I must confess a high level of personal modeling interest in well-made accessory sets like this. As a lover of all things dioramic, I am always on the lookout for fiddly bits that will add that extra level of interest to a scenario in the making. This set is just such an example.
MasterBox continues to floor me with their bold choices of modeling subjects (especially figures) and this one is no exception. First of a series of figures based on classic Greek mythology, the Medusa here is created in 1/24th(75mm) scale and is a relatively easy build of a truly legendary icon.
Typical of MasterBox figures, there are some discrepancies between the illustration and the sculpture. Unlike most figure manufacturers, MasterBox creates a new figure by first eliciting an illustration. Then the sculptors work on the finished item using the illustration as a guide. In this case, the illustrator created a Medusa that looks something like a sorority girl with a skin condition and a bad hair day. The sculpture, if anything, is actually better, as the features are far more authentically Greek. In fact, the first time I looked at the face she reminded me of the Statue of Liberty, which is itself crafted along the classic Greek standards for feminine beauty.
Thank you to Matho Models for providing a neat diorama accessory for review, produced with innovative technology. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review these birdhouses! Matho Models has a widening line of 1/35 scale details and bases. Their website has scale search options using larger and smaller scale product lines, but at this time, 1/35 dominates.
PJ Production does an interesting selection of items in resin including aircraft related figures in the more popular scales.
This set includes 4 figures designed to fit a Black Hawk of choice, though I am sure you could use them with any modern US chopper. You get a pilot, copilot and two air crew. They are molded as one-piece items in a light tan resin, except the pilot which has a separate arm to help position on the controls.
There were no air bubbles on the figures but there was a bit of flash and some mold marks that needed attention. The pilots have the regular bone dome while the aircrew get the added facial mask which makes painting them a breeze if you aren’t into painting flesh tones. They also have molded-on seat belts which doesn’t extend to their back making it easier to fit them into a seat.
No one can slight Master Box Models for a lack of both imagination and daring. Their figures have set the bar for the entire injection molding industry in terms of concepts and boldness, and this new addition to their 1/24th scale stable is no exception. Set in a sort of “Star Wars” cantina, this is the first of an eight-figure set which includes saucy ladies, robots, strange elfin characters and burly mercenaries.
PJ Productions from Belgium is well known for their wonderful resin figures and accessories. This instance is a RAF pilot in flight suit from the 1960’s in 1/32nd scale. The kit includes four resin pieces with the body being one-piece cast and the arms and head separate. Casting is good with a slight amount of flash and is all done in cream colored resin. The box is your instructions as far as color for the pilot and his uniform.
Assembly is first with the casting lines being removed from the arms and these were attached to the body. The head can remain separate for painting if desired. Fit is good, so it can be added later. There were slight seams at the arm and I used glazing putty smoothed with lacquer thinner to eliminate the seams.
PJ Productions from Belgium is well known for their wonderful resin figures and accessories. This latest kit is a RAF pilot in tropical flight clothes from the WWII era and is made in 1/32nd scale. The kit includes five resin pieces with the body being one-piece cast and the arms and head separate. Note that there is a separate piece for the oxygen hose and it is small and between the head and left arm. Don’t mistakenly throw it away. Casting is good with a slight amount of flash and is all done in cream colored resin. The box is your instructions as far as color for the pilot and his uniform.
Assembly is straightforward. Get rid of the casting blocks and seams by gently scraping. Glue the arms onto the body. I used glazing putty smoothed with lacquer thinner to eliminate the seams. I added the oxygen hose which fits into the hose molded into the body and runs to the side of the mask on the face.
Ammo by Mig Jimenez is expanding their line of acrylic diorama products with these products; Dry Earth Ground #2101, Dark Mud Ground #2104 and Slow River Waters #2204. These products come in a large mouth, 250ml plastic bottle. The Dry Earth Ground is a tan, gritty paste like it has fine sand in it. The Dark Mud Ground is a dark brown, smooth paste. The Slow River Waters is a slimy green gel. The bottle says you can pour this, but it seems way too thick to do that. Here are the descriptions from Ammo’s website to explain each product better:
Tamiya has recently released their own boxing of the diminutive Goliath tracked mine. The kit comes complete with two mines and control boxes, tethered by steel wire to one of three highly detailed figures. Molded in crisp, yellow plastic, the contents of the box are typical of Tamiya kits, and the three figures are just about as good as it gets in terms of detail and craftsmanship.
The Goliath tracked mine – (Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath or Goliath Light Charge Carrier) was a name given to two German unmanned, disposable demolition vehicles used during World War II. These were the electrically powered Sd.Kfz. 302 and the petrol-engine powered Sd.Kfz. 303a and 303b. The -302 is the version represented in the Tamiya kit.
This product is a premade diorama grass mat that represents the steppe region of Russia. A steppe is a vast area which is usually a level grassy, treeless tract of land. This mat’s measurement are 5 inches by 9 inches, or 130mm by 230mm to our metric speaking friends.
The mat is packaged nicely in a plastic, hanging container with a paper backing slid in and stapled. There is some grass and stones that came lose in shipping that make it look a little messy. This loose debris can be glued back onto the mat with a little white glue with very little effort. There are two colors of grasses represented, plus what looks like little tuffs of cactus needle fuzz. The different sizes of rocks look like the walnut kitty litter my cat uses but represents rocks very well. There also are some areas of little, light green speckles that appear to be moss.
