Introduction

Legend Productions has released a couple of items recently in their style that many consider to be their usual lines, that of model upgrades. This time it is hull baskets for the 1/35th scale Merkava 4M that was released by Meng Model.

Review

This offering from Legend Productions is titled ‘Merkava 4M Hull Basket Set for Meng Kit’. This offering from Legend Productions is packaged in one of the end opening card boxes; in my case this is further protected by a stiff plastic that is shrink wrapped on the box making it stiff and improving its strength overall. Inside there a single Ziploc bag containing the large moulding that makes up this offering. The pour plugs are quite substantial and will require care when removing them from the parts in order to avoid damage.

A close inspection of this three resin moulding reveals that the issues often encountered with resin parts are thankfully absent in this offering, even the microscopic air bubbles that sometimes show up in photographs are happily absent. The three mouldings offered in this set by Legend Productions obviously supplies the two large rear hull baskets but also provides a rolled canvas or bag for mounting on the rear of one of the hull baskets.

Looking at the hull baskets reveals some very nice detail on the linked metal rear plates that with careful painting should really pop. The canvas cloth secured over the top of each basket does a good job of giving the impression that they are thin material rather than a solid block of resin. On the base of the baskets is a L for placement on the left and R for right; these have been carefully placed in order that they do not mess with the detail present and are also easily filled after use.

Conclusion

I had hoped that someone with the model would tackle this item as I obviously cannot comment on the fit of these offerings, but no one took up the offer to review it and I do suspect that Legend Productions have done their homework in this regard. The moulding detail is first rate as I have come to expect and the lack of resin issues is a joy to see. I appreciate the thought that has gone into identifying the left and right basket as regards hiding this aspect after use. For me Legend Productions rates highly by not just replicating the same thing and calling them left and right as there are always subtle differences in areas where this aspect should be such as cloth elements.