Dusty Trail Action Series 1: Schwartz MG 42 Gunner action figure review by Andrew Lenahan
Figure: Schwartz MG 42 Gunner
Property: Dusty Trail Action Series
Series: 1
Keywords: Military figures, soldiers, WWII, WW2, World War II, German, Nazi, Machinengewehr 42
Company: Dusty Trail Toys
Release year: 2003
Series Overview:
Bucking the industry trend of using licensed properties as the basis for toy lines, Dusty Trail introduced its Action Series: a line of figures who, though realistic, are not based on any particular person or existing character. Series 1 is a motley bunch, including a pirate, an old-west outlaw, a modern SWAT officer and matching criminal lowlife, and two World War II soldiers.
Character Overview:
With a tradition going back to ancient times, and through centuries of tin and wooden soldiers, military figures are truly one of the classic toy themes. However, modern military figures seem to be strictly divided between detailed (and expensive) replicas targeted squarely at adult collectors, and silly plastic characters for the kids to play with. Dusty Trail presents an interesting middle ground, with articulated 6" figures at a reasonable price point, while still packing in plenty of accuracy and detail for war buffs. The card gives a paragraph of detail about Sturmann Schwartz, and details his gear, but doesn't really give any background besides him being in France.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 8.5
The Dusty Trail Action Series line certainly has its share of truly awesome sculpts, and while Schwartz isn't among the best, he's still excellent and well above average for an action figure. With a somewhat more defensive pose than his American counterpart, Corporal Smith, he has an equally fierce expression and almost as much fine detail. He has plenty of realistic-looking attached gear as well. Paint detailing is also quite good, but again not as good as Corporal Smith's.
Articulation: 4
Like Corporal Smith, Schwartz has a minimum of articulation. His head and wrists can turn, as do both shoulders, and each has a somewhat better range of motion than Smith's. He scores higher than Smith because the peg which holds him on his base is attached to the base rather than his foot, so he can stand without his base.
Accessories: 9
Whatever his chances of surviving the war might be, Schwartz can rest easy knowing that when it comes to accessories, he has his enemy soundly beaten. He has a large base with a wall section attached, taller than the figure itself, in fact. Oddly, the card states that his base is supposed to be a street section, although unless Frech streets in WWII were paved with wooden boards, it's obviously a floor. It's all very detailed, and the wall is sculpted on both sides, so you can orient it for display either in front of Schwartz or behind him. He has three handheld accessories: two grenades (which tuck into his belt too) and his MG 42 machine gun, which is impressively long and accurately detailed. On the negative side, he doesn't hold onto his gun very easily.
Packaging: Above Average
The Dusty Trail action series uses packaging like the recent McFarlane figures. I like it there, and I like it here too. It shows the figure well, it's sturdy, and won't get damaged easily.
Overall score: 8
It's impossible not to compare Schwartz with Corporal Smith, who has a better sculpt and paint but weaker articulation and accessories. It's too close to call which is the better overall figure though. WWII buffs certainly deserve to own both.
Availability:
Originally sold at a fairly hefty $12-15 (a bit more than McFarlane figures of similar size and quality), Amazon.com (link) currently has them for $7.99 each as of this writing. This is quite a good price.
Property: Dusty Trail Action Series
Series: 1
Keywords: Military figures, soldiers, WWII, WW2, World War II, German, Nazi, Machinengewehr 42
Company: Dusty Trail Toys
Release year: 2003
Series Overview:
Bucking the industry trend of using licensed properties as the basis for toy lines, Dusty Trail introduced its Action Series: a line of figures who, though realistic, are not based on any particular person or existing character. Series 1 is a motley bunch, including a pirate, an old-west outlaw, a modern SWAT officer and matching criminal lowlife, and two World War II soldiers.
Character Overview:
With a tradition going back to ancient times, and through centuries of tin and wooden soldiers, military figures are truly one of the classic toy themes. However, modern military figures seem to be strictly divided between detailed (and expensive) replicas targeted squarely at adult collectors, and silly plastic characters for the kids to play with. Dusty Trail presents an interesting middle ground, with articulated 6" figures at a reasonable price point, while still packing in plenty of accuracy and detail for war buffs. The card gives a paragraph of detail about Sturmann Schwartz, and details his gear, but doesn't really give any background besides him being in France.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 8.5
The Dusty Trail Action Series line certainly has its share of truly awesome sculpts, and while Schwartz isn't among the best, he's still excellent and well above average for an action figure. With a somewhat more defensive pose than his American counterpart, Corporal Smith, he has an equally fierce expression and almost as much fine detail. He has plenty of realistic-looking attached gear as well. Paint detailing is also quite good, but again not as good as Corporal Smith's.
Articulation: 4
Like Corporal Smith, Schwartz has a minimum of articulation. His head and wrists can turn, as do both shoulders, and each has a somewhat better range of motion than Smith's. He scores higher than Smith because the peg which holds him on his base is attached to the base rather than his foot, so he can stand without his base.
Accessories: 9
Whatever his chances of surviving the war might be, Schwartz can rest easy knowing that when it comes to accessories, he has his enemy soundly beaten. He has a large base with a wall section attached, taller than the figure itself, in fact. Oddly, the card states that his base is supposed to be a street section, although unless Frech streets in WWII were paved with wooden boards, it's obviously a floor. It's all very detailed, and the wall is sculpted on both sides, so you can orient it for display either in front of Schwartz or behind him. He has three handheld accessories: two grenades (which tuck into his belt too) and his MG 42 machine gun, which is impressively long and accurately detailed. On the negative side, he doesn't hold onto his gun very easily.
Packaging: Above Average
The Dusty Trail action series uses packaging like the recent McFarlane figures. I like it there, and I like it here too. It shows the figure well, it's sturdy, and won't get damaged easily.
Overall score: 8
It's impossible not to compare Schwartz with Corporal Smith, who has a better sculpt and paint but weaker articulation and accessories. It's too close to call which is the better overall figure though. WWII buffs certainly deserve to own both.
Availability:
Originally sold at a fairly hefty $12-15 (a bit more than McFarlane figures of similar size and quality), Amazon.com (link) currently has them for $7.99 each as of this writing. This is quite a good price.
posted by Andrew Lenahan at 10:57 AM
1 Comments:
I disagree about it being a happy medium between an adult collector's item and a child's toy. I do not see how a child would remain interested in this figure or ANY figure that isnt at least somewhat articulated. How is he suppose to dance with a pretty girl at the Military Ball? I would be horrified if he approached me looking like that! Yes the paint and sculpt are outstanding...but I dont care how detailed it is if it isnt articulated....I have trouble playing with it.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home