Tamiya 35030 - 1:35 German Assault Troops

Plastic model figures: German Assault Troops in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35030 is a set of eight German infantry figures in assault poses — one of those kits from which an entire scene can be built without buying anything else. The figures are shown in different roles: an officer leads the attack, a two-man MG34 machine gun team is seen firing and then advancing, a soldier with an MP40 submachine gun covers his comrades, riflemen with Kar98k rifles press forward and one soldier climbs over an obstacle.

The set comes from a 1974 tooling and the uniforms correspond to the middle and late period of the Second World War. Decals with markings are also included. With eight figures in one box, it makes an attractive basis for a diorama or a complement to a 1:35 vehicle model.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the parts for eight German infantry figures
• Poses: officer, MG34 machine gun team (firing and advancing), soldier with MP40 submachine gun, riflemen with Kar98k rifles, soldier crossing an obstacle
• Decals with markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35030
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 8
• Tooling: 1974
• 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:

Despite the eight figures the build stays simple — each one consists of a few well-fitting parts. It pays to work in batches: first clean all the parts of gate marks and mould parting lines, then assemble the torsos, and prepare the weapons and equipment separately, as they are easier to paint before being attached.

Figure painting is a skill of its own, but with this many figures progress comes quickly. The base for German infantry is the grey-green cloth of the field uniform (feldgrau); from the middle of the war camouflage patterns on helmet covers and smocks became increasingly common, so it is worth varying a few figures to keep the scene from looking monotonous. A wash brings out uniform folds, while dry-brushing highlights the raised areas. Decals are best applied over a gloss-coated surface, which reduces the risk of silvering. 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)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise uniform folds and equipment
• Gloss varnish for the decals and matt varnish for the final finish
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the soldiers – German infantry on the attack:

German infantry tactics rested on close cooperation between the squad and its machine gun. The machine gun pinned the enemy down with fire while the riflemen with their Kar98k rifles carried out the manoeuvre and closed to grenade range. The machine gun team — gunner and ammunition bearer — was the most important and the most exposed part of the squad, which is why it changed firing positions as often as the situation allowed.

Introduced in 1934, the MG34 was the world's first general-purpose machine gun: on a bipod it served as the squad weapon, on the Lafette tripod as a heavy machine gun. The MP40 submachine gun went mainly to squad and platoon leaders, giving them an edge in firepower at close range.

From the middle of the war uniforms were gradually simplified, while camouflage items became more widespread. The set represents soldiers of exactly this period — from 1943 the German infantry increasingly fought against an enemy holding the advantage in firepower.

Historical background:

• Formation: German infantry, middle and late Second World War
• Weapons represented in the kit: MG34 machine gun, MP40 submachine gun, Kar98k rifles
• MG34 — general-purpose machine gun, 7.92 mm calibre, rate of fire approx. 800–900 rounds per minute
• Kar98k — 7.92 mm bolt-action rifle with a five-round magazine, the standard rifleman's weapon
• MP40 — 9 mm submachine gun with a 32-round magazine
• The machine gun formed the core of the German infantry squad's firepower

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.