CReading shares his impressions of a MiniArt kit.
MiniArt is making strides in the diorama world by coming out with new kits on a very routine basis. This may be the vacuform kit you want to start with - small yet appealing.
Check it out.

Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

I just wonder how big the finished product would be. Only the size of the box is given. Wonder if i could fit in a T-34 with some figures in it.

I don't have the kit near as I am at work presently but when I get home I'll measure and post. I believe that there would be ample room for a 1:35 T-34 and several figures. Sorry for the oversight, I should have posted those measurements.

Cheers,
Charles

If you can add a post with size I can edit the review to include it.

The measurement of the base piece is 6.5"X7" which might be pretty tight for a full size AFV to just be sitting on the cobble portion. If it was tracking up onto the sidewalk area, no problem. All in all probably better for a smaller vehicle or a softskin vignette.

Cheers,
Charles

Hey there guys,

As a seller of MiniArt products, I can say their stuff takes a little getting used to, but once you do, they are great.

Just some news, following this Corner Diorama set, MiniArt has a couple of more sets like this one coming out in the future as well.

Russian Street with Advertising Column


and

Street with Ruined House


No word on their release dates, the MiniArt site just says coming soon. Judging by the pictures on their site, the second one will be the first out, followed by the Russian Street one.

Thanks for the heads up - checked the site and turned up good news.

News Feature

Well, LOL, years later going back through my reviews I see where no link was ever made to the photo feature of the finished diorama using Miniart's "The Corner" kit. Here is the link - =https://armorama.kitmaker.net/features/4836

and an image:

While these are not the easiest kits to build they're miles ahead of the old plaster models. I've built quite a few and have a cupboard full of them (literally! I've got about 20 to build) which shows my confidence in them. The more you build the easier they get and as Charles mentions there are stacks of spare parts to use at a later date if scratchbuilding. While the base on this one is quite small and not really suited for an AFV there's nothing saying that you have to use the base. In the past I've just used the building and constructed my own pavement/road to suit my needs.

If you just use this building OOB and no extra groundwork, there's just enough room in the front for a Hetzer. I think a T34 would hang over the sides a bit.

Karl,

Out of curiosity, why do you prefer these over plaster kits? My experience has been that when someone tries one of our hydrocal kits they swear off vacuform kits forever. Most of the Dioramas Plus line can can have basic assemble done in about 15 minutes.

Always trying to make our kits better so I appreciate your honest opinion.

Thanks in advance!

Randy Pepprock
Dioramas Plus
www.dioramasplus.com

I personally like the hydrocal kits over the vacuform kits due to their ease of assembly, the fact they can be damaged and used with other kits. I usually take the Miniart kits and make plaster moulds out of them. I have also bought Diorama Plus kits and they are great and easy to build. If I can make a wish it would be for some more middle eastern buildings.