MINIART [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
135
Allied Road Signs WW2
Allied Road Signs WW2 European Theatre of Operations
  • move

by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

MiniArt continues to add new diorama products to their already impressive range of offerings, and this time fast on the heels of their German signage set we get an Allied offering to cover the other side of the conflict. This offering looks to cover the period after D-Day and the end of the war judging from some of the contents.

Review

MiniArt is well known as a provider of figures and diorama elements with this offering fitting in perfectly with their range. This offering is provided in one of the end opening cartons used for their figures, I do wish MiniArt and others would switch to boxes rather than end opening containers as they tend to be more robust and also provide somewhere to keep the items built until needed. Inside there is a single bag containing three sprues in grey styrene plus the signage on a very nice decal sheet. The instructions and painting suggestions are on the rear of the carton.

MiniArt has provided parts from their telegraph poles offering for mounting the signage on, and while I like that product I would not use it for this offering, I would prefer to find natural wood to cover this aspect for its realism and non conformity. As such I would assemble the telegraph poles as the original release intended. This part of the set does need some clean up as flash is starting to appear in places, but a little clean up will result in a pleasing finish.

The arrows and smaller boards are the same as the offering in the German Eastern Front set, but that does not detract from its appeal in any way. The boards have good rough wood texture and planking effect that when painted and weathered has the ability to be very convincing. The remaining sprue has eight large boards on it with a smoother wood texture present. This part of the set may be an all new moulding but that is a guess.

The decal sheet is well done with very good clarity and colour; the presented images are very convincing and are nicely thin. With that said I do have an issue with this set as regards the decals that has not bothered me previously; a lot of the signage is on bare wood or painted wood and that aspect has been replicated well, but I would have preferred the signs to have been the wording and images and not the painted wood aspect as I think it will make it more difficult to match the reverse sides of the signs.

Conclusion

This offering from MiniArt is a very nice offering in most respects other than my preference for the decals to have been the words and images without the painted wood effect behind them. The telegraph poles are suitable for displaying the boards, but I would utilise suitable wood from outside as it will save painting and trying to get a realistic finish, the telegraph pole set looks good as it was originally intended. So this set is one of those that is handy to have in the stash for when the need arises.
SUMMARY
Darren Baker takes a look at a recent release from MiniArt in 1/35th scale titled 'Allied Road Signs WW2 European Theatre of Operations'.
  Scale: 1:35
  PUBLISHED: Nov 24, 2019
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.88%

Our Thanks to MiniArt!
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.

View Vendor Homepage  |  More Reviews  

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.



   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT