MiniArt

1/35 German Soldiers at Work (RAD)

Kit Number: 35065

Reviewed by  Tom Moon, IPMS# 43192

MSRP: $14.95 Importer: Dragon Models USA, who provided the review item. Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com This set consists of 5 figures all conducting some form of manual labor. The figures come on two sprues with 48 parts. The box art and instructions on the back of the box show the figures as completed. The first figure is wielding a pick axe, the second is digging with a spade, the third is carrying a log, the fourth is another shovel handler, and the last is a pushing a wheelbarrow. The poses are well done and depict a reasonable amount of action.

The biggest concern I have about this set is that the tools are molded as complete, but the figure hands are molded around a "section" of handle. This required me to measure out where I thought the hands would be placed on the tool, and then cut out a corresponding section of the tool handle. To give additional strength to the main portion of the tool I drilled a hole in the exposed end of the tool and the portion of the tool molded in the hands of the figure. I glued a small rod into the tool and then glued the tool rod into the hole of the molded in handle. I then finished up the middle section and/or the end section of the item being held. This is especially required for the wheel barrow as it extends quite a ways from the figure.

The set had very minimal flash, and no ejection pin marks. What mold lines that were there were easily removed with a sharp blade. There are no decals, and the painting instructions are just for the major items. You will need to copy what you see in the illustration or consult your references for actual colors for the badges, shoulder boards, and metals. The paint colors are coded for Vallejo, Testors, Tamiya, Humbrol, Revell, and Mr. Color.

If you are one of the figure builders/painters that subscribe to the concept of "if it is a plastic head, replace it with a resin one", then you might want to do so with this set. The facial expressions are well done, but seem almost identical.

I constructed the figures using a Tenax type of glue. This softened the plastic enough that as pressure is applied to the joint, some dissolved plastic will ooze out and after hardening; any excess can be cut or sanded away. I used very little filler. The fit was acceptable and little adjustment was required to get the proper poses.

Conclusion - This set is a mini diorama waiting for you to create a work scene. It is well done and as with most of MiniArt's figures sets, different and eye catching. Don't let my figure painting deter you from this set; it is much better than what I painted. Thanks to Dragon USA and MiniArt for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the review space.