Introduction

Allied Fighter bomber aircrafts - Jagdbombemfluzeuge - was abbreviated as Jabo by Germans during World War II. When a panzer crew member see one of them, the warning signal was Achtung Jabo as the kit title of Rado Miniatures latest release two-figure kit RDM-35015. They depict SS tankers firing against an aircraft attack. Though the kit is announced as Panther Crew, company added it can be used with Tiger I and StuG 40 Ausf.G.
The figures of the kit are sold as single figures too; RDM-35013 and RDM-35014.

Review

Kit comes in a sqaure shaped clear acetate box labeled with a color photo of the figures painted by Toshihiro Sano in front and a warning sticker on the back. Both figures are inserted into seperate zip-lock bags and small parts are double secured with smaller ones.

Figures are sculpted in 1/35 scale by Radek Pituch and cast very clean in medium gray resin with sharp details. Casting blocks are marked in kit numbers to make assembly easier. No mistakes, deformations or visible seamlines on the figures. No need for a cleanwork, just remove casting blocks, prime and paint.

FIGURE 1 - RDM35013 W-SS NCO with MP40

Sculpted on a standing pose with a MP40 at hand and watching for the approaching aircraft; figure comes in 5 parts;

Body ; He wears double breast and short waist Panzer Wrap Jacket and Panzer Trousers painted in Pea dot pattern on the boxart. Uniform details like wide collars with pointed edges, collar tabs, shoulder boards, single buttoned flap covers of side and rear pockets, eagle emblem on the left arm, enlisted men/NCO leather belt with metal buckle and cloth folds are all well represented. As for the footgear; he has Ankle Boots.

Head; Sculpted in nice facial features, he wears Side cap/Feldmütze in well defined piping, national emblem and cockade.

Right arm is posed on the right side of his face to block sunlight to have a better vision.

P38 Walther in leather holster

He carries a MP40 Schmeisser submachine gun. Right left is cast on the weapon grabbing the forestock.

FIGURE 2 - RDM35014 W-SS Panzer crewman w/MG 34

Posed as standing and aiming/ firing his machine gun; figure comes in 4 parts;

Body; He wears non-reversible Panzer coveralls painted in Oak Leaf Spring pattern on the boxart. Cloth folds, collar, front closure with buttons, side pockets, waist string and buttonized cuffs are well defined. Left arm holding the stock of machine gun is cast on the body part. He has ankle boots with nicely sculpted laces.

Head ; Showing clean and crisp facial details, he has a Panzer Enlisted men M43 Field cap on his head with nicely sculpted Totenkopf emblem in front and eagle insignia on the left side.

Right arm is posed to fire machine gun.

His weapon is a MG34 Panzerlauf. The Panzerlauf had a heavier, solid armored barrel shroud, almost completely lacking the ventilation holes of the original MG 34. Weapon shows nice details and hands are cast on it.

conclusion

Not much resin Panzer crew figures firing to an aircraft on market and RDM-35015 Achtung Jabo seems to have a higher quality than the existing plastic figures. More adequate poses, great sculpt and cast, less parts to assembly. They fit on many German tanks.

Highly Recommended as World War II SS Panzer Crew.