Tamiya 35354 - 1:35 Wehrmacht Tank Crew Set

Plastic figure kit: Wehrmacht Tank Crew Set in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35354 is a generous set of eight German tank crew figures. Four are full figures and four are busts intended for open hatches. This makes the set a practical source of crew figures — enough to populate several vehicle models or an entire diorama scene.

The kit is based on tooling from 2017. The officer figures come with a choice of headgear: a peaked cap or a field cap. The decal sheet contains rank insignia and awards, allowing the ranks and combat experience of individual figures to be defined precisely.

What is in the box:

• Plastic parts for eight figures
• Four full figures and four busts
• Choice of officer headgear: peaked cap or field cap
• Decal sheet with rank insignia and awards
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35354
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 8 (4 full figures and 4 busts)
• Tooling: new tooling from 2017
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The figures are supplied for self-assembly and painting.

Assembly and painting:

Assembly is simple, and the new tooling gives fine seam lines and clearly rendered uniform details. Before gluing the busts in place it is worth dry-fitting them in the open hatches of your particular model — the set of the shoulders and head determines how natural the whole scene looks.

German tank uniforms were the distinctive black Panzerjacke. To avoid a flat, lifeless finish, black lightened with grey (for example Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black mixed with XF-63 German Grey) works well, with highlights on the raised folds. Rank decals are best applied over a gloss coat to prevent silvering, with a matt varnish over the top. The instructions give Tamiya paint codes.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (for example Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Fine modelling tweezers for small parts and decals
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for the decals and matt varnish for the final finish
• A wash to bring out uniform folds and facial features

About the soldiers – Wehrmacht tank crews:

The German armoured forces (Panzerwaffe) were built around the concept of manoeuvre warfare, in which a well-trained, closely knit crew was decisive. A medium tank was operated by five men: commander, gunner, loader, driver and radio operator, who usually also manned the hull machine gun. The clear division of tasks and a radio in every vehicle gave German units a tactical edge in the early years of the war.

Crews were issued a distinct, practical working uniform: a short, double-breasted black jacket and trousers, comfortable in the cramped interior of a vehicle and forgiving of grease stains. It was worn with a protective beret, later replaced by a field cap. Officers wore peaked caps, though in the field they often preferred the more comfortable field cap — both options are included in this set.

Rank insignia were carried on the shoulder boards and collar patches, while awards such as the Panzer Assault Badge or the Iron Cross were worn on the chest of the jacket. The decals supplied with the kit allow these details to be reproduced without painting tiny markings by brush, which makes the work considerably easier.

Historical background:

• Formation: German armoured forces (Panzerwaffe), Second World War
• Typical medium tank crew: 5 men (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator)
• Uniform: black double-breasted tank jacket and trousers
• Headgear: peaked cap, field cap
• Use of the kit: a complement to 1:35 models of German tanks and vehicles

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business initially traded in timber and produced wooden models from the late 1940s, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. In 1968 it launched the 1:35 Military Miniature Series, which grew to hundreds of items and established the standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and very good parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by 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. Tamiya is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.