Mars news 2020 - 2023

[Bluefalchion]

@marc zijp--

Those US Paras look really good. If reduced in size down to 1/72 scale, how much of the fine detail is preserved? I am especially in love with the boots, weapons, and mesh helmet covers.

I see that one of the figures is depicted as African-American. In fact there were such soldiers during this era, recruited and trained in identical fashion to their fellows. However, as paratroops were considered the elites, the African-American paratroops were kept in segregated units and never deployed overseas.

They were deployed to locate and diffuse balloon bombs sent by the Japanese, and to fight wildland fires. The unit served with great distinction, and several died heroically in action.

Nevertheless, they were still ordered to the back of the bus in favor of white German POWs.

[marc zijp]

I mentioned the African-American to so thanks for the additional information Bluefalchion.
Well at least all the poses are fine so let’s wait what become of them in our scale.

[marc zijp]

Sprues Fallschirmjäger tropical uniform.
Not related to this set, but just as a positive side note: I had a look at psr for the annual production of 1/72 plastic soldiers. It’s mid September now and already 51 sets out! Regarding the difficult worldwide situation we’re all in I think we don’t have to complain about our hobby. On the contrary.

And still a few moths to go....

[marc zijp]

It’s not unlikely that I will buy a set. Depends on how details (rifles etc.) will be. But I like the full in action poses.

[Bluefalchion]

A bazooka team! At last!

Those look really really good on the box. Now let's see the mass production results...

[Erich von Manstein]

72120 - WWII U.S. Paratroopers



The most important thing for me with this manufacturer is the actual quality of their 1/72 figures.
Since this crucial aspect often differed considerably from the box pictures, I am cautiously relieved for this time.
If they are really free of flash and clean, it would be great if they were 23-24mm in size.
So they could go straight into service with their Esci, Revell, Caesar & Italeri comrades.

[Bluefalchion]

Uniforms are nice an baggy, in a good contrast to the skin-tight garments seen on some earlier run US Paras.

How do they compare, size-wise, to Caesar, Airfix (midgets) Italeri, AMEX, and the like?

[Bluefalchion]

Also, the bazooka guy has a base but his number two does not? Sheesh.

[Erich von Manstein]

Uniforms are nice an baggy, in a good contrast to the skin-tight garments seen on some earlier run US Paras.
How do they compare, size-wise, to Caesar, Airfix (midgets) Italeri, AMEX, and the like?

Agreeing on their authentic general appearance & uniform. Poses are also convincing & in action.
After their already nice Volkssturm & Fallschirmjäger, this could be the best Mars set so far.

Will update the corresponding comparison thread as soon as the new figures arrive.

[marc zijp]

Hopefully the next set will be uk paras. That would even be obvious.
And then one day a company who will make more paras with heavy weapons.
And airborne supplies/containers. Although that’s perhaps more something for an aftermarket company.
But they look pretty much okay!

[Erich von Manstein]

Picture of Mars 1/32 WWII Fallschirmjäger in winter uniform?
Could well be, that they appear in 1/72 as well.
However, as always with Mars, we have to wait and see what the quality will be like.



If they work out well, this would be another very worthwhile set.

[marc zijp]

Pictures on PSR are still the best way to judge, I think.

[Minuteman]

Based on the PSR pictures and measurements posted today, these guys are much too small. This is a shame, as the poses are generally good and the bazooka team looks to be well-done. They really need to be around 24.5mm, but are 3mm shorter and so hardly look the part for 1/72 US paras.

[Bluefalchion]

US Paras were selected for height and speed and stamina a strength during the WWII era. Weren't most of them 6'0 tall or taller?

[Minuteman]

US Paras were selected for height and speed and stamina a strength during the WWII era. Weren't most of them 6'0 tall or taller?

Yes, which makes the fact that these Mars figures are 21mm/ 5 foot tall midgets all the worse! If any set could afford to be slightly over-sized it is surely this one.

[StellarX]

Excited at the sculpts/poses I bought a box of these the minute they arrived in the UK.

Was really disappointed with the scale. They are lovely figures but tiny in comparison to US Paras from other manufacturers and thus incompatible/useless. A tremendous shame.

Lesson learned - await PSR review publication before parting with any money in future!

[Bluefalchion]

It seems from the PSR review that these Mars US Paras are even smaller than the tiny Airfix US paras!

[Peter]

US Paras were selected for height and speed and stamina a strength during the WWII era. Weren't most of them 6'0 tall or taller?

Captain America wasn't that high!

[MABO]

In the end MARS is still no option for me. Thoses figs look like Hong Kong copies of Arfix Marines.

[Erich von Manstein]

Another upcoming 1/32 Mars set, which most likely will appear in 1/72 as well.
WWII German Tank Crew bailed out & in combat



Again, the expected 1/72 figures may vary considerably in quality.