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In-Box Review
135
U.S. Blood Bank Marmite
ETO Blood Bank Marmite Cans
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by: James Bella [ C5FLIES ]

introduction

The blood bank at the 152nd Station Hospital at Salisbury collected approximately 400-500 bottles of blood on a daily basis which were then transported in these M-1941 round, insulated marmite containers. Packed with ice, the blood maintained an adequate temperature for at least 24 hours.

Plusmodel is well known for releasing nifty accessories to add to our dioramas or filling those empty spaces in vehicles. These 7 gallon marmite containers can also be used for insulated food cans by omitting the decals, so a couple of choices with this set.

the set

Well packed in a small card box are eight resin cans, a small photo etch sheet, decals and simple instructions. The cans themselves are well cast with just a slight seam line along one side and the pour plug to be removed. The carry handles are molded to the sides and in the ‘at rest’ position.

The latch mechanism is provided for in PE, which is very fine and delicate. A few sight bends need to be performed which should cause no issues. Enough of the top bars are included, unfortunately only enough latches/releases for four cans are provided for. Somebody at Plusmodel didn’t count correctly! It’s possible that I’m missing a PE fret, although I’m sure that all the parts would be included on one sheet.

The decals are well printed and include enough for ten containers. The text appears to be in the correct font and the wording is also correct:

TO BE USED ONLY
FOR WHOLE BLOOD
RETURN TO DESIGNATED
AIRFIELDS WITH RECIPIENT
SETS IMMEDIATELY WHEN EMPTY

The caduceus also looks very good. The decals are very thin, and I would recommend cutting the long side decal into two pieces as it was difficult to place correctly (mine is too low and at a slight angle). They also only need a quick swim to loosen from the backing.

The instructions are the typical Plusmodel simplified line drawing, what is not shown are the slight bends needed on each end of the top bar.

conclusion

Another interesting set from the company that brings us all kinds of cool stuff. The resin pieces are crisp and clean, decals are well printed. The photo etch pieces are nicely done but suffer from not having the correct amount. Hopefully this mistake is already noticed and being corrected.
SUMMARY
Highs: Well cast resin, beautiful decals, very fine photo etch all come together to make a nice looking M-1941 container.
Lows: Only four pairs of latches/releases for eight cans.
Verdict: Very nice set, if only it was complete.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 445
  Suggested Retail: 20.60 USD
  Related Link: PlusModel Web Site
  PUBLISHED: Sep 14, 2014
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 86.44%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.93%

Our Thanks to Plus Model!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About James Bella (c5flies)
FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

My main interest is 1/35 scale WWII armor, Axis and Allied, and will occasionally branch out into other areas. The builds I have done so far have been pretty much OOB, and considering what most newer kits include, that is usually more than enough for me. Even though my projects do not always end up ...

Copyright ©2021 text by James Bella [ C5FLIES ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Nice review, James. Plus makes some STRANGE stuff. Can't exactly imagine using these except in an ambulance model....
SEP 14, 2014 - 10:48 AM
Put it in the back of a cargo truck along with other medical supplies, or the Bronco grasshopper. PlusModel does stretch the imagination of the modeler.
SEP 14, 2014 - 11:57 AM
They look really nice. They mis-named them though. US insulated containers are called Mermite Containers. Marmite is a yummy spread that goes well on toast. If you leave the blood bank decals off of them, they can be used a mermite hot/cold insulated food containers too. That was their more common use.
SEP 14, 2014 - 01:10 PM
Bill and Russ, yes...PlusModel does have us use our imagination for some of these sets. Luckily these have dual purpose as food containers too, although the stencils are not included for those. Gino, I believe both spellings are correct (I was going to add mermite in parenthesis but thought it might be confusing). Our French friends will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong, marmite is the French spelling and since many of these were shipped to France to use their extensive refrigeration systems, they adopted that spelling. Marmite describes a large earthenware or metal cooking pot, which is where the yeast spread took its name. Long story short, I've seen these referred to in both terms for the ETO Blood Bank (more so as marmite) and mermite more for the insulated food container, although these are also referred to as marmite.
SEP 14, 2014 - 01:43 PM
Hmmm, you learn something new every day.
SEP 15, 2014 - 02:37 AM
Nice item for some CCKW Blood Bank or Chevrolet truck LINK LINK LINK Bye Pierantonio
SEP 16, 2014 - 07:36 AM
Gino I never thought I would see the day an American would refer to Marmite as a Yummy spread, and you eat it on toast. Treat yourself and try welsh rabbit (Cheese on toast) with Marmite.
SEP 16, 2014 - 07:46 AM
Hey! ... you guys are making the zombies hungry! Pierantonio, I'd love to see a diorama with the Chevrolet and all those lined-up containers! —mike
SEP 16, 2014 - 07:57 AM
   
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