Bill Cross reviews MiniArt's European Cart.



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Thanks!

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the review. They are coming out with some useful dio stuff. I picked up their Furniture Set and the Wooden Barrels and Village utensills last week, handy items. I have a couple of their carts already, just need the time to build them.

Cheers

Al

Just to be picky, this cart has a single horse yoke and I think one horse would not be able to pull a laden cart of this size. I would replace the double yoke with a single pole for multiple horses. With a bit of modification this wagon could be turned into an old west covered wagon (just to be different!).

Biggles, I think you're underestimating the strength of a farm horse, who isn't supposed to go fast. In any case, check out the horse on this site.

Not exactly Lucas McCain's buckboard. This one is built for hauling and those farm horses are really strong. Big like the Budweiser Horses.

Some pictures:

Scroll down a bit, two small pictures

A tad smaller maybe but still the same class IMHO

Different style but it gives a hint what a single horse can pull at slow pace

Poor horsey! Some of those carts have pneumatic tires, does that make it easier for the horse to pull? Does anyone make a Belgian draught horse in 1/35?

Well, one of the horses in Tamiyas (or Academys) old "Field Kitchen" is a good deal sturdier and has the "shaggy" hoves common to many cold bloods

What are the dimensions of the wagon body? Many thanks!

Either of the horses from Esci's older supply or ambulance wagons will work well with them. But remember that in a war torn area forging and feeding can be difficult at times. There are lots of pics showing emancipated horses pulling supplies and or refugees. Some historex horses might work in a pinch also

The same cart appears in several boxings, so keep an eye out for the better deal - I picked up the one with US troops, refugees and nun. It also includes the original child and driver.

One should differentiate between the LOAD on the wagon/cart/carriage and the FORCE needed to get the whole stuff rolling.
It is on wheels!
Due to the size of the wheels a heavy load rolls much easier, even if pulled by a single horse.
In Europe, this size of carts was used on farms and by sales people, very frequently pulled by a single horse.
I can remember having seen them used by vegetable sales men, who traveled through the city from door to door. With the present resin sets with various crates this could become a nice dio.
Until into the 50-ies these carts were part of daily traffic in many towns.
But it could also represent a confiscated cart with German soldiers heading home at the end of the war.......

I think you've got this one confused with the Masterbox wagons, this one is by Miniart. Miniart also has a smaller cart, but no figures accompany it.