first look

The kit, CD 6131 Roadside Ditch with Debris, is simple. It’s a base, a post, and sign on a post (four pieces). It’s designed for 1/35th scale projects. Custom Dioramics meets their standards for shipping. The kit, even though simple, is packaged in heavy cardboard box with packing peanuts and bubble wrap. This ensures that the item will arrive safely.
In and around the packing material are the pieces. The only instructional material in this kit is the box art done by Bob Letterman.
Ben Jakobsen really shines as a sculptor with this piece. This ditch is 6.3cm wide by 15cm long. As it comes out of the box the tallest point is 1.5cm. The main piece has a 1mm overpour block on the bottom. The extra detail parts have standard resin blocks.

thoughts

When I pulled the main piece out and examined the detail I was very impressed. The detail is fantastic. The debris in the ditch is right out of a war reporters photos. There are plates, shoes, lamps, and more. These are all things you would expect to be discarded by fleeing refugees or being dumped, knocked or blown into a ditch by an advancing army. Ben did a great job sculpting.

I have reviewed two other CD ditches and this one is right in line with both. All are equally sculpted and all are equivalent in size and scale. They are all compatible and you can mix and match to build your diorama. This is where the three ditches fill a niche. If and when you need a quick base you can join a CD cobblestone section two of these ditches for a ‘bolt together’ base. As I have mentioned, these sections are easily scratch built and this is no exception. If you have time and supplies you may skip this kit. If you are in a hurry or would rather spend time on your figures (or other aspect of your project), this kit is for you. The price point on these kits is decent; they aren’t too expensive. These would be easy to combine with an inexpensive road or a scratch built road and not break the bank.

One nice thing about this kit is that the debris does not ‘lock’ this kit into a time period. You can use this in World War II right up through a current conflict in Afghanistan.

related reviews

CD Ditch reviews
Roadside Ditch with erosion

Roadside Ditch with no debris


I’d like to thank VLS for sending me this kit for a review.