Introduction

CD 6133 ‘Field Approach #2 (with Cut-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 climbing dirt road over a cut-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. As I mentioned when reviewing CD 6132 ‘Field Approach #1 (with Stone Culvert)‘, 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 72mm wide by 105mm long. The road climbs from 11mm to 22mm. The stone culvert itself measures 9mm wide, 65.5mm long and 27mm high.

The stone walls are indeed very nicely rendered and textured. Initially I thought the smooth parts on the top and faces of the walls were a casting problem. Further scrutiny revealed that this is by design. It is actually designed to look like a slightly crumbling plaster.

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. This can all be removed with nothing more than a sharp hobby blade.

Usability

As with the prior base in this series, ‘Field Approach #1 (with Stone Culvert)‘ , 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 mounted motorcyclist or even a couple of cyclists.

Naturally this base can also be used as part of a diorama.

Conclusion

Custom Dioramic’s ‘Field Approach #2 (with Cut-Stone Culvert)‘ is a very cleanly designed and cast piece and will make a nice base which lends itself well to not only 1/35th scale vignettes, but 1/48th scale and 54mm as well.