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In-Box Review
135
Branches for AFV Camouflage
Pine Branches, Leafy Branches, Oak Branches, Dry Oak Branches
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by: Mario Matijasic [ MAKI ]

Introduction:

Foliage was often used as military vehicle camouflage in WW2 as well as in numerous modern conflicts. Attempts to recreate this kind of camouflage in military modeling by employing photoetched plants or dried roots are rarely realistic and in-scale. Enter Mantis Miniatures...

Review:

Mantis Miniatures is best known for their 1/35 scale figure and animal sets. The company recently ventured into a new project line, supplying the modeling market with pre-made natural branches designed for 1/35 scale ATV camouflage. This review covers the first 4 sets of branches in Mantis catalogue – Pine branches, Leafy branches, Oak branches and Dry oak branches.

The sets come in plastic blister packing. The box art shows a vehicle segment with branch camouflage, defining the specific type of branches included in the set and stating the branches are handmade and ready-to-use on 1/35 scale vehicles.

The branches are fixed to the bottom of the plastic packing, thus protected from any kind of transport damage. Some of the tiny leaves detached from the branches, but can be carefully glued back if necessary. Each set includes about 10 different branches with a nice variety of shapes and sizes.

Taking the branches from the packing is very much straightforward using a pair of tweezers. I suggest being careful and patient as the branches are delicate and the leaves can detach if manhandled.

Closer examination reveals a very realistic and in-scale appearance of the branches. I’m not sure what the leaves are made of, but they look the part. The promotional images on Mantis website are impressive, however seeing the product in person is even more stunning, as these branches are incredibly lifelike and definitely offer a convincing representation of foliage in 1/35 scale.

Attaching the branches to a vehicle should present no problems. Reference images can help in finding optimal placement of the branches on a specific vehicle, but using some imagination is possible as well. Again, I suggest care not to damage the branches in the process.

Finally, I’m adding number of images to this review showing what talented hands can do with Mantis Miniatures branches. The Panther model is from Lukasz Kapelski. Enjoy.

Conclusion:

Branches sets released under Mantis Miniatures label are hand-made natural products suitable for 1/35 scale. Each set includes about 10 slightly different ready-to-use branches which look super-realistic and, in my opinion, provide the optimal way to represent foliage camouflage on military vehicles in scale.

SUMMARY
Highs: Very realistic and in-scale. Hand made, ready-to-use branches from Mantis are a game changer when it comes to recreating foliage as vehicle camouflage.
Lows: Super delicate, handle with care.
Verdict: Highly recommended.
  Scale: 1:35
  Suggested Retail: €14 each
  Related Link: Mantis Miniatures website
  PUBLISHED: Mar 16, 2019
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 93.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 95.00%

Our Thanks to Mantis Miniatures!
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 Mario Matijasic (Maki)
FROM: CROATIA HRVATSKA

You wonder how did this addiction start? I was a kid when my dad broght home a 1/72 Concord airplane; we built it together as well as couple of other airplanes after that. This phase was just pure fun: glue, paint, decals in no particular order... everything was finished in a day or two. Then I disc...

Copyright ©2021 text by Mario Matijasic [ MAKI ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Thank You, Mario! These should prove useful in any application in which modelers want to add "foliage camo" to their subjects!
MAR 16, 2019 - 01:44 AM
Okay, I am a fan of these. Well done Mantis.
MAR 16, 2019 - 02:40 AM
Hm, the pine branches looks like static grass glued to roots or real branches, buy a bag of grass and you can make many. You can easily make the other leaves from punches like those from Greenstuff I like their animal sets though Cheers!
MAR 16, 2019 - 02:49 AM
The pine needles should really be aligned in similar direction rather than pointing randomly; otherwise nice additions.
MAR 16, 2019 - 05:32 AM
Worth looking into.
MAR 16, 2019 - 11:14 AM
   
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