I have to confess that I've been waiting (impatiently) for a long time for this release! The good folks at Michigan Toy Soldier provided me with this box for review. Now that they are finally here it seems the wait was worth it. Nothing says "stuck in the mud of Flanders" quite like a set of the classic Maxim MG-08 heavy machine guns. The box comes with three identical sprues each of which has a crew of three and two models of the MG-08, one with the base in the low firing position and another in the high firing position. I do find it thoughtful that we are provided with two machine guns to go with the different bases, more extra bits for the spare parts box!
Each sprue come with three crewmen and a staggering total of thirty-three heads in every imaginable combinations of headgear and gas-masks. The crews are all crouching/kneeling/prone but it would be a simple matter to attach the arms to a standing figure from the German Infantry set to make figures that are manning a gun in a trench section. The models are cast in a light gray medium hardness plastic that shows detail very well and is entirely devoid of flash. Only the smallest amount of mold-lines are present which are easily cleaned up with a hobby knife or file. The three crew depict the gunner, a loader and a spotter and the proportions and anatomy are realistic. The clothing drapes well over the figures and will reward both careful "three-layer" painting as well as contrast style approaches. The uniforms and equipment appear to be accurately sculpted.
the back of the box with some nicely painted figures
the box with contents,
the only thing lacking is assembly instructions for the machine gun
sprue, side A
some of the many heads
the machine guns themselves and the gun bases
I would have liked another ammo box
the base in the high position places the gun at eye-level for a seated soldier
both the proportions and positions of the crew are natural
no "ham-hands" or giant heads
the entire sprue is cleanly molded with nice crisp detail
more of the many heads
This set will go perfectly with the Great War German Infantry set and can be used in Second World War forces in addition as many were issued to fortress or second-line units. This also is an excellent value as metal minis will cost well over $40.00US and won't provide extra guns or the option to position your crew as you like. This is a great set and a significant value.
Very Highly Recommended !
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