Hobby Hint

by Phil Novak

The DML action figures are the most realistic action figures that are available today, and they all have detail that is out of this world. However these figures are very delicate and need to be handled with the utmost care. With a little care in assembling the figures from the box, and care in their display, these figures can be a beautiful addition to your figure collection for years to come.

First we're going to start with taking the figures out of the box. The set we are demonstrating in this article is the breathtaking "Tank Hunters" set, and it includes two figures with all equipment pictured. First, when opening the box, be careful of the little tab that sticks into the main flap. Take this out of the slot on the flap and open it up. Then remove the figures from the box and take off the clear top.

Once you've removed the figures from the box, don't remove any of the their equipment until your ready to put it on them. This helps in keeping track of the pieces and reminds you of which figure gets what. So the first thing to do is take off the figure's belt, by removing the little flange on the buckle from the hole in the other side of the belt. Just simply push it up from behind. Then take off the cartridge pouch farthest from the buckle, and remove the Y- straps. Next, take their personal equipment out from the box (bread bag, water bottle, mess kit, shovels, etc.) and slide them on to the belt and position them where desired. After all of the equipment is in place, reattach the Y- straps to the back of the belt only. It is now time to put on other uniform parts if the figure comes with any. In this case a zeltbahn is included, being rolled up in the A- frame that attaches to the D-rings on the Y- straps. You can just slide this out of the straps holding it on without undoing them. Then place it over his head as pictured. Now put on the belt, and have it come across the zeltbahn to hold it on, pleating it in the back to allow the belt to fit over. Because of the added bulk one may need to loosen the belt to allow a good fit without straining the vinyl belt. Simply adjust it at the belt buckle. Once you have the belt on, attach the Y-straps to the little loops on top of the 98K pouches. All that's left now is the gas mask carrier. Make the elastic loop longer by adjusting it with the small buckle. Put it under one arm and over his head and the personal equipment is all installed. Repeat with the other figure but without the zeltbahn.

Lets move on to the weapons. Adjust the strap in the 98Ks the same way that you did with the gas mask case. Then sling it over their shoulders or put it in their hands. A word of warning with putting it in their hands: the vinyl hands have been known to eat away at the paint on the weapons. This only happens on the wood colors such as the 98K, G43, and M1 Garand. A little piece of shrink-wrap in their hands to keep them separated from the weapon will stop this problem.

Now you're almost ready to display! Put the figures in the pose that you want, and for the most part if you can do it they can do it! Don't worry if you hear a little clicking when moving the figures' arms. This is normal and you didn't break it. Before you walk away from your newly posed figure make sure they aren't about to tip. Sometimes you can lean them on a wall and it won't be noticeable at all. You can also use the little footstands found on the inside of the clear plastic thing they come in. Now step back and enjoy your figures.

Creating A Diorama

Once a large collection of DML figures are acquired, you may find that you would like to make a diorama with the figures. Now remember that these figures represent men and equipment from many different units and many different fronts. You can't put a figure like Egon (Afrika Korps) with Volker (Late War SS). What follows is a list for those who aren't yet experts on WWII uniforms, and for those who are trying to do a diorama, and want a list of figures that will fit in their scene. Most of us know how easy it is to forget someone with so many figures out.

Afrika: Leopold, Krieger, Egon, Reinhardt

Italy: Leopold, Krieger, Tak

Western Europe (ETO): Pieter, Wilhelm, Danny, Hank, Marcus, Dieter, Mark, Heinz, Klein, Gross, Tak, Alfred, Edmund, Viktor, Meyer, Uwe, Tom, Dave, Scott, Captain Miller, Edward, William, Hermann

Eastern Front Early War: Johannes, Dieter, Svetlana, Hans, Klaus, Misha, Erich, Heinrich, Bernhardt, Kurt, Uwe

Eastern Front Late War: Wilhelm, Marcus, Dieter, Svetlana, Gerhard, Hienz, Misha, Klein, Gross, Alfred, Bernhardt, Uwe, Hermann

One last thing, don't throw away the boxes! These things are collector's items! Your kids may be able to get hundreds for this thing later on! Especially if you have the original box!

Photos by Phil Novak