MiniArt Models

1/35 - Metal Stair

Kit Number: 35525

Reviewed by  Mark Aldrich, IPMS #39295

MSRP: $16.95 Website: www.miniart-models.com MiniArt Models has been releasing some really nice items for the diorama builder made from plastic as opposed to resin or ceramics. This allows the modeler the ability to add items to make the whole diorama concept easier. The modeler gets to assemble the objects just like a plastic model. All the tools needed should already be in the model builder's arsenal. This is a simple set and alternately can also be used for the scratch builder needing to add a metal stair to a second story building. The kit contains four small sprues of light gray styrene. There is two each for the stairs and two for the landing parts. The instruction sheet is contained on the back of the box. Before you start the building, you need to drill your holes in the platform, part 2. The holes are for the railings that are attached to the platform. The directions do not call this out and it would be easier to do it now as opposed to later (trust me…..this is what I had to do). The assembly was very straight forward. You need to cut the 16 steps. I pulled out my handy Chopper II thinking this would make it easier and insure proper cuts. However, that was not the case. After getting the chopper set and making all my cuts, at least four seemed to have a terrible inward cut to them. You then attach eight steps to two rails. After these had dried, they attach to each other to make a single tall set of stairs. After the glue had dried, there was a terrible bow in the two pieces. I pulled out a clamp and filled the tub with hot water and let it sit in the tub until the water cooled. It was removed and allowed to sit overnight still in the clamp. After the clamp was removed, the bow wasn't that noticeable. The clean-up was the worst on the railings. The plastic is terribly thin and required sanding and scrapping to remove the seam line on all the parts. The two platform supports have three huge ejector pin marks that required numerous passes with the sanding stick and knife blade. These were removed and construction continued. The unit was assembled and other the two downstairs railing, there were no problems. My two pieces would not join at the wood rails no matter how hard I tried. I did not wish to distort either rail so the gap was left. This is probably due to a misalignment of the stairs themselves. The parts were painted black and the wood railings were painted brown. Since there was no wood engraving, I left them a solid brown color. I used a #2 pencil and gave the middle of the steps and top landing a light scribbling to show light wear and that was it. I now own a nice set of stairs to go with any building needing them. This was a quick easy build (two days total) and a definite recommend. This is a neat simple accessory to enhance a second story building needing a stairway. Check out their website or any well stocked hobby store to find the HUGE selection of diorama accessories they make. I want to thank MiniArt Models for making this kit, Dragon Models for providing the sample, and IPMS/USA for a place to post this review. Have fun; create a diorama!