Coastal Kits was founded in 2011 and is based in Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. It is a family-run business that originally retailed model kits and their associated supplies. Coastal Kits began marketing their own range of display bases at the end of 2012 after their bases were well received at Telford’s Scale Model World. The Business soon decided to concentrate solely on their display base product line. The range currently exceeds 220 bases in multiple scales and subjects. They also provide custom bases upon request.

The display bases are manufactured from 3mm Foamex board which is a rigid, waterproof plastic. Laminated matte vinyl is used to print the subject with the latest odorless latex ink providing a permanent and waterproof finish. The benefit over alternatives like paper-based products is that the display will not fade, lift, or bubble.

This base provides an easy answer to displaying your sci-fi models. This particular display base is intended to show off your model in a loading bay, possibly on a space ship. Coastal Kits also provides nine other Sci-Fi bases to show off your model. The base comes packaged in a plastic bag that will help protect the base, although so far, the base seems to be rather tough. I found no print flaws and the base is a crisp rectangle with 90-degree corners.

I borrowed my grandson’s snap-tite Revell X-Wing model and although it’s a bit tight, it looks pretty good on the base. If you wish to mount this base on a wooden base, it should fit well or you can just use it as is. The Foamex board does show around the edges so you may wish to use a black marker to make the white edging disappear.

I’m quite pleased with this product as it really adds to my grandson’s model, at least until we can no longer put the pieces back together. In the United States, you can find the Coastal Kits product line available through Sprue Brothers. My thanks to Coastal Kits and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great product.

Highly recommended!

Frank Landrus, IPMS# 35035