Introduction

This simple set from Master Box depicts two members of the Volkssturm pulling an ammunition cart. This set has a sheet of photo-etch produced by North Star Models.

Review

Inside the standard sized box is a single small plastic bag containing all of the components. Inside the plastic bag the modeller will find the following:

• 2x light grey sprues for the figures comprising of a total of 33 styrene pieces.
• 1x darker grey sprue for the bicycle trailer 10 styrene parts.
• 1x sheet of photo-etch with 24 pieces
• 1x instruction sheet for the trailer

The Figures
The two figures are nicely detailed and exhibit a number of fine details, care should be taken when painting to avoid obscuring them. The male is wearing a later war pattern (1943) jacket, trousers, gaiters and short boots. He has a bare head and the collar is separate as he has turned it up as if he is trying to keep warm. The female is also wearing a late war pattern jacket, a skirt, long socks and short boots. She is wearing a hat and her hair is depicted in braids and these are moulded with the hat. Both of the figures appear to be youthful and the male appears to be 1.66m/ 5ft 6in tall. The box art depicts them to be quite young it will be up to the modeller to paint them accordingly.

The Accessories
The contents of the trailer are quite comprehensive and include:

• 3x helmets
• 3x gas mask containers
• 3x Panzerfaust 60
• 2x Kar 98k
• 1x Gewehr 43
• 1x Sten (not a MP3008)

The weapons and accessories are acceptable for this scale although purists may want to change the weapons and or the accessories.

The Bicycle Trailer
The trailer comprises of a grand total of 34 pieces which is quite considerable given the size of this diminutive item. The wheels are moulded integrally with the trailer frame and may present a few problems when painting. The etched spokes are added to the wheels and are commendably thin the modeller will need to ensure that the tyre valves line up correctly. The rest of the trailer is the main frame and a box like structure that appears to be made up of planks of wood. No wood grain is portrayed and I feel this is correct as wood grain often looks over-scale in 1/35. The rst of the etch makes up the reinforcing strips, brackets and a strap for a box.

Painting and finishing

Painting instructions are only given for the two figures for Vallejo and Lifecolor range of paints, there are no paint instructions for the trailer or accessories. The modeller could also finish this pair as a couple carrying their possessions and swap out the weapons for personal items.

Conclusion

This is a very welcome set of figures it really is a vignette in the box. The figures are portrayed walking and not rushing they are out of combat as they are not wearing helmets. This really begs to be converted as a couple carrying their remaining possessions from their damaged home. The heads and the level of moulding are very good. There are a number of mould lines that will require cleaning up but this set really does represent value for money. My only criticism is that the box is a little big for the contents, although there should be no damage as the bag holds everything firmly together.