Tamiya 35001 - 1:35 German Army Tank Crew

Plastic model figures: German Army Tank Crew in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35001 is a set of three unassembled figures depicting the crew of a German tank of the Second World War. The tooling dates from 1968, and the kit itself holds a special place in the company's catalogue: it was the first release in Tamiya's 1:35 Military Miniature Series — a line that has since grown to hundreds of items and helped establish 1:35 as the standard scale for military modelling.

The figures are posed as tank crews were commonly seen on campaign: one seated, one standing in a hatch and one representing the commander. This makes the set an ideal companion for a finished tank model — it fills open hatches, adds a story to the scene and conveys the real size of the vehicle.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the parts for three German tank crew figures
• Seated crewman, crewman standing in a hatch and a commander
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35001
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 3
• Tooling: 1968
• Skill level: beginner

Note: The kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The figures are supplied for self-assembly and painting.

Assembly and painting:

Assembly is quick and straightforward — each figure consists of only a few parts, and Tamiya's typically precise fit makes the build easy even for newcomers. It is worth carefully removing the sprue gate marks and gently sanding the mould parting lines before painting, since on figures any blemish on a face or uniform shows up clearly later. A convenient approach is to paint the torso, head and hands separately and assemble them afterwards.

Figure painting is a skill of its own, and a set like this is a good place to develop it. German tank crews wore the distinctive black panzer uniform (Panzerjacke), so a good starting point is black lightened with a touch of grey to avoid a flat, featureless surface. Flesh tones are needed for faces and hands, while a wash and dry-brushing help bring out uniform folds and facial features. The instructions provide Tamiya paint codes.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise uniform folds and facial features
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the soldiers – German tank crews:

The German armoured force (Panzerwaffe) was created in the 1930s and quickly became the backbone of a doctrine built on manoeuvre. Trained crews were central to it: a medium tank such as the Panzer III or Panzer IV was operated by five men — commander, gunner, loader, driver and radio operator, who usually also manned the hull machine gun.

One practice that set German tank commanders apart was fighting with their head out of the turret hatch. At the cost of personal safety it offered far better situational awareness than optical devices alone — hence the classic silhouette of a commander in an open hatch, reproduced in this set.

Armoured crews received their own practical working dress: a short, double-breasted black jacket and trousers, comfortable in the cramped interior of a vehicle and forgiving of oil and grease. Together with the padded beret, and later the field cap, this outfit became one of the most recognisable pieces of German uniform of the war.

Historical background:

• Formation: German armoured troops (Panzerwaffe), Second World War
• Typical medium tank crew: 5 men (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator)
• Distinctive dress: black double-breasted panzer jacket and trousers, suited to work inside a vehicle
• Commanders frequently fought head-out of the turret hatch for better awareness of the battlefield
• Use: the figures complement 1:35 models of German tanks

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in the timber trade, moved on to wooden models in the late 1940s and released its first plastic model kit in 1960. In 1968 it launched the 1:35 Military Miniature Series — starting precisely with this German tank crew set, catalogue number 35001. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which makes its kits a popular choice for beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya figures are valued for their natural poses and clearly rendered uniforms and equipment. Besides plastic kits the company offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today Tamiya is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.