Kharkov is a battle I've been looking to research for a while and this is the second or third kit from Dragon depicting German troops for that engagement (the 3rd Battle of Kharkov specifically ). This battle would immediately establish the battle lines for the Battle of Kursk in the summer. This is the first Dragon Gen2 kit I've built and it's quite an extensive one at that. Loads of gear and weapons plus photo-etch parts for slings, belt buckles, shoulder tabs and so on. The figures themselves are broken down to arms, legs, front and back halves of the torso, and separate hands and feet. I find the torsos to be unnecessary and just makes more work for removing seam lines (my great nemesis). Plus they use the same feature for the heads as well which is okay in this instance because the faces are separated at the point where the knit scarves covers the head. However, this is a pain when it comes to figures who aren't wearing a head coverings like the 2nd MarDiv at Tarawa set (my second Gen2 kit). And the last big pain is the lower portion of the anorak beneath the belt which is split into four sections which can be somewhat difficult to line up especially since there is a long seam running down the sides which is part of the actual jackets' construction. Bronco did something similar for their British Paratroopers in Action sets but used a front and back section and a separate piece for the crotch flap on the back. This was a lot easier to assemble. Despite that, this is still a great set, though it just requires patience and I would only recommend it for more experienced modelers which I guess is the intent for this line. Although I like the separate hands and feet, which helps a ton in terms of painting cuffs and pant legs which can be fairly time consuming in getting to look nice. This also adds some depth to the arms and legs since there's recesses in those areas now. Fine details throughout especially in facial expressions which show the leader shouting and motioning commands and my favorite, the assistant gunner carrying the tripod who has a very gruff, stiff upper expression. Worth the price plus tons of highly detailed accessories/weapons
![DML Totenkopf Division Kharkov 1943 Plastic Model Military Figure 1/35 Scale #6385](javascript:h17.showPopupImage("//web4.hobbylinc.com/gr/dml/dml6385.jpg","ItemMain"))
