"Early war SS in 20mm" Topic

Ok, so I'm no expert on early war…or late war for that matter. I want to play France 1940, but can't find any early war SS in 20mm. Do they exist at all? (all seem to be labelled '43 – '45) If not, do Combat Miniatures come close? – they are the ones I like the most after having surfed the net quite a bit. If anyone could enlighten me as to the difference between early and late war, it would be much appreciated. Did the summer uniform change or was it only a matter of equipment?

For the SS, early war they would have smocks of the type they would wear throughout the whole war (there were changes, not likely to show up on 20mm minis, though the camo pattern changed). The main difference would be tall boots early war changing to low boots and gaiters mid-late war. Some early war SS carried the Czech ZB LMG and a few MP-28 SMGs. But otherwise carried the same weapons as other German troops. I think the few SS regiments that served in action in France 1940 were armed with the ZB and MP-28. I'm not sure who has SS armed this way in 20mm (or any maker really for that matter). I think there is 1 Battlefield Minis pack with them.

Tunics were sometimes seen instead of smocks and there are some differences (extra button, different collar tabs), but again not really seen on 20mm models covered in gear.

Helmet covers were throughout the war IIRC, though probably more common later.

Hope that helps.

For 1940 or so SS, I'd just use early war Heer troops and paint the sleeve eagle rather than breast eagle. Oh, and the collar patches. This would be entirely realistic, since they *wore* the same uniform as the Heer, with the minor differences noted. The Combat Miniatures picture at the top of the page shows some admirably-sculpted SS (I almost said "admirable SS"), with one figure firing the MP-28 Iron Ivan Keith mentions. Have fun painting the plane tree smocks!

I've got a reprint of a picture book on the Totenkopf division in France published in July 1940. It supports what Iron Ivan says. Lots of smocks and helmet covers, though not exclusive. What I did find interesting is that they were clearly issued together. I didn't see any photos of soldiers in smocks without helmet covers or vice versa. Coverless helmets had double decals. Also keep in mind that the visored softcaps (called the M43 by collectors) were not worn yet.

Hope this helps.

The Combat Miniatures SS are just the thing. Designed for early war. The FAA line is also good, but apparently difficult to get now.

agreed with Rvandusen

Wonder if FAA figures will ever be produced again?

FAA are being produced again. I just can't think of who it is right now. They had a stand at Cold Wars and they had most of the line there with them.

Man this is gonna bug me…I hope someone else can chime in and give you more info.

Thanks to all of you for a lot of useful information. I'll stick to my first impression that Combat Miniatures are the ones that come closest to early war SS. I'll have fun painting the plane tree smocks.

Jeff, agree with you that one should take care not to write "admirable SS". True that they showed a lot of bravery in the field, but nothing admirable about the atrocities some of these units committed. That was a bit off topic…

Hope that Keith is correct about FAA being produced again, as far as I remember they have a very broad range.

Elheim and their US Agent Syr Hobbs used to carry a range sculpted by Tony Boustead that was the cat's @ss. Spot on for what you are looking for: SS in jackboots, smocks, and helmet covers in very true 1/72. I couldn't find this "Series 1" range on either website. The sculpting and realistic proportions of the figures is fantastic.

Some places to look:
link
link
elhiemfigures.com
link

Good luck in your search,
PG

CP Models & TQD Castings have bought Elheim series 1 & I have just re-coded & released the early war ss

In fact the tmp news story of the hour is about them

So please check out my site cpmodelsminiatures.co.uk for those early war ss

Mark

OK, let's revive a dead thread, shall we?

Some early war SS carried the Czech ZB LMG and a few MP-28 SMGs. But otherwise carried the same weapons as other German troops. I think the few SS regiments that served in action in France 1940 were armed with the ZB and MP-28.

Not "some," more like "the vast majority." I'm waiting on my friend's article/book on the subject, so I'm not going to say "all." But if you consider that the Heer had problems getting enough guns during the expansion of the forces, it's not to be wondered at if the SS (who weren't thought well of) couldn't get what they were supposed to have. I'd be interested in knowing what your source is that most had regular German automatic weapons.

I'm not sure who has SS armed this way in 20mm (or any maker really for that matter). I think there is 1 Battlefield Minis pack with them.

I haven't done 20mm in a long time, but I recall that Dave Alsop had a line of 20mm WW2 figures, and these included SS with MP-28, 34s and 35s, as well as ZB-26 LMGs. I know because I painted some of them. But I can't seem to find who's marketing these now (if anyone). Does anyone know who makes these now?

My interest is in getting someone to do early-war SS with helmet covers, smocks, jack boots, carrying the odd collection of weapons they were issued 1939-1941/2 in 15mm. Battlefront makes early war SS, but they have standard German weapons. I don't know of any others who do what I'm looking for, but I'm all ears if someone else does.

Is there anyone else who might be interested in such figures? It's usually easier to get a sculptor interested in a project if one can show a broad base of interest in the subject.

Thanks,
Mark

Pegasus miniatures do early war SS link
and link
Caesar has the ZB26 link

The Caesar set "German Army" also has a man with an MP-28. He is 2nd from left top row.

Also from Caesar, Panzer grenadier set 1 is a source of figures in smock, helmet covers, and marching boots.

link

"but I recall that Dave Alsop had a line of 20mm WW2 figures, and these included SS with MP-28, 34s and 35s, as well as ZB-26 LMGs. I know because I painted some of them. But I can't seem to find who's marketing these now (if anyone). Does anyone know who makes these now?"

Weren't they being manufactured under the name Combat Miniatures, or something like that?

Combat Miniatures, available from Stonewall in the UK and FAA in the US.

That's them – thanks!

FAA
faaminiatures.com