War II German figures on sitting poses; a driver and a co-driver in winter uniforms depicting SS members in Kharkov,1943.

box

The kit comes well packed in standard 70x100x35 mm hard cardboard box of the company. Body parts of the figures and small parts like heads and arms are are seperately inserted into different small plastic zip-lock bags to avoid unexpected damages during transfer or storage. Parts are represented with the casting blocks. The junction parts on the body parts are a little thick and need some effort to remove. Steering wheel with hands is really fragile and needs extra care not to damage when removing from casting block.
The front part of the box shows a photo of the assembled figures painted by Sergey Traviansky and can serve as a basic painting guide but as World War II German winter uniforms show different variations, the painter can change the color choices on the boxart.

parts

The figures are sculpted by Sergey Traviansky and comes in grey color resin parts. The sculpting is very nice, detailed and crisp. Casting quality on the parts is very good and parts will not need a serious cleanwork as rescued from the casting blocks.

FIGURE #1 – DRIVER
Posed to sit on the driver’s seat looking forward and holding the steering wheel with both hands, the figure comes in 5 pieces ; Body with legs, head, right arm, left arm and hands cast on steering wheel. The driver wears mousegray color, sheepskin lined, hooded M40 pullover parka also known as Kharkov Parka because in the famous Battle of Kharkov in Winter.1943. This parka was very commonly worn by the soldier of SS units rather than Wehrmacht. Due to the very high cost in material and time, the parka were never enough to go around in history, and various types of the fur lining were used on this garment. It has four front buttons, two pleated chest pockets with scalloped flaps,two lower pockets with flap covers and side slots on both sides for ease movement. The outer side of the parka was made of heavy Zeltbahn style cotton poplin in the typical field-grey shade and lined with sheepskin. The sleeves were padded with woolen material and the hood lined with the sheepskin as well. He has field-grey/white reversible overtrousers and felt lined leather winter boots. Details of the parka, cloth folds on parka and trousers, sheepskin and felt textures are well represented.

Head : Facial details are well defined. He wears a M40 SS Feldmütze - enlisted men fold-up cap of German units. Over his sidecap, he has a feldgrau woolen tube-shaped balaclava covering his neck and ears to provide extra protection from the cold.

Arms : They make good fit to shoulders and are posed to hold the steering wheel. Both show nice cloth folds.

Hands : Both hands with gloves and steering wheel are cast as a single piece. Arms and hands may need extra care for the good fit of hands to sleeves. I advice you a few dryfits when assemblying the hands and some filling may be needed.

FIGURE #2 – CO-DRIVER
Posed to sit on the right front seat next to the driver, looking right side, the figure comes in 5 pieces ; Body with legs, head, right arm, left arm and helmet. He wears the Kharkov Parka and overtrousers same as the driver. Details of the parka, cloth folds on parka and trousers, sheepskin and torn effect on the left knee are well represented. Over his parka, he has leather Y-straps and triple leather ammo pouches named Patronentasche. As for the footgear, his winter boots is a little different than the driver.

Head : Posed to look at the right side; facial details and tube shaped scarf are well defined. Torn effect on the chin of balaclava is a nice touch.

Arms : Posed to put his hands on his lap, he wears woolen gloves. Cloth folds are well represented.

Helmet : He wears M 1942 Stahlhelm , steel helmet over painted white for winter conditions.

conclusion

This is a nice kit to be used as crew for Tamiya 35224 Schwimmwagen Type 166 in winter scenes. The sculpting and casting quality is really nice, less parts make the assembly easier and parts fit well. Evolution Miniatures has some other SS LAH sets like 35043 and 35062 to use together with this kit to make larger scenes.

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