PlusModel from the Czech Republic has a catalog filled with items to enhance both dioramas and vehicles. These garbage cans, or rather Dustbins (how uncouth of me) can be used in a wide variety of scenes: kitchens, workshops, barracks, outside of a residence and even the back of trucks.
review
Packed in a small, lightweight end-opening cardboard box, the 20 resin pieces are contained in a plastic bag further protected in bubble wrap. Even though they were well packed, two small pieces were broken from the trash can lids, so check the bag carefully before tossing it out. The instructions are an exploded view drawing on a small slip of paper, between this and the boxtop there should be no problem assembling this simple kit.
Four dustbins are included: two designed to have the lids closed, one that can have the lid opened showing what could be coal or embers inside (or add some bits and pieces to make it look like trash). The last is a flattened can, as if it was run over by a vehicle. Visions of a cook shaking his fist or an old lady with a rolling pin running after a truck come to mind.
Cast in a light grey resin, the parts appeared well cast with minimal flash. The cans are poured solid, so dents can be achieved fairly easy if desired. No marking points are provided for the side handles. Each upright can consists of 6 parts and the flattened one has just 2, the can and the lid.
Dimensions for the upright cans are 11.6mm diameter, 23.6 tall without the lid and 27.1mm top to bottom with the lid in place.
assembly
I assembled one of the upright cans that has the lid closed, starting with the removal of the pour stub which is on the top of the can with a razor saw. The lid is attached at both the handle and the rim, making clean-up a bit more difficult so as not to destroy any detail. This was still very easy and since none of the handles were broken off during shipping, well worth it. I cut the handle portion away from the pour block with the saw and snapped the remaining portion off. A #11 blade and some sandpaper finished off the lid.
The hinge mounts are cast very thin and were easily removed with the X-acto blade. These are mounted to a small square block on the back of the can and then the lid can be glued in place, or vice-versa.
The handles proved to be too difficult for me, as I cut the mounting part off of one and lost the other, so I fabricated these out of copper wire giving a slight outward bend and flattening the mounting sections using flat blade tweezers and Vise-grips. You can measure the location points for these, but I just eyeballed them. A quick painting and dirtying up finished the can off.
conclusion
A neat set of three different trash cans that can be used in a variety of scenes. Painting them red they might even be used for flammable rag disposal.
SUMMARY
Highs: Well cast with minimal flash and clean-up, three different styles that can be used in a variety of scenes. Lows: Four bucks a can may be a bit steep, but that's MSRP.Verdict: A common item that can be found just about anywhere and often overlooked, will add that little bit more to your scene.
Our Thanks to Plus Model! 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.
About James Bella (c5flies) FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
My main interest is 1/35 scale WWII armor, Axis and Allied, and will occasionally branch out into other areas. The builds I have done so far have been pretty much OOB, and considering what most newer kits include, that is usually more than enough for me. Even though my projects do not always end up ...
I had the same question. I don't want to get too hung up on the authenticity of garbage cans, and I don't have my copy of "Jane's All the World's Dustbins," or Squadron/Signal's "Rubbish Bins in Action." But these look ... strange. Certainly like nothing I've seen in much of Western Europe.
Failing Garbology 101, I stayed away from the subject also. We had very similar cans as these in our garage/workshop when I was a kid, where my father picked them up I have no idea. I remember at least one also had a locking lid, and they were quite durable. I would venture a guess early to mid 20th century. I have also seen this style, without the hinged lid, in aluminum (?) or some light alloy.
Not much help I know, but they caught my eye due to their looking familiar.
From the looks they are like the older german dustbins issued well into the early 1980s before the switch to the plastic units. Plastik was first in this shape and now is "square plastic" box
old box
Those where standard issue from the city (on loan! to the household) and the only accepted way to get trash into the (then weekly) trash vehicle. More than one was not uncommon (we had two for 3-5 persons and used them). The weekly evening ritual of "bringing out the garbage" was almost as "german" as the saturday ritual of "washing the car"
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