Introduction

Just before the holidays, Matho Models released some new sets of boxes in 1:35 scale. I received a care-package through the post (see last pic for full selection), including this set of electronics boxes to review. They represent brands such as Aiwa, Apple, Sony, and Xbox.

review

The boxes come printed on glossy paper, representing five different box-art styles. The back of the paper is plain brown.

You get two Apple iMac monitor boxes, four Sony TV boxes, four Xbox-one boxes, six Aiwa XF-007 cassette deck boxes, and six Sony Vaio laptop boxes.

Assembly starts by carefully cutting them out with a sharp knife - it's well worth chucking a new blade in the old #11 for this! There are thick black lines between flaps where you are meant to cut on both sides so the black sliver falls out - this gives enough clearance between flaps to ease the bending and assembly process, but is fiddly so take your time. Folding is easy enough if you pin the box down with a metal straight-edge and lift the free part of the box by wedging a wide chisel-bladed knife under it, rotating the knife up to create the bend. Then it's a mater of gluing flaps - I used Gator's Grip glue. Locking tweezers come in handy too. The boxes are sturdy enough to pose either open or closed - my example has the flaps carefully folded like most of my kit-storage boxes (with a little effort from knife and tweezers). Sadly there are no contents, and none of that foam packing we so love to hate!

conclusion

These boxes may seem fiddly to assemble, but they are surprisingly robust once assembled, and certainly look the part. They can decorate any modern "technical" truck or car at the PX, or a civilian scene (or looting?) with a little effort. And the more clever modellers out there will no doubt find they can be "crushed" or flattened just like real empty boxes...