Search the Community

A weekend build, very nice quick build of the figure rise kit from Banai, snapped together with some panel lining, a bit of black oil wash here and there and the stickers from the kit. I might paint it one day. It was nice just to build it in the garden when the sun out.

Street Workers (38081) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd This set depicts a trio of street workers, not to be confused with a similar group of people, often referred to as the oldest profession. These are people whose work is done on the street, and it includes a street-sweeper, a newspaper seller, and a lamp-lighter, from the days when street lamps were gas-powered, a power source that lingered longer into the 20th century around Europe than you’d possibly think. Inside the figure-sized box are five sprues in grey styrene, the longest of which is nipped into two parts at the factory to allow it to fit inside the box, plus a pair of clear sprues, with a glossy sheet of instructions for the accessories that are included with the set. The parts for each figure are found on separate sprues for ease of identification, and parts breakdown is sensibly placed along clothing seams or natural breaks to minimise clean-up of the figures once they are built up. The sculpting is typically excellent, as we’ve come to expect from MiniArt’s artists and tool-makers, with natural poses, drape of clothing and textures appropriate to the parts of the model. The street-sweeper is holding a long-handled Besom broom with a traditional bundled stick head, akin to a witches’ broom, made from two parts. For a good join, a small hole could be drilled in the head of the broom to accept the shaft, cutting it to the desired length. The lamp-lighter has one leg either side of the ladder (not health & safety approved), and has his arms above his head opening or closing the lamp head, while the paper seller is wearing a bibbed skirt and jacket, with her hair flowing over her shoulders in a 30-40s style, and a three-part stack of papers in her arms. The accessory sprues provide parts to create a step ladder for the lamp-lighter to reach the street lamp, which is also included. The ladder is made from the two sides plus a top step, while the lamp is built from a two-part bottom section and a fluted upper with perpendicular cross-rail ‘lollipops’ across the top that were commonly used by lamp-lighters if they were using a straight ladder. The lamp itself is made from two faceted clear parts for the glazing, and a styrene top-cap with ferrule on top, fitting a clear bulb to a hexagonal base that is linked to the post by a four-legged bracket underneath. There are more parts on the sprue, including an ornate suspension bracket for a lamp or a large clock, the parts for the latter also found on the long sprue. There are no clock-face decals as it’s not an official part of the set, but you could try printing your own if you have the skills. Conclusion Another realistic, life-like figure set with plenty of accessories from MiniArt that will be perfect for a diorama setting. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Calvados Sellers (38071) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd Calvados is a French apple Brandy that dates as far back as the 8th century, although it is also made in other countries such as the UK as Cider Brandy. Up until after WWII the produce was typically sold by men carrying round crates of bottles full of Calvados, often on wheeled carts before the motorcar took over as a primary mode of transport. This set depicts a duo of Calvados sellers in traditional garb, pulling a cart laden with crates full of bottles. The set arrives in an end-opening figure-sized box, and inside are seven sprues in grey styrene, two in translucent green and two more in translucent brown. If you’ve already got some of MiniArt’s sets, you might recognise the crate and the bottle sprues from other sets, but the figures are all new. Both men are standing, one in overalls and a cap, carrying a crate across his front, and the other is pulling his cart from behind, wearing an apron with a jacket over the top and a cap like his colleague. The parts for each figure are found on separate sprues for ease of identification, and parts breakdown is sensibly placed along clothing seams or natural breaks to minimise clean-up of the figures once they are built up. The sculpting is typically excellent, as we’ve come to expect from MiniArt’s artists and tool-makers, with natural poses, drape of clothing and textures appropriate to the parts of the model. The accessories include parts for four crates, all parts with a wooden texture moulded-in, and with internal divides to store the bottles, which are provided on another four translucent sprues, attached to the parts via the bases for minimal clean-up. Construction of these and the cart are covered on the rear of the box, the cart having a planked wooden bed, sprung axles with cart wheels, and two supports to the front that keep the cart level when it is stationary. A fine wooden grain is also moulded into the appropriate areas of the cart to add realism and aid you with painting the model. The paintings on the rear of the box give combined codes for the parts on the sprues, plus the colour codes in blue boxes that correspond to the table near the bottom of the box rear. Conclusion More super figures from MiniArt with dynamic poses, clothing and appropriate accessories that give them their raison d’être. Perfect for your next diorama. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Milkmen (38468) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models We don’t know who it was that first decided that cow’s milk looked like it could be good to drink, or when we first started to drink it, but start we did, and we still do unless we’re vegan or lactose intolerant. Until very recently, milk was typically delivered to your door by a milkman, driving a cart around towns and villages in the wee small hours of the morning, ensuring that we have a fresh pint to pour over our cereal or in our tea when we awaken. This carried on throughout most of the 20th century, originally with a hand cart or horse-drawn wagon, but latterly in stealthy electric-powered floats that were early adopters of greener energy, but with gigantic lead-acid batteries instead of the modern lithium-Ion cells used by electric cars. The Kit Inside the figure-sized box are five sprues in grey styrene, two containing the figures, two full of parts for milk churns, the last containing crates to carry milk bottles that are on an additional clear sprue. There are two milkmen, the parts for each figure to be found on separate sprues for ease of identification, and parts breakdown is sensibly placed along clothing seams or other natural breaks to minimise clean-up of the figures once they are built. The sculpting is typically excellent, as we’ve come to expect from MiniArt’s artists and tool-makers, with natural poses, drape of clothing and textures appropriate to the parts of the model. There are four milk churns that have slide-moulded bodies to which the base and lid are added, some of which will need scratch-built handles across the tops, one with additional handles on the sides, two with single folding handles over the top, and one more with the fixed handles already moulded-in. The milk crate is built from four sides, adding the base with moulded-in dividers to accept the ten milk bottles that are found on the clear sprue. The instructions are found on the rear of the box, and there are also colour suggestions to assist you if you are unsure of a suitable scheme. Conclusion Milk delivery carried on throughout WWII on all sides, despite destruction of infrastructure, occupation and mortal danger at times, so a pair of milkmen laden down with their wares picking their way through rubble wasn’t an entirely unusual sight. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

German Soldiers in Café (35396) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd War is hell, quite literally, and any break from hostilities is welcomed with glee by soldiers, particularly those of WWI and WWII when war was without end, with little in the way of respite for weeks, sometimes months on end. During WWII until shortly after D-Day, German soldiers were frequent, if unwelcome guests in cafés across Europe, served through gritted teeth and with false bonhomie by wait staff who probably took every opportunity to contaminate their occupier’s food or drink as some small act of defiance, although that carried grave risks if they were caught. Inside the figure-sized box are eight sprues, four containing the figures, two containing a pair of tables and four chairs, and two small sprues with translucent brown bottles and clear glasses. As usual with MiniArt figures the sculpting of each of the four characters is exceptional, with crisp detail and sensible parts breakdown plus extras in the shape of the clear bottles and glasses to add some detail to their vicinity. The poses are all seated of course, in various levels of relaxation. Two are without head covering, and only one has his on the table in front of him, but it must be glued brim-down, as the interior is solid. Similarly, if you wanted to adapt that figure to be wearing his hat, he’d need to go in for an emergency craniectomy to remove the top portion of his head. The angles of the markings on the figures’ shoulder boards is acute, which makes it difficult to tell which branch of the German forces they are from, although experts could probably identify them from their clothing alone. The one that is easy to tell from the others is the mariner, dressed in a double-breasted jacket with brass buttons and braiding. He is also wearing a beard, which is unusual for non-mariners at that stage of the war. We’ve seen the seats and tables before in the Allied café sets, but this time everything is doubled-up due to the increase in seated figures to four, and no waiters included. The four chairs are all made from front and back legs with half of the seat moulded-into each part, joining together and strengthened by adding an extra ring on top, then placing the cushion over the top to complete it. The tables have a simple top with a cruciform mounting bracket moulded-in, adding the central leg and cast-iron base that spreads out to stabilise them. Moulding of the weighted base is excellent, and reminiscent of the type seen in cafés everywhere, even today. Conclusion As usual, the sculpting, poses and material drape is highly realistic, and the parts breakdown sensibly placed along natural lines or seams to reduce the amount of clean-up or joint filling. The inclusion of glasses and bottles in the sets add realism, as do the accessories and furniture. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

British, US Soldiers & French Civilians in Café (35392, 35406 & 38062) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd War is hell, quite literally, and any break from hostilities is welcomed with glee by soldiers, particularly those of WWI and WWII when war was total, with little in the way of remission for weeks on end. During WWII and after D-Day, there were occasions when Allied soldiers had access to cafés in France and Belgium as they progressed toward Germany, liberating the people as they went, which allowed them to go back to some semblance of normality, within reason. When Paris was designated an open City by the Germans to avoid destruction of its many historic buildings and populace, the Allies suddenly had extended access to café life, and took to it like ducks to water. This group of similarly themed figure sets each arrive in standard end-opening figure-sized boxes, and all sets contain three figures, which includes one waiter and two customers. The two sets containing soldiers are clearly intended for wartime dioramas, while the French civilians could be included in dioramas from 1930-40s, as you see fit. The sets also include a pair of chairs and a table, so could conceivably be used in one single diorama at the same café as a suite of furniture. The two chairs are all made from front and back legs with half of the seat moulded-into each part, joining together and strengthened by adding an extra ring on top, then placing the cushion over this to complete it. The table has a simple top with a cruciform mounting bracket moulded-in, adding the central leg and cast-iron base that spreads out to stabilise it. British Soldiers in Café (35392) Inside the box are five sprues of grey styrene, plus a clear sprue that contains nine glasses of three sizes and styles, all with hollow centres that should allow you to place some contents in there for added realism. The two soldiers are seated, one supporting his Lee Enfield rifle vertically on the ground, while the other turns round from his beer to watch something that has attracted both their attention. The waiter is half sitting on a bar stool sipping from a tasse de café with a wry grin on his face, and his free hand resting at the top of his apron-covered thigh. The weapons sprue has numerous spare rifles and ammo pouches for you to use, and the soldiers both have a beret, which the box art shows painted red with the winged emblem of the Parachute regiment. US Soldiers in Café (35406) Consisting of five sprues in grey styrene, one of clear styrene and another in clear green, this set has two US soldiers, one resting his M1 Carbine between his knees whilst toasting his buddy with a bottle of what looks like red wine. The other GI is returning the toast with a glass, with his other hand engaged in holding the cigar resting over his crossed leg. The moustachioed waiter is standing with his tray held behind his back, proffering a menu to his clientele. The clear sprue contains three spirit glasses and two shaped bottles, while the green sprue is full of sixteen wine bottles, some of which could be used elsewhere. Again, the weapons sprue carries two additional rifles, one with a folding stock, plus several sets of ammo pouches. French Civilians in Café (38062) There are four sprues in grey styrene and two of clear parts in the box, sufficient to build a man and woman sitting at a table chatting, him nursing an umbrella, while she dangles one shoe from her foot as she talks from under a wide-brimmed hat. The waiter is bringing a confection to the table on a plate, whilst leaning slightly forward in dramatic fashion with a cloth draped over his forearm to enhance the drama. The clear sprues contain spirit glasses, bottles and various other glasses that are also seen in the other sets, again with hollow bowls for liquid/paint. Conclusion As usual, the sculpting, poses and material drape is highly realistic, and the parts breakdown sensibly placed along natural lines or seams to reduce the amount of clean-up or joint filling. The inclusion of glasses and bottles in the sets add realism, as do the accessories and furniture. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

US Helicopter Pilots – Vietnam War (48089) 1:48 ICM via Hannants With new 1:48 helicopter kits on the increase, this new set from ICM is timed rather well, which is more than likely no coincidence. It arrives in ICM’s usual top-opening box with captive inner lid, although it’s a smaller one than usual. Inside is a single sprue and a glossy instruction sheet with spot colour profiles of the five figures that can be found on the sprue in parts. There are two figures that are clearly flight crew, dressed for flight and complete with combat vests and one with a flight helmet, while the third crewman is wearing olive drabs and a cavalry hat, one hand on hip, the other pointing, likely telling everyone how much he loves the smell of napalm in the morning, or something similar. The other two figures are dressed in BDU trousers and tshirts, one kneeling, while the other is leaning against something with the other hand on his hip, probably rolling his eyes at the Robert Duvall-type character’s over-dramatic nonsense. There are a few accessories around the edges of the sprue, including a cap, pistol in holster, and pouches. Sculpting is excellent, with an abundance of crisp detail throughout, even down to the seams on the clothes and the toggles on the cavalry hat. The poses, breakdown of parts and fabric drape is also beyond reproach as usual, and they should build up into an excellent set of figures to dot around the US chopper or choppers of your choice. Conclusion Adding some figures to a model, diorama or vignette gives scale as well as a human dimension, and this set will provide just that with the addition of some skilful painting and shading, which is key. Very highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

Hello all. This ones a lot more straight forwards, more of a vignette than the previous dio. Took around a month. The alpine upright tree was my fourth version/attempt and was a hell of a lot harder than I ever expected or much harder than the likes of Luke Towan makes it look!!! All scratch built bar the figures and ivy leaves (from Treemedous). I adding the bloody bandage to the snipers leg, the camo to his rifle and the camo to the spotters periscope. Hopefully the visual story telling is obvious enough to get. My next project will appear in the 'work in progress' section of the diorama forum and is going to be set in Arnhem, Its going to be called 'Rounds Complete' again a fairly simple, figures based vignette with more scratch building, including some scratch artillery. Then in the early new year I'll be tackling a huge diorama which will be in two parts, this should take me up til around July time roughly!!! It'll include some big armour, lots of figures and buildings set in and around the Aachen area in November 1944. Thank you for taking a peek. Paul.

German Soldiers at Rest (35378) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models They say that war is 95% boredom interspersed with 5% abject terror. While I’ve no experience of it myself (thankfully), it seems a reasonable description from the little I know. During WWII the forces of all sides took their respite where and when they could, whether it was a ditch at the side of the road, a ruined factory or an abandoned farmhouse. A little self-care was good for the morale of the soldiers of any side, as well as stopping them from looking too much like hobos. This figure set contains five German soldiers dressed in Wehrmacht uniforms. Inside the shrink-wrapped figure box are four sprues, two containing the figures and the other two full of accessories. The officer is sat down, the others standing or crouching, performing various “down-time” tasks, such as cooking, washing and shaving. The soldiers are dressed in uniform pants with braces over a work shirt with the exception of the officer, who is still wearing his jacket and cap while reading a book of some sort. The shaving man is using a cut-throat razor and looking in a mirror propped up on a large wooden barrel, while the washing men are bending over a large basin, one pouring a jug into the hands of the other, who is wearing a vest and has his braces off his shoulders, hanging around his waist. The final figure is crouching in front of a makeshift fire between two bricks, in the process of stirring a pot with a spoon. A small instruction sheet details the building of the two different sizes of barrels, with the larger one having a trestle to hold it horizontally. A hand-cranked water pump is made from five parts plus a two-part drain, and the officer’s chair is five parts in a traditional kitchen style. A couple of bricks, a pot, shaving brush in a jar, jug and a towel to go over the water bearer’s shoulder can be found on the figure sprues along with the book and razor that are moulded into the figures’ hands. Conclusion As usual with MiniArt figures their sculpting is exceptional with crisp detail and sensible parts breakdown plus extras to finish off the scenario for use in a diorama. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Battlestar Galactica Fighter Pilots (for Moebius/Revell) 1:32 GreenStrawberry Battlestar Galactica came to our TV screens in 1978, courtesy of Aaron Spelling’s media factory, and was a big hit at the time, even though it lasted a scant two seasons before it was cancelled due to the high costs of each episode, which were coming in at over a million dollars a week. CBS considered picking it up, but it wasn’t until the reboot happened in 2004 that it hit our screens again, and only then if you subscribed to Pay TV at the time. It ran for five seasons of variable quality, and it still doesn’t seem like it was 17 years ago. We really are getting old! The Vipers were a common theme between both renditions, and were similar in form and function, acting as fleet fighters, using a lot of Fleet Air Arm terminology in the dialogue, and having various versions from the original “TOS” Viper, through the Mk.II that was first seen in the opening episodes of the reboot, and the sweeping lines of the Mk.VII. These resin figures are designed with the kits in mind, and each figure arrives in a small card box, with the resin parts ensconced in a Ziploc bag, protected by the folded instructions. The seated pilots are patterned to specific kit marks, but could probably be adapted with a bit of judicious sanding etc. Colonial Pilot Fighter Ace (132017-1/32) This figure is a tacit homage to Lieutenant Kara Thrace, who had the nom de guerre or call-sign ‘Starbuck’. It’s a good likeness given the limitations of size, and consists of six resin parts - the body, two separate arms, a stowed jacket that fits around her waist, pistol at her waist and an equipment box for her to rest one foot on. There is a little flash on her chin and across her back, which should be easy to eliminate with a little care, and once removed from the casting blocks should go together quickly. She scales out at around 5’9” which is three inches taller than her real-world size, but we’ll put that down to the soles on her flight boots being thick, or the taller stature of her fictitious character. Colonial Pilot – Viper Mk.II (132018-1/32) This figure is of a seated male pilot sat in his Viper, waiting for the launch order or pondering life, the universe and everything after a difficult mission. It consists of four resin parts, one of which is a clear visor for the helmet resting on his lap. The pilot is bare-headed, and has a pair of separate arms that are moulded as one piece and fit over the shoulders once the helmet is in place, resting on the top of the helmet with hands folded. The helmet is hollow, and the base can be cut out to depict it more realistically before painting and adding of the visor. Colonial Pilot – Viper Mk.VII (132019-1/32) This male figure has his helmet on and is moderately prepared to launch, although his hands are firmly planted on his lap. There are three resin parts, the body, the separate helmet, and the clear visor, which can be applied after painting the helmet and face. There is a little flash between the pilot’s knees, and the shape of the seat is clearly visible in his back. Conclusion A figure brings a human scale to any model, and these are well-sculpted and simple to build, with little in the way of preparation other than cutting off a few small casting blocks. A quick wash in warm soapy water will help the paint adhere too. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

I got these 3 1/35 figures on EBay. They seem to be looking for lost treasure in Egypt to me.

In my stash I have a number of white metal figures awaiting a home in future dioramas and model railway layouts. Although there seems to be nothing in the rules for this GB that say that you cannot enter a figure with only one part, I thought I would at least enter these This has a wheeled trolley which needs some construction. Unfortunately MMS models ceased trading in 2018 and the owner, and designer of the models, Barry Walby, died in 2020. As far as I can trace no one purchased the business.

Well now... To paraphrase a wellknown british comedygroup:"And now to something completely different!" My son asked me, if I would paint a couple of figures for him."Of course", I said "What are they?" He then brought forth the figures shown beneath: You will notice, that I have used the internationally yardstick of measurements, the Beer Capsule! I also found it most appropriate to use this particular one here on Britmodeller. I must admit, that I have no knowledge of the game , but have found some hi-res paintings online, that I will use as guides. So please stay tuned - I'll be back! Cheers Hans J

Hello all, I am planning a project depicting Indian soldiers in the trenches of France in the First World War. However, the problem is that I haven't really been able to find anywhere that sells these figures and ships to India. Help please

Star Wars Hangar Crew (72006 & 72007) 1:72 GreenStrawberry You've probably heard of Star Wars just like you've also probably heard of Bandai, so if you put those two together you've probably also heard of GreenStrawberry and if you haven't you're about to, so prepare your wallet for a shock when you see all the lovely sets that are available. GS as I call them for my ease produce all sorts of accessories and detail upgrades for Sci-Fi subjects in general and Star Wars is one that features heavily on their menu. This latest batch of sets are great for the diorama builder that wants to put their ships into a human scale on the ground, and we reviewed the first issue here a while back, then more sets here, and now yet more to flesh out your collection. Each set arrives in a small rectangular box in their usual dark theme and white front, with the resin in a heat-sealed bag inside next to the folded instruction sheet that adds a little additional padding. Hangar Crew Vol.VI Mechanics (72006) Three figures are included, each on their own casting block. The guard has his hands on hips and is moulded in one piece, while the other two have separate arms. A mechanic carrying a large reel of cable with a separate arm swinging left arm to balance the extra weight, plus a mechanic standing there with his arms slightly wide that are moulded separately. Hangar Crew Vol.VII Guard & Pilot (72007) Another three figure set with two guards in their traditional rebel helmets and body=warmers, one with one hand by his side, the other on a holster, while the other is pointing with one hand. The A-Wing pilot is standing with folded arms and a wide stance with a posture that seems to indicate he’s a bit brassed off about something. Conclusion More grist for the hangar mill to add some human scale to your Star Wars dioramas, all dressed correctly with realistic poses. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

This is the kit of a new scene I am just about to start. These are very nicely detailed, will only be using one of the robots and will see if I can build up a nice base for it. Rio

Hey guys: Does anyone have any experience with the multitude of new 1/35 WWII military figures from China that are popping up on EBay? Some are obvious recasts 😡 but the majority look like new CAD products http./1/35 Resin WWII German Officer & Soldier Panzer Crew Unpainted Unbuild BL535 from “Fashonzon” is an example. Has anybody ordered from any of these companies? Thanks, Marty

German Tank Repair Crew (35319) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd. All tanks break whether it's due to the fact that they're badly designed, pushing the technological envelope, being misused by their crews or having chunks blown off them by the enemy. When the tanks are away from home they're usually repaired in field workshops, the contents of which we reviewed recently here. Workshops need crew, so this set is complementary and provides all the sinew, sweat and tears required to repair the broken vehicles. Arriving in a shrink-wrapped figure box the set contains five figures and a selection of tools on a total of four sprues of grey styrene, although the figure sprue was originally one, but was cut to fit inside the box for expediency's sake. The five figures are broken down to torso, head, individual arms and legs, plus hats if worn. All of them are posed standing up with an officer guiding operations (of course!), while the other four pull, push yank and hit things with abandon. All are wearing uniform shirts and trousers over ankle-height boots, two have peaked caps and the officer retains his officer's cap and has a little iron cross hanging from his shirt just in case anyone forgot he was in charge. The tools include a pry-bar and sledge-hammer that two crew are wielding, and there are a wide selection of hand tools to scatter around the bench or floor nearby, plus anvil, axle stands, box plane and tool box. You can see the full range to the right on the box top artwork. Sculpting is as ever spot on, with sensible breakdown of parts along natural seams, superb understanding of the draping of different materials, and realistic poses and proportions that all add realism to the finished figures. The painting and construction guide can be found of the back of the box in colour, with paints called out as numbers that relate to a table below converting between Vallejo, Life Color, Tamiya, AK, and Mission Models brand plus the colours and their names in English and Ukraine. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

USAAF Pilots (1941-1945) 32104 1:32 ICM With more large scale aircraft kits arriving ICM have seen the chance to get a figure set out there of US Pilots. Here we have 3 figures walking to (or from) their aircraft carrying their parachutes. There are separate parts for the back harnesses which have to be used as the backs of the figures are recessed for them. The three figures all have different head gear od the period. While the set calls them pilots they could be used to represent other aircrew personnel. The instructions are on a single sheet of glossy paper, with part numbers and colour call outs that reference a chart on the rear that shows Revell and Tamiya colour codes, plus the name of the colour in English and Ukrainian (that's a guess). Sculpting and moulding is excellent as we have come to expect from ICM, and the figures will doubtless fit a few different scenarios. Conclusion A useful set of figures to add a little human scale to your latest USAAF project, with typical quality from ICM's figure people. Available from their UK importers, H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.A with German Infantry (35103) 1:35 ICM via Hannants The Hanomag Sd.Kfz.251/1 was the mainstay of the German armoured Personnel Carrier fleet, but was flexible enough to also take up many other tasks within the Nazi War Machine, from Anti-Aircraft duties to Howitzer carriage and back again to armoured reconnaissance, which led to a lot of variants. With two steering wheels at the front, the rear was carried on tracks, giving it good clearance and rough ground capabilities that a truck simply could not manage once the going got tough. It was armoured sufficiently to deflect non-armour piercing rounds from small arms fire, but with an open top it was susceptible to both grenades and aerial bombardment, where the armour would concentrate the blast and reduce the interior to a tangled mess. The Ausf.A was used at the beginning of WWII alongside the Ausf.B, and was generally fitted with an MG.34 on the front cab wall, operated from inside. There were more than 20 official variants and more unofficial field modifications, but despite their seemingly ubiquitous nature in German service, not many were preserved after the war, and they are highly sought after now, with many examples being based upon post-war builds from Czech factories that have been made to look as convincing as possible by their restorers. While the purist may notice the differences in films, they're still a huge improvement on repainted American half-tracks from an authenticity point of view. The Kit This is a reboxing of kit number 35101 of the same vehicle, but with the addition of a set of German Infantry (4 figures) to accompany it. We reviewed the original kit here, where you can see all the pictures below, as well as the build process and our thoughts on the model. This boxing arrives in a similar box, with the additional sprues for the figures taking up any spare space within, and on the exterior it has a new painting, which represents the more relaxed theme of the figures, which are either walking with their transport, or standing offering directions. In addition to the five grey sprues there are three in sand coloured styrene (the figures), a clear sprue (just the headlamps are used), and the flexible tracks and wheels. The instruction booklet follows the same format, and is actually the one from the earlier box, but with the instructions for the figures slipped inside, along with a separate page for sprue diagrams and painting guide for the accessories that come with the figures. The figures are four in number, and come as separate torsos, legs, arms, heads and helmets/hats. Shoulder bags, weapons and all the usual parts such as gas mask canisters, water bottles, entrenching tools, ammo pouches, pistols, binoculars, weapons and bayonets are included, most of which are found on the smaller sprue. The third sand sprue contains two lengths of link for the MG34 that is included on the aforementioned smaller sprue, which were sometimes carrier over the shoulders for easy access in event of contact with the enemy. These are moulded in a more flexible styrene, and are also a slightly different colour to the others, which can hopefully be seen from the pictures. An officer is included looking at a map, while another soldier points with one hand, with an MP40 in his other. The other two figures are depicted walking, one with an MG34 over his shoulder and a scarf of bullets, the other with boxes of ammo in his hands, and his rifle slung over his shoulder. As always with ICM, the sculpting it excellent, and the level of detail in the accessories of similar quality. Painting call-outs are included in the Revell and Tamiya ranges, with colour names in English and Ukraine for those without access to one of the many online paint conversion tools. Markings As this is the same kit, the same markings options are supplied this time around, with Panzer Grey being the colour scheme of the era. It also explains why there are no MG42s included on the weapons sprue. WH 726465 1.Pz.D., France, May 1940 WH 179074 1.Pz.D., Russia, July 1941 Conclusion We liked it first time around, and like it still, especially with the addition of these figures, which add a human scale to the model, and lend themselves to a diorama base, possibly at a crossroads in France? Highly recommended. Available in the UK from Hannants and other model shops Review sample courtesy of

German Tank Crew – Special Edition (35283) 1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models A figure placed in or on a vehicle or diorama gives it scale, and as such they add life to our attempts at scaling down reality. This set from figure masters MiniArt depicts WWII German Panzer crew, and contains six figures in various poses, some more relaxed than others. It arrives in a standard end-opening figure box, and once you've got the film wrap off the box, you are presented with three sprues in grey styrene, plus a small ancillary instruction sheet for the sprue of weapons and kit that is included in this edition. Put the word MiniArt into discussion about figures and you know that the sculpting will be first class, which is the case with this set, having beautifully rendered depictions of cloth, unit badges and insignia, and the faces of crew members with their various headgear. Three of the figures are suitable for turret hatches, with one having no legs for those tight areas, while another could be adapted to fit a hatch, but is stood leaning forward slightly. The other two figures are sitting down with one arm up as if they are manning the front hatches, and one even has his hand out gripping a steering wheel or similar. The crew are wearing the black grey Panzer uniform, with the two front crew having their shirt sleeves rolled up, while the three officers have their jackets on. The commanding officer type is clasping maps etc. behind his back, and is wearing a similar design jacket, but in the Pea Camouflage material that was sometimes seen toward the end of the war. The third sprue contains the additional weapons and pouches as mentioned earlier, including the following: 2 x Kar 98 with ammo pouches 2 x MP40 so-called "Schmeiser" SMGs with ammo pouches and open or folded stock 1 x binocular (with slide moulded lenses) with case 1 x Walther P38 pistol with open or closed holster 1 x flare pistol with holster and ammo pouches 1 x First Aid Kit 1 x Map case 1 x flashlight The first aid kit, MP40s, map case and flare ammo pouch require some minor assembly, which is detailed in the small instruction sheet in the box. The painting guide on the rear of the box gives suggestions as to the colours to use, which is conveniently translated between Vallejo, Mr Color, Life Color, Tamiya, AK, HUmbrol, Revell, and colour names in (probably Ukrainian) Cyrillic and English. The camo swatch is also annotated for your ease, which uses 5 basic colours for your delight and terror. Conclusion Realistic poses, excellent sculpting in a box of 6… well, 5.5 figures. Perfect for crewing your latest Panzer project to give it a little life and scale for very little cash. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

It may have been brought up before on here. I'm looking for either 1/72 or 1/144 civil standing figures I want male and female dressed nice. I want these for standing outside an airliner. I've seen the Preiser ones and they are ok but I need about fifty, plus some police. Would these be the only ones that are good? I want to recreate the scene of Martin Luther King's casket being loaded on the Electra.

In this section you can see catalog of protuction RES/KIT in 1/48 scale (figures) .

In this section you can see catalog of protuction RES/KIT in 1/35 scale (figures) .

WWI US Infantry & German Infantry in Gas Masks (35693 & 35695) 1:35 ICM WWI saw huge devastation of the land of continental Europe due to the stalemate that brought about the advent of trench warfare, as the Allies and Germany slogged it out over four years for supremacy of a few hundred feet of churned up earth in some cases. Millions of young men went to their deaths due to the "war of attrition" mentality of the Generals, which included America after it declared war on Germany in 1917, bringing their industrial might to the scene, which went some way toward reducing the effects of the loss of the Russian military from the fight due to their revolution. ICM have been commemorating the WWI 100 with the release of a number of figure boxings, the latest of which includes both the US Infantry from 1918, who bore more than a passing resemblance to the Tommies at that stage, and late war German Infantry in gas masks. Both sets arrive in slightly oversized figure-style boxes, which are top-opening, but have an additional internal flap securing the contents inside, as is usual with ICM kits. Instructions and painting guides are printed on separate glossy sheets within the box in full colour, with another matt sheet containing the sprue diagrams and detail painting information. US Infantry 1918 (35693) Containing two sprues in sand coloured styrene, the set includes four figures and a full set of equipment for personalisation of the figures to your taste. The soldiers are all in action poses with weapons at the ready, and includes an officer with a 1911 pistol at the ready. As already mentioned, their equipment is reminiscent of the British solider of the time, even down to the traditional "battle bowler" that lingered in British service until the end of WWII. The enlisted men wear boots and cloth puttees wrapped around their lower legs, while the officer sports a pair of lace-up calf-boots, which along with his handgun probably helped pick him out as a target for the enemy. A full set of ammo pouches, entrenching tools, water bottles, gas mask containers and other packs are included on the weapons fret, plus rifles, machine guns (even a Lewis gun), trench guns etc., all of which are helpfully named on the detail painting sheet – even the trench periscopes. Detail is superb, even down to the seams on the clothing, with realistic drape and creasing evident all over. Each figure is made from a torso, two legs, separate arms, a head with flat top to accept helmet, and where the figures are holding rifles up to fire, their hands are separate too for fine-tuning of the pose. The detail is carried over to the weapons, with an embossed "US" on the pistol pouch, and individual facets on the M1 grenade being just two highlights. German Infantry in Gas Masks 1918 (35695) This set has four sprues in sand coloured styrene, one of which contains just the heads for the soldiers. There are four figures again, and they are broken down as torso, two legs, two arms, and a two-part head, split front and back to enable maximum detail. The WWI potty helmets are separate too, and there are four spares and a mountain of weapons parts on two identical sprues. Again, the detail painting and naming of the various items are detailed in the instructions in Cyrillic as well as English, with a wide variety to choose from including a Broom-Handles Mauser, Bergman MP18 machine gun, hand grenades etc. The figures are all in action poses, from throwing grenades to setting up a machine gun, which is a lightened derivative of the Maxim. As the 08/15 was designed to be crewed by four men, it's entirely possible to designate the entire set as the crew. As with the other set, detail is excellent, and the plethora of weapons included goes beyond generous. Four unmasked faces give you the opportunity to mix and match if the mood takes you too. Review sample courtesy of