Traffic Signs Afghanistan 2000s (35640) 1:35

[Mike]

Traffic Signs Afghanistan 2000s (35640)

1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd

 

 

Before GPS or Satnav became common, sign posts were an absolute necessity for navigation, and remain a useful confirmatory backup even when you are using GPS, although soon become more useful if your satnav konks out or isn’t up-to-date.  This set from MiniArt offer signage for Afghanistan during part of the US led occupation, and is based upon the same sprues as recently released signs from nearby areas, with just the decals and larger paper signs differing between issues.  The set arrives in a shrink-wrapped figure-sized box, and contain six sprues, two that contain a large rectangular sign plus one each square, octagonal and small rectangular, giving eight signs in total.  The four smaller sprues have two round, two small rectangular, a square, triangle and long rectangle sign, twenty-eight signs in total, with a grand total of thirty-six between all the sprues.  There are also eleven poles to put your signs on, and as you can see from the photos, the rear of the signs have brackets to hang them, as well as a representation of their stamped and formed construction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The paper sheet with large signs is in addition to the decals, and one of them is larger than the supplied plastic sign sizes, so you would have to make up your own backing for that one.  The decals are printed by MiniArt’s usual partners DecoGraph, and have good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin satin carrier film cut close to the printed areas.  A white painted background for the decals will give them a higher brightness, although signs are often old, dilapidated, weathered and damaged – even shot at in war zones or areas where guns are commonplace. People just don’t seem to be able to help themselves!

 

 

Conclusion

Signposts are a useful background item in any diorama or vignette, so having pre-printed signs available is just the ticket to add interest and realism to your work quickly and easily.  Don’t forget the bullet holes!

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of