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In-Box Review
135
Panzerfaust set
Panzerfaust 30/60 set
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by: Andras [ SPONGYA ]

Introduction

MiniArt’s range of diorama accessories are increasing every year; they produce both civilian and military objects which can be used to populate a diorama.

Review

This time we get a whole lot of Panzerfausts - probably enough to defend Berlin for weeks. The set contains sixteen Panzerfaust 30s and sixteen Panzerfaust 60s with boxes. This disposable anti-tank system needs no real introduction; their use was ubiquitous by the German armed forces, and they became just as iconic as the MG32 or the Tiger I tank. In short: the Panzerfaust was a disposable, one-shot shaped charge projectile against armored targets. They were cheap, easily transportable and could punch through every armored vehicle of the time; their main problem was their short range which required the operator to be near suicidal distance from the enemy tank (and its infantry support). They worked well in cities, and could be operated by untrained people easily.

The model Panzerfausts are exactly 3cm long- which is spot on for the scale; the original weapon was 1.045m. The difference between the 30 and 60 versions were minimal (from a model builder’s perspective). The Panzerfaust 30 had a range of 30m and could deal with 200mm armor; the 60 had an increased range of 60m (and a slightly wider tube) with an improved sighting device.

The model comes in the usual envelope box that MiniArt supplies its smaller kits; it is quite fragile, but does its job. There are eight identical sprues containing two Panzerfaust 30s and 60s respectively, and their boxes. A PE fret contains the parts for the sighting mechanism, and there’s a large decal sheet for the warning signs that were plastered all over these weapons. There’s a black and white instruction sheet for assembly -and boy you are in for a treat if you enjoy working with small PE parts! The painting guide is on the back of the box.

The plastic is good quality: the boxes have a somewhat over-emphasized wood grain texture, and the Panzerfausts are nice and clean. The PE, as usual, is great: thin and easy to work with. While the differences between the two versions of the Panzerfaust are not readily apparent, MiniArt’s model does feature them; the sighting mechanisms are very well done for both. The problem is that they are made up by tiny PE parts, which make the construction quite problematic for an average modeller like me. On the other hand the decal sheet is a definite boon over any of the resin Panzerfaust sets I’ve purchased before; they do add to the realism of the model. I took some close ups of the decals with a macro lens; the text is actually legible for the most parts.

SUMMARY
Highs: A lot of Panzerfausts, great decals, good detail.
Lows: Very tiny PE parts.
Verdict: Recommended if you need an industrial quantity of Panzerfausts (for one diorama or multiple ones). The decals are a definite plus, but the finicky PE might be discouraging for some.
Percentage Rating
81%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35253
  PUBLISHED: Dec 30, 2017
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 85.17%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.88%

About Andras (spongya)
FROM: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

I am a biologist by trade, and as a hobby I've been building scale models for the last twenty years. Recently I started to write reviews of the models I bought. These reviews are written from the point of view of an average model builder; hence the focus is on quality of the model, how easy it is to...

Copyright ©2021 text by Andras [ SPONGYA ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

sweet write up -- i was looking at these recently . even though the etch looks tricky , the decals will be a real plus ♡♡♡
DEC 30, 2017 - 04:21 AM
Was thinking the same thing, though I love what Miniart is doing here!
DEC 30, 2017 - 05:03 AM
really like the stuff they are coming out with. Hope they will do an RPG set.
DEC 30, 2017 - 08:10 PM
Odd, I thought that they had already...might be wrong.
DEC 31, 2017 - 07:59 AM
Good review which answered a lot of questions for me. I intend buying a couple of boxes of these. As a dio builder I find that I have to be quite frugal with using Panzerschrecks as usually you only get one to a box of figures so not many in the spares box. Now I can have boxes of them which in turn means I can have troops being issued them prior to combat making admin type dios more intersting. Lets hope they carry on releasing ammo type stores for dioramas.
JAN 08, 2018 - 05:02 AM
Anyone know a source for these beauties ? J
JAN 09, 2018 - 05:21 AM
Available at Scale Hobbyist
JAN 09, 2018 - 05:47 AM
These really are fantastic. I bought a box of them to see what they were like and they're really spot on. Really nice detail, full decals for each panzerfaust and decals for the boxes too. The boxes are really well done with the internal supports and once the etched parts are on they look the business in the box. The PE is difficult to work with being so small but it does make them stand out. I've only done one boxfull but have decided to put all of them in boxes so bought another set to use with figures and loose in vehicles they're that good. I ordered the Panzerschreck set this weekend so am eagerly awaiting that now. I notice looking at this years catalogue they're doing a mines and grenades set (which is well overdue in plastic) and a couple of nice sets of late war German infantry in relaxed poses. Miniart are becoming my go to company these days when I need stuff for dios or figures. Dragon are rapidly becoming yesterdays man where figure related stuff is concerned before you even look at cost.
MAR 13, 2018 - 10:27 PM
   
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