Coastal Kits is based in Lancashire, UK, and began marketing their own range of display bases at the end of 2012. Since that time, their business has grown and concentrates almost exclusively on printed display bases for just about any type of model you ever wanted to build in just about any scale. Looking thru the offerings on their website is almost overwhelming there are so many choices, and they will even custom-make bases.

The display bases are manufactured from 3mm Foamex board, which feels like a rigid mousepad. The material is basically a waterproof plastic, with a printed display on one side. The pre-printed image is a high-quality image on a laminated, wipeable matt vinyl surface which, unlike paper products, will not raise or bubble.

This base provides an easy answer to displaying your models. The display base I reviewed is intended to show off your 1/72 armor models on a flat surface made to look like a field. One corner of the model has a white star printed on it to signify that the model is of an American subject. Coastal Kits provides pre-printed bases like this for a variety of countries, the choice is yours. In addition to trying some armor models on the base, I also tried a 1/72 plane and think it works for some of those models too. The printing on the base I reviewed showed no flaws, and feels very durable.

I really like the idea of these products. For just a few dollars, you can really set your model apart and have a creative and unique way to display it rather than just sitting on a bare shelf or table. You can purchase these bases from a variety of retailers in the United States, or directly from the Coastal Kits website.

This product is highly recommended. Thanks to Coastal Kits and IPMS/USA for this review item.