ESCI and Revell Waffen Troops

Released in 1982 when plastic figures as a hobby was on the starting to make a comeback after a disastrous few years of almost zilch new figure production, ESCI managed to produce a set that has been in production on and off for almost thirty years. A quick look on most wargame sites where plastic figures are used and you will probably find a few lurking on the stands.
After ESCI went down Italeri re-released the set in the mid 1990's under the name of Panzer-Grenadiere, different name same set.

Around the same time in 1994 Revell got into the act with their Armoured Infantry. This was an truly great set with well thought out poses coming directly from photo's of the era. Lots of poses and action in this set makes it one of the best early to mid war sets for Germans available.

Back at the turn of this Century before the assault of Pegasus and Caesar German sets, these two were the only real choice for a German Force in 1/72 scale. With this in mind when the time came for me to build an elite German Unit (And we all need an elite German force!) I was left with these two sets on the table. I chose Waffen SS, but this was an historical choice not a political decision (I am not a Nazi and I do not espouse any political views while gaming or in real life) Problem was elite Germans had to look elite as well as fighting elite. Waffen SS figures in smocks were not in the shops in plastic, and at that stage unlikely to be in production...what to do?

After much thought I decided to simply carry out paint conversions on the figures and over paint the tunic into a smock and hope for the best...and here some of are after a nights basing, of which for most of these troops is the third time.

Company Weapons stand, Revell figures. Nice multi-part pose of a MG34 team in action.

Company Command stand, again from Revell, stand out features include the goggles around the neck, and the SMG which is probably a Soviet Burb Gun...I like to think of it as a MP28 to go in line with Waffen armaments.

Background Revell, foreground ESCI, one downside of the Revell pose is the lack of weapon apart from the grenade.

Second set of Revell MG team figures, this time it appears to be a MG42. The set actually contains a ammo bearer running as well, but I spread these around to mix and match the bases up.

ESCI background with Revell foreground. The ESCI MP38 or MP40 armed figure is posed bracing himself for the recoil which is nice, and the Revell figure is aiming his K98 upwards. Again this is a welcome change and suitable for flushing snipers in tree's or fighting in built up area's, both reasonable for the Eastern Front.