Big Pioneer Air Rafts WWII

HR Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Summary

FirstLook

Usually, when Brett hands me something to review and I know nothing about it, I will Google it for information. In this case, I found out absolutely nothing - a bit about HR Models and that’s it. However, these do appear to be the style of Pioneer rafts used by the Wehrmacht for river assaults

This is only a small set with two 1/72 scale resin raft bodies, two resin floors and two PE frets containing four oars each. The resin casting is not the best I've ever seen with a seam running around both the outside and inside which will be hard to remove completely as all the ropes are moulded in situ. However, with some clean-up and paint, they will probably be okay.

The floors are just oval shaped resin with planking cast into the top surface and nothing on the underside. They fit into grooves in the underside of the raft body but unfortunately are a bit undersized and therefore a loose fit. Again, okay if the raft isn't turned over. I wouldn't bother to use the photo-etched paddles, but that’s just me, anti PE. I'd get much more satisfaction from scratch building them from card and plastic rod. For those who thrive on it, go for it.

This is not a big set but in the right setting and with the right figures could be part of an attractive and interesting diorama.

Recommended.