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Alpine Miniatures' two new figures are from the 29th Infantry Division. These two soldiers both come with two head choices & are sold as singles or pairs. We look at the division's soldiers & both figures in detail in our preview...
Preview: 35th scale US Infantry 29th Infantry Division Set (single or 2 figures) from Alpine Miniatures
The Subjects: Soldiers of the Twenty-Ninth Infantry Division during WWII:
The 29th Infantry Division, famously known as the "Blue and Gray," was a National Guard unit composed primarily of men from Maryland and Virginia. Its nickname and unique monad insignia were designed to symbolise the reuniting of the North and South following the American Civil War.
A map of the progress of the 29th Infantry Division through northern Europe during WWII.
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During World War II, the division became legendary for its role in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. As part of the first wave at Omaha Beach, the division’s 116th Infantry Regiment faced devastating German fire from the cliffs above. The losses were staggering, particularly for the town of Bedford, Virginia, which lost 19 men in the opening minutes of the assault—the highest per capita loss of any American community on D-Day.
A gathering of 29th Infantry soldiers, showing a slight variation from soldier to soldier, but still very similar to each other.
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Following the brutal landing, the 29th fought through the dense, suffocating hedgerows of the French "bocage" country. Their primary objective was the strategic crossroads town of Saint-Lô, which they finally captured in July 1944 after weeks of grinding, close-quarters combat. Under the command of the strict Major General Charles H. Gerhardt and the courageous Brigadier General Norman "Dutch" Cota, the division then moved west to take part in the month-long siege of the vital port city of Brest, which was essential for bringing Allied supplies into Europe.
Captured late war in winter like these two figures from Alpine, these 29th ID soldiers are seen in a film reel from the war.
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By late 1944 and early 1945, the division pushed into Germany, crossing the Roer River and breaching the Siegfried Line. They eventually reached the Elbe River, where they made contact with Soviet forces, effectively cutting Nazi Germany in two. Because they were constantly in the thick of the heaviest fighting, the 29th suffered some of the highest casualty rates of the war, with over 20,000 men killed, wounded, or missing. Beyond their combat record, the division is also recognized for liberating several Nazi forced-labour camps during their final drive into the German heartland.
Seen in winter , 1945 in Germany, this BAR gunner from the 29th Infantry Division was the subject of Alprine Miniature's 16th scale release we reviewed a while back.
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The figures: Two new figures from the US 29th Infantry Division in 35th scale.
Alpine Miniatures are well known for being a pioneer in the industry, their quality continues to impress us, with this, their latest set of two single figures, also sold as a pair.
We will look at them both now, with the single figures, and then the set of two figures together
WW2 US Infantry Officer
From Alpine Miniatures
1/35th scale
Figure No #35334
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Box Art by Dr. Jin Kim
Two heads are included with the figure
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This Figure is sculpted by Taesung Harmms, it comes with two headgear choices & is cast in light grey resin, unassembled in 1/35th scale. They ae both seen in gear that could be Autumn or early Winter in the nothern European theatre.
Both of the heads feature a feature richly detailed face, with clearly defined eyes, nose and lips for the mideller to work with. This figure wears the regulation M1 helmet, the difference between these two figures is that one has camouflage netting on it, the other is bare. You can see below a WWII-era 29th ID helmet with the patch painted on to it next to the first head choice of the bare helmet on this figure...
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Below you see the alternate (depending on your presserence) head choice with the net covered helmet alongside a net-covered reproduction helmet.
The Thompson carrying soldier wears a US Army green scarf at the nack of his M-1941 jacket. This "Parson’s Jacket" (named after the designer Maj. General J.K. Parsons) was standard issue to all corps with the exception of the Navy. It is a light weight short jacket that would not keep someone warm due to the light weight material used. This jacket was produced from 1941 until late 1943 and was intended for light combat wear. It stayed in use throughout the war. You can see the details identifying this jacket by the same location on the buttons, the slit pockets on the front and the collar shape which the sculptor has captured in a lovely, wrinkly fashion here. Of note are his gloves tucked into his belt.
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In his hands, he carries the Thmpson M1A1 Sub-machine gun, complete with the canvas shoulder strap in a lighter colour and ammo pouches. Thompson M1A1 is the final World War II iteration of the legendary "Tommy Gun". Adopted in October 1942, it was a simplified, mass-produced version of the earlier M1928 models, designed to be cheaper and faster to manufacture for the U.S. military and its allies.
On his belt is attacvhed the Thompson machine gun ammo pouches, primarily designed during WWII, include 3-cell or 5-cell canvas pouches for 20-round or 30-round stick magazines, often featuring "U.S." stamps, lift-the-dot fasteners, and belt-mounting hooks.
Over his high boots he also wears M1938 leggings, which his standard-issue pants are also covering, keeping all types of nasties out of his boots. You can see where the sculptor has taken care to show the wrinkles of the canvas and the stitching and laces that keep them together in his fine sculpt work.
He also carries a medical pouch on his belt, along with a canteen and a pistol in a leather holser which is hard to see in this photo.
You can see the fine work of the sucltor in the fine folds with the thinner and thicker folds of the harder material. The thicker seams are straighter and more stiff-looking. The creases in the legs of the trousers stand out and will look great under paint.
WW2 US Infantry Corporal
From Alpine Miniatures
1/35th scale
Figure No #35333
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Box Art by Dr. Jin Kim
Two heads are included with the figure
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This second figure is also a soldier of the US 29th Infantry Division in 35th scale; this one is also heavily laden and sculpted to look like it by Taesung Harmms. He is seen gin a fairly neutral pose as he holds his M1 Garand in his left hand. He is wearing warm clothing like his comrade, as this appears to be a set captured in time during the autumn or winter of the Northern European theatre. Again, like his comrade, he is supplied with two headgear choices, both bare and netted M1 helmets. The liner and suspension were developed after a modified Riddell football helmet. The M-1 helmet was approved for production in June 1941. This helmet is offered “bare” without any camo covering and also with the mesh-netted covering, which could hold foliage in it for camouflage.
Two headgear choices are shown nex to the real things below - again the bare M1 hlemet, notice the woolen soft cap worn under th ehelmet to keep this soldier warm...
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As well as the net-covered helmet.
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On his torso the sculptor has crafter a latter style M-1941 Field Jacket, the first standard-issue jacket specifically designed for ground combat, characterized by a lightweight and deceptively simple design that served as a hallmark of WWII G.I. uniforms. Constructed from a water-resistant, olive-drab shade 2 cotton poplin outer shell and lined with a warm, dark olive-drab wool flannel, it was designed as a layerable windbreaker rather than a heavy, durable garment. Its most recognizable features include a front Talon zipper concealed under a buttoned storm flap, a short waist-length cut, a notched lapel collar with a buttoned neck closure, and two slash pockets without buttoned flaps. While early "Parsons" models lacked shoulder epaulets, later revisions added them to improve functionality, alongside button-operated adjusting tabs on the waist and cuffs to help seal in body heat, though its limited weather resistance and poor durability led to its eventual replacement by the more robust M-1943.
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This trooper carries with him the M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle. This was the primary weapon for most U.S. soldiers throughout World War II. It shot .30-'06 bullets from an eight-round clip, and a paratrooper might typically jump with 136 total rounds of ammunition. The rifle had a maximum effective range of 440 yards but could still do damage in excess of 1,000 yards. What really made the Garand so effective was its semi-automatic firing.
Across the man's torso is the U.S. M23 cartridge belt, the standard ammunition carrier for U.S. infantry armed with the M1 Garand or Springfield M1903 rifle during WWII...
As well a pair of WWII Springfield M1 Garand 10-pocket canvas ammunition belt bandoliers.
This figure is seen holding his rifle in his right hand casually as he gestures with his left hand, so you would think this is a soldier behind the front line in his mannerisms. On his lower torso, he wears the woolen combat pants and boots, covered by a pair of M1938 leggings. These leggings were worn in conjunction with service shoes until late in the war when they began to be replaced by the combat service boots. You can see how the sculptor again saves the best of his work for the wrinkles and folds of clothing as they follow the form of the fabric and the material's rigidity.
On his belt the soldier has the M43 entrenching tool with a wooden handle & folding & locking steel head, an M42 flask with a canvas cover over a Bakelite bottle along with an M42 field dressing pouch.
US 29th Infantry Division Set - 2 figures
From Alpine Miniatures
1/35th scale
Figure No #35335
Sculpture by Taesung Harmms
Box Art by Dr. Jin Kim
Two head choices are included with each of the two figures in this set.
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These figures are also sold as a set of two for a slightly cheaper price. They are shown below with both headgear choices on each figure. They are both wearing similar, but not always the same, gear, and both are fairly passive in nature, which is great for those wanting to show them in a natural setting. We like them both a lot.
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This impressive set or singles, your choice – will be ready for shipping on April 15
These two figures in singles and a set will be available from the Alpine Miniatures Online Store or their distributors worldwide. If you are in the USA, you can now purchase Alpine products directly from their online store with free shipping (within the US) on all orders.