Zvezda

German Reconnaissance Team
1939-1942

While primarily aimed at the wargaming community (witnessed by the base with oversized banner, the wargaming stats on the back of the box and on the playing card inside), these figures can be used for static display.
Inside the small end opening box is a single sprue of fairly hard grey plastic. This contains the parts to assemble four figures, two of which are crouching while the others are lying prone. A large part of this sprue is taken up by four base plates and a banner, which the display modeler will probably not use (except during painting). For those who are interested, the bases offer the option of grouping the four figures together or giving each figure its own base. The rifle that is molded onto these bases is (fortunately) also given as a separate part.

The instructions are simple and for most experienced modelers overkill. The figures are very well molded with little flash and excellent detail overall, except for the chest of the two crouching figures, which is devoid of detail. The MP40 on the back of two of the figures are also rather poor. In fact, everything that is on the centerline of the sprue is rather poor due to molding limitations). This comes as a disappointment after having bought several other Zvezda sets.
While the figures might be built by snapping the parts together, glue really is needed to get a convincing fit, whatever the boxtop might claim. Even then, some filling might be needed, based on my experience with other Zvezda figure sets.
I am always wary when buying plastic figures, as most manufacturers use some ungluable vinyl. While the plastic used here is softer than some styrene, it does react very well to glues like MEK. I really mean VERY well, so be careful as the plastic will soften immediately. This is good to get a convincing joint, but it might also mar the detail. Removing the seams with a sharp scalpel is no problem (for as much as removal is needed) and sanding goes smoothly as well.

Talking about joints, the way the parts are engineered will give you a joint right across some delicate detail, so care is called for when applying glue and some rescribing might be in order.

The boxtop says that this set is meant for 1939-1942. As the most distinguishable features of the different uniforms is limited to the chest area (see article here), and as two figures are lying prone and two have no detail on the chest, these figures can easily be used for any period in the war.

Review sample purchased by the author.

Zvezda kits can be purchased from

Article Last Updated: 24 September 2015