Masterbox Models Ltd.

1/35 Maquis - French Resistance

Kit Number: MTB3551

Reviewed by  Howie Belkin, IPMS# 16

MSRP: $9.95 Review Sample from Dragon Models USA: Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Master Box Ltd.'s illustrator A. Karaschuk, must have had a ball illustrating the five figures for the box top showing four Maquis with their captured German officer, while sculptor A. Gagarin again was up to the challenge to deliver. Two of them are clearly elated with exuberant expressions over their successful mission (the Maquis, that is). One wears shirt and pants 'street clothes' and is about to take the German's pistol while holding his own Sten Gun. He's shown wearing eyeglasses (not included) but there are a couple of old photo etch. sources I'm aware of: VLS as well as IPMS. His Bren Gun bearing companion wears what appears to be work coveralls, perfect if your diorama is centered on a French Garage that is available as kit in whole or ruins. Their POW himself is sculpted with a more subdued, dejected look with eye closed but still the essence of the box top illustration. He has his hands behind his head, expressing the embarrassment of his capture and fear of his imminent fate. The Maquis leader is shown wearing a cavalryman's spats and over the calf length boots, holding captured papers, illustrated questioning the German. The woman is wearing a pleated dress, plaid jacket holding a hefty captured briefcase and a shouldered rifle. The unopened briefcase, Sten Gun, Bren Gun and unnamed rifle are well done though the illustrated slings have to be added for the weapons if you wish, as well as a map or papers for the leader to hold. The German has some molded on awards and insignia while the Maquis each wears a tri-color FFI armband simply molded as a band on each figure. Therein lays my frustration with Master Box which I'll repeat here. A good painter with a steady hand may be able to pick out the insignia and awards. The average and inexperienced modelers will have a hard time of it, especially spelling out the very fine FFI. Earlier MB Ltd figures took the bold and highly effective solution of providing water slide decals. Now it seems they've stopped including them. The difference drops my recommendation down from 'Highly recommended For All Modelers' to a still very respectable 'Highly recommended For All Experienced Modelers.' The back of the box shows a color photo of each of the five figures, keyed off to the single sprue of 49 parts but there is no key to colors or paints. As this is a "First Look" review, I can only guess that very little A&B Putty will be needed to fill any gaps as part fit was excellent with all the other Master Box Figure sets I've completed. Thanks to distributor Dragon for the review sample. I highly recommend these injection molded figures as an excellent value for your money but I caution you that the German's rank and other insignia, and Maquis FFI armbands will be difficult to produce. I hope MB goes back to including decals in all of their future releases. Their site shows some of the next sets to come 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