Disclaimer: The images above were supplied by the manufacturer and painted by their artists.

Introduction

PT-023 – “German Grenadier, Germany 1944-45” (or, as per the Pegaso Model website, “SS Grenadier with Panzerfaust, 1944-45” ) is a 1/35th scale resin figure sculpted by Tony Williams. The figure is portrayed kneeling on one knee clutching a Panzerfaust anti-tank grenade launcher, perhaps waiting for a target. The box-art is painted by Luca Baldino.

The figure

PT-023 is a typically attired late war SS Panzer Grenadier. While only the field grey collars of the tunic are visible, note the right hand collar patch bearing the SS runes. Over the tunic, the Grenadier wears a late-pattern camouflage smock. This model, manufactured in 1942-44, has the late-pattern characteristic series of loops sewn onto the shoulders and arms, for attaching foliage.

Given the baggy look of the trousers and the manner in which they gather at the ankle, I would surmise that our subject wears the M1944 straight-cut trousers (the M1944’s were a looser cut that the M1943 straight-cut, and the legs were gathered at the ankle by a lace, whereas the M1943’s simply had straps under the feet). On his feet he wears standard ankle boots with short canvas gaiters.

Protecting his head, he wears a stahlhelm with camouflage cover. This is a late-model cover, as it had the external foliage loops (which the early cover lacked).

The figure carries the standard assault equipment of a Panzer Grenadier. He wears the assault dress combination of M1939 leather infantry equipment suspenders (“Y Straps”) and M1939 webbing assault pack frame (“A Frame”).

Attached to the right rear of the Grenadier’s belt is his “breadbag” haversack, to which attached is his M1931 water bottle and M1931 mass kit. On the left rear of his belt, the subject has attached his entrenching tool, onto which his M1884/98 bayonet has been attached.

PT-023 has attached his M1931 camouflaged shelter half, or Zeltbahn, to his assault frame. He carries his M1938 gasmask container slung around his torso to his back.

On the front of his belt, PT-023 has attached two different types of cartridge pouches. On his right (the left if facing him), he has a pair canvas and leather cartridge pouches. Each of the pair holds two magazines for the semi-automatic Gewehr 43 rifle. These pouches were in short supply, and often – as in this case, and attached on the Grenadier’s left – infantrymen had to use one pair of pouches for the detachable magazines, and one set of the three standard pouches holding loose rounds or clips of cartridges.

Our Grenadier faces the swarming Allied armour armed with only with the best infantry anti-tank weapon of the war: the Panzerfaust single-shot ‘throw-away’ anti-tank rocket launcher.

The kit

PT-023, moulded in a light grey coloured resin, comes in a kit form consisting of eleven pieces. The figure comes packaged in a small box with the parts inside a small “bankie”.

The figure consists of the following pieces: head and helmet with camouflage cover; torso with cartridge pouches; left leg; right leg; extended right arm with outstretched fingers; left arm; left hand; breadbag with attached mess kit and water bottle; gas mask canister and zeltbahn; entrenching tool and bayonet; and Panzerfaust.

The head, wearing the helmet with camouflage cover is generally well detailed and moulded. The face is fairly well detailed, but I noticed that the figure’s lower left eyelid appears quite bulbous (this may just be an insignificant problem in the casting), and I am not particularly fond of the ears. The casting block is positioned lengthwise along the top of the helmet, and given some of the seams and folds of the camouflage cover; this will need to be very carefully removed in order not to damage the detail.

The torso is extremely well detailed and cast. SS runes can clearly be seen on the right collar patch, as can the lace-up front of the camouflage smock and the SS belt buckle. Clothing folds are not gratuitous, but well placed. I am particularly fond of the way in which the smock gathers between the shoulder straps of the “Y-straps” and pulls in other spots as the figure leans forward. Undoubtedly the biggest problem I have with this particular piece of the figure is massive T-shaped casting block under the torso. It envelopes virtually the entire bottom of the torso, making dry-fitting impossible unless it is removed. Removing this block needs to be done very slowly and carefully, as in places it is extremely close to detail. Apart from the casting block, the torso is devoid of any flash.

The arms and hands of this figure are very well sculpted and cast, and the baggy fit of the camouflage smock is once again demonstrated on the arms. The only issues I have are largely cosmetic. The first two fingers on the right hand of my sample figure appear much shorter than the third and fourth fingers, and in my opinion the grip of the left hand (cast separately from the left arm) is a bit too loose.

The two legs are very nicely detailed. The sculptor has done an excellent job on demonstrating the loose fit of late-war clothing. He does so once again with the M1944 straight-cut trousers, as the lower legs bunch nicely around the tops of the gaiters. Detailing on the gaiters and boots is exceptional as gaiter buckles, boot laces, and even the studs of the right boot are clearly defined. Sadly, while the casting quality of the left leg is excellent, the right leg does not share the compliment. The right leg has a fair amount of flash as well as an air bubble in the upper heel of the boot. A long triangular casting block runs the length of the inner join. While this is not particularly difficult to remove, it does make dry-fitting the legs impossible unless it is removed.

The personal equipment and weapon, consisting of entrenching tool and bayonet breadbag, mess-kit and water-bottle, gas-mask canister and zeltbahn, and Panzerfaust is nicely detailed and well cast. Each of these pieces has a thin casting block that is easily and quickly removed. Flash is minimal, and is easily removed with a gentle wipe with wet-dry or glass paper.

Conclusion

This is a very nice figure. The late-war subject is interesting and the pose inspires the imagination – one keeps wondering what is crawling up that street. The figure is well detailed and generally well cast and good quality. The heavy casting blocks are a bit of a detractor. That said this little figure will be great either as a stand-alone or as part of something bigger like a vignette or diorama.

Recommended.