The Veteran Esci 1/9th Grossdeutschland Grenadier. How Do You Rate It?

[Blue Thunder]

This one right here:

How would you rate this pioneer in the 200mm arena? Any of you guys have images of the contents or of a built up sample?


Thanks!

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

It'll be a dig but I build this back in about 1977-78. Was so proud of it including adding my own blood too the bandage I put on his hand.

I'm unsure if I've got photos of him 'cos in a pre-digital age it was hard getting these. I suspect I may have bits of him still left in my attic.

I did fill the parts with Plasticine at the time to give him some bulk.

I loved it! So thanks for taking us down memory lane mate!

Stay safe,

Mike

 

[captnenglish]

I loved all things ESCI as a kid, but I don't think I ever completed the two examples I had of this kit( to damn complicated at the time). I still have some of their 1/35th stuff in my stash (wish I had more). I loved the instruction booklet with this kit

 

[Nick Majerus]

I still have one on the shelf plus I did a conversion of another. I added the MG 34 from one of the motorcycle kits. I also have all the 1/9 motorcycle kits when first issued still on the shelf!

It was my first attempt at a large figure and used enamels. I still have it in the case to remind me that I have made "some" progress! LOL!

Nick

 

[yellowcat]

I have two of these plus the motorcycle kit in my stash. Here is a link for a review of the kit.
Mine is in grey styrene not black styrene as in the review.
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/figures/esci/kit_esci_6001.shtml

 

[Johan Kees]

Build this myself when I was in my teens... oh nostalgia! It seems such a long time ago now .

In those days it was a very good kit. I believe even decals for the eyes were included.

Being a regular customer at Francois Verlinden's shop - when he still lived and did business in Belgium - I saw his build of this Esci grenadier. I remember that it blew me out of my shoes back then. In fact, in the long run, it was his version that made me turn to figures and drove me away from armour models.

If build with the necessary care, this oldie but goodie could still be an eyecatcher in anyones's collection.

Jhan

 

[Barke02]

I see you got this image from the one that's for sale on Ebay at the moment, it's at £21 already and will probably go a lot higher.

I also built this way back when and was dissappointed, as the finished figure is very wooden looking. Have a look on Google images and you'll see. The equipment is excellent, but cloth and flesh are very poor. I have an unbuilt one in my stash, but have it as a collectors piece and have no intention of building it. I suspect the one on Ebay will end up as a collectors piece also, as it is in very good condition. Part started ones do come up on Ebay now and then, and they would be the ones to build. I have a part started Kubel which I got from Ebay for not a lot of dosh, and will build it and sculpt a figure to sit in it.

I have been waiting for either Histoire & Collections or Schiffer to bring out a book on the history of Esci, on the lines of existing books about Matchbox, Revell, Monogram, etc. I'm unsure of the exact history, but assume the Panzergrenadier is pre 1987, which is when Esci was bought by Amt/Ertl. I would love to know where the original moulds are and whether this kit could ever be re-released. If you recall both Dragon and Italeri have release some of the m/c kits at various times.

Here's a link to David Hutton's history of Esci:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/ESCI.html

Does anyone know who painted the Panzergrenadier box art?

All the best,
Jon.

 

[Mirofsoft]

This piece was already in the catalog of 1976, with the same name but not the same camo
see catalog at http://www.mirofsoft.com/nostalgia-old-catalog-pdf
Best

 

[1969]

I agree with Jon, if the kit is complete and unstarted it will be best kept as a collector piece, I bought one that had been partly built(badly) I may rebuilt it one day if I am bored. If you are after one for building and painting I would suggest for the price you are going to pay for the Esci kit you would be better buying a resin 200mm kit from one of the modern figure companies.The Esci kit is very wooden in pose and very soft in its details, it would need major work to bring it to modern 200mm German figure standards.

Steve

 

[Babelfish]

Great piece of nostalgia!

I chuckle now when I think that this antique was a "holy grail" kit when I was a kid but my pocket money wouldn't stretch to it, and so it always remained tantalisingly out of reach.

Only just found this thread so I missed the end of the auction on feeBay. Does anyone know how much it finally fetched? Not that I'd have bid for it, but it would be interesting to know.

- Steve

 

[IIICorps]

I liked it. Still have it.

 

[captnenglish]

This piece was already in the catalog of 1976, with the same name but not the same camo
see catalog at http://www.mirofsoft.com/nostalgia-old-catalog-pdf
Best

Since I am trying to collect all of the 1/35th kits, this is very useful, but I have to wonder if some of these kits made it to market as I do not remember them (and I would remember those) and they never show up on evil-bay.

 

[Barke02]

Steve it went no higher in the end, and sold for £21. Quite a bargain for the condition.

I've never seen the 1976 catalogue, thanks for the link. If only all of those kits had become reality!

I'm no expert, but to my knowledge the Nebelwerfer, DKW solo, red devil, green devil and marine never made it into production.

All the best,
Jon.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Gentlemen, many thanks for all this incredible and most valuable feedback! Still today, I strongly advise the Esci 1/35 figures. The folds in their clothes are still today awesome, specially when one considers they are injection moulded.

Unfortunately I missed the auction ending. But more will come for sure! It was simple nostalgia driving me. For example, John Rosengrant figures in 200mm are on another league ... but sometimes nostalgia compels you strongly beyond our control


Thanks for all giving inputs!