Verlinden Productions is is the granddaddy of the aftermarket parts and resin figure manufacturers. The company was the brainchild of Belgian modeler François Verlinden, who gave up a career in the scrap-metal business in the late 1970s to pursue his love of armor modeling and creating dioramas. He opened a hobby store in Lier and, dissatisfied with the limited products available for the serious diorama builder, began to create and sell his own line of merchandise. It wasn't long before Verlinden Productions quickly expanded to aftermarket sets or resin and photoetched brass to correct and upgrade plastic kits, dry transfers, and publications highlighting particular AFVs and planes.

In the 1980s Verlinden met American modeler Bob Letterman and the two started a business relationship with Verlinden's other Belgian partner Josef Stok. The new company, VLS, imported Verlinden Products into the U.S. and offered other product lines.

By the 1990s it became clear that Verlinden Productions and VLS would economically benefit if the Belgian company relocated to the U.S., Verlinden packed up shop and moved to the St. Louis, Missouri area where Letterman was located. Alas, differences in philosophies and personalities among the owners and staff led to a rather acrimonious split after a few short years. Verlinden has remained in Missouri and is now in direct competition with products produced by VLS and its manufacturing subsidiaries.

Like many AFV modelers, I have a love-hate relationship with Verlinden products. Early figures are scaled at 54mm (even though the box might say 1/35 as well) and tower six and a half feet or more while representing an era where the average male height was 5'7". To this day many weapons for the WWII figures are clearly knock-offs of old Airfix 1/32 plastic weapons (for example, the ejection pin marks are clearly seen on the M1 Garand). This forces a modeler to use weapons of different sizes, or try to replace them so all are of the same scale. Critics cite numerous accuracy problems with Sherman replacement turrets and hulls. Similarly, there are figures whose uniforms are poorly researched and executed. And Verlinden was among the first to "clone" earlier figure releases into new sets with slightly modified poses, which is frustrating for those of us who want more original figures and dislike paying full price for figures that are based on ones we've already purchased.

However, Verlinden does come through with interesting product updates that provide quality and value, but it's best check the online discussion groups or reviews for details. Recent figure sets have decreased in price to a third less than comparable pairs from other resin manufacturers like Warriors and Nemrod. And the company still comes out with worthwhile diorama buildings and accessories, though VLS has beat them to the punch with the "superdiorama" concept of large bases and necessary materials.

With all its qualities and faults, Verlinden Productions remains a major player in the AFV hobby and François Verlinden will forever be one of the most significant 1:1 figures.