In addition to producing photoetch accessories for aircraft, AFV, cars and trains, Hauler also produces resin and photoetch accessories for dioramas. This set is a prime example of this side of their business. It provides 2 each of 4 different types or styles of plastic crates. There are two types of large crates, such as would be used for milk jugs and the like, and two types of flatter crates such as those used for packages of bread.

As expected from Hauler, this set’s detail is outstanding and each type of crate is very distinctive. Construction starts with removal of the crates from the fret. I recommend using photoetch scissors to do so as the brass is very thin and bends easily, so using an Xacto to separate the crates, could bend them. Once a crate had been removed from the fret, I used the scissors to clip off any remaining stubs of the attachment points and then using a set of smooth-faced beading pliers, I bent the four sides up. Unlike most other photoetch, the crates do not have fold lines, there are two thin strips attaching each side to the base of the crate, making bending very easy, however, it also means that you only get one shot at bending as these thin hinges break easily if bent too often or the wrong way.

After the sides were bent up, I used a pin and ran a bead of superglue gel down the insides of each corner of the crate to fix the sides in place. I had all eight crates, cut out, trimmed and bent up in less than a half hour!

Next up came the fun part, deciding how to paint the crates. This is totally up to you and I chose colors that I have seen in the local grocery store for my sets. I painted each type of crate a different color to make them distinctive. When painting the crates, be sure to airbrush the side panels again when you flip the crate over to paint the bottom to ensure that you don’t have brass edges when the crates are viewed from the bottom. I used ModelMaster enamel paints for my crates to help adhesion to the brass. Once the paint had set overnight, I shot a coat of Future on each crate to seal the paint and give them the slightly glossy look that the real crates have.

This set was a lot of fun to make and was really good practice on cutting out, trimming and folding small pieces of photoetch. Highly recommended for something completely different!

Thank you to Hauler for the review sample and to IPMS-USA for letting me review it.