Wednesday, January 3

Preview: Masterbox's new snipers & space wranglers for January 2024.

Three swashbucklers from the future & two warriors from Ukraine are the latest figures from model makers Masterbox. We look at the two sets and the stories behind them in our preview...

Preview: Masterbox's new snipers & space wranglers for January 2024.

 “At the Edge of the Universe. Strange Company’s Adventures. Episode IV. “We beat them!”
From Masterbox
Kit No #24081
1/24th Scale
Three figure set
Kit 24081 continues the series of kits dedicated to the space fantasy topic in 1/24 scale and represents remix of old successful kits: 24070, 24071 and 24072. The creation of the Strange Company's Adventures series of figures was based on a plot telling how several different people, from space vagabonds and swindlers to servicemen of the space fleet, became accidental carriers of a dangerous secret and were forced to unite in the face of a common threat represented by the powerful Galactic Security Service to survive.

Ianis, or Sly Ianis got his nickname for a reason. His ability to get out from the most hopeless situations had become a legend a long time ago. Ianis and his two daring assistants, Valerie and Natie had a rather adventurous life, taking part in fights of robots till destiny brought them together with Helen Parsons (kit 24056). It made them outlaws and now they are hunted by the most powerful enemy in the whole Universe – the Galactic Security Service. Ianis owned a small company that made robots for semi-legal gladiatorial fights. The Galactic Government was suspicious of such companies, seeing them as a threat to the National Security, because while trying to snatch victory, such companies attracted the most talented engineers and, from time to time, made real technological breakthroughs.
Valerie is a talented engineer that can reprogram easily any technique available to her. She hides her talent skillfully behind the appearance of a carefree and very beautiful girl that has repeatedly benefited team. She is a member of a small company created by Ianis, a talented adventurer and that makes robots for semi-legal gladiatorial fights.

Natie is a talented mechanical engineer that can build an efficient mechanism from any debris. She hides her talent skillfully behind the appearance of a sexy, but a little rude girl that more than once misled dangerous competitors and often benefited the team. She is a member of a small company created by Ianis, a talented adventurer and that makes robots for semi-legal gladiatorial fights.
The Government encouraged fights of battles robots, realizing that such fights solve considerably the problem of Extra People*, but monitored their participants carefully, trying to prevent the leakage of technologies up in the wrong hands. However, illegal trade in technologies was the major part of Ianis’s income. Ianis & Co managed to fool Government agents for a long time, but the resistance to the arrest made them outlaws, and a chance encounter with Helen Parsons made them Strange Company’s part.
If desired, the modeller can make a vignette using this kit or larger diorama using figures from other kits of this series.


 “Russian-Ukrainian War series, kit № 9. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces. Sniper Group”
From Masterbox
Kit No #35235
1/35th Scale
Two figure set in grey plastic
Kit #35235 continues the series of kits dedicated to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The kit contains a frame with parts for assembling two fighters of the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Army (SSO) - a sniper and his partner. 
The fighters of the SSO are distinguished by a very high level of training and professionalism and meet fully the highest standards required in the leading armies of the world for military personnel of similar specialization, and even exceed them on some parameters. 
Despite the fact that the work of such units is usually closed to the media, some episodes of the work of the Ukrainian Special Forces still reach the general public and cause great respect and admiration.

For more info - check out Masterbox's website.