Scale Plastic & Rail

1:48 WW1 Airfield Set from Noy's Miniatures

1:48 WW1 Airfield Set
Noy's Miniatures
Catalogue # 4813
Available from Hannants for £12.50

Here at SP&R, we very much like the high quality printed cardstock diorama bases from Noy's Miniatures. Noy is a great guy and I like to think he's open to suggestion. Why do I say this? Well, I mentioned to him the possibility of creating something for World War 1 modellers a while ago, and at that time he couldn't envisage how he'd do it. But, here we are now, and Noy has managed to do what he was pretty unsure of. Did my question prompt him those months ago? I don't know, but I'd like to think so!

Read more: 1:48 WW1 Airfield Set from Noy's Miniatures

1:48 Aircraft Diorama Bases from Noy's Miniatures

1:48 Aircraft Display Tarmac/Concrete Diorama Bases
Miliscale/Noy's Miniatures
Prices/Catalogue #'s: See article for details.
Available in the UK from Hannants for £5.99 each

If you, like me, really struggle with the concept of putting together a reasonable looking base for your finished models, then Noy's Miniatures have a solution for you which you should perhaps consider. The review samples we have been sent are all in 1:48, but as we do a résumé of each item, I will detail what other scales that these bases are available in.

Read more: 1:48 Aircraft Diorama Bases from Noy's Miniatures

1/48 USN WW2 Aircraft Carrier Deck

1/48 USN WW2 Aircraft Carrier Deck
Skunkmodel Workshop
Catalogue # SW-48015
Available from Lucky Model for $19.98USD

Skunkmodel Works have released this solution for USN aircraft fans who wish to display their model F-4U Corsair etc, on something more than a regular home-made base, or as an alternative to relatively more expensive solutions.

The 1/48 USN WW2 Aircraft Carrier Deck is supplied in the same format box as other Skunkmodel Workshop kits, with the same yellow, blue and metallic livery. The box for this is somewhat flimsy when you bear in mind that the contents within could have been packaged into a box not much more than half this size, but hey! The rear of the box contains a simple exploded drawing of the assembly of this modular product.

Inside the box, we are presented with three packages. The first contains four black plastic hollow-form squares, 120mm x 120mm in size. A second package contains a variety of clip together fittings, and the last package holds six wooden deck sections with the plank arrangement neatly etched with laser. In this same package, 6 thin laser cut strips with oblong hollows, plus a set of corresponding photo etch strips are supplied. To my limited knowledge of US Carriers from WW2, this appears to simulate what would be a deck drainage arrangement.

A small sheet of instructions is contained which simply explains the deck planking arrangements and the interwoven drainage channels, is illustrated in clear, line drawings.

The deck is simplicity itself to construct, with no doubt whatsoever regarding the constructional arrangement. The fitment parts have a shallow channel into which the deck edges clip, and the exterior parts, such as the edges and corners have a bevelled top side. With a corner clicked onto each square base part, all four parts can be clicked together with a central cross piece, then the exterior edges of these squares are then linked with a short clip which olds a bevelled upper edge. The side pieces are then clipped into place, and the final parts which give the plinth stability are clipped underneath. That’s it!

You’ll notice that the upper side of the deck has edges which create a rebate into which the wooden parts perfectly and snugly fit. Assemble these along with the drainage channels, as per the plan, and that is it.

Of course, you’ll need to give the deck and photo etch parts a suitable and realistic finish, so that will be up to you so create.

Construction time should take no more than an hour, and then you apply that finish.

So what do we think?
I really like the concept and execution of this set, and complete with the display base element, this will make a really stylish addition to your display cabinet. I hope that Skunkmodel Workshop create some other bases for other WW2 war arenas! Highly recommended, and quite inexpensive.

Overall: 9/10

Our sincere thanks to Lucky Model for the review sample. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.

JH

1/48 Revetments (Resin) from MDC

1/48 Revetments (Resin)
MDC
Price: £14.95
Available from Model Design Construction


For those quarter-scale dioramists among us, MDC have now produced this simple but excellent revetment kit. Producing one rather large revetment depicting two elements, this kit consists of 6 pieces of dark grey resin. MDC supply no instructions for this set, but it is rather self-explanatory in how it assembles.

Mastering and casting is superb overall, although my sample does have a few small air bubbles in one of the end panels. These though, are very easy to fill and won’t ruin what is an otherwise excellent little kit. The interior walls of the revetment have a ‘top’ indicator for orientation, and one end is recessed so that an end panel can be affixed. Do this with both sides, and you will have two ‘L’ shaped sections which then just come together to make a box.

A choice of two ‘lids’ is given. One is simply a plain top piece, and the other depicts a rubble-filled revetment, with the cast detail being crisp and incredibly detailed. Both large slab sides have a recess within them to accept the ‘lid’.

Assembly should be a breeze and I foresee no issue with construction.

So what do we think?
This is a great little set, including a lot of resin for £15. Simple assembly and will look very good indeed on that diorama. Highly recommended.

Overall: 8.5/10


Our sincere thanks to MDC for the review sample used here. To buy this and other MDC products, click THIS link, or the banner below.

JH