Essex 20mm WWII
German and Soviet Riflemen


The samples (GER4 and SOV4, respectively), which come with 3 identical figures per bag, measured 20M Barret for the German figure and 18M Barret for the Soviet figure. Detailing was average - some items of gear were somewhat squished (e.g., the German gasmask canister), others were over-emphasized (German shoulder straps looked like Soviet shoulder boards!) and both figures suffered from visibly too-short legs in relation to body size. To their credit, both figures looked properly tired, the German, particularly, looking as if he'd like to just quit.

That aside, there's little to distinguish these figures, either in quality or lack thereof. One will want to take care when mixing them with other ranges, as theyre lighter heft than many ranges and are a bit shorter. The range is quite extensive, covering the USA, USMC, Japanese, Germans (SS and Wehrmacht), Soviets, and NW Europe British. Available from your local gameshop for $2.99 per 3-pack, or from Wargames, Box 278, Route 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059-0278. 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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