First Corps 25mm
WWII British, Soviet, and German Troops


These three sets: a British Para Bren Team (PBT-7); British Para Command Group (PBT-12); and Soviet Infantry Advancing (RUS-1) don't have the same charisma as the Sgt. Steiner [German] group, but they're impressive, all the same.

British

Again measuring 27H Barrett, these figures feature a wealth of oversized detail, combined with good, if stocky, poses. The two figure Bren team had some proportion problems in the legs - they were somewhat stumpy in relation to the body - but the rest of the figures (all standing) looked good. On the other hand, the Bren team featured the gunner holding his gun the RIGHT way, with the left hand over the rear stock, which means 1st Corps did their homework.

The three British Para command figures are best of this batch. One is a well-known mustachioed Major pointing with his umbrella, in his para smock and beret. Another, holding a half-assembled sten gun, is pointing and shouting. Their facial expressions ooze character. I'm not sure how much anybodys going to skirmish game in 25MM (30MM, actually) with all the 15s (my scale) and 20s out there, but painting up a few of these figures just for the fun of it - for dioramas, vignettes, etc. should prove a refreshing change of pace. The Bren team sells for $4.00 and the other two packs, for $4.50. Recommended!

Soviet

The three Soviet infantry are well done, if a bit static; all three are standing, though one (rifle, quilted winter tunic, and helmet) looks as if he wants to lunge at something. Facial expressions are good throughout and the weapons detailing is particularly nice (The troop with the PPSh looks as if its getting heavy.)

German

What a varied lot this is! The two packs of figures include Sgt. Steiner and his squad (6 figures - pack ST1) from Cross of Iron when they attacked the Soviet mortar position, and a single of Sgt. Steiner (ST2).

They all weigh in at 27H Barrett. These figures are, by rights, way too heavy, but I like them. Poses are convincing they all look tired - and proportions, beyond their over-stockiness, are good. Uniform and equipment detailing is very nice, if a bit exaggerated, and weapons are well defined. One troop (I don't remember his name) is standing firing a rifle with a telescope. He has a stick grenade in his boot, netting secured with a rubber band on his helmet, and the collar of his blouse turned up. He's squinting as he aims and looks mean. Another is reloading his MP40 and has an immense field radio on his back. He needs a shave. Another has a walrus mustache and a grenade stuffed into his bedroll. Steiner is recognizable and has a chestful of decorations (Did he wear these on campaign.?) Oh - the set comes with a stump with an MP40 resting against it, too. The separate Steiner figure carries a PPSh and wears an open camo smock. You get the picture.

These are more akin, in charisma and TLC, to role playing figures than anything else. Note that, though these troops are advertised as 25MM scale, they're actually about 30mm to the tops of their heads. This makes them reasonably compatible with any 1/48th scale armor you might have around (the old Bandai range, now re-released by Fuman, comes to mind.), as 30mm approximates to about 1/53rd scale (as opposed to 25MM, which equates to 1/64th scale.)

They're not cheap at $13.50 for the six figures plus stump, and $2.25 for Steiner alone. They're neat, though! Highly recommended to anybody who saw or read Cross of Iron. Available from your local game shop or direct from Brookhurst Hobbies 12188 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, CA 92640.- BILL RUTHERFORD

* The Courier uses the Tobey Barrett Measurement [BM] System to simplify comparison of figure sizes. The number is the height in millimeters from the bottom of the figure's foot (top of base) to its eyes. The letter refers to the "heft" of the figure: L=light, M=medium, and H=heavy. Thus, Hs will fit in with other Hs and some Ms, but not Ls.

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