MINIART [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
135
Afrika Korps Tank Crew
German Tank Crew “Afrika Korps” Figure Set
  • move

by: Cpt. C. Sosebee, USA (Ret [ CSOSUS ]

Introduction

MiniArt is a newcomer in the armor model market, at least in the markets outside of the Ukraine. They have really improved over the past few years becoming one of the more prolific producers of 1/35 scale armor and figure sets. The subject of this review, the German Afrika Korps Tank Crew, kit No. 35141 is another of their rather well rendered figure sets.

Contents

What you get inside the 9.8” x 6.4” x 1.4” (250x162x35mm) box is a single cellophane bag with 2 sprues molded in a light grey plastic. There are 35 parts to assemble 5 figures. The sprues themselves have no part numbers so MiniArt includes a sprue layout sheet with the part numbers printed on it. On the backside of the box is printed the assembly instructions with the painting guide. Also provided is a color chart for paint equivalents for the following brands of model paints: Vallejo, Testors, Tamiya, Humbrol, Mr. Color and Life Color.

As noted above, there are 35 parts in the kit to assemble 5 figures. Each figure consists of 6 parts: a 2-part lower torso (each with a leg], upper torso, 2 arms, a head, and head gear. All of the figures are shirtless wearing the tropical DAK shorts. Four of the figures are wearing the tropical, low cut boots and the other figure appears to be wearing what looks like sandals. Three of the crewmen sport the tropical pith helmet while the other two have the early war type 1938 Field Side Cap.

The molding is well rendered with no or very little flash, the usual seam lines.

Overall molding is pretty good with only slight flash at the fingertips and the usual molding seams, nothing out of the ordinary. The faces are OK and are typical of other contemporary manufacturers and may be a bit more difficult to replace with resin aftermarket heads, seeing as the figures are shirtless and there’s no clothing to hide the joint. On that same note, filling and sanding will also be requires where the arms attach, as there’s no natural seam lines like on clothed figures.

The poses of the figures also appears to be pretty good. The crew looks to be going about daily maintenance tasks on their tank. The commander stands supervising the others, two crewmen are cleaning/swabbing the main gun of the panzer; one crewman relaxes on the turret while the final crewman digs around in the stowage bin. See the box art photo for a better idea of the poses. One note though: there is no cleaning rod for the crewman posed for that task. This will have to be scratched or sourced elsewhere.

Conclusion

Overall this is a useful figure set. There are many diorama possibilities right out of the box, but I’m sure many modelers will mix and match parts with other kits for even greater flexibility.
SUMMARY
Highs: A very useful set of German tankers for the DAK dioramas
Lows: No gun cleaning rod is included. More than the usual filling and sanding as the figures are shirtless.
Verdict: A very cool figures set of a cool subject matter. Definitely two thumbs up!
Percentage Rating
80%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35141
  PUBLISHED: Feb 03, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 80.46%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.88%

Our Thanks to MiniArt!
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.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

About Cpt. C. Sosebee, USA (Ret (csosus)
FROM: TEXAS, UNITED STATES

Back into modeling after almost 26 years in the US Army as enlisted and as an officer. Over those years, I've collected quite a library of military history books, vehicle references and quite a few kits too. I only build 1/35 WWII, any nationality. Currently my modeling skills aren't really that ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Cpt. C. Sosebee, USA (Ret [ CSOSUS ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

I wish they would do some of these wonderful sets in 1/72, I could do with an Afrika Korps tank crew. I do like the one figure in his 'slippers', most unusual. All the best, Paul
FEB 03, 2013 - 06:23 AM
I just received 2 sets of these guys. One for tanking,one for artillery action.(with some work). Slippers not that uncommon as many show up in period pics. Straw(?) flip-flops too.I know I have seen this but not recently or where seen. Wasn't a big surprise either. I would probably sport those also! A good set to have for sure!
FEB 03, 2013 - 07:01 AM
After submitting this review, I came across this photo by chance in an E-By auction that someone had linked to in another forum. I suppose this is the photo that inspired MiniArt to make this figure set.  photo PzKpfwIIIAusfJSdKfz141---111PzRgt815PzDicDAKLybien1942_zpsda3e330b.jpg I think it's cool to have the photo as reference
FEB 03, 2013 - 09:35 AM
Agreed, I wonder if (hope) it is just a matter of time... Miniart already do a range of 1/72 medieval figures, and also some 1/72 20th century-ish buildings, so maybe.
FEB 04, 2013 - 12:47 AM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT