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In-Box Review
135
Maquette Russian Cavalry 1914-45

by: Dave O'Meara [ GRUMPYOLDMAN ]

Overview
When I saw the excellent box top painting, I jumped for joy! It has a nice illustration of a mounted cavalry officer, grazing his horse, with a lance or standard pole attached in the upright position. The problem is neither the officers nor the horses build into this pose. The lance or standard is absent from the kit as well.

So, what do you get for your hard earned cash?

Two figures and horses that are molded in white, semi-soft plastic on one sprue. The mold gates are thick, flash is on every single piece, and the detail is very soft.
Box art
The box top illustration is really nice. It is only marred by the logo and some other writing, other wise I would have matted and framed it. At least I would have gotten something of use for my $5.95. It was nice to see the box bottom was a recycled box top from another kit.
Horses
Neither mount bears a resemblance to the grazing horse depicted in the box top illustration. One builds into a standing position with head held up, the other into a trotting horse. They are made up from two body halves, and solid heads that somewhat resemble a horse. The heads have the bridle molded on, but no mouth bits, or any material/instructions for constructing reins. When I clamped the two halves together, they appeared to be of the correct heavy-bodied cavalry type, not the lightweight thoroughbreds so often found under heavy cavalry. Separate accessories include a saddle, saddlebags, blanket rolls and stirrups.
Officers
The figures come in two different poses. One appears to be holding a rifle across his lap, the other has a rifle slung over his shoulder while holding a sword, or saber. Each figure consists of a pair of legs, a torso with head, two arms, and a separate hat. The facial features are poorly defined, and the rifles look more like long blobs, again with little detail.
Instructions
The instructions are simple drawings. Extremely simple. They look like they were drawn by a high school student. There are no references quoted, painting instructions, or even suggestions for adding details that aren't included.
Conclusion
I wish I could recommend these, but I honestly can’t. A lot of work would be needed to bring just one figure and horse up to snuff. Self-torture would be the word for doing both. And I promise NOT to put them into the prize pile for the age2 Campaign.
SUMMARY
Since this is my first review, hopefully it comes up to the guild lines. Save your money! Only a figure masochist would attempt these. If you buy this set, you'll also want to order a bulk pack of # 11 blades; you are going to need them, just to clean up the flash!
  OVER ALL DETAIL:20%
  MOLDING AND FLASH:20%
  INSTRUCTIONS:20%
Percentage Rating
20%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: MQ35011
  Suggested Retail: $5.95 USD
  PUBLISHED: Mar 02, 2005
  NATIONALITY: Russia
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.92%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 59.00%

About Dave O'Meara (Grumpyoldman)
FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

I'm rewriting this in a much more humoristic way, to help over inflate my ego, and place my self on a pedestal, because I don't have a life, and plastic models are the only thing I live for. I plead guilty as charged to excessive babble, light hearted humor, and continued encouragement to youngsters...

Copyright ©2021 text by Dave O'Meara [ GRUMPYOLDMAN ]. All rights reserved.


   
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Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • Boxtop
  • Recycled-box
  • Overall-sprue1
  • Offside-sprue
  • close-up-horses
  • close-up-horse-heads
  • close-up-equiptment1
  • Close-up-body
  • close-up-arms
  • close-up-equiptment2
  • Instruction-sheet
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