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 when it comes diorama elements. A new release from MiniArt is titled ‘High Pressure Cylinders with Welding Equipment’ and offers yep you guessed it a quantity of gas bottles plus a few other nice touches.

Review

This offering from MiniArt is provided in the typical end opening card box and I wish that as some others have started to do 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 which are in good condition, a decal sheet and a further bag with some chain link in it.

This offering from MiniArt provides six duplicated sprues containing most of the parts for the set. You get two gas cylinders on each sprue of two different sizes. Both of the bottles are provided in two halves and with their own square stands. At the other end you have a couple of options in the form of capped bottles or a twin valve mixer such as is used with oxy acetylene. Also included on each of the six sprues is a welding rod tub, welding goggles, welding shield and a welding torch.

The other sprue in the offering provides a carriage for moving around two bottles, unusually this carriage holds the bottles front and aft which means if the back bottle needs changing both bottles have to be removed! The design is robust and well executed in plastic for the modeller and I am particularly pleased to see a length of chain provided for securing the bottles in transit.

The last element of the offering is a very well done decal sheet containing a host of options for the modeller. The colour profile looks good to my old eyes and the carrier film is not excessive, so pluses all round.

Conclusion

My only critique of this offering from MiniArt is that I would have liked to see more than one carriage in the mix, possibly of a different design. There are a huge number of finishing options on the rear of the box and so you do have plenty of choice. The mouldings are crisp and so no issues there. This is one of those sets that will prove popular with the diorama makers amongst us.