M-MODEL [ MORE REVIEWS ] [ WEBSITE ] [ NEW STORIES ]

In-Box Review
135
Night Rider
WWI Series Night Rider
  • move

by: Charles Reading [ CREADING ]

introduction

I purchased this resin kit depicting a figure of a WWI German sapper kit at a show. It shows him cutting his way through barbed wire. I really liked the look of the box art and have an affinity for anything “Great War.” When I got home, I opened the box for inspection. Much to my dismay the kit was missing the right arm! Since I’d purchased it at a show, I assumed I would never know if the part was lost, stolen or simply not included in the original packaging by the manufacturer. I went to M-Model’s website and found the contact information, fully expecting that since the kit was a “show” purchase that I would be out of luck. I sent an email anyway explaining the situation, and received a reply within hours asking for my mailing address. Within 8 days I had my replacement piece in hand. Kudos to M-Models .
the kit

The kit comes in a sturdy cardboard box enveloped in a sleeve with the box art and company information printed on it. Inside the box and wrapped in bubble wrap are two bags. The first has the base piece with the figure’s body molded onto it; the second bag consists of a mold block with two hands, a block with the right arm and a block with the wire cutters. Separate within the box are two 1” “poles” and two 4.5” pieces of photo-etch barbed wire.

The pieces are cast in a light grey resin (with the exception of the replacement arm which came in a cream color). There are no discernible bubbles and no casting lines or flash. The only clean-up appears to be where the pieces are removed from the blocks, and the only really visible part is the right arm, where the block is attached at the elbow. The other parts attach at points that will be hidden when assembled.
painting

Because the piece is cast with only several pieces it seems that M-Model felt that the purchaser could determine where each part went without the necessity of a printed instruction sheet. M-Models is also depending on the purchaser to either have painting references or work directly from the box art.

conclusion

I would prefer a separate head, to be painted and put on to the body after. Because the body and base are cast together it would take some effort to ’blend’ this into a multiple figure vignette or diorama. But in essence, this figure is a painter’s dream: very little (and simple) assembly and clean-up, resulting in a highly-detailed and imaginative piece. Highly recommended to someone who, 1.) is interested in WWI; and 2.) would like to paint something with little time spent on assembly.
SUMMARY
Highs: Well-sculpted and molded piece with little effort to clean up or build. As stated, a painters dream.
Lows: I would prefer a separate head, to be painted and put on to the body after. Because the body and base are cast together it would take some effort to ’blend’ this into a multiple figure vignette or diorama.
Verdict: All in all this is a great little figure/base that will go together in no time. Highly recommended to someone who, 1) is interested in WWI and 2) would like to paint something with little time spent on assembly.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35123
  Suggested Retail: $12.00
  Related Link: website
  PUBLISHED: Sep 15, 2009
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.80%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 83.40%

About Charles Reading (CReading)
FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

I live in the mountains north of Santa Cruz California. I have been building now since the early 1990's when I rediscovered modeling. Most of my kits are built with dioramas in mind. I took a "creative block" hiatis for a couple years - 2011 to 2013. I wasn't active in the modeling world. During tha...

Copyright ©2021 text by Charles Reading [ CREADING ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

A nice review, but would it not be better titled Night Raider.
SEP 15, 2009 - 07:07 PM
that's too bad, I was hoping for a 1:35 KITT and David Hasselhoff
SEP 15, 2009 - 07:37 PM
Thanks for this review Charles. Great photos for details. You're right, I would have like too the head in separate part. What I don't like also is the base and the figure together. Even if I would have to use a bit of putty, I always prefere to choose the base. Indeed, it seems a bit hard to insert this base in a larger diorama. Cheers. Alex.
SEP 15, 2009 - 07:58 PM
No question that the language barrier affected the kit's title. I believe M-Models intended it to be 'Night Raider' At least the face could have looked like David Hasselhoff, right ? LOL I agree with all you've said Alex, the kit doesn't lend itself to be used easily in any arena other than a stand alone figure. But it is a nice little vignette in itself. Considering the subject matter, flawless casting, nice detail, I can still highly recommend this kit in spite of the aforementioned drawbacks. C.
SEP 16, 2009 - 03:34 AM
Thanks for the review Charles, i fully agree with you. Are you going to make a blog from this? I already have this kit for a while in my stash. I really should start with it, because it is such a nice kit. Jelger
SEP 16, 2009 - 04:05 AM
Only regret that the figure is with the base
FEB 17, 2010 - 02:29 PM
I thought it did look like Mr Hasselhoff Jacob (Sorry, couldn't help myself)
FEB 18, 2010 - 03:49 AM
   
ADVERTISEMENT


Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
  • move
ADVERTISEMENT