Model Armour

Afrika Korps: German Tankmen

Manufacturer: Masterbox

Scale: 1/35

Material: Styrene

Serial Number: MB3559

Price:  £10.80 Lucky Model.com

Introduction

Masterbox from the Ukraine is another eastern European plastic kit manufacturer that produces injection moulded kits of reasonable quality.   They have risen to prominence over the last couple of years however, as a result of releasing slightly unusual, but really useful figure sets.  They even have a small number of vehicles in their range, which are generally not viewed as favourably.

Contents

This kit of  four figures...plus one donkey...arrives as a single sprue of tan-coloured plastic.  Three of the figures represent German tank crew of the DAK, and the fourth represents an Arab figure riding a donkey.

Examining the parts, the sculpting is quite good, with good detail being shown on parts such as the faces and shirts of the soldiers.  There's quite a bit of flash around some of the finer parts though, such as the hands of each of the figures, and the mould seams are quite heavy and will probably need more than a quick scrape with a scalpel blade.

The poses of all of the figures are not 'action' poses, a fact I personally like and usually find to be more useful.  Of the three DAK figures,  one is posed standing and looking through binoculars, one kneeling with hat in hand rubbing the back of his neck, and the third leaning forward with his arms resting on his knee, right leg raised as though on a step.  All three are wearing shorts, and all three are also wearing the tropical boots, although one has ankle boots whilst the other two are wearing the calf length version.  All three are also wearing shirts rather than tunics, with two having a tropical Einhheits-feldmutze and one wearing a side cap.  No other personal kit or gear is included apart from the binoculars for one of the figures.

The Arabic figure is that of a male, wearing a Smagh with one of its ends wrapped around his neck, traditional Egal and Dishdashi, with shoes.  His face is actually sculpted with a slight beard, and although this is difficult to see on the unpainted part, it is there and would be noticeable if not painted as such.  This figure is posed riding the donkey or ass, with a stick in his right hand for use as a crop.  His right arm is supplied in two versions, both of which hold a stick, but one arm is straight and the other bent at the elbow.

The donkey is supplied in two main halves, with separate insert for the ears, mane and tail.   Although its blanket is moulded in-situ, there are separate bags provided to hang down each side.  Be prepared for some difficult sanding to remove the join completely on this, simple because of the shape of the animal and having to sand between its legs.  Eeeyuk.

Conclusion

It's not a state of the art figure set.  Then again, it's not purporting to be.  It's a set of four figures with interesting and useful poses, and that Arabic figure on a Donkey would probably make me get one just for that!

It's what Masterbox do best....something a little unusual!  A great set of figures...recommended!

My thanks to Lucky Model.com for the review sample!