Introduction

When it comes to modellers who like to display their work in a vignette or diorama I suspect most have MiniArt sets in the stash ready for adding those touches that finish a model display. The reason I say this is that I feel and believe that no injection moulded plastic manufacturer has done more for the modeller than MiniArt. A recent re-release from MiniArt sees the French civilians of the 30’s and 40’s, first released 6 years ago, get a face life via the addition of resin heads.

Review

This offering from MiniArt is provided in the typical end opening card box and I wish that as some others have started that MiniArt would switch to the tray with separate lid as used in their larger models; my reasoning for this is that I feel it offers better protection and the modeller can keep work in progress and finished figures safely in the box for when required. Inside of the carton you find a single bag containing the sprues and a second bag containing the resin heads.

I will start by saying that I like seeing civilian figures released as they can be hard to source other than resin which is a little cost restrictive. This offering sees the five male figures hitting the street again with the addition of resin heads. A look at the sprues shows that that flash is starting to be an issue and when it comes to the little chap and his ‘Vive le France’ salute his jacket front has a really bad example of flash that is quite hard to identify what is moulding and what is flash and so not good or typical of MiniArt.

The clothing of the figures is well suited to the period they are designed for and at the same time offers individual display options rather than them all having to be shown interacting. The crease detail in the clothing is natural and so should prove pleasing after painting and shading has taken place. I have mentioned the issue with flash and so you will also be tackling the seam lines, which I am pleased to say are a mix of very good to the not so pleasing areas where the flash is present to varying degrees.

The hands of these figures need some refinement by the modeller to improve the definition as they are not up to MiniArt’s current standards, but with a little care and attention they can be greatly improved reasonably easily. For the modeller who really wants to improve the hands you can go down the aftermarket route still. When this set was released it was the heads that came in for the most complaints due to having been moulded side on, which is the first and last time I can remember seeing this approach. The addition of resin heads for this set is a good move on the part of MiniArt as it overcomes one of the major complaints at a stroke. Now don’t expect these heads to instantly provide the level of detail seen on resin heads you get with resin figures or replacement heads as you will be disappointed; what you do get is heads that no longer have bad seam lines and are of the standard you would expect to find in good quality injection moulded plastic figures today.

Conclusion

If you are one of those modellers that put off getting the initial release of these figures then I would reconsider that decision with this one. Yes there is flash and seam lines present that is very heavy in some areas. But the biggest gripe has been resolved via the addition of these resin heads and so this is now a set worth picking up and spending your time and money on.