Two recent sets from MiniArt will be a boon for diorama modellers, and offer very different subjects.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next scenic modelling project, two new items from MiniArt could certainly light your creative fire. Both are in 1/35 scale, and the first is item 35390 Allied Mine Detection Equipment. The firm does not identify the actual equipment, but in the box are eight styrene runners carrying parts for the following detectors: British No 3, US Army SCR-625-C, and what appears to be a Soviet VIM-203 or -210 with optional circular and rectangular frames… we are happy to be corrected if necessary though!
The detail on these pieces of kit is superb, as there are separate components with real refinement for each detector. For the utmost fidelity, though, you’ll need to use fine wire to replicate electrical cabling on all four devices.
Along with the detectors comes an array of other equipment, such as satchels, a digging spade and two styles of fine probe, earphone headsets, a warning sign and marker spikes (you’ll need to fashion the pennants for the latter from thin foil or sheet styrene), battery packs and actual mines. A small decal sheet offers markings for the mines, the warning sign and any pennants you might scratch-build.
Decidedly different is set 35628 Wooden Crates With Fruit. Here, you get exactly that, with parts to build 17 crates (with separating spacers), and the fruit that is stored therein. The fruits comprise pears, lemons, green apples, oranges, kiwi fruits, red apples (larger than the ‘green’), pomegranates, peaches, melon/watermelon and bananas.
Most of the fruit is moulded in suitably sized rectangles to fit the crates, but there are also individual items to ensure variety of display, spillage etc. Impressive, the watermelon has seeds moulded on the halves, but you can join the halves of course, to depict whole items. This set is ideal for a market or individual street-seller scene, but separate crates could also be used to enliven various scenarios, including military dioramas or vignettes, with sustenance for troops.
These sets are priced £12.99 and £13.99 respectively, and are available from UK importer Creative Models (www.creativemodels.co.uk). These may be among the last review samples of new products from MiniArt we’ll receive for some time, due to the ongoing crisis in the company’s home country, Ukraine.
