Master Box Ltd. (hereafter MBL), a Ukrainian manufacturer of some of the more unique and inno- vative plastic scale model kits in the marketplace with, until recently, a focus on WWII subjects, has the distinct honour of being the first to offer a plastic diorama kit of a non-historical, ‘fantasy’ nature: Zombie Hunter: Road to Freedom. This is the premier release in their proposed Zombieland series set in a post-apocalyptic world.
The kit, executed in 1/35th scale, is comprised of 5 figures sculpted/designed? by A. Gagarin: the Zombie Hunter (huntress, more accurately) and four of the prey (or vice versa?). MBL is very candid about the fact that, curiously, the kit does not provide a critical and integral element of the diorama, namely the motorcycle. By not including the motorcycle, MBL is allowing the modeller to choose for him/herself the motorcycle of his/her choice. A selection of suggested kits from various manufacturers (seven!—including one from MBL) is provided below the kit breakdown on the bottom of the box.
A few thoughts on this at-first-glance glaring omission, if I may. MBL currently has but one motor- cycle in their catalog: a WWII-vintage German BMW R75. This, in fact, is the m/c our belea- guered huntress is depicted riding on the boxart. BUT. . . what is a WWII-era German m/c doing in the Zombie Apocalypse? Granted, even if this were not a fantasy scenario, any number of backstories can be had with little if any effort; but the fact remains—if we allow reality to rear its head for a moment—that this would hardly be a first-choice for any number of reasons.
Another incontrovertible fact is that, afaik, there are but two modern m/c in production in 1/35th scale: Dragon’s Kawasaki KLR250 and Tamiya’s Honda XLR250. The former can be made but passable with A LOT(!) of work, which leaves us with basically one choice if we want to avoid the obvious, albeit explainable, anachronism: Tamiya’s Honda. Having said that, if you know your way around a m/c, enjoy modelling in this scale, and despise whiny off-roaders, any of the cur- rently available H-D WLA’s (MiniArt, Tamiya, Italeri) would make a nice base for a tricked-out, post-war conversion.
Enough of what isn’t in the kit! The figures, especially that of the Huntress, are quite nice: cleanly molded with sharp detail/s. Those who are familiar with the genre will immediately identify her with Milla Jovovich’s Alice, from the Resident Evil franchise—specifically, as she appeared in the third installment, Extinction. In fact, one could build a vignette from a scene in that movie—IF there were a 1/35th scale BMW K1200R in the marketplace!
The zombies aren’t bad, but they aren’t great either—nature of the beast, actually. It will be up to the painter to sell what they are. Curiously, there is another nod to the RE franchise, this time the fourth installment, Afterlife: the split and extendable maxillae and mandibles (part #7) of the zombie repairman/mechanic. This little extra, thankfully provided as a separate piece and essen- tially optional, is not shown on the boxart (Valery Petelin, 2014): it appears to have been included as an afterthought.
The kit, executed in 1/35th scale, is comprised of 5 figures sculpted/designed? by A. Gagarin: the Zombie Hunter (huntress, more accurately) and four of the prey (or vice versa?). MBL is very candid about the fact that, curiously, the kit does not provide a critical and integral element of the diorama, namely the motorcycle. By not including the motorcycle, MBL is allowing the modeller to choose for him/herself the motorcycle of his/her choice. A selection of suggested kits from various manufacturers (seven!—including one from MBL) is provided below the kit breakdown on the bottom of the box.
A few thoughts on this at-first-glance glaring omission, if I may. MBL currently has but one motor- cycle in their catalog: a WWII-vintage German BMW R75. This, in fact, is the m/c our belea- guered huntress is depicted riding on the boxart. BUT. . . what is a WWII-era German m/c doing in the Zombie Apocalypse? Granted, even if this were not a fantasy scenario, any number of backstories can be had with little if any effort; but the fact remains—if we allow reality to rear its head for a moment—that this would hardly be a first-choice for any number of reasons.
Another incontrovertible fact is that, afaik, there are but two modern m/c in production in 1/35th scale: Dragon’s Kawasaki KLR250 and Tamiya’s Honda XLR250. The former can be made but passable with A LOT(!) of work, which leaves us with basically one choice if we want to avoid the obvious, albeit explainable, anachronism: Tamiya’s Honda. Having said that, if you know your way around a m/c, enjoy modelling in this scale, and despise whiny off-roaders, any of the cur- rently available H-D WLA’s (MiniArt, Tamiya, Italeri) would make a nice base for a tricked-out, post-war conversion.
Enough of what isn’t in the kit! The figures, especially that of the Huntress, are quite nice: cleanly molded with sharp detail/s. Those who are familiar with the genre will immediately identify her with Milla Jovovich’s Alice, from the Resident Evil franchise—specifically, as she appeared in the third installment, Extinction. In fact, one could build a vignette from a scene in that movie—IF there were a 1/35th scale BMW K1200R in the marketplace!
The zombies aren’t bad, but they aren’t great either—nature of the beast, actually. It will be up to the painter to sell what they are. Curiously, there is another nod to the RE franchise, this time the fourth installment, Afterlife: the split and extendable maxillae and mandibles (part #7) of the zombie repairman/mechanic. This little extra, thankfully provided as a separate piece and essen- tially optional, is not shown on the boxart (Valery Petelin, 2014): it appears to have been included as an afterthought.
Though 1/35th is an annoyingly small scale (that’s the disgruntled lament of age, folks!), some of the best Modern resin accessories (and full kits!) on the market today are being made in this scale thanks to the efforts of Live Resin. If there is such a thing as perfection in our corner of the world, this is it! Which brings us to my supply inventory for this project to date:
MANUFACTURER
|
Stock #
|
Item Description
|
Master Box Ltd.
|
35175
|
Zombie Hunter: Road to Freedom (Zombieland series)
|
Tamiya
|
35245
|
JGSDF Motorcycle Reconnaissance Set
|
Lion Roar
|
LE35081
|
XLR250 PE Detail Set
|
Tamiya
|
35266
|
Modern US Military Equipment Set
|
Live Resin
|
LR35031
|
M9 Pistols
|
LR35036
|
Empty BlackHawk CQC SERPA Pistol Holster
| |
LR35104
|
ESS Crossbow goggles/Ballistic Eyeshields
| |
LR35155
|
US Army Scepter Fuel Canisters
|
And that about wraps it up. If the subject matter appeals to you, then by all means get this kit: you will not be disappointed! I, for one, am very much looking forward to the next release—if only to get a better idea of where MBL is heading with their laudable initiative.
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
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