Review

MiniArt has released a  new big set in their series of kits. This release consists of a Stug III Ausf G, a Soviet tram X- series, 13 figures, metal telegraph poles, road signs, and a diorama base. This release is provided in a substantially deep cardboard tray, with a separate card lid. This release is packaged in 2 plastic bags, this includes the photo etch and decals, which obviously creates a risk of damage. An examination of the contents reveals no serious moulding issues, although there is some flash starting to appear around the figure sprues and obviously seam lines will need to be addressed as well. The gates in this release are reasonable in size, but there are an excessive number of them in some cases. My biggest concern with this, is that the finer moulded parts will be at a high risk of breakage during removal from the sprues, and obviously due to the way the MiniArt approaches production there are an exceptionally large number of sprues. 

The base for this release is an injection moulded offering, and my only complaint is that the tracks for the tram run left to right - where I would have preferred to see them set at an angle. The poles that carry the electrical cables for the tram are ornate cast iron affairs which adds a nice visual appeal. 

The tram in this release is approached in basically 2 reflected halves, which is an approach that I appreciate. Having seen this model previously, I know that you are in for a treat. The electrically powered bogie is a particularly nicely detailed aspect of the model despite not being easily seen depending on how you wish to display the model when finished. Every detail of the drive appears to be faithfully replicated from the braking system and how it applies to the wheels, to the electrical drives themselves and the framework that brings it all together. Equally very pleasingly detailed is the underside of the floor of the tram itself, meaning that if you wish to show the tram knocked off its track, and so perhaps on its side or at an angle the detail that is present will please greatly. 

Moving to the main body of the tram, the driver’s instruments and some of the panels are constructed as sub-assemblies making your life easier as you bring it all together. Even the wooden slatted seats/benches are assembled in their own right before addition to the whole. Painting of the interior could be tackled after it is assembled, and prior to the roof being added. There is no aspect of this tram that has not been considered and very nicely detailed. As I said the roof is applied at the end of assembly, with only the electrical pick up needing to be added before complete.

The Stug offered in this release is one on MiniArt’s new Stugs, and so a lot of detail is present. These Stug’s when originally offered had a mix of interior and no interior kits. This is a non interior offering, but there is still a great deal of interior detail present. This extends from the torsion bars on the floor, through to the firewall between what would be the engine bay and fighting compartment. The panels that make up the bodywork are provided in a flat pack design, meaning that you have very nice detail that is crisp and correct even though it make assembly a tougher prospect. The firewall I mentioned earlier is a great help in aiding the accurate positioning of these panels and also their orientation. All hatches present are separate and so could be assembled open or closed depending on how you wish to display it, but obviously due to no interior beyond the moulded detail means that whatever hatches you have open you need to give serious consideration as to what you are putting in those hatches. One area where you do get a decent amount of interior detail is the gun mount, which with the large hatches that are present in the roof does mean that you have some detail that you can see, so a combination of a figure in the hatches should make for a realistic look. The periscopes present on the model are provided in clear plastic.

The photo etched parts for this release, are fortunately not excessive in number but there are some very small details which could be easily lost or damaged if you do not take care, and if uncomfortable with the use of photo etch you are likely to find this aspect of the release problematic. All of the wheels and the drive are again very nicely detailed, but the tracks are individual links that are not workable and with 94 links required for each side - I can hear a number of modeller complaining already. A particularly pleasing aspect are the track guards which have very  nice detail both on the upper and under side and finally the tools are cleanly moulded, with photo etched clasp detail. 

The signposts that are provided, add a nice detail to the offering and give it a very natural look.

The figures that are provided in the release are the 2 sets of Panzer grenadiers and so are 8 in number. The figures are pleasing in their detail throughout, they are wearing the ankle boots with the putties that are buckled on and this does put them as late war. There is a very pleasing mix of firearms provided, but you will need to make up your own slings from scratch. The personal equipment is also a very nice mix, which provides you with some excellent choices when it comes to what you wish to add. Moving on to the crew for the Stug and MiniArt has provided the German SPG crew riders, which I question to the accuracy or suitability as a Stug crew. With that said, you do get some nice stances covering the crew in the main hatches - including a suitable driver. One of the 5 figures is in a relaxed seated position and I am not exactly sure how suitable this stance is for the box to diorama provided.

Conclusion

The tram and the Stug in this release are hard to fault, in particular the tram that has exceptional detail throughout. The diorama base itself is another very nicely detailed part of the offering, but as I said I would have preferred the tracks to be angled on the base, rather than parallel to the front and the rear of the base. This also restricts your display of the Stug due to the amount of space left to the side of the tram. The figure sets released in this kit are excellent with regards to the tank riders, but I cannot but help but question the suitability of the Stug crew in themselves, but even with that said, it is a nice figure set should you use them or something else.