MiniArt US Tank Chassis Repair Crew (35481) 1:35

[Mike]

US Tank Chassis Repair Crew (35481)

1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd

 

 

Following on from their newly tooled M3 Stuart tank, MiniArt released a new figure set that included a pair of mechanics working on the tank’s engine, and in case you didn’t get the Interior Kit, it also includes an engine.  Now we have another pair of mechanics working on the tracks of a tank, and they would look equally at home working on any Allied tank from WWII if you feel the urge.

 

The set arrives in an end-opening figure-sized box, with a painting of the men at work on the front, and the same painting broken down to act as painting and part location instructions, accessories underneath, and a paint chart beneath those.  The chart gives codes for Vallejo, Mr Color, AK RealColor, Mission Models, AMMO, Tamiya, plus colour swatches and generic names for completeness.  Inside are five sprues in grey styrene, locked inside a heat-sealed clear foil bag for protection.

 

 

 

The parts for each figure are found in 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 remaining three sprues contain copious accessories in the shape of three-part tanker helmets plus goggles, grease guns with separate stocks, pistols in and out of their holsters, binoculars, a camera, ammo pouches and bags.

 

 

 

Conclusion

Adding figures to a model gives it extra realism and human scale, and when they’re as well-sculpted and realistic as these, they’re a boon to any modeller.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of