In Box Review of Esci 1/9th Scale
German Panzergrenadier Grossdeutschland
Kit no. 6001
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1970’s
Out of Production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1970’s
Out of Production
HISTORY:
The Division of Armored Grenadiers “Grossdeutschland” is certainly the best known and most representative unit in the German Army.
Since its formation, as a regiment of motorized infantry, it was joined by men from all parts of the country, contributing towards making this detachment representative of the whole of Germany, with a quite exceptional spirit de corps and a good mixture of traditions.
As a result of the war efforts, thanks to their excellent fighting qualities and the success they had, the detachment became known as the guard of the German people. The regiment had its baptism of fire in August 1940, during the French Campaign, commanded by General Schwerin; it was then transferred to the Balkans, where it was made part of the group of Von Kleist’s forces and took part of operation “Barbarossa”.
This unit was included in Guderian’s armored troops and took part in all the important battles in the central part of the Russian front. In July 1942, the regiment was promoted to division level and in November was finally transformed into the Armored Grenadier Division.
The following year, under the command of General W. Moerlein, it took part in operation “Zitadelle” in the Kursk salient, as part of the 48th Armored Corps, commanded by Von Knobelsdorff, and particularly distinguished itself.
The division continued to fight for the rest of the war with great courage in various sectors of the Russian front; until the spring of 1945, as part of the 9th Army, East Prussia, they laid down their arms.
The Division of Armored Grenadiers “Grossdeutschland” is certainly the best known and most representative unit in the German Army.
Since its formation, as a regiment of motorized infantry, it was joined by men from all parts of the country, contributing towards making this detachment representative of the whole of Germany, with a quite exceptional spirit de corps and a good mixture of traditions.
As a result of the war efforts, thanks to their excellent fighting qualities and the success they had, the detachment became known as the guard of the German people. The regiment had its baptism of fire in August 1940, during the French Campaign, commanded by General Schwerin; it was then transferred to the Balkans, where it was made part of the group of Von Kleist’s forces and took part of operation “Barbarossa”.
This unit was included in Guderian’s armored troops and took part in all the important battles in the central part of the Russian front. In July 1942, the regiment was promoted to division level and in November was finally transformed into the Armored Grenadier Division.
The following year, under the command of General W. Moerlein, it took part in operation “Zitadelle” in the Kursk salient, as part of the 48th Armored Corps, commanded by Von Knobelsdorff, and particularly distinguished itself.
The division continued to fight for the rest of the war with great courage in various sectors of the Russian front; until the spring of 1945, as part of the 9th Army, East Prussia, they laid down their arms.
THE KIT:
Esci is an old prolific model company based in Italy. They manufacture many model subjects in the popular scales.
For a time they were associated with the Ertl company in Dyersville, IA.
The kit comes in a large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Panzer Grenadier posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
He is standing. He is wearing a field gray helmet, with leather padding inside and black chin strap. His blouse is field gray. It collar and shoulder straps were dark battle-green or field gray. All buttons in matt aluminum.
Trousers are field gray or medium gray. Jack boots are black. Belt, ammo pouches, entrenching tool carrier & bayonet scabbard are black. All metal parts fittings are gun metal.
Bread-bag in khaki, field-gray or light buff fabric, black leather fittings, gun metal parts, light gray buttons.
Canteen is khaki, field gray or light brown, cup was dark olive green, all straps were black and metal fittings were gun metal.
The gas mask canister was dark olive green, all straps were either khaki or light field gray. Mess kit was dark olive green, the retaining straps were black. The entrenching tool had a steel blade and a light brown handle.
The Bayonet had a black or brown grip, dark gun metal parts. The Mauser 98K carbine is light brown wood parts, dark gun metal parts, light brown leather sling.
All colors are matt.
Esci is an old prolific model company based in Italy. They manufacture many model subjects in the popular scales.
For a time they were associated with the Ertl company in Dyersville, IA.
The kit comes in a large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Panzer Grenadier posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
He is standing. He is wearing a field gray helmet, with leather padding inside and black chin strap. His blouse is field gray. It collar and shoulder straps were dark battle-green or field gray. All buttons in matt aluminum.
Trousers are field gray or medium gray. Jack boots are black. Belt, ammo pouches, entrenching tool carrier & bayonet scabbard are black. All metal parts fittings are gun metal.
Bread-bag in khaki, field-gray or light buff fabric, black leather fittings, gun metal parts, light gray buttons.
Canteen is khaki, field gray or light brown, cup was dark olive green, all straps were black and metal fittings were gun metal.
The gas mask canister was dark olive green, all straps were either khaki or light field gray. Mess kit was dark olive green, the retaining straps were black. The entrenching tool had a steel blade and a light brown handle.
The Bayonet had a black or brown grip, dark gun metal parts. The Mauser 98K carbine is light brown wood parts, dark gun metal parts, light brown leather sling.
All colors are matt.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains two jet black trees, 2 loose black bases, a loose head, a black vinyl tree and 2 decal sheets in a sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consists of a staple bound booklet of 32 pages printed on slick coated paper in 9 ½” x 6 ½” page format.
Page 1 says the kit is in the Soldier Series and shows 2 black and white photos of Panzer Grenadiers.
Page 2 to 5 shows the makeup of the Panzergrenadier Div. “Grossdeutschland” in 1944 using a mix of 119 white illustration on black background of the vehicles and tactical signs used by the division.
Page 6 & 7 gives the history of the Panzer Grenadiers, in Italian, English, German and French.
Page 8 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 8 through to page 13 gives a total of 15 assembly steps, with 5 black and white photos of Panzer Grenadiers added.
Page 14 & 15 is the painting instructions in the 4 languages and another black and white photo of a Panzer Grenadier.
Page 16 through to page 19 gives 7 more assembly steps, with 9 more black and white photos of Panzer Grenadiers.
Page 20 through to page 25 gives painting TIPS in the 4 languages.
Page 26 has a black and white photo of a group of Panzer Grenadiers on a grassy field.
Page 27 & 28 shows 3 maps.
Page 29 & 30 has 6 illustrations of fighting fields.
Page 31 has a large black and white photo of officers reviewing large groups of Panzer Grenadiers.
Page 32 shows 26 more white illustrations on a black background of more vehicles and tactical markings used by Grossdeutschland Div.
The trees are not alphabetized.
The 1st black tree holds: steel helmet & its leather liner, side caps, gas mask canister, bayonet, canteen, 98K ammo pouches, shovel, bread-bag, canvas pouch, shoes, collar, ears etc. (74 parts)
The kit contains two jet black trees, 2 loose black bases, a loose head, a black vinyl tree and 2 decal sheets in a sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consists of a staple bound booklet of 32 pages printed on slick coated paper in 9 ½” x 6 ½” page format.
Page 1 says the kit is in the Soldier Series and shows 2 black and white photos of Panzer Grenadiers.
Page 2 to 5 shows the makeup of the Panzergrenadier Div. “Grossdeutschland” in 1944 using a mix of 119 white illustration on black background of the vehicles and tactical signs used by the division.
Page 6 & 7 gives the history of the Panzer Grenadiers, in Italian, English, German and French.
Page 8 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 8 through to page 13 gives a total of 15 assembly steps, with 5 black and white photos of Panzer Grenadiers added.
Page 14 & 15 is the painting instructions in the 4 languages and another black and white photo of a Panzer Grenadier.
Page 16 through to page 19 gives 7 more assembly steps, with 9 more black and white photos of Panzer Grenadiers.
Page 20 through to page 25 gives painting TIPS in the 4 languages.
Page 26 has a black and white photo of a group of Panzer Grenadiers on a grassy field.
Page 27 & 28 shows 3 maps.
Page 29 & 30 has 6 illustrations of fighting fields.
Page 31 has a large black and white photo of officers reviewing large groups of Panzer Grenadiers.
Page 32 shows 26 more white illustrations on a black background of more vehicles and tactical markings used by Grossdeutschland Div.
The trees are not alphabetized.
The 1st black tree holds: steel helmet & its leather liner, side caps, gas mask canister, bayonet, canteen, 98K ammo pouches, shovel, bread-bag, canvas pouch, shoes, collar, ears etc. (74 parts)
The second black tree holds: torso front & back parts, arms, legs, 98K carbine, hands, grenade, straps buttons (40 parts)
Loose black parts are the 2 bases and the figure’s head.
The black vinyl tree holds straps and belts (5 parts)
The decal sheet completes the kit.
This is one neat figure. It will really draw attention with its size to your modeling shelf.
Highly recommended.