CMK Dromedary Camels x 2 (F72397 & F48398) 1:72 & 1:48

[Mike]

Dromedary Camels x 2 (F72397 & F48398)

1:72 & 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby

 

 

The camel, known colloquially as the ‘ship of the desert’, is a large mammal that is as cantankerous as it is capable, having a huge fat storage hump on its back that allows it to travel for up to 40 days without a proper drink, its long legs and large padded feet making it a capable of travelling vast distances without taking one step forward and two back on sand dunes.  They’re still used everywhere there’s a desert, although 4x4 transport is taking over where the need arises.

 

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when these sets arrived, as I’ve already reviewed a few more camels than I ever thought I would.  I think the total is up to six now, and there are more coming.  I’m not quite serious, but I seem to remember making a comment in the first review that I’d never reviewed a camel before, and likely never would again.  I guess I was wrong… again.

 

These two sets are 3D printed in two scales to go with your 1:72 or 1:48 desert diorama, whether it’s in the background or playing a more central role.  Both sets are supplied in the usual clamshell box with card header, the colours and branding different by scale for reasons that aren’t immediately apparent.  The instructions are simple, and are hidden between the resin part and the backing, consisting of a simple visual of the model with painting examples.  There are two camels in different poses in each box, and they each still have supports attached to the underside, which are easy to clip off and sand the remaining pips back flush.

 

1:72 Dromedary (F72397)

 

 

 

1:48 Dromedary (F48398)

 

 

With only a little work to do to remove the attachment pips on the underside, they should be ready for paint pretty quickly, and the detail is superb, even down to the recreation of the changing texture of the animal’s pelt, where it changes to a coarser consistency around the hump.  One camel is sitting down with its legs folded underneath, as is their way, while the other is standing up with its legs in a pose that implies movement, but could also be used in a standing pose, as it isn’t a particularly dynamic stance – probably for that very reason.

 

 

Markings

There are no decals, although I suspect I didn’t really need to mention that, however a quick Google of camel pictures will come back with plenty of examples of their colouring to aid you with painting them.  It might also see you put on some kind of esoteric register of camel fanciers, but it also might not.

 

 

Conclusion

Detail is fabulous, with every aspect of the camel carefully replicated, including the shaggy texture of the animal’s fur and its goofy face, however it looks a little too cheerful based on the camels I’ve met before.  Camels are always ill-tempered and often spitty.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Pete in Lincs]

5 hours ago, Mike said:

Camels are always ill-tempered and often spitty.

They taste good though. Slice thinly and flash fry with a little garlic. Yum.

[John_W]

2 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said:

They taste good though. Slice thinly and flash fry with a little garlic. Yum.

One of my ancestors, who earned rhe title of "Australia's worst Explorer" once got so lost he had to eat his own camels. 

According to his journal "boiled and then beaten with a stick to tenderise".

[Mike]

1 hour ago, John_W said:

According to his journal "boiled and then beaten with a stick to tenderise".

Sounds delightful!