The latest release from Steve Warrilow at the Fusilier is a German Anti-Tank rifleman and marks a departure from the recent Australian theme. To lift some of the text from the instructions, the figure depicts an Anti-Tank rifleman with the very heavy T-Gewehr rifle developed for use against the tank. The figure in casual pose is portrayed wearing body armour. The figure contains 15 parts:

1. Head with armoured helmet
2. Head with helmet wearing spectacles
3. Torso / Legs
4. Right arm
5. Left arm
6. Anti-Tank rifle
7. Anti-Tank rifle bolt
8. Grenade for front of pouch
9. Grenade for rear of pouch
10. Bread bag
11. Messtin (optional)
12. Waterbottle (optional)
13. Gasmask carrier
14. Grenade (optional)
15. Base

The figure is packaged in the same style of box used for the recent Australian figure and contains a black and white photograph on the front. There is a new-style instruction sheet for the figure and although instructions for previous kits were perfectly adequate the set contained with this figure is a totally new format and marks a considerable improvement. The instructions contain black and white, front and rear view photographs of the figure with arrows pointing to the various parts of the figure and detailing colours. There is also an inset showing the optional head. I was particularly impressed with the new format and believe it to be a real benefit to the modeller / painter and is a lead other manufacturers could follow.

The figure is well up to the previous high standards of Fusilier kits and will require minimal cleaning up. Anatomy and pose are excellent and the figure contains a lot of detail. Location of parts is very positive and although I haven't assembled the figure yet I don't believe it will require very much in the way of filler (if any). The Anti-Tank rifle is a really impressive piece and I'd hate to imagine the recoil associated with it. The figure really does look as though he is wearing the armour and looks suitably weighed down. Two heads are supplied with the figure and I haven't decided which one to use yet. One of the heads is wearing spectacles and there's a useful tip in the instructions involving some clear resin. The head with the armoured helmet bears a passing resemblance to Steve - self-portrait? The base on the figure comes complete with tank tracks and provides quite an appropriate setting for the figure. There is another figure in the range also wearing body armour and they could make a good pair.

An unusual subject but a first-rate kit, which maintains the high standards of the Fusilier range. Highly recommended.

German Anti-tank
Rifleman 1918