Preview: Alpine Miniatures' New 35th-scale WSS Tanker Set

Alpine Miniatures has two new single figures & a set of WSS panzermen inspired by an ace of the SS. See the inspiration, the gear & the figures in our preview...

Alpine Miniatures' new 35th-scale WSS tanker set

The subject, Waffen SS tankers, summer uniforms in mid-WWII
In the late-war summer months (1944–1945), Waffen-SS Panzer crews largely abandoned heavy wools in favour of lightweight, one-piece reed-green drill overalls (Panzerkombi) or the two-piece denim equivalents as their primary combat uniform. These overalls were specifically engineered for hot weather, utilising a breathable cotton-duck or linen fabric that kept crews cool inside stifling armoured vehicles. They retained the classic wrap-front design but featured integrated waist belts, deep cargo pockets on the thighs for maps, and zippered openings to allow easy access to underwear or standard uniform trousers underneath.

The sculpt and painting of one of the figures can draw a lot from this photo of Ernst Barkmann, the "ace of the SS Panzermen" in the commander's cupola of his Panther number 401.

A defining characteristic of these late-war summer overalls was the widespread application of the M44 Erbsenmuster (pea-dot) camouflage pattern, printed directly onto the drill fabric. Unlike earlier camouflage garments, these were non-reversible, featuring a distinctive five-colour mix of green, brown, tan, and black dots designed to disrupt the wearer's silhouette in lush summer foliage. Because these overalls were meant to be utilitarian combat dress, standard insignia was drastically minimised; collar tabs were often completely omitted, and rank was typically displayed only on shoulder lapels.

The crew of Panther number 401 – Ernst Barkmann is in the commander's cupola, here in much the same gear as those figures.

For headgear during these final summer campaigns, tankers predominantly wore the M43 field cap (Einheitsfeldmütze), constructed from matching reed-green drill or camouflage cotton to complete the lightweight uniform. The cap featured a stiff fabric visor to shade the eyes from the intense summer sun and two folding side flaps secured by buttons. Enlisted men and NCOs wore these soft caps fitted tightly beneath heavy canvas radio headphones, while officers frequently opted for custom-tailored versions made from lightweight herringbone twill, sporting the embroidered SS eagle and Totenkopf (death's head) insignia on the front.

Another photo of the man in his Panthr 401, this time with rolled-up sleeves, as you can see mimicked in the NCO figure.

WSS Panzer NCO 

The figure comes with 2 different head choices.

#35336 

1/35th Scale

Sculpture by Taesung Harmms

Boxart by Calvin Tan

This 1/35th scale Waffen-SS Panzer Non-Commissioned Officer figure from Alpine Miniatures stands in a relaxed posture with his hands resting firmly on his hips, causing his weight to shift slightly to one side as he looks on in front of him. 

The kit provides two separate headgear configurations to vary the completed model. The first selection is an SS side cap (Schiffchen), featuring a dark wool construction with the national eagle insignia sewn on the front and the Totenkopf skull insignia positioned directly below it. 

The alternative headwear option is an M43 field cap (Einheitsfeldmütze) painted in matching camouflage, showing its soft cloth peak and a small woven insignia patch over the centre.

The other type of camouflage to what is painted here, but you get the idea...

Below the neck, the figure wears a one-piece camouflage panzer combination suit (Panzerkombi) featuring a distinct mottled pattern. The collar of the suit is turned down, exposing the top of an underlying undershirt at the throat. He wears standard NCO shoulder lapels, affixed to the shoulders of the overalls, outlined with a bright white or silver piping border denoting an NCO. The fabric sleeves are rolled up mid-way to the elbows, creating a warmer weather feel for this soldier. These are reversible camouflaged panzer crew overalls, which came into service around 1943. They feature a reversible version, with spring and autumn pattern Waffen-SS camouflage. 

The loose, baggy fit of the combination uniform gathers around the waistline where a standard black leather German military uniform belt (Koppel) is tightly secured. A rectangular, metallic SS enlisted man/NCO box buckle (Koppelschloss) fastens the belt securely at the centre of the abdomen. The fabric folds of the suit naturally bunch and drape over the top edge of this leather belt line. 

Attached directly to the rear left hip of the utility belt is an M38 hard-shell leather pistol holster, housing a standard-issue Walther P38 service sidearm. Below the belt line, the baggy trouser portion of the suit falls down the legs with realistic fabric creases and sag lines around the thighs and knees. The cuffs of the combination legs narrow cleanly at the ankles, where the fabric is tucked into a pair of heavy-soled, black leather German military service boots that firmly anchor the figure to the ground.

WSS Panzer Crew 

The figure comes with 2 different head choices.

#35337 

1/35th Scale

Sculpture by Taesung Harmms

Boxart by Calvin Tan

This German panzer crewman wears an option of two headgear (two heads are provided in the kit), a standard M43 field cap fabricated in matching Erbsenmuster pea-dot camouflage, complete with a small visor to shield his eyes from the sun. This is the latter type, with only a very small death's head cloth badge on the front to econmise in cost, time and material.

Alternatively, you can switch to a side cap (Schiffchen) tilted casually to the side, paired with a detailed set of driver goggles pushed up onto his forehead. These goggles feature thick black rubberised padding and dual clear lenses with metallic trim, capturing the utilitarian look of a tanker navigating a dust-heavy battlefield. 

On his torso the sculptor Taesung Harmms gives us another one-piece armoured crew coverall. The entire garment features the distinctive Erbsenmuster (pea-dot) camouflage pattern in the painting scheme by Calvin Tan, consisting of a complex array of light green, dark ivy green, tan, and dark brown spots layered over a pale brown base. The overalls are made with a wide-open collar, buttoned chest pockets, and a clean covered fly down the front torso, typical of late-war summer combat uniforms. His sleeves are rolled up to the mid-forearm, revealing bare skin and giving the impression of a warm environment in or around his tank.

I especially like the way the uniform folds now near the waist pockets and the hat falls flat near the brim, showing off the physicality of what cloth on these looks like.

He stands in a relaxed, contemplative stance, conveying a sense of passive alertness during a brief lull in operations. His weight shifts subtly onto his left leg, while his right foot projects slightly forward to anchor a natural posture. His upper body features an asymmetrical arm placement; his left arm is sharply bent across his waist, with his hand resting on the opposite forearm just below the rolled-up cuff. His right arm hangs loosely downward, with fingers curled gently in a relaxed grip. The slight tilt of his torso and head suggests he is observing distant movement or awaiting orders.

A minimal but functional combat loadout is strapped directly over his camouflage overalls, tailored for the cramped confines of an armoured vehicle. A thick, black leather combat belt cinches his waist, secured at the centre by a rectangular metallic buckle. Positioned on his left rear hip is a moulded black leather hard-shell holster for his Walther pistol, designed to carry his standard-issue service sidearm for self-defence outside the tank. On his feet, he wears laced ankle combat boots detailed with tight speed-lacing textures and coated in realistic field dust along the soles from the surrounding terrain.

WSS Panzer Crew Set (2 figure set)

The pictures show the figures, both with 2 different head choices each.

1/35th Scale

#35P335

Sculpture by Taesung Harmms

Boxart by Calvin Tan

This new set features both of these panzer men, who can be combined with similar gear from an era where the uniforms are pretty standard amongst an established crew. They both have a placid kind of body language, so they suit the same or tanks in each other's vicinities.

Both are looking on when placed together; they do suit each other in body language. You can see the different headgear choices on display with these two below.

All of these figures are available right now from the Alpine Miniatures Webstore directly