The Kit

The kit is a single vacuform base packed in a transparent bag (picture 1). Difficult to do something simpler!

The thermoformed plastic sheet represents a Field Splitter Box, in other words a protection for aircraft against bomb's blasts. It is composed of one wooden planking area, a surrounding "wall" made of wooden logs and some earth (picture 2). The layout is pretty basic but represents a common design that could have been used in Northern Europe. It is suitable mainly for Luftwaffe planes but I think it could accomodate a Soviet or Finnish aircraft as well, without it being to anachronistic.

I don't have many vacuform kits in my stash as I don't like them very much, so I must admit that I didn't expected much from this reference. But I must say the base is not bad at all. The overall quality is good an the small steps in the corner of the box are a nice idea (picture 3). Of course, detail can't be as precise as on a resin base, but with a good paintjob and some weathering (drybrushing and wash) I believe the wooden planking will look realistic enough (picture 4). The side "walls" are also pretty nice and the structure of the wood is convincing, even if I think it's a little bit too pronounced (picture 5). However, with several coats of paint it will look probably better.
The surrounding area can be painted so to represent earth, but you can also add some grass here and there. It is also possible to do a winter dio with artificial snow or place a netting over the aircraft.

I placed a 1/48 scale Bf 109 in the small diorama so you can see that anything bigger than a single engined fighter won't find it's place in the Splitter Box. There is still enough place for some figures, one or two fuel drums and maybe a starter unit but certainly not a vehicle.

Conclusion

Remi's vacuform base is a nice reference. Out of the box, it will allow you to build a simple diorama without too much efforts. Of course, the layout is pretty basic and won't give you the possibility to do something really original. But it's the perfect product to start with, if you want to make a small diorama and you don't want to bother working with plaster and balsa wood. The price is very attractive too.

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