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In-Box Review
135
German Field Optical Equipment
German Field Optical Equipment
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by: Bill Cross [ BILL_C ]

introduction

One of the areas where Germany held a distinct technological edge at the start of WW 2 was in optics. The Carl Zeiss optical company had been in Jena since 1846 making microscopes, and the company often led the world in lenses used in binoculars, etc. Zeiss, for example, developed some of the first coated lenses that gave better resolution and reduced the "flare" that is normally caused by strong light when it's magnified.

The Wehrmacht as a result used a variety of spotter scopes and aiming devices, both for command units and even individual tanks and the like - think of the "scissor scopes" used in most StuGs. And in fact, one of the more iconic items seen in dioramas and as styrene accessories are these binocular scopes used by artillery spotters and field commanders, too. Now Plus Models has released a set of German optics in resin.

what you get

Inside the usual Plus Model end-opening box you will find:

11 sprues of gray resin
1 fret of PE
a length of copper wire
1 page of instructions

the review

This is a "good news, bad news" release. The good news is that the resin casting is superb, with crisp edges, no flash and excellent detail. The bad news is that the length of copper wire provided doesn't really allow for an accurate rendering of the spindly, telescoping leg extensions that are major components of the scopes' tripods. You will be much better off employing a length of brass rounds (I would suggest .20mm).

What's worse, the documentation is poor, so you don't know how much of either the wire or the brass rounds to cut off. There is no guide for painting other than the box art, with no shout-outs for particular colors. Use your best guess.

conclusion

This is one of those offerings that could have been so much better with a little more effort by Plus Model.

Thanks to Plus Model for providing this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw it reviewed here when ordering.
SUMMARY
Highs: That we have them at all is appreciated. Nice resin moldings.
Lows: Very delicate and will require some skill to assemble. Expensive. The instructions are poor.
Verdict: Recommended but guardedly.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 388
  Suggested Retail: €15/$22
  PUBLISHED: May 18, 2012
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.08%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.93%

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.

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About Bill Cross (bill_c)
FROM: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

Self-proclaimed rivet counter who gleefully builds tanks, planes and has three subs in the stash.

Copyright ©2021 text by Bill Cross [ BILL_C ]. All rights reserved.


   
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