Perusing the website of Monroe Purdue Studios (MPS), out of Simi Valley CA, will uncover a variety of unusual modeling products, including a growing set of very affordable laser-cut wood sets, among a lot of other interesting items. Visiting their booth at the 2021 Las Vegas IPMS Nationals, I looked at a dozen or so build-ups in various stages of completion, demonstrating the uniqueness of their products. I came home with two sets; a 1/35th scale laser-cut wood French Wine Crates set for cases of wine (the subject of this review), and a complete zimmerit set for the 1/35th scale HobbyBoss King Tiger II (the subject of a separate IPMS review).

Hauler is known as a supplier of high-quality detail parts for aircraft, as well as other subjects. Once painted the fuel barrels provide a very nice addition to any diorama.

Package Contents

2 sets of resin containing the fuel barrels, with each set containing 6 barrels.

Instructions

The barrels are molded in resin and there are no instructions contained or needed in the kit.

Painting

The first thing I did was to wash the resin barrels in soapy water to remove any residue that may be on the pieces.

I decided for ease of handling that I would leave the barrels on their resin sprue.

I started painting the barrels by first applying Stynlreyz, light gray. I then decided that I would “paint” the barrels with AK weathering pencils.

ICM has finally filled a big gap in their ongoing World War 1 Infantry series by releasing a set of early-war Belgian Infantry. Unlike most of the previous sets which displayed figures advancing toward an unseen enemy, this set displays Belgian infantry in what must be the most iconic fashion for the period depicted – fighting from a defensive position.

The set includes three infantry figures in the traditional shakos, all crouching or kneeling, two actively firing their rifles and one cocking or reloading his weapon. It also includes an officer figure armed with sword and pistol. The set includes two sprues of equipment suitable for Belgian infantry from 1914 all the way to 1918, when they wore khaki uniforms with helmets.

Danger Close Dioramics is a relative newcomer to the area of diorama accessories, but they seem to be expanding their offerings at a good pace. The subject of this review in their Buddha Temple in 1/53th, which features a statue, base with steps, background wall and 1 side wall. DCD also includes several strips of bamboo-like plastic that can be used to enhance the scene if one wishes.

All resin parts are molded in a fairly dark gray ono-porous material which, although not bubble-free, is still relatively clean. All items in this set were clearly cast from open-face molds, so that back sides are not particularly pristine, with some overfill as well as some underfill with a certain amount of resin “cupping” along the edges. This does mean, however, that there are no casting blocks to remove.

For figure builders, or anyone who builds models that might have some leather (seat covers and the like), one of the latest releases from Ammo by Mig is a six-piece leather color range set. The colors vary from dark brown to rust ochre and should satisfy all your brown leather painting needs. The paints all have a stainless-steel mixing ball already contained in the bottles to aid in mixing, and the colors can be mixed to provide the base color, shadows, highlights, and even scratches and tears. I would highly recommend this set to any modeler looking to add some brown leather to their builds.