Fran

Great review Jeroen! Thanks for sharing!

Woww!!! Don`t close it!!

PLUSMODEL Diorama Accessories Sets (Acid Containers, PET Botles, U.S. Blood Bank Marmites, Boards “Achthung Mines” ) Available from Plusmodel for the prices indicated below on the text Once again and always from the past few years, Plus Models came to the rescue with some original diorama accessories items that will give a little extra to your work, because of their quality and originality. All sets are in 1:35 and they come in the standard Plusmodel box, being the full build model the box art. All of the items very well packaged, with the all the parts coming inside of a bubble bag. Acid Containers (5 resin pieces and 8 Photo-etched and one decals sheet to two containers) #430 Price tag: 26,70$ (18,70€) – directly from Plusmodel. The set is a quite simple and effective one if you can paint it properly. There`s no assembly required, no decals and of course no instructions. The five resin pieces are in single pieces, molded in crystal clear resin, and with very little to clean up, just the resin cast on the bottom. The casting is top quality as usual and the details is quite outstanding. All the jugs are solid so to represent them full or half full or empty, you have to get that effect through painting. Is almost like buying full done. But no… you need to paint it and can use the box art as a painting guide. U.S. Blood Bank Marmites (8 resin pieces and 1 Photo-etched sheet and one decal sheet) #445 Price tag: 20,60$ (14,50€) – directly from Plusmodel. Before getting to the inside box review, this set really intricate me because I never have seen nothing like this on war pictures. So I try to look up for something on the net and (unlike the acid containers), after looking for quite some time, I found out that this ones are M1941 Marmite Cans, that were used mainly in blood transportation. Got some pictures from the web: Just love this on a C-47. Taking a look on the set, it brings you eight resin cans, a small photo-etch sheet and some decals. The resin parts are in grey color and are very well cast. The only cleaning is a slight seam line in one side, along the entire side but quite easy to be remove. The resin casting block is simple to remove. The side carry handles are molded in resin and at a rest position, which is quite a pity, because it restrain a lot the use on a diorama. The latch system is all in photo-etched, so is quite fine and delicate. You should have great care to handle it but looks easy to put on the marmite. And for the first time on a Plusmodel set something is quite wrong: We have 8 marmites, 8 top bars….but it only have 4 latches… It`s necessary an extra photo-etched set to finish and complete all the 8 marmites. This happens at least on my review samples. So nothing like asking them, and Petr from Plusmodel reply me telling that`s in fact a mistake that happens on the first serie, but all the second serie will have two photo-etched sheet. Mine new sheet is on the way. The decals are very well printed, with words that look quite alike on the real photos The instructions are the typical ones from Plusmodel, simple drawings but quite perceptible and intuitive PET Bottles (32 resin pieces and one decal sheet) #446 Price tag: 17$ (11,90€) – directly from Plusmodel. This set come in a plastic box with 32 bottles, 8 of them in green color, two different greens. The transparent ones are in 3 bottles types, giving extra options from the modeler. The bottles are in clear resin (incolor and green color), very well cast, with no bubbles and an easy block resin removal. The bottles types are the tipical ones so it will fit in every modern scenery. The decal sheet brings option for all the types.. You got “Coca-Cila”, Pepsi logo and other brands well hidden on the decals, just to protect Plusmodel for eventual copyright issues. Maybe some modelers can`t live with that and make own brand decals. In 1:35 scale, in a environment diorama, it simply not be notice, I think. So for me, the decals are real fine. Boards "Achtung Minen" #443 Price tag: 15,80$ (11,10€) – directly from Plusmodel. And the last but not the least, a set of laser cut wooden mine warning signs. There`s no much to talk about because pictures speak for themselves. The engraved “Actung Mines” sentence with a skull in the middle is fantastic with the modeler is presented with two different type of warning, 15 of each. A very realistic one, on real wood with some very good scale dimension. Having also 1:48 mine warnings signs is pretty clear the actual scale size of both of them, and they really look ok. Conclusion: These three sets of accessories for dioramas translate once again well Plusmodel philosophy: originality, quality and versatility. The quality is of the highest level, with castings at most higher standard and detail is one of the best in modeling world. One major problem I found in the Us Blood Marmite was detected by plusmodel and the second serie will have two photo-etched sheet. These accessories allow its use in one scenario as in several, depending on the intention of the modeler. Also these sets will stand out on your diorama or vignette giving a detail of class. Very Highly recommended With my sincere thanks to Plusmodel for this review sample. To purchase directly, click this link. Francisco Guedes

Hi Guys!! Sorry for the late report but here`s some photos of the evenT! I fail to finish it... but you can see why on the video. and now the video (mada by José Brito) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rXqIcvw7wY Fran

That`s some fantastic details!!

Now that a strange thing!!! Nice review Jim as always!

A WORLD OF DIORAMAS (Master Collection Series Vol.1) Canfora Publishing (Grafisk Form & Förlag) Author: PER OLAV LUND (HID0615) ISBN: 978-2-35250-387-3 Price tag: 29,50€ (plus shipping) One day, a few weeks ago, I got an A4 envelop…. I was excited because I know that was the Per Olav Lund new book! [/url] The first impression as I open the book was: Woww! The cover is amazing. A central and big photo of one the newest Per Olav work in a satin finish. The cover is in soft cover with a high grade paper and satin finish. The cover is A3 folding sheet so you got on the front cover the already mention diorama, and opening the paper, you got Per Olav Lund introduction. On the back of the cover a fantastic picture of one the best Per Olav works: “Seenot” Starting flipping through the book, I really do not know where to start! Almost mental block with all the fantastic photos. All the 128 pages have a fantastic color printing in a satin finish touch. In general, all the impression and color quality is not an issue for sure! It's really quite hard to review and comment a perfect work.... For me, it's art! But let`s see the content of this book. On the cover feature one of my favourite dioramas... It's simplicity is almost overhelming and at the same time, that simplicity is the most hard to get.... Everything is perfect balance, with no extra things or confusion just to fill empty spaces.... Anyway, looking at book structure, you will get 10 dioramas and a gallery section. In every single diorama, Per Olav gives you, a small well written text that tells how the author got inspired and what he wants to represent with that work. Also gives the info about all the stuff used (like roof tiles from Juweela, Plusmodel, Miniart, figures brand etc)! The opening text is follow by a picture that capture the all diorama. In the following pages, you see some more detail photos on the finish diorama, and some work in progress photos. There`s not much WIP photos as the tend to be more to show the finish result and is not a step-by-step book. Along the dioramas, mostly with already finish model or part of the diorama, Per Olav explain how to obtain that weathering effect (painting the roof tiles one by one) or damaged effect like the use of microscope slide glass to make the house windows and how to make a bullet hole on it! At the end of each diorama, the book gives you some close and detail photos of the finish work. Passing along all the work, one that caught my attention was “Cribs”…. A jaw-dropping civil diorama with a big pig in the VW Samba bus pigsty! Here, for example, have some nice WIP photos of the building construction progress with quite useful tips. The next one I decided to mention in particularly, is my favorite and the last work made by Per Olav, I think - The Seenot. This model won the 2nd Wingnut Wings facebook fans and it has first reveal in there so I quite proud about that. For me is one of the most brilliant diorama and when i saw it, was just jaw-dropping... Unfortunately it doesn`t have so much WIP photos or a step-by-step of the beautiful ocean or oils color info.i Most of information to achieved that result is written on the text… Not all but Then in each one of the dioramas you will get some information and lots of the Per Olav talent and his explanations and of course tips and materials!!! We got everything to do similar... Errrr.... Almost.... Per Olav Talent is not at reach of any one! This book is not a really step-by-step information book (I do think that was never the goal) because it doesn`t show all the construction steps and painting process. Also doesn’t` give the modeler paint colors or painting techniques, step to make, etc. It have very few pictures of WIP diorama, presenting such construction tips and information accompanying photos of the object already completed and painted! background:white">Does contain different information and some tutorials on specific parts of the like the little dioramas Walter driven oils or 1:24 barrels. However, it has some really really good tips to making buildings, some particulars details on vehicles like damage and broken windows, chipping, icy road etc. In the very end you have a gallery with Per Olav work! Inspiring! CONCLUSION In sum, this book is quite outstanding. The text is quite simply, very comprehensive and an easy reading. The print quality is very good, on satin paper. Per Olav is one of the best in the world in modeling dioramas and the quality of work is emphasized in this book! Not being a step by step and not being thoroughly informative as the materials or techniques used is a very good book to get some useful information about dioramas and small techniques and tons and tons of inspiration! I really love the book because it did inspires me to go more deeper and deeper in diorama modelling!!! And now Cânfora for when a book with Jose Brito´s dioramas? Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes A very special thanks to the author, Per Olav Lund for this review sample and all the support. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller! Disclaimer: all photos all in low quality to preserve and prevent all copyright.

awesome! great work!!

A very good item.... just waiting to be put in a diorama!!!! Tons of options, depends only fo the modeler!

Fantastic piece of work!!!

Looks amazing!!! Thanks Jim!!

Hi Guys! i saw this one and I thought to give it a try as is in a quite nice price... http://www.squadron.com/1-32-Encore-Models-Blue-Max-Pfalz-EC32004-p/ec32004.htm But I live in Portugal.... and the shipping cost asked from Squadron for this single model kit is 55$..... Turn out that this little one is much more expensive that any WnW kits (one seat)....

soooo beautifull!!! Love it!

1:35 Conversion Set M-113A1 T50 MMK Catalogue # F3048 51 resin pieces and two photo-etched sheets. Available from MMK for € 24 When I get this conversion set sample to review, I thought to myself that it would not be to much to say or to look up. Opening the small and sturdy box, I could not be more wrong. After seeing so many resin bits and a medium size photo-etched sheet, I decided to get some online research to check up this one out… I was starting to “fall in love”… J A standard M113A1 with a Cadillac Gage T50 turret as used on the V100/V150 series of armored cars, mounting two Browning machine guns, a .30 caliber and a M2 .50 caliber machine gun. While the standard armored personnel carrier version in Australian service is also fitted with the T50 turret it initially carried only twin .30 caliber machine guns. In later service the LRV and APC versions both carried the 30/50 combination and the only difference between them was roles. LRVs were used in sabre (recon) troops of the Cavalry regiment and the recon troop of the Armoured regiment. They carried a crew of 2 or 3 (crew commander, driver and sometimes operator/observer). APCs carried a crew of 2 and dismounts, either infantry, assault troops, engineers or other troops. In practise an LRV was also perfectly capable of carrying troops, though in perhaps somewhat more cramped conditions as LRVs often carried additional stores and ammunition and had seats removed and replaced with storage lockers. For a short period of time in Vietnam the Aircraft Armaments Incorporated Model 74C Cupola/Command Station was used, but it was quickly replaced by the T50. Also used by the New Zealand Army until the M113 was replaced in 2005. The turret was first introduced into Australian service in Vietnam and was initially armed with two .30 calibre machine guns. Shortly after some vehicles had one .30 machine replaced by a .50 calibre machine gun. This 50/30 armament configuration was used until at least 2002. – copyright from several internet sites. This conversion comes in a small sturdy box, with all the resin pieces in several plastic bags. As the Springer, no instructions is given as it`s in pdf file on MMK website. You got 51 resin gray color parts, with some being for the interior. As I already said, I was quite surprise with the amount of resin on the one. The turret T50, the main pieces is with full interior details, with the seat, seatbelts, and ammo racks on the roof. The turret it shelf has all the periscopes made by photo-etched, the hatch with sharp details on both side, to give the modeler the option of left it open. With all the interior viewable, that hatch must be wide open. The interior is very complete, with inferior mesh floor, ammo box and ammunition belts to attach on the .30 and .50 guns. The two machines guns are very well cast with hollow ends. The large photo-etched parts is very comprehensive and very well detailed with nice details. You can see the floor mesh, ammunition belts, periscopes parts, ammunition rack etc. Also you get a roof crew hatch, just behind the turret that is mounted slightly forward of the normal commanders cupola. This hatch than can be open but that depends on the interior detail that the modelers puts in it. If none, closed should be the option. A fire extinguisher, radio, jerry cans with “water” marked on it, several ammunitions box, radio, and others details to enhance M-113 interior. A quite nice touch! It also comes with a large mesh to put on the rear of the M113 but in my sample didn`t have it. Really no a big problem to solve because it only a mesh with some barber wire, easy to get elsewhere. MMK doesn`t refer to which model kit this conversion is adequate but with no plastic surgery need, I believe that can be any M-113A1 model kit in 1:35. You don`t get any decal sheet so aftermarket decals should be need it. Echelon decals have two decals sheet to M-113 A1 with T50 turret being ideal to this conversion set - D356087 (Snoopy) and D356088. My Snoopy is on the way! JJ Conclusion MMK give all you need to build an Australian M113 with T-50 Turret with full interior detail. MMK always give the modeler the opportunity to have something different and original. All of the resin is beautifully cast and has no flaw and casting resin blocks can be easily removed with care. None of the castings suffer from seam lines. I really fancy the conversion set, so much that is going to my to do pile and my decals set is already on the way. Very highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MMK for the review samples and all the support given. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.

Totally respect!

Thanks Eric for your kind words, and for the complementary info!

1:35 European Farmyard MiniArt Catalogue #35558 Available from any good model shop MiniArt is a Ukrainian manufacture that over the years has been to settle his place in the modeling, specifically in modeling armored and dioramas always with great originality and excellent quality. Miniart brought to the world of Modeling pre-organized dioramas, duly pre-thought, so very full but without curtailing the imagination of the modeler, at low cost or at lower cost than the plaster/resin buildings. The kit that we will analyze is the latest release of Diorama series, so come join the ranks of this series and further enrich the catalog of MiniArt and once again increase the options for modelers. The box is a quite large box, it a typical Miniart Box art, with all the parts being in one plastic bag. As usual, the structures (walls) of the dwelling and outbuildings are vacform. All the farm buildings are in stone and all the stones are well engraved in several sizes representing realistic the stones and their different sizes. Also in the roof, Miniart had the same care, with some very good details on giving broken edges to give a realistic look. I know quite a few modelers that vacuform puts them away but there is no reason for that because the plastic is quite stick and with care and patience, the parts will came out easily. Moreover, only the time to cut the pieces not increased in any way its difficulty. After cutting and sanding all the vacuform parts and assembling all of then, you will get three buildings that can be dispose in several aways, all together and by itself. MiniArt gives three disposition of the builings and the accessories parts that we analyses belong. For me, the best full combination is the one given on the boxart. The remaining details are in six plastic sprues. In sprue "A" have doors, window frames and shutters with sharp detail and an engraved and quite well attained wood grain. Sprue "B" is united and exclusively for the wooden wagon, a quite simple built but not simplistic model with sharp detail. The Sprue "C" (x2) is all about the fences, the table and benches. Once again simple and effective details. The Sprue "D" (x2) presents us the two big cellar doors, respective hinges and some exterior details. The instructions are very clear and with clean drawings and quite good indications about parts numbers and their attachments along the constructions. For the vacuform parts, I strongly advise the check up the tutorial on Miniart website how to wrok with vacuform. It`s an excellent tutorial. CONCLUSION: Miniart is a serious manufacture in the modelling word, being among on the top!! And concerning to these building series, they are, for me, the number one. This model allows the modeler to have a full diorama building for a quite a fair price, with very good detail, with tons of possibilities. I can thing quite a few… and I have the perfect figures for it! J Very Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MiniArt for the review sample. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller!

Awesome! I really like the H version... I might give it a try!

1:35 EPS SPRINGER MMK Catalogue # F3049 Available from MMK for €39 Resin parts: 56 Two photo-etched sheets MMK is a manufacturer of the Czech Republic since 1991. MMK makes resin kits and conversions of vehicles of Central and East Europe, topics that plastic mainstream manufactures don’t covered. MMK themes are always interesting, exotic and very attractive. Today, we have to analyze and review, one of the latest model kit launched by MMK, an EPS Springer. The Springer is an all-terrain vehicle developed for the UK Army by UK-based Enhanced Protection Systems (EPS). The vehicle supports British troops in Afghanistan. The new vehicle fleet was delivered to the army in summer 2009. Designed as a light role load carriage platform, Springer is based on the US-made Tomcar all-terrain vehicle (ATV) platform. Tomcar first entered into service with Israel's defence forces as a patrol vehicle. The two-seater British version design incorporates basic armour. It can accommodate two crew members. Springer vehicles have rear cargo beds to carry loads of up to 1ton, which is high in comparison with similar ATVs. In addition to the rear cargo bed, all Springers are fitted with a load tray in front of the vehicle to carry an additional 100kg of equipment. A roof section is also available for the transportation of electronic countermeasures packages. The payload capacity has been optimised through using light armour to achieve weight reductions. All vehicles are refitted to support missions carried out by UK personnel in Afghanistan. The new vehicle ensures an uninterrupted supply of equipment to frontline troops. The Springer has been designed for rugged and desert operational conditions. The fleet can be maintained easily with few special tools. The 4 x 2 vehicle can self load a 1t pallet of supplies. Each vehicle is equipped with an 8,000lb self recovery winch and sand ladders, which act as loading ramps for cargo pellet. The Springer is fitted with weapons holders to carry light support weapons (LSW). SA80 A2 standard assault rifles are available for two crew members. The SA80 can be fitted with a SUSAT sight and a common weapon sight (CWS). Other weapons include a C7 rifle or a Minimi, a fully automatic light machine gun. The vehicle can also be fitted with a general purpose machine gun (GPMG) mount. The Springer is fitted with a 1,400cc naturally aspirated Lombardini diesel engine with the option of turbocharger and petrol variants. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) in combination with a drive chain efficiently utilises engine power. Three modes are provided on the drive train. The top mode delivers high speed and low torque while lower mode gives more torque and less speed. The middle mode delivers a combination of speed and cross-country capability. The vehicle is lightweight and helicopter transportable. (History and detail information from http://www.army-technology.com/projects/springer-all-terrain/) The box is full of resin in light gray and two photo-etched sheets. By opening the box, all the pieces are well packaged within several plastic bags, being grouped to protect the most fragile parts. Also there`s a full diagram of all pieces and their numbers, with is quite useful during the construction, because this little kit has more pieces that I could imagine. Despite being a very small model, I truly surprise with the amount of resin parts (56) and the two sheets of photo-engravings, one considerably greater dimension than the model itself. The photo-etched are even more than 100 pieces… Must admit: sounds too many parts for such a small vehicle, but it would be a little gem with so much detail. Starting with the resin bits, the biggest piece is the full body of the Springer. The main body is one single resin piece, very well cast, with some sharp details, with no distortions or bubbles. The driver and passenger floor and the side steps have anti-slip floor cast on it, and different texture. Very impressive. Huge care and attention to detail. On the back, here`s some good details, with some cast wire and the battery. This piece is quite well achieved, because on the side, we can see several details on the suspension, exhausts, oil brakes pump (I think) and several wires. In the back, also a few wires are full cast. The only low back I can see on this central piece is the resin block cast. Removing it, while no difficult, will be a slow and careful process. The rear cargo bed is also on single piece, well cast, with real amazing raised floor texture. It real look like a metal floor! It will be fantastic with some paint and a weathering job on it! Some flash has to been removed for the side crossbar and ladder, a logical casting system to protect the piece and to give a solid structure. Another single piece is the iron bars structure, that besides of no having any distruction looks like very strudy. The casting technique, as above referred, allow to make this piece perfectly cast. The only low is that the modeler should be extremely careful in removing all the flash to not destroy the piece. But then again, as I always say, a full resin model kit is no for a novice modeler. Now, one of my favourite item: the wheels. You get 5 wheels with two differents sizes: the diameter is the same, but the width are quite different, from the front tyres from the rear tyres. The front ones are more thin. The spare tire supplied is placed in rear cargo bed, is a rear tire, a larger one. The wheels are beautiful cast with almost to removing or sanding work to do with the tires being top notch with the full detail on the tire rubber surface. The detail of the tire is extraordinary and very realistic. Staying on the resin bits, also have steer wheel and direction column, hand brake, fenders, suspension, headlight etc. The front fenders are well cast but should be reduced to scale thickness gentile with a mini drill. The seats have a quite refined texture detail which is quite impressive. I really like all the resin detail, and the seats, a quite visible thing on the full open model, are very well cast, with a subtle surface detail. Passing along to the photo-etched, no surprise on these ones because they are made by Eduard. And Eduard`s photo-etched are one of the best on after-market business. Starting with the color sheet, it gives the modeler, the dashboard, and the instruments, rear lights and the headlights. These metal parts are a complement of the resin main structure on the rear and head lights, being the “transparent” ones… I really do now if they are real effective and if we can real achieved the desire result with these ones. Clear resin from the headlight and orange/red resin for the rear lights could provide a better solution. You will also get color seatbelts, and licenses plates. I have never have been quite a real fan of color etched for interiors like dashboard, just because the all interior need to be painted and if is the same color, is very very hard to get the exact color of the photo-etched. For the reason only, I don`t appreciate color photo-etch for interiors. On other hand, just love then when comes to license plates, vegetation, kitchen tools, instruments dials and panels, and these ones, are no exception, simply fantastic. The brass photo-etched has lots of small pieces and sharp details, like clamps, hinges, steering wheels inner structure, wheels rims, name vehicle tag plate, eyelets, pedals, radiator mesh, load front tray and roof support cargo bay and both doors. The photo-etched is top quality, as usual by Eduard, with very good engraved detail, like the “EPS” on the inside doors. As show above, you only get the pieces diagram and number identifications: no instructions. However, you simply can download it on MMK site in pdf, format file. The instructions are very good ones, with good indications of the pieces and their locations. Being however, a resin kit, during construction you must dryfitting all pieces, before put glue in place. No markings or decals are given. Neither any color indication. So good references are necessary, easily obtain on the internet. Conclusion: The subject is fantastic with lots of potential for a modern diorama or a simply vignette. Casting quality is first rate, with no air bubbles or pinholes that I can find on first inspection. Casting blocks are minimal in all the pieces with the exception of the full vehicle structure. The resin block below the entire piece will take some time to be remove and with some care. A mini-drill should help up the taks and the time involved. The resin flash is quite minimal so clean-up should not be too much of a chore. The two photo-etched sheets are very comprehensive with tons and tons of details, enhance the model to the top of the details. The detail of all resin pieces is excellent. The texture of rear cargo bay is one of the highlight of this little gem and a little winner that MMK present to the modeler. Very Highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to Milan and MMK for the review samples and all the support given. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. Complete model kit (copyright from MMK)

I Want THIS ONE!!!

I would love to but late hotel booking makes it quite a expensive ride....

Love Mil-24D! But I need to do in 1:35....

WOW!!! Now, that`s a review! Brillant work Jim as usual!

Just love it!! Nice work Ben!

great review Jeroen!