Masterbox (Ukaine) - News

[Martin Antonenko]

News from Ukraine ...:

Title: Outlow. Gunslinger series. Kit No. 3. Pedro Melgoza - Bounty Hunter
Scale: 1:35
Injection molded plastic (horse included!)
Number: 35205









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Title: Outlow. Gunslinger series. Kit No. 2. Gentleman Jim Jameson - Hired Gun
Scale: 1:35
Injection molding plastic
Number: 35204









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Title: Outlow. Gunslinger series. Kit No. 1. Marshal Tom Tucker, Molly and Rebecca Hanson
Scale: 1:35
Injection molding plastic
Number: 35203







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Title: Dangerous Curves Series. Françoise
Scale: 1:24
Plastic injection molding
Number: 24067










**continued next post**

 

[Martin Antonenko]

And soon from "Masterbox"...:

Title: Modern War Series, kit No. 1. Our route has been changed!
Scale: 1:24
Plastic injection molding
Number: 24068






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"Danger Close". Special Operations Team, Present Day
Scale: 1:35
Plastic injection molding
Number: 35207









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Title: German assault gun crew
Scale: 1:35
Plastic injection molding
Number: 35205



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Title:?
Scale: 1:35
Plastic injection molding
Number: 35209




Cheers

 

[Warren SMITH]

Thanks for sharing Martin, Love the box art on the MB figures ...

 

[Zim]

Me to Warren.

 

[Jim]

The saddles are incorrect for the time frame. There are no saddle horns, to start with and there are other issues. They'll need modification either with epoxy putty or styrene to be accurate. That being said, I do like the figures and I'll get them, but a little research would've been nice.

 

[Oda]

Thanks for sharing Martin, Love the box art on the MB figures ...

Especially Tom Seleck's face on the bounty hunter.

Oda.

 

[NeilW]

I've a couple of MB sets awaiting construction (and an idea for a diorama).

Always interesting ideas, as above many are presented as vignettes (the WW1 ones are good*).

Scales include: 1/72; 1/32; 1/35; 1/24

Most seem to be fairly well animated sculpts but with the usual plastics softness of details. One set I got has a massively distorted horse that didn't join along the main seam, but MB sorted it out, sending me a full replacement kit FoC.

They excel at taking a basic model and re-using it in various scenarios/versions (eg WW1 tanks, WW2 German motorbike; WW2 pushbike)
http://mbltd.info/vehicles/vehicles-72.html

All in all worth the money and ideal for extra detailing and conversions.

Many sets are available on eBay at good prices.

MB main site:
http://mbltd.info/
http://mbltd.info/catalogue.html

Typical vignettes (other than the WW1 trench, no bases, so right for mini dioramas):
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-i-era/35158.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-i-era/35146.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-i-era/35114.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-ii-era/3525.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-ii-era/3529.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-ii-era/3565.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/world-war-ii-era/3517.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/indian-wars/35189.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/historical-miniatures/3550.html
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-32-scale/3207.html

Plus those rather strange Japanese teeny-dolls!
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-35-scale/fashion/35187.html

And modern(ish) truckers, gangsters and pin ups:
http://mbltd.info/figures/1-24-scale.html

 

[NeilW]

BTW: be careful when comparing MB box art with the actual model.

For example, if you look carefully, some of the details on the Gentleman Jim artwork seem to be different from the actual model (as well as the missing saddle horn), eg: straps/buckles on saddlebag and holster; no reins (or material to make any); ornate belt buckle and bullets; configuration of neckerchief. Likewise, Tom Tucker's saddle clearly shown the missing horn and the frills seem to be missing from the little girl's dress and the woman's hat seems plain rather than straw and she's lost the ribbon from round her neck.

None very important on their own, but such details can often attract you to a particular model.

Typical of MB is that if you compare them, you'll see that the horse sprue is the same for all three western figs with just two neck/head options and different figure(s).

MiniArt make similar models (a massive range of WW2 inc vehicles and lots of Soviets and Germans as well as some ready-made scenic dioramas): https://miniart-models.com/

They also repeat mouldings across many of their kits... eg compare the main sprue for their three XVII musketeers (click on 'view kit'):
https://miniart-models.com/products/16011/
https://miniart-models.com/products/16009/
https://miniart-models.com/products/16010/

Same with their their 1/16 knights, legionnaires, hoplites... it cost-cuts to allow a range at a low sculpting/tooling cost but little actual variety and a sacrifice of authenticity.

All in all, they have their place (especially as a base for conversions), but you're dealing with a very different type of manufacturer and model than we normally see on this site.

 

[fogie]

Very impressive - I think Masterbox have been rather underestimated in the past, which is a shame because their stuff sparkles.
I can see all of these figures making an appearance in many future offerings on these pages. Bravo.......they're tremendous

Mike

 

[Martin Antonenko]

And these ones - even new...:

Scale: 1:35
Number: 35202-01






Cheers

 

[NeilW]

The Indians set sub-heading suggests that they're about to launch a new 'XVIII Series'... could be interesting

 

[fogie]

This last lot might be older versions of my grand-daughters when left to their own devices - a sort of
terrible glimpse into the future............

 

[NeilW]

Despite my comments above (not all negative), I agree with Fogie, both MasterBox and MiniArts have a lot of potential (especially for diorama builders and converters).

After all, take Marshall Tom et and see what you get for £13-16 (and less if you multi-order and get a reduction in postage):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Marshal Tom Tucker, Molly and Rebecca Hanson&_sacat=0

 

[Nap]

Must admit I like the " curvaceous" release

This is a good open box for the MB release Jim Jameson




Nap

 

[Ned Ricks]

Is it just my imagination, or does the face of Pedro Bounty Hunter box art look like that of actor Tom Selleck?

Just sayin'

 

[KenBoyle]

I, of course, love the western period figures and will certainly purchase those. They do need some work and additions from my spares box, but are well worth the effort. Thanks for the heads up Martin!

Cheers,
Ken

 

[fogie]

They do need some work and additions from my spares box, but are well worth the effort.......

Cheers,
Ken

Absolutely right Ken - they're more Airfix than Historex - but as you say, using some of the old improvement techniques (time to dig
up those early Historex catalogues for the 'Hints and Tips') would bring them up to scratch.

Mike

 

[Ong]

I also find it true that the box art doesn't quite match the actual kit contents. Whereas the box art depicts the ladies as younger and slender, the actual 3D rendering of the plastic makes them look older and more stocky.

 

[AJLaFleche]

The saddles are incorrect for the time frame. There are no saddle horns, to start with and there are other issues. They'll need modification either with epoxy putty or styrene to be accurate. That being said, I do like the figures and I'll get them, but a little research would've been nice.

It looks like the saddle horns are present in the sprue images.

 

[NeilW]

It looks like the saddle horns are present in the sprue images.

Looks like you're right: always a problem when the box art and/or renders don't match the real thing.