Review of Battlegroup Figures (part of Village Green) 25mm World War II, Panzergrenadiers, available from 17, Rotunda Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6LE, and Elite Group, 2625 Forest Glen Trail, Riverwoods, IL 60015

Individual figures 70p each. Section of 10 figures E6.50 at the time of writing. I will list the figures, comment and then draw some of them, not to scale.

PG1 Officer, NCO running with MP40 (officer in cap, NCO in helmet). All the figures are wearing the camouflage cloth combat smocks and helmet covers. These can be used as ordinary line infantry or Waffen SS. Basically the same figure with a different head. The pose is energetic, the MP held up under the right arm, pointing at the ground. The webbing and kit is well modeled and does not take over the figure.

PG2 Radio operator (bareheaded with headphones on) Slung rifle, helmet held in his right hand. "Hier ist der Nadel-Komme." The huge, by modem standards, radio is on his back. He looks right. A convincing pose.

PG3 Walking with rifle pointing down. A cautious walk, could be pausing at a comer or behind an obstacle.

PG4 Walking with rifle pointing forward. Rifle horizontal at the waist.

PG5 Walking with rifle pointing up. Another modulation of the theme.

PG6 Running with rifle across body. With all that kit on, "running" becomes more like a skitter - gives a good impression.

PG7 Running with assault rifle. Looks like "a still" from a movie. Good pose.

PG8 Running with rifle pointing forward. Across the body -high porte I would say; ready to do a rifleman's forward roll should he trip over. Land on your weapon, tuck your head into your right elbow and roll. You should come up facing right. "Not a lotta people know that" says Michael Caine.

PG9 Firing ND40 from the hip with slung Panzerfaust. Good crouching pose.

PG 10 Kneeling firing rifle. Head a bit high - observing effect or getting ready to fire I'd say.

PG 11 Standing firing rifle. A better aim position this one.

Section Packs:

PGB3 consists of PG6, 7 and 8

PGB4 consists of PG9, 10 and 11.

PGB5 LMG advancing. Consists of PG16 running with MG42 and PG17 MG42 No 2 running.

How many times over the years have I heard a section commander snarl "Where's that *!@#!! LMG?! " You can spend a lot of time doubling about with a heavy support weapon (even if it's termed "fight). 16 carries the long barreled weapon across his front. 17 has two ammo boxes and a belt draped around his neck for rapid use. Good group. Finally PG26 walking with MP40 holding Panzerfaust. Sounds like a contortionist but actually he has both weapons in either hand pointing downwards. A well modeled pose looking right. All these figures are well modeled, one or two had a trace of light flash. Good animation and casting. Some drawings now: