Tamiya 35386 - 1:35 German Machine Gun Team Mid WWII

Plastic figure kit: German Machine Gun Team Mid WWII in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35386 is a set of five figures depicting a German machine gun section from the middle period of the Second World War. Two soldiers lie prone behind an MG34 mounted on the Lafette tripod, a crouching gunner holds an MG42, an ammunition bearer carries 300-round boxes together with a spare barrel case, and an NCO with an MP40 submachine gun completes the group.

Both German machine guns — the MG34 and the MG42 — are included in the box, giving freedom in composing the scene. The kit is based on tooling from 2024, so the details of the weapons, equipment and uniforms are crisply rendered. The decal sheet contains collar patches, shoulder boards and small details.

What is in the box:

• Plastic parts for five figures
• MG34 and MG42 machine guns
• Lafette tripod
• MP40 submachine gun
• 300-round ammunition boxes
• Spare barrel case
• Decal sheet with collar patches, shoulder boards and details
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35386
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 5
• Tooling: new tooling from 2024
• 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:

The latest tooling means very good fit and subtle seam lines — assembly is quick and accessible to beginners. The prone figures call for a well-thought-out base: it is worth planning the ground contours (an embankment, the edge of a trench, rubble) while dry-fitting, so that the figures sit naturally on the surface.

The field uniforms are painted in field grey (for example Tamiya XF-65 Field Grey) and the weapons in matt black with metallic accents; a light dry-brush on the edges of the machine guns works particularly well. The collar patch and shoulder board decals are best applied over a gloss coat, which prevents silvering, with a matt varnish to finish. 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 weapon details

About the soldiers – German machine gun sections:

In the German infantry squad the machine gun was the core of the firepower, with the other soldiers providing cover and ammunition. A section usually consisted of a gunner, an ammunition bearer and assistants who carried the boxes and the spare barrel case — with a rate of fire approaching a thousand rounds per minute, the barrel heated up so quickly that changing it during a firefight was a routine task.

The MG34 was the first true general-purpose machine gun in the world: on a bipod it acted as a light weapon, while on the Lafette 34 tripod it became a heavy weapon capable of accurate fire at ranges beyond a kilometre. The Lafette had a recoil-absorbing mechanism and an optical sight, and its weight meant that carrying it was the job of a dedicated soldier.

The MG42, introduced in 1942, used a simplified stamped construction that was cheaper and faster to produce, and had an even higher rate of fire. Both weapons served alongside each other until the end of the war, so having the MG34 and the MG42 in one set reflects the reality of the middle years of the fighting.

Historical background:

• Formation: German infantry machine gun sections, middle period of the Second World War
• Weapons: MG34 and MG42 (7.92 mm), MP40 submachine gun
• Lafette 34 tripod: accurate fire at ranges beyond a kilometre
• Equipment: 300-round ammunition boxes, spare barrel cases
• The high rate of fire made regular barrel changes necessary during combat

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.