Introduction

CD 6132 ‘Field Approach #1 (with Stone Culvert)‘ is a 1/35th scale resin vignette base marketed under the Custom Dioramics brand of The VLS Corporation. The patterns were designed by Ben Jakobsen with the box-art done by Bob Letterman.

The base represents a dirt road over a low stone culvert which perhaps spans a gully surrounding a field.

The Kit

The base, moulded in a cream coloured resin, consists of only the single cast vignette base. The base is packaged in a small, clear acetate blister pack. A label displaying the painted base is situated to the front of the packaging.

The base is generally not badly sculpted. I must admit given the reference to “patterns” on the box-art I must wonder if this piece was sculpted in the traditional sense of the hobby or if Ben used computer aided sculpting technology to prepare the design as some other terrain and scenery manufacturers have begun doing.

The base measures 71mm wide, 101mm long, rising from 11mm to 18mm at is highest point.

The stone walls are indeed very nicely rendered and textured. Initially I thought the flat stones on the top of the walls were a casting problem. Further scrutiny revealed that this is by design.

The dirt track is also finely textured (it actually feels like very fine grit sandpaper) with the tracks realistically worn smoother than the rest of the road.

The casting quality is generally excellent. There was only a small amount of flash along the foot of the base and a small ball under each arch brought about by an air pocket during casting. This can all be removed with nothing more than a sharp hobby blade.

Usability

Modellers should not confine themselves to the thought that this base can only be used as a 1/35 scale vignette base; both 1/48 and 54mm figures do not look out of scale placed on this base. While the base may be too small for most vehicles, it would make a handsome base for a motorcycle or even a couple of bicycles. Furthermore, the subject of this base is fairly timeless (just make sure you cover any trace of tyre tracks) and universal, as these low stone bridges and dirt tracks have been found the world-over for centuries.

Naturally it could also be used as part of a diorama.

Conclusion

Custom Dioramic’s ‘Field Approach #1 (with Stone Culvert)‘ is a very cleanly designed and cast piece and will make a nice base, regardless of period of the models placed upon it.