Darren Baker reviews Summer and Winter Soviet Machine Gunners with Maxim MG from TANK, a pair of resin figures with MG in 1/35.

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I think in all fairness that this review is rather unfair.

Instead of focusing on the quality of the product the reviewer scored it lowly just because he wasn't happy with the lack of skis in the set.

I don't think it's misleading advertising, it clearly states on the box that the winter maxim setup is not included in this set (in two languages), I don't understand what else Tank could do to make that clear. Plenty of box art include conversions on the cover... personally I think a 50% score is rather harsh and a little uncalled for.

At no time did Tank say the kit included this in writing, If it specifically said "included in the kit" then sure thats a another matter.

A simple "it's a shame that the skis aren't included" would have been sufficient with maybe a score of 70-80% based on quality of product.

I believe Darren did a very fair review on this product, the absent skis were not the only negative point found. The main disappointment I find in this set, which Darren points out cleary, is the apparent mix and match between the figures and the MG. As Darren stated, taken separately these are both done well, and probably should have been marketed as such.

Granted it's stated on the box top that the winter variant of the MG is not included, although I'm not versed in the language. The English version is on the box end, which may not be viewed if buying online, and at this time TANKs website only shows the image of the finished kit (both summer and winter).

It does appear that TANK is updating their website to include the same style box image that Darren submitted for the review.....a very good move on their part.

Jon I have no problem with your comments but I do not agree on this occasion, my problem with this product is that it is mix and match. In that an excellent winter crew is provided with a Summer version of the Maxim, or what I consider a good Maxim model saddled with a questionable summer crew, that in my books makes this offering 50/50 to start with. Then check Tanks website and sites selling the product, as there is no mention of the omission of the winter version of the Maxim in the several I checked, and it is clearly shown in the artwork. Some do not even provide a picture of the box, just a picture of the two possible finished models (one of which is not possible with the included parts).

I will admit that if I could read what I believe to be Russian I would know it is not included however I suspect a large number of potential customers also do not read Russian. The moulding quality is very good, as is the fit of parts, and it does score highly in these areas. Look at this from another angle, if I advertised a selection of resin figures manning a tank by use of a picture but in a language you did not understand said only includes one of the figures depicted, I would expect you to be royally P----d at me when the product arrived. However I would be covered if I include that information somewhere on the box even if it is not visible or understandable in the advertisement in a language you understand, even if the picture provided leads you to believe you are buying something else. The highest quality model if inaccurate for what ever reason becomes of questionable value.

When I review a product I do not see it as “I must score this item highly” I want to give everyone reading a review I submit as much information as I am able while also providing my personal view of the product/s, be that positive or negative. I accept that not everyone will agree with my opinion and conclusion, but I hope that they gain something from it even when they don’t agree.

I would like to thank you for making a reply ref this review, as all comments are helpful.

Thanks for your post Darren, I think your points come across a lot better actually now here in this post than they do in the review.

From another point of view maybe one way to look at this set is that is a Summer crew with a free winter crew? You can buy the winter Maxim setup as an extra from Tank.

I agree with you that its an odd choice of combination for a set, it would make more sense to include the full winter set as a separate box set as they do make one anyway.

However I still think that i terms of sculpting, casting, and quality of product Tank are a good firm that produce some great work. I just felt that this aspect was a little overlooked.

Maybe I am too kind as a critic/reviewer!

Jon the kit provided does supply a very good Winter crew. If Tank provided this crew with the winter Maxim I would be very generous with a score of the product. The Maxim provided would also be very good and score well if provided with a dedicated Summer crew, rather than what has been done here where two figures are supposed to represent two differant items of clothing.

Tank with this offering look to have tried to be all things to all people, and on this occasion they have failed in my opinion to make one model set represent two alternate finished kit options. By providing the parts for the winter Maxim to this kit (as shown in their product picture) and removing the summer version they would have a very good product.