Bundeswehr Tank Crewman
1/16 Scale - Kit No.36309
First Look by Terry Ashley

---

The set consists of 28 parts in grey plastic, two in clear plastic plus a small decal sheet with the parts cleanly moulded in the usual Tamiya manner.

The upper torso is split into front and back halves as are the legs with separate one pieces arms wearing gloves, raised collars and boots. The details on the uniform are fairly simply but basically adequate for the current style tanker overalls.

The facial features are well defined while the helmet has separate intercom ear pieces and microphone for good detail definition. The intercom lead is moulded with the body halves and would look better defined if replaced with wire or thin plastic tubing as it should also extend to the ear pieces.

There are the usual mould seams to be removed from the parts as well as the join seam down the sides of the torso and legs but these pose no problems once the glue has dried completely.

The upper torso and head are the same for both figures so there isn’t much variation except for the clear goggles which can be fitted as well as the raised arms on the half figure designed to sit on top of the turret hatch.

A separate part is provided designed to be screwed under the Leopard kit hatch sill to fit the half figure on so it should stay in place as you drive the tank around the place while the full figure can be posed outside the vehicle.

The decal sheet has three different rank insignia for the shoulder epaulets while the box has colour illustrations of the current “Flecktarn” uniform camouflage scheme which is very similar to the WW2 Plain Tree Pattern cam.

Conclusion:
Overall a couple of nicely detailed figures that will add life to the big Leopard or just if your want a Modern Tanker figure, the fact the body and face are the same should be disguised with the different arms and goggles.

Kit courtesy of my Credit Card and the excellent service from Rainbow Ten.

Page created 7 July 2004