Minifigure – Royal Hungarian Army NCO (MP40 Gunner) WWII (LEGO Compatible)

Character Identification

Specific Name: WWII Royal Hungarian Army NCO (MP40 Gunner) (Magyar Királyi Honvédség – Section Leader)

This figure represents a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Royal Hungarian Army (Honvéd). He is distinguished from the regular riflemen by his weaponry and specialized equipment, identifying him as a squad leader or a member of an assault platoon on the Eastern Front.

Visual Description

This custom-printed minifigure features accurate equipment for an Axis squad leader:

• The Collar Tabs (Nationality Marker): Like the other figures in this series, he wears the distinctive Green “Spearhead” Collar Tabs (Paroli). The wavy/jagged rear edge of the green patch is the definitive sign of the Hungarian Infantry, setting him apart from German or Romanian allies.

• Weapon (Firepower): He is armed with a black MP40 Submachine Gun. While Hungary produced its own submachine guns (the Danuvia series), the German MP40 was widely supplied to and used by Hungarian NCOs and officers, especially later in the war.

• Tactical Gear:

  • MP40 Pouches: The printing on his torso differs from the riflemen. Instead of small cartridge pockets, he wears the long, vertical MP40 Magazine Pouches strapped across his chest/stomach area. This loadout allowed him to carry the extra ammunition needed for his automatic weapon.

• Face Print: The figure features a Shouting/Panicked Expression with gritted teeth. This conveys the intensity of combat, fitting for a soldier issuing orders over the noise of battle or facing a Soviet assault.

• Uniform: He wears the standard M1939 Khaki/Tan Tunic and trousers, with the M37 green steel helmet.

• Legs: Detailed prints of Anklets/Gaiters over short boots are visible, representing the late-war standard issue footwear.

Historical Background

• The Role of the NCO: In the Royal Hungarian Army, NCOs (Tizedes or Szakaszvezető) were the tactical backbone of the infantry. They led squads of riflemen and were often the only ones equipped with automatic weapons to provide suppressing fire.

• Battle of Budapest: By late 1944, Hungarian troops were involved in brutal urban warfare during the Siege of Budapest. The MP40 was highly valued in these close-quarters street battles for its compact size and rate of fire.

• Axis Equipment: As the war progressed, the Hungarian industry couldn’t keep up with losses, so German equipment (like the MP40 and Panzerfausts) became increasingly common in Honvéd hands.