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In-Box Review
135
Tet Vietnam Base
Tet (Vietnam 1968) Base
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

Black Dog has released a good mix of resin products since they came onto the modelling scene. The products offered are a mix of figures, diorama bases and stowage for vehicles in the two main scales. Recently Black Dog has released a nice vignette base titled ‘Tet (Vietnam 1968) Base’ in 1/35th scale.

Contents

This offering from Black Dog is packaged in the usual end opening card box with a sticky label showing the contents assembled and painted next to an unpainted example. The product itself only consists of three resin parts that are packed inside a single Ziploc plastic bag.

Review

This base can be considered a true vignette base due to its small surface area of roughly 2 ¼ inches for the Americans or just shy of 60mm square for the metric brigade. Examining the mouldings did not cause me any concerns as I found no obvious problems associated with resin products such as air bubbles.

Moving onto the base part I have observed something that I would rather not find, but that I cannot consider a fault. The underside of the base is flat, but it is not level; yes I know it is easily corrected by sanding the base, but it does create a messy task that is excessive compared with what I would expect. So I would like Black Dog to look into letting the resin parts set on a level surface. Littered on the base is a period appropriate backpack (thank you Gino), a hold/cold food container and some ammunition boxes.

The upright portion of this base is really nice and has a lot of great details that careful painting will really make stand out. The height of the back is 5 inches or 130mm if you prefer. The pour plug should be easy enough to remove with a saw for anyone; I managed without issue leaving a little sanding to be done to finish the area off. I particularly like the holes in the wall, one with sandbags placed. If a platform is placed on the rear side of the hole a machine gun nest with soldier could be created.

Once put together this offers a nice sixed vignette base, the height being a big plus for me. I have taken a look at the joint and while I cannot get a photograph to show it there is a gap that will need to be filled. There is an M60 machine gun supplied with this set, but in my sample it had got broken; I should say it is not beyond fixing and an image has been included. Black Dog has also produced a lot of other items that could be used with the base or indeed items from the spares box.

Conclusion

I really like this offering from Black Dog as I really like to have height in a display base. A good examination of the base does not present me with any issues that would be insurmountable to remedy, but levelling the base will take time and be a messy task that I could well do without. The broken M60 is a disappointment, but it is not something that affects my opinion of the product as a whole. Taken as a whole I would not hesitate to recommend this product to you all.
SUMMARY
Highs: I really like the height that this vignette base offers and great brick work detail.
Lows: The need to level the base is a task I could well do without.
Verdict: A great display option for any modeller.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: D35084
  PUBLISHED: Nov 08, 2016
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.33%

Our Thanks to Black Dog!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



   
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