Monday 18 January 2016

Coastal Kits Display Bases

1:32 German Frigate Helicopter Pad

 

Gary from Coastal Kits was kind enough to send me the 1:32 sized version from his German Frigate Helipad Base for review. On arrival the base was as described. Constructed from durable, hard wearing 3mm Foamex board, which is a rigid, weatherproof plastic. The design is printed with the latest odourless latex ink onto laminated matt vinyl that gives a near photographic quality base. This all makes for a rigid but light display base.



The obvious candidate to be displayed on this base was my 1:32 Revell Lynx Mk.88 in Marineflieger colours.



The Range 

Coastal Kits range are ideal whether you are an experienced modeller looking to display your favourite model kit, or are looking to enter the world of diorama building, Coastal Kits display base range is an ideal way of bringing your model kits to life. The most popular designs are available in all scales from 1:144 to 1:32, with some bases avail able in the less popular but specialist scales of 1:43, 1:35, 1:24, 1:20 and 1:16

As you will guess from the above scales there are bases for Armour, Vehicles and even some for maritime modellers.
   

The Company

Founded in 2011, Coastal Kits is a family run business based in Blackpool, Lancashire UK and originally retailed plastic model kits and associated hobby supplies.
 
During the latter end of 2012/early 2013 they introduced to market their own range of display bases, encouraged by a successful launch at Scale Model World Telford where they were well received. Because of the success and popularity of the product they decided to concentrate solely on the manufacture and supply of display bases.
 
Continually developed, and after listening closely to their customers, the range covers a variety of popular scales and subjects with a choice of over 220.  Custom bases are also provided to customer requirements when requested.

 

Conclusions

If you're looking for an easy and inexpensive way to improve the display of your models Then a Coastal Kits Base is for you.

Many thanks to Gary from Coastal Kits for sending this review sample.

Coastal Kits can be contacted HERE and their Facebook page is HERE

Tuesday 12 January 2016

Review - MIG AMMO Panel Line Washes - Early RAF Fighters and Bombers

MIG AMMO Panel Line Washes

Early RAF Fighters and Bombers

I have heard good reports about mig AMMO Panel Line Washes (PLW), so I decided to give them a try. Having never used enamel based washes before I did a little research, referencing mig AMMO's YouTube channel, the mig AMMO Weathering (Planes) magazine and got some excellent advice from my good friends Lloyd King and Dave Oliver.


As a test I chose the RAF Fighters and Bombers pack as I was in the middle of my 1:32 Revell Spitfire Mk.II build and thought this would be a good opportunity to give them a try.


The set consists of three washes. Storm Grey, Neutral Brown and Stone Grey. The bottles are about the same diameter as Tamiya/Gunze bottles so fit nicely into at rack designed for 36mm bottles.

I won't got into the technique for using them here but I found that they needed to be left to dry, once applied to the model, overnight before removing the excess. 

Once removed the overall finish is subtle as can be seen on my Spitfire.

 

 

Conclusion:

As long as you use the recognised method of application and removal of excess wash then you shouldn't go wrong and finish up with a lovely subtle panel finish on you model. I highly recommend these washes. I've already added another two sets to my wash collection.