1:32 German WWII Elite Troops in winter dress

Winter as an opponent in its own right

The first Russian winter caught the attacking formations without winter dress and the losses from frostbite exceeded those from the fighting. The answer was a system of insulated items introduced from the winter of 1942, which went first to the units with the highest supply priority. The set captures exactly this look of the soldier: a bulky figure that changes almost beyond recognition compared with the summer.

What the figure is wearing

The basis is a quilted two-piece suit, reversible so that it can be turned white side out as soon as snow has fallen. A hood pulled on over the helmet belongs with it, along with mittens with a separate trigger finger, felt or straw overboots and a scarf from a parcel from home. The equipment is worn over the suit, so the belts and pouches sit higher than usual.

A rewarding subject for snow

A winter scene forgives little, but it repays the effort. The white surface of the suit needs blue and gray shadows, otherwise it looks like paper; the snow underfoot has to be trampled and dirty. Figures in such a setting hold the attention by themselves and do not need large vehicles.

Practical information

The 1:32 size allows the quilting and the stiff folds of frozen cloth to be rendered. The name specifies neither the year nor the number of figures in the package, and the castings arrive without paint. The set combines naturally with armored vehicles in winter finish. It is also worth noticing how a thick layer of cloth changes the silhouette: the shoulders broaden, the neck disappears and the stride shortens, which every viewer notices when the scene is put together.