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

Introduction

PT-026 – “SS Tank Crew, 1944” is a 1/35th scale resin figure sculpted by Yoshitaka Hirano. The figure is very simply portrayed in a casual stance with hands in pockets. Released in April 2006, the box-art is painted by Luca Cardoselli.

The figure

PT-026 is very simply clad. He wears a grey cotton shirt, with his sleeves rolled to above the elbows, and 1944-pattern straight trousers in the unique SS ‘pea’ pattern camouflage. He wears the NCO and other ranks’ belt with SS-specific buckle plate and practical lace-up ankle boots (Schnürschuhe). For headgear, this tanker wears the M-43 Einheitsfeldsmütze peaked cap.

The kit

PT-026, moulded in a light grey coloured resin, comes in a kit form consisting of only two pieces. The figure is packaged in a small box with the parts inside a small zip-lock bag.

The figure consists of the following pieces: full figure; and Einheitsfeldsmütze.

The Einheitsfeldsmütze peaked cap clearly features the special Waffen-SS shape of eagle-and-swastika insignia on the side and the SS death’s-head on the front. It is well sculpted and very clean; there is no flash and the casting block is easily removed.

One of the things that appeals to me about this figure is the seemingly cheerful demeanour of the character. That is reflected in the face. The face is well sculpted and defined. There was very slight flash under the chin and in the mouth – nothing a sharp blade cannot handle in a few seconds.

The open collar and loose look of the shirt give the figure a relaxed summer look. The shirt flows well, and bunches nicely at the waist area. The 1944-pattern straight trousers gather nicely at the ankles and they pull realistically from the rear up towards the pockets. I found a tiny seam line on the heel of both the boots, but again this is nothing a sharp blade cannot quickly fix.

Conclusion

Admittedly this figure does not have one of the most dynamic of poses, nor does it look particularly interesting. But, it does provide one with a great, uncomplicated platform to practice painting those unique SS camouflage patterns. It will also make for a nice stand-alone, or part of a Panzer crew at rest vignette or diorama.

Recommended.