Build review:
"Volkssturm. Ammunition to the Frontline"
Masterbox Models
1/35th scale
Kit no# 35167
3 grey sprues
1 Photo Etch Sheet
Available from Masterbox's Distributors Worldwide.
"Volkssturm. Ammunition to the Frontline"
Masterbox Models
1/35th scale
Kit no# 35167
3 grey sprues
1 Photo Etch Sheet
Available from Masterbox's Distributors Worldwide.
Children were never Volkssturm – that is one of the comments
about this kit I noticed when we previewed it recently. Now I kind of agree –
more like they are Hitler Youth members, but at the time of the war these kids
are portrayed at, anyone helping the germane cause not in uniform would be
considered Volkssturm.
The children of the war often paid quite a price and they were also often innocent victims.
OK back to the kit - there is some lovely box art
on this kit - Set in a similar vein to the pictures above..
The rear of the box has a dual purpose. Serving as a
painting and construction guide. The sprue runner map is on the right hand side
and it portrays the numbers and position of the sprues.
The other side is a construction and painting guide for both
of the figures. Although we do not see what colours to use for the cart I think
most modellers will work something out! These numbers correspond to the sprue
map on the other side of the box rear. Colour call outs are given in both
Vallejo and Lifecolor paints which are modeller’s favourites due to their ability
to brush on without streaking.
The kit consists of three plastic sprues and one
photo-etched parts sprue. The plastic inside is moulded in medium grey and
there is not so much of a seam on these as there was on the very earliest of
Masterbox’s kits. In fact as we will see the detail of the sculpts is quite
good – hat’s off to the sculptor. Not much flash on these parts make them easy
to get ready to construct and paint. The parts fit together relatively easy as
well.
The first sprue we will look at features a young man
probably just or maybe not yet a teenager. With longer hair than most soldiers
at the time and clothes that resemble a German uniform with lapel patches
clearly showing. Cuffs on the arms come down to almost cover the exposed hand.
There is also two steel German helmets, three Panzerfausts an automatic rifle and
funny enough a STEN gun as well on the sprue. These weapons go into the
trailer.
Here he is together.
You can see the uniform a little too big on him – the wrinkling of his pants at
the knees and his little boots.
The other sprue features a young lady. The sprue also
features some weaponry – two KAR.98 rifles, three gas mask cylinders, a German
steel helmet and two stick grenades. These are detailed quite well also and
they and they go into the trailer as well.
Maybe a friend or maybe related to the young child soldier. She
looks very chic for a girl and her large jacket is tapered at her waist and her
beret sits atop her head. Her platted long hair comes out of the sides of her
hat. She looks very much like a girl acting older than her size and age. Maybe
that is the way it was in the war.
The model of the
bicycle cart is the thing that combines these two. The inclusion of
the photo etched parts allows the modeller to make this car to a high standard of reality.
The cart
goes together relatively easily and the two things that need help are the
wheels that the frames they are encased in do not join up without a bit of “persuasion”
and the photo etch wheels which need some care and thin superglue to clamshell into
the plastic.
The Photo Etch provided is made again by North Star Models
and features the spokes of the cart wheels and the straps which hold it
together.
When putting the cart together I found the spokes needed maybe
a cone shaped plastic part to shape them. Vulcan model did this recently with
their motorcycles as did Miniart. This helped
a lot in shaping them. I left mine straight as they are very delicate.
Instructions are of
course given for the cart build. For my build I only included the external straps of photo etch as
it’s full of weapons so you wouldn’t see anything inside. Though it is there if
you want extra detail.
I drilled a hole in
both the “soldier’s” hands. This enabled them to be free standing without
support and to hold onto the trolley without glue and potentially breaking them.
It worked OK the first time!
These two young “warriors” pull a bicycle trailer loaded
with military ammunition, the two figures in question are a teenage boy and
girl who are pulling the bicycle trailer. The story of the kit is simple but
tragic and is emotionally filled in its own way. The events of the last days of
the Third Reich are shown. Military operations were being conducted in German
territory and the units of Volkssturm took an active part in the protection of
the country. Two such young Volkssturm members are pulling weapons and
ammunition to an advanced position, so that their unit can protect the hopeless
position. Despite the restrained poses, the kit shows quite a bit of emotion.
The cart and pullers ready for loading up with an empty tray
The figures interact well with each other and can be used
either for creating a mini-diorama with the parts offered, or creating a larger
story with the use of models, equipment and accessories of other manufacturers.
Here they are all
together. They look great don’t they?
This is an evocative pair of figures which only benefit from
the cart and weapons offered. I think they could be carrying anything that
could fit inside the cart. So belongings, water or whatever you want. They
would be great for a post war dio as well.
This is a great little figure kit that I think a lot of
modellers will buy. The sculpture is very good and the cart’s foibles of
construction do not affect the enjoyment I had when I saw these two kids
holding a full cart of weapons for the front line.
Masterbox – well done on this one.
Adam Norenberg.
This new kit and all
of their other great stuff can be seen on the Masterbox Website
