Tamiya 35002 - 1:35 German Army Infantry

Plastic model figures: German Army Infantry in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35002 is a set of four German infantry figures of the Second World War, designed to work together as a scene — from a soldier about to squeeze the trigger to a figure lying prone under cover. The tooling dates from 1970 and belongs to the early releases of the Military Miniature Series, which over the following decades grew into the most extensive catalogue of 1:35 figures and vehicles.

The kit offers some freedom in composing the figures: the alternative arms let you arm a figure with a rifle or equip him with binoculars, turning a rifleman into an observer. Beyond personal weapons the box also contains an MG34 machine gun and helmets. The uniforms represent the later period of the war.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the parts for four German infantry figures
• Poses: rifleman ready to fire, soldier with MP40 submachine gun, soldier with slung weapon, prone figure
• Alternative arms — rifle version or binoculars version
• MG34 machine gun
• Helmets
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35002
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 4
• Tooling: 1970
• 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:

The build is short and beginner-friendly — each figure is made up of only a few parts and everything fits together well. It is worth deciding which set of arms to use before gluing, as this determines the character of the whole scene. Gate marks and mould parting lines are best removed before painting; on a uniform or a face, any unfinished detail stands out later.

Figure painting is a skill in its own right, and a set like this is a good place to practise it. The starting point for German infantry is the grey-green field uniform (feldgrau), complemented by the colours of the equipment: leather belts and ammunition pouches, the canvas bread bag and the gas mask in its metal canister. A wash brings out the folds of the cloth, while dry-brushing highlights raised areas. 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 equipment
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the soldiers – German infantry:

Infantry remained the most numerous branch of the German army throughout the Second World War. The firepower of a squad, however, rested not on the rifle but on the machine gun — first the MG34, later the MG42. Squad tactics were built around the machine gun team: the remaining soldiers, armed with bolt-action Kar98k rifles, covered the position, carried ammunition and carried out the manoeuvre.

Introduced in 1934, the MG34 was the world's first general-purpose machine gun — the same weapon served as a light machine gun on a bipod and as a heavy machine gun on a tripod. MP40 submachine guns went primarily to squad and platoon leaders, giving them considerable firepower at close range.

In the second half of the war uniforms and equipment were progressively simplified because of cost and shortages of raw materials, and the infantry increasingly fought on the defensive on the Eastern Front and in Western Europe. The figures in this set represent soldiers of exactly that later period.

Historical background:

• Formation: German infantry, Second World War (later period of the war)
• Weapons represented in the kit: MP40 submachine gun, rifles, MG34 machine gun
• MG34 — the first general-purpose machine gun, 7.92 mm calibre, rate of fire approx. 800–900 rounds per minute
• MP40 — 9 mm submachine gun with a 32-round magazine, the weapon of squad and platoon leaders
• German infantry squad tactics were built around the machine gun

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, to which this figure set also belongs. 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.