Masterbox Ltd.

1/35 Eastern Front Series, Hand to Hand Fight 1941-42

Kit Number: 3524

Reviewed by  Howie Belkin, IPMS# 16

MSRP: $11.95 Imported by Dragon USA www.dragonmodelsusa.com In addition to a fine line of 1/35 vehicles, Master Box Ltd. has been releasing some excellent figure sets unlike any you've seen before. In their own words, "Master Box Ltd aspires to create multifaceted, emotionally charged products, which will be of interest to a broad range of modelers." In addition to being 'multi-pose' akin to the Airfix and Historex 1/32 figures of the 1970s where you can mix and match parts or reposition them, Master Box has indeed brought their figures dramatically to life. This set offers two Germans and two Russians in hand to hand combat. Other sets include American G.I.s advancing under fire on D-Day, another set of G.I.s in action in St. Lo where one throws a smoke grenade to cover another pulling a wounded buddy out of harm's way. The G.I.s includes decals for their rank and unit insignia, a first to my knowledge and long, long overdue. Still more sets include Russian tankers evacuating their tank at Kursk, and another group of Russians being photographed for that reference book on your bookshelf. MB's subject choices are superb, and with the addition of decals they are going to quickly make their mark on the marketplace, and hopefully make that a standard that all other serious figure manufacturers will have to meet. Right from the start MB lets you know they mean business. The art by A. Karaschuk on top of the side opening box, is as good as Ron Volstad's, showing you what the finished figures could look like. The back shows a front and rear line drawing of each of the four figures, keyed off to the single sprue tree and color coded for Vallejo, Tamiya, Lifecolor, Humbrol and Agama paints. That and a little dry fitting is all you need as each figure consists of only five or six parts. Use your imagination and you can reposition your men a little - or a lot. Each soldier's intense expression of his life or death struggle has been skillfully captured by sculptor A. Gagarin. At the same time, MB doesn't go for your throat. Though this is one of three related figure sets, you don't have to buy all three. This outstanding set stands alone, if you wish! The four poses have two pairs of combatants. One Russian tries to push away his opponent's bayoneted Kar 98k rifle while swinging his entrenching tool. The other Russian is attempting to slam his German with his helmet (nice and thinly molded) before he's stabbed. Again, the separate heads are simply superb. The entrenching tool and bayonet are molded with their respective hands. The open hands readily clasp and hold the rifle, helmet or throat. One of the Russians wears puttees while everyone else wears boots. There is excellent definition on all the folds, belts, and pockets to make painting and shading a breeze. All are properly dressed for 1941-42. There was a very fine mold line on some parts that was easily leaned up. Thanks to distributor Dragon USA for the review sample. Visit Master Box Ltd. at www.mbltd.info TEL +38-056-372-9077. I highly recommend these as the most animated injection molded figures I've seen, an excellent value for your money. Master Box has raised the bar for injection molded figures, and has shot right out of the box to help you build like a master. If all of a sudden you see others finally including decals and figures that are 'emotionally charged,' look to the Ukraine and thank Master Box Ltd! References World War II Combat Uniforms and Insignia by Martin Windrow Army Uniforms of World War II by Andrew Mollo The Armed Forces of World War II by Andrew Mollo

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