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In-Box Review
135
Middle Eastern Tank Crew
Middle Eastern Tank Crew 1960’s – 70’s
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

With all of the post war armour produced of late there has been little in the way of choice when it came to adding figures to your build. MiniArt has decided to tackle this deficiency with the release of a tank crew of four figures that are not assigned to a specific country. So let’s take a look inside to see what is on offer here.

Review

This offering from MiniArt is provided in the usual end opening carton favoured for their figure releases. I would like to see MiniArt move towards tray and lid design as I feel that is a more robust packaging method. Inside there is a single plastic bag containing the sprue with the figures.

The stances are an unusual mix in my opinion, first the normal. We have the only figure wearing peaked cap and who I believe is the commander figure in this collection in a relaxed standing position and could be placed next to or stood on a vehicle. This figure is wearing a hooded pull on top like the old 1980’s water proof jackets. There are either light weight trousers or coveralls and these are tucked in high leg combat boots.

The other three are wearing light weight shirts with breast pockets and light weight trousers tucked into mid calf combat boots. Each of these three figures is wearing Soviet style ribbed cloth tank helmets with built in ear pieces. All three of these figures are in stances that put the figures on or off the vehicle. You get a figure sat on the edge of a hatch with hands gripping the lid. Another is sat again and possibly in an open hatch holding an unseen either a fixed weapon or hatch cover. The third figure covered here is the odd one who is crouched with arms out stretched; I cannot think what this is supposed to represent.

The clothing has some very nice crease detail present that the figure painters can make the most of. The detail present on the clothing is well done and while it does not specify any particular armed force it has a wide number of applications. The Soviet style tankers helmet is appropriate for a number of Arabic forces also. I am pleased to see MiniArt supply part of the wiring for the helmets as separate parts down to the plug. The helmets themselves have been provided with a centre portion and separate sides which should make adding them easier.

Looking at the faces there is a pleasing level of detail provided, but I expected to see some facial hair which is more common in Arabic countries. The hand detail is also acceptable which with careful painting will show well. My only disappointment with this offering is the surprisingly heavy seams verging on flash in some places, an aspect that is concerning to see on a new product and hopefully is a one off.

Conclusion

It is good to see Arabic Forces depicted in injection moulded plastic due to a mix of releases covering Arabic military forces and the conflicts going on in the world today and over the last 30 years; I understand that this set has been set in the 60’s and 70’s but similar clothing is still seen today with the biggest change seen being the introduction of body armour. I like what this set offers even with the questionable stance one is depicted in and the flash that is present in some areas.
SUMMARY
Darren Baker takes a look at a recent figure release from MiniArt in 1/35th scale and depicting a Middle Eastern tank crew of the 1960’s – 70’s.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 37061
  PUBLISHED: Oct 17, 2019
  NATIONALITY: Egypt / لعربية
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.88%

Our Thanks to MiniArt!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Thank you for the input Chris as I had to go with the only like piece of clothing I could find. I knew it would not be a water proof but that is what is matched and I could not find anything else.
OCT 18, 2019 - 07:18 AM
Arabic/Middle Eastern people are not Asian, they are Caucasian same as Europeans although they do not speak an Indo-European language. Jews and Arabs speak a semetic language. However, Iranians speak Farsi which is an Indo-European language.
OCT 18, 2019 - 01:15 PM
In many cultures around the world it is considered rude or insulting to show someone the bottom of your feet/shoes. This also affects how people sit in these cultures, e.g. no crossed legs. Perhaps that is what is depicted here. John
OCT 18, 2019 - 02:50 PM
Looks like he’s about to take a dump actually, his ass needs to be lower to the ground to be squatting in the traditional squat position as per the images supplied. If anything the position this figure is in is awkward to me......wasted, if not some converting required to make him useful.
OCT 18, 2019 - 05:43 PM
Arabic/Middle Eastern people are not Asian, they are Caucasian same as Europeans although they do not speak an Indo-European language. Jews and Arabs speak a semitic language. However, Iranians speak Farsi which is an Indo-European language. [/quote] Asian is not a race, it is a geographical origin, and can refer to anyone from that continent. Americans nearly always use the term to refer to East Asians, but in the UK, the term is almost always used in reference to people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, though they sometimes toss in Afghans, Arabs and Iranians, as well.
OCT 18, 2019 - 08:09 PM
Arabic/Middle Eastern people are not Asian, they are Caucasian same as Europeans although they do not speak an Indo-European language. Jews and Arabs speak a semitic language. However, Iranians speak Farsi which is an Indo-European language. [/quote] Asian is not a race, it is a geographical origin, and can refer to anyone from that continent. Americans nearly always use the term to refer to East Asians, but in the UK, the term is almost always used in reference to people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, though they sometimes toss in Afghans, Arabs and Iranians, as well.[/quote] I was using the term "Asian" in the way Gerald refers to; people who occupy the continent of Asia, which includes the Middle East.
OCT 19, 2019 - 06:51 AM
Fair enough.
OCT 19, 2019 - 08:40 AM
Once again the Miniart join seams are a little heavy. I read somewhere about using a Dremel bit to remove them easily. Does anyone have experience with this?
OCT 22, 2019 - 01:38 PM
I have switched to a glass fibre pen and soapy water for sanding seam lines of late.
OCT 22, 2019 - 07:35 PM
   
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