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Masterbox fit issues
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 10:45 PM UTC
Has anybody else noticed the fit issues with the Masterbox figure sets?
Tarok
Joined: July 28, 2004
KitMaker: 10,889 posts
Armorama: 3,245 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:35 PM UTC
Hi Phil,
This is pretty much a copy & paste from my reply to you in another thread, but it may be of benefit to others you may not have seen it previously/
Sorry to hear your Commando set (speaking of the Commando set, I can't find any reference to one by MB - do you mean one of the Para sets? I'm probably simply overlooking it) was not all it could have been. So to clarify it was just the one Masterbox set of figures you found wanting? Given the "German sets" comment I gather you've been happy with previous sets you've bought?
Rereading you initial comment ("fit on masterbox is rubbish and the detail is not up to todays standards") I think you are referring specifically to the Commando set?
I realise we have quite a few reviews of MB figure sets here on Armorama, but we always welcome more - even of those kits already reviewed, as it's always nice to get a second opinion. And so, I'd like to welcome you to send us a review of this and other figure sets.
Keep well
Rudi
This is pretty much a copy & paste from my reply to you in another thread, but it may be of benefit to others you may not have seen it previously/
Sorry to hear your Commando set (speaking of the Commando set, I can't find any reference to one by MB - do you mean one of the Para sets? I'm probably simply overlooking it) was not all it could have been. So to clarify it was just the one Masterbox set of figures you found wanting? Given the "German sets" comment I gather you've been happy with previous sets you've bought?
Rereading you initial comment ("fit on masterbox is rubbish and the detail is not up to todays standards") I think you are referring specifically to the Commando set?
I realise we have quite a few reviews of MB figure sets here on Armorama, but we always welcome more - even of those kits already reviewed, as it's always nice to get a second opinion. And so, I'd like to welcome you to send us a review of this and other figure sets.
Keep well
Rudi
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:45 PM UTC
I think the kit for the commandos were under something like British Commandos, Caen or British Infantry , Caen
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:49 PM UTC
I found them on this website
http://www.plastic-models-store.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=156
they are listed as british troops not commandos( British Troops Caen 1944 Commandos 1/35 Master Box 3512), that is why you may not have been able to find them.
http://www.plastic-models-store.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=156
they are listed as british troops not commandos( British Troops Caen 1944 Commandos 1/35 Master Box 3512), that is why you may not have been able to find them.
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:49 PM UTC
Here's the review on Armorama British Troops, Caen, 1944 in 1/35th Scale (first-look)
I only used two figures from the set and replaced the heads but no fit problems to speak of that I remember. The detail is a little soft and seam lines need to be cleaned up
I only used two figures from the set and replaced the heads but no fit problems to speak of that I remember. The detail is a little soft and seam lines need to be cleaned up
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:52 PM UTC
The main issue with fitting was probably the Hats - they looked as though they sat off the head instead of on the head, and the kit was rather bad to fit to the body etc - but that might have been this particular kit i bought. 
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:57 PM UTC
Quoted Text
the kit was rather bad to fit to the body etc - but that might have been this particular kit i bought.
Actually one of the things I like about Masterbox and Miniart is that they take into account that you are going to put kit and equipment in place and they leave space for it. They may have started doing this only recently though. DML figures on the other hand often need some surgery to make the equipment sit right.
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:59 PM UTC
A little filler around the kit bags and the like could sort the fit problems on my kit.
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 12:21 AM UTC
Right. I Reviewed this set back in 2005. I wasn't particularly impressed with it. My Review can be seen:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1259
However, let's fast-forward a bit to last november. I reviewed both the British Paratroop sets and while there are a few (minor) fit issues, the overally quality is excellent:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/3641
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/3630
So, comparing an older set with a newer one is not, IMO, a particularly valid exercise. Some of the older DML figures are horrible, some of the newer ones are absolutely sublime. So, what's the point in this exercise?
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1259
However, let's fast-forward a bit to last november. I reviewed both the British Paratroop sets and while there are a few (minor) fit issues, the overally quality is excellent:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/3641
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/3630
So, comparing an older set with a newer one is not, IMO, a particularly valid exercise. Some of the older DML figures are horrible, some of the newer ones are absolutely sublime. So, what's the point in this exercise?
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 12:34 AM UTC
I was trying to say that the moulding on some of the masterbox figures are rather poor when compaired with other plastic model figures. 
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 12:48 AM UTC
Phil, can you please define your thoughts on this a bit more? There's no point in making general comments when we'd like to hear specific concerns...
Masterbox compare (and in many cases) exceed the details, pose and fit of competitor's figures. Since they only (at the moment) have 3 British sets it's not a terribly convincing argument.
There's no point in making general comments when we'd like to hear specific concerns...Masterbox compare (and in many cases) exceed the details, pose and fit of competitor's figures. Since they only (at the moment) have 3 British sets it's not a terribly convincing argument.
Tarok
Joined: July 28, 2004
KitMaker: 10,889 posts
Armorama: 3,245 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 12:57 AM UTC
I get the feeling we're starting to go in circles here.
With regards to the topic though, I think we'll agree that we've established the following:
- The set in discussion is an older set (2005)
- The set did/does exhibit soft details and is perhaps wanting in fit
- The set is however versatile with a bit of TLC
- The new MB sets are exceedingly better in all respects
- MB (or indeed any manufacturer) should not be judged by the quality of one release.
So to answers Phil's original question: yes there were issues with the earlier sets (as with many vendors), but the new sets do not exhibit these qualities (or lack thereof in this case).
Discussion closed?
Rudi
With regards to the topic though, I think we'll agree that we've established the following:
- The set in discussion is an older set (2005)
- The set did/does exhibit soft details and is perhaps wanting in fit
- The set is however versatile with a bit of TLC
- The new MB sets are exceedingly better in all respects
- MB (or indeed any manufacturer) should not be judged by the quality of one release.
So to answers Phil's original question: yes there were issues with the earlier sets (as with many vendors), but the new sets do not exhibit these qualities (or lack thereof in this case).
Discussion closed?
Rudi
alanmac
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 01:09 AM UTC
Hi
Well Rudi 's reply pretty well covered exactly what I was going to say, but refering back to Jim's comment "So, what's the point in this exercise? " I think the point is that if any figure set is still commercially available and are being sold people should be aware of the difference in quality, otherwise they could get the wrong opinion of a manufacturers items.
Just as already mentioned some of the early DMl sets are a little soft on detail etc. and were produced some time ago. The same goes for Miniart. If I'd have judged them by the first set I'd brought I wouldn't have purchased another set. as it is I've many more sets and noted with each a steady improvement and none as bad as the first old set I brought.
The problem is how is the potential buyer to know unless it is reviewed and details noted. Since my bad experience with the Miniart figures I now as a matter of course seek out any reviews, images of any figure set before making the decision to buy.
Alan
Well Rudi 's reply pretty well covered exactly what I was going to say, but refering back to Jim's comment "So, what's the point in this exercise? " I think the point is that if any figure set is still commercially available and are being sold people should be aware of the difference in quality, otherwise they could get the wrong opinion of a manufacturers items.
Just as already mentioned some of the early DMl sets are a little soft on detail etc. and were produced some time ago. The same goes for Miniart. If I'd have judged them by the first set I'd brought I wouldn't have purchased another set. as it is I've many more sets and noted with each a steady improvement and none as bad as the first old set I brought.
The problem is how is the potential buyer to know unless it is reviewed and details noted. Since my bad experience with the Miniart figures I now as a matter of course seek out any reviews, images of any figure set before making the decision to buy.
Alan
spaarndammer
Joined: January 28, 2007
KitMaker: 1,945 posts
Armorama: 282 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 01:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
- The new MB sets are exceedingly better in all respects
So to answers Phil's original question: yes there were issues with the earlier sets (as with many vendors), but the new sets do not exhibit these qualities (or lack thereof in this case).
Rudi
In support of Rudi's final thoughts: I have the MB Skatspieler set and no issues with fit with this kit. It is my first MB set and for sure not the last one I will buy from MB.
Jelger
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 01:19 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The problem is how is the potential buyer to know unless it is reviewed and details noted. Since my bad experience with the Miniart figures I now as a matter of course seek out any reviews, images of any figure set before making the decision to buy.
Exactly Alan and Jim's review mentions the soft detail and it's been on the site for nearly 4 years.
If I was to base my purchases on the first two Miniart kits I bought then I'd never buy any more of their sets but the newer sets are terrific. Dragon make terrific figures but occasionally make mistakes, the moral of the story is, as you say, read the reviews or ask about a specific set online, before you buy.
AlanL
Joined: August 12, 2005
KitMaker: 14,499 posts
Armorama: 11,675 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 01:34 AM UTC
Hi Rudi,
From what I've seen of the new issues they have made improvements to the basic kit, at lease as far as the bergens go, but I still feel that the weapons are a bit on the big side for 1/35.
There were basic errors they made in their paras, that were pointed out here on site they didn't address, I'm thinking the 7 pouch bandolier for one.
As you say with just 3 sets of British troops and one being a fairly old one now, it's hard to judge.
They have some great poses in the Axis range, I just hope they take some of those into the Britsh/Commonwealth Genre. If they sharpen up the basic uniform detail they will have good basic British Infantry figures, if they choose to make them.
Can't comment on the general standard as I have only used 2 of their sets, but I do like their generic figures and they are showing a lot of imagination in their range of sets.
So, great strides forward, great use of imagination and thoughtful figure sets but still room for some improvement would be pretty fair comment I think.
Al
From what I've seen of the new issues they have made improvements to the basic kit, at lease as far as the bergens go, but I still feel that the weapons are a bit on the big side for 1/35.
There were basic errors they made in their paras, that were pointed out here on site they didn't address, I'm thinking the 7 pouch bandolier for one.
As you say with just 3 sets of British troops and one being a fairly old one now, it's hard to judge.
They have some great poses in the Axis range, I just hope they take some of those into the Britsh/Commonwealth Genre. If they sharpen up the basic uniform detail they will have good basic British Infantry figures, if they choose to make them.
Can't comment on the general standard as I have only used 2 of their sets, but I do like their generic figures and they are showing a lot of imagination in their range of sets.
So, great strides forward, great use of imagination and thoughtful figure sets but still room for some improvement would be pretty fair comment I think.
Al
dioman13
Joined: August 19, 2007
KitMaker: 2,184 posts
Armorama: 1,468 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 02:36 AM UTC
let's remember one thing fellows, it's a model. what kit doe's not come with problens? a little work and we overcome problems and move on. I have had fit problems with M.B. figures but I still buy them. Almost every figure kit has a problem somewhere and if we don't like it we always have the scrap box for future builds. I can point out kit problems with almost any kit, but it's just part of the package deal.just imagine this hobby without all those great figures, wanna scratch build them? not me.
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 03:22 AM UTC
1st of all, sorry if i was not very clear at the beginning, Masterbox have got better and i did not say i would not buy another masterbox kit, i only said i didnt bother finishing a specific kit because of its soft detailing and the fit issues. 
padawan_82
Joined: December 10, 2008
KitMaker: 817 posts
Armorama: 555 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 09:38 AM UTC
i bought the same kit british commandos apart from a bit of filler need around the arms and legs the figures went together pretty good, the only complaint i'd have with MB figures is the weapons detail looks soft when compared to dragon's or even tamiya's latest kits, and the helmets don't look good either, usually i replace mine in favor of spares from dragon. Ant
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 10:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
1st of all, sorry if i was not very clear at the beginning, Masterbox have got better and i did not say i would not buy another masterbox kit, i only said i didnt bother finishing a specific kit because of its soft detailing and the fit issues.
Not quite
Quoted Text
Has anybody else noticed the fit issues with the Masterbox figure sets?
Bowman18
Joined: July 19, 2008
KitMaker: 317 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 08:38 PM UTC
[quote]
I said that in another post about the kit not this one - sorry.
(I have been going between two forum posts and forgot which one i said it in - i said it ion the other one, but it was on the same topic)
Quoted Text
1st of all, sorry if i was not very clear at the beginning, Masterbox have got better and i did not say i would not buy another masterbox kit, i only said i didnt bother finishing a specific kit because of its soft detailing and the fit issues.
I said that in another post about the kit not this one - sorry.
(I have been going between two forum posts and forgot which one i said it in - i said it ion the other one, but it was on the same topic)
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