1:32 German Africa Korps WWII

The German Afrikakorps

A set of figures from Mars in 1:32 scale capturing German soldiers of the Afrikakorps of the Second World War. The Afrikakorps was formed at the beginning of 1941 and sent to Libya in support of the Italian units, which had suffered a heavy defeat there before. Erwin Rommel commanded it. The fighting then surged back and forth across the desert between Libya and Egypt for two years, where the outcome was often decided by supplies of fuel and water rather than by the number of vehicles, and it ended in May 1943 in Tunisia. Tropical equipment is typical of this corps: lighter dress and headgear for a hot climate, different from that of the units on the European battlefields.

1:32 scale and the scene

In 1:32 scale an adult figure corresponds to roughly 55 mm. The figures are therefore substantially larger than in the small scales and will carry elaborate painting of the face. They go with vehicles, guns and accessories of the same scale.

Painting and preparation

• Degrease the surface of the figures with lukewarm soapy water and let them dry.
• Apply a base coat; on smooth plastic the paint otherwise holds less well.
• Keep the tropical uniform in faded sand tones, because the sun and the dust knocked the color back.
• Settle the dust with a light glaze from the bottom upward, most of all on the boots and the hem of the trousers.
• Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little away from the figure and sand the rest.

Who the set is for

For builders of desert dioramas and collectors of figures in a larger scale. The figures will bring a scene with a vehicle to life, as well as a weapon crew or a group resting in the shade.

Paints, glue and a base are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.