 |
 |
| "Alois" (Dragon Models) |
| Head Sculpt: This head sculpt reminds me of some of the earlier Dragon head sculpts that were released in 2000-2001 time frame. The face has a little scowel to it. Quite a bit of wrinkles are seen between the eyes, adding to the overall effect of the determined scowel. This really is a very basic, good overall quality head sculpt. Nothing too complicated in paint application department, but still a very good head sculpt. I would say out of all the Dragon figures I purchased in 2004, this figure has to be one of my favorites in the head sculpt department. Grade: 10.0 (A+/Perfect). Body: I'm very pleased with this particular Dragon body that came with Alois. The joints are slightly stiff, even after bending them in all directions. I don't know what Dragon has done to improve the joints on the newer body types, but I like it. In the first two years of there exsistance, in the 1/6th scale figure area of endevors (1999-2001), the joints were very loose and in some cases wouldn't support the weight of the body (I had this problem with my "Winter Gerhard" figure in particular). I'm glad that this figure doesn't suffer from this problem. This figure also comes with two sets of hands (ungloved preformed hands and the bendy gloved hands seen with other Luftwaffe figures). The gloved hands are my favorite in this boxed set. Grade: 10.0 (A+/Perfect). Uniform: In my opinion, this is the area this figures set shines in. The older version jump smock (1939) has two zippers that run up the front of the smock. They work very well and the metal zippers are done to scale (not too big like seen on many BBI figures). I know it is not such a big deal to most collectors of 1/6th scale figures, but to me it is an issue. The material used on the smock is very durable and is sown together very well (no loose threads). The older pattern tunic is a darker green color, with the felt type collar. The "Heer Eagle" on the tunic is the permanant factory applied type that, in my opinion, is the best kind Dragon produces. Why they started using the self applied "Sticker" type is beyond me. They look like crap and never stick very well to the uniform. The pants are gray in color and are very nicely stitched together. The jump boots worn by this figure are the old type that lace on the sides. They are done very nice, with a "field worn" paint application. The field cap on this figure (the one I received) was cut slightly off center. It was just a slight production error when the material was cut and sown together. The second set I bought of this figure didn't have this problem. The decal application of the "Heer Eagle", national colors circle and the white infantry "soutache'' were placed very neatly on the field cap. It was a shame the hat was cut off centered. Other wise, it is a flawless cap. Grade: 9.8 (A+/Had to take off for the field cap). Weapon/Field Equipment: The jump helmet that comes with this figure is the older 1939 version where the straps a fed through four holes on the side of the helmet (two holes on each side). This paticular helmet is made of plastic and has a very nice leather type helmet liner that is the same pattern that was used in this early version of this jump helmet. The chin strap is made out of a leather type material, but is harder to place around the head and fasten due to the older type chin strap configuration. Onerall the helmet couldn't look any more historically correct (unless of course it was made of metal). The KAR 98 rifle is the newer type that has a woking bolt and leather type adjustable strap. This is my favorite version of this bolt action rifle. The neck type KAR 98 ammo pouches are very nice. They are sown together very neatly and fit around the neck of the figure very well without bunching up. The bread bag and water bottle are same basic issue that have come with other German Dragon figure, with the exception of the bread bag being a more green in color (same color as the pre-war tunic). The water bottle is the "field worn" painted version. I still prefer this version of the water bottle slightly over the "flocked" version. The parachute pack that is packaged with this figure is the stuffed type (no working chute rig included). The material and configuration on the chute pack is the same type that was used with other luftwaffe fallshirmjager figures released in the past (Konrad, Max, and the fallshirmjager uniform sets). The field belt is the leather type that uses the silver colored heer buckle with the new type clip buckle. To me, this version of there field belts are the best they have produced to date. Grade: 10.0 (A+/Perfect). Overall Grade: 9.9 (A+). Closing Comments: This is the only pre-WWII Heer Paratrooper German figure Dragon has produced so far. They did an excellent job on everything in this boxed figure set (my opinion). The part that was cool is the figure didn't break me on the cost ($43.99). Normally fallshirmjager figures that come with a parachute pack cost over $50.00. You can still find this figure on most of the online 1/6th scale sites. I liked the figure so much, I bought two! Review Posted: 22 November 2004 |
 |
|