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Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 02:05 PM UTC
As any regular user of the News Section will realize, Masterbox Ltd. is a company which gets a reasonable amount of coverage. However, after my recent conversations with the company and the opportunity to see their NEXT releases, there are some extraordinary sets coming from them in the coming months...
The first thing that should be said about the owner of MasterBox (and perhaps part of their increasingly high-profile), is that he cares passionately about what he does and equally importantly, is very aware of both the financial realities and what modellers want to see from the manufacturers.

The (future) releases do not fit into any one category, however, and having seen them with my own eyes, what is impressive, is the spectacular increase in quality of the figures. It's also worth mentioning that the subjects being covered are a good balance between the commercial and the innovative. There are some items which have (at least in styrene) never been attempted before.

Poses: A repeated criticism of many manufacturers' ranges has been the static nature of their figures' animation. Recently, in a News story, I covered three NEW sets from Masterbox - MAS 3522, MAS 3523 and MAS 3524. Now I didn't realize at the time but the three sets were specifically designed to be used together and, with addition of additional sets even more variations could be produced. Amongst the photos at the side, there is one of a diorama using the three sets along with some shots of the individual 'components'.

Moulding/Sculpting: Although I have plans to review the three sets I mentioned (along with one or two more) my intention with this report is a little different, to give my personal opinion as to how the quality of this manufacturer's products have taken a real leap forward in quality. The most annoying part of many plastic figures is the need to replace the heads with AM items. Having looked at some of the new figures through a magnifying glass, I can honestly say that the facial detail is amongst the best I have EVER seen on any plastic figure.

Enough of the 'mini-review'... There are eight new sets scheduled for release, three of them have already been mentioned in the last News Report, so I'll concentrate, with appropriate comments on the remaining five:

Masterbox 1/35th Scale Releases

3521 - U.S. Infantry 1944 - some of the elements of this set can be found on the photos I took at Nuremberg. Particularly notable, are the two figures with one dragging the other away.

3525 - "Skatspieler" This is a four-figure set with German Mechanics playing cards. This set is very impressive indeed - all four figures have a variety of expressions on their faces. Included in the set are some jerry-cans which are being used as an improvised card table. Looking closely at the 'table' the cards are sculpted onto it.

3526 - German Machine-Gunners, Eastern front 1944 Although the title indicates a set which has been done before, this is anything but the case. The 'centerpiece' of the set is an MG08 mounted on a tripod - to my knowledge, a weapon which has never been done in styrene before....

3527 - Checkpoint This accesory set consists of a barrier, sentry box and two anti-tank obstacles. Photos of this set can be seen at the side...

3528 - German Infantry, Eastern front 1944 unfortunately I DON'T have any more details of this set as yet...

As for VEHICLE releases, three are listed for future release on the company website:

3529 - Motorcycle BMW R-75

3530 - Mercedes-Benz VK-170 (3 in 1)

3531 - Mercedes-Benz VK-170, command version (3 in 1)


I can't comment on the BMW, but the other two are in development with details expected very soon.

My thanks to the staff of Masterbox for their assistance in making this report possible.
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Comments

Some things have to be seen to be believed. Now I`m a believer. I just can“t wait to get my hands on some o“these figures they“re gonnį look sweet beside some o“ the WWII stuff I“ve got finished or nearly finished. Can anybody really say they have everything ! finished? THESE look awesome & an inspiration for me to finish,.....well a few of the things I“ve got, at the least. Really nice & thanks for the report.
FEB 08, 2007 - 04:52 PM
Very interesting and very cool ! Good thing I picked up this line not that long ago Its about time a manufacturer came out with poses like this, and the quality to back it up with. I have seen some of the other Master Box figure sets, and they have improved their level of excellence with each release. Thanks for the great news, Jim. Any word on when these will be released ? Cheers !! Robert
FEB 08, 2007 - 07:44 PM
They look really good. Some interesting poses, especially those Yanks. Might go well with a vignette I am doing at the moment. Ross
FEB 08, 2007 - 08:21 PM
I can see that figure configuration in a lot of dios in the near future. Indeed, exciting figures. Was looking at a few masterbox sets today, in a local shop and they do look inticing. We“re really being spoiled at the moment! Thanks for the info Jim!
FEB 09, 2007 - 04:16 AM
I've only built one set of MB's figs which was the German POW's and was very impressed with them. Not only for the poses and moulding but the price as well. These new ones look superb, especially the hand to hand combat figures and the GI dragging his mate along the floor. This is what we've been waiting for for so long. Dynamic poses! Could well be that Dragon may have a new competitor! I will be buying the Russians even though I don't usually build Russians purely on the basis that they are so good!
FEB 09, 2007 - 11:15 PM
Love the US infantry especially the one dragging his comerade. Cannot wait until I can move out of my parents place so I can start the hobby again. Matt
FEB 13, 2007 - 04:17 AM
Awesome! I particularly like the downed GI soldier being carried upon. The Russian vs German vignette is very good too. Love them poses.
FEB 13, 2007 - 07:52 PM
These sound awesome. I am hoping to be able to pick up some Masterbox kit at SCHAMS next month, maybe even some of these
FEB 27, 2007 - 08:53 PM
Jim Good scouting report.
FEB 28, 2007 - 12:59 AM
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