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In-Box Review
135
WWI Minenwerfer Crewmember
German WWI Minenwerfer Crewmember Loading Shell
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by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

CMK have recently released a beautifully sculpted 1:35 resin crew figure to accompany their German WW1 25cm schwerer Minenwerfer (heavy mortar).

The figures arrives in a simple blister-pack with a card backing and the sample set reached me in perfect condition. The kit comprises 7 parts, with the figure broken down into 4 pieces - the torso, head, left hand, with the right cast integrally with the shell that the crewman carries on his shoulder. 3 more pieces provide a spare round encased in a wicker carrying "basket" with separate handles.

The casting on the sample kit is essentially perfect. I couldn't find any surface blemishes, and noted just one tiny bubble inside the figure's right elbow. This will only take a moment to remedy. The parts are attached to substantial casting blocks, but removing them was very simple (I've left the torso attached to its plinth to make painting simpler) and clean-up afterwards was minimal. The resin used is easy to trim and sand.

The parts of the figure fit together perfectly and there's no adjustment or filler required at the joints.

Sadly, CMK don't credit the sculptor, which is a real shame, because I think his or her work is superb. Boasting a classic period moustache, the figure is full of character, stooping and grimacing slightly under the weight of the 25cm round. The wickerwork effect on the spare round is very precise and regular, so I imagine this has been CAD produced.

Backing up the kit is a simple set of instructions that show the breakdown of parts, along with a sketch of the completed figure that serves as a basic painting guide. The latter may be good enough to get you started, but you will want to find further references for more details (e.g. the sketch doesn't even pick out the cap badges). Matches for Humbrol paints are provided, but of course it's simple to cross-reference to other ranges to suit your own taste or local availability.

Conclusion
I'm very impressed by CMK's German artilleryman. The sculpting and casting is immaculate - so good that it's enough to convince even a dedicated propeller-head like me to start practising my figure-painting sufficiently to do it justice! I would recommend this figure without hesitation to anyone building a German WWI artillery vignette.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on ARMORAMA.
SUMMARY
Highs: Beautifully sculpted and near-flawlessly cast.
Lows: Rather basic painting instructions.
Verdict: CMK's loader for their 1:35 schwerer Minenwerfer is a gem - beautifully sculpted and brimming with character.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: F35 342
  Suggested Retail: 224 Kč (around $10.2
  PUBLISHED: Sep 22, 2018
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.89%

Our Thanks to Special Hobby!
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.

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About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

This one -undoubtedly- goes with that excellent officer figure that we all gushed over a while back! Nicely done as always from the masters at CMK!
SEP 22, 2018 - 09:36 AM
   
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