The Ship Model Forum

... and last but not least:

[size=150][b]ION Model US Navy - Chilling on deck[/b][/size]
ION�s packaging is really superb and splitting the set to four sprues makes it really easy to handle.
[attachment=9]20250609_EOS_0830_cr.jpg[/attachment]
On top of it ION provides a handy pose guide ([url=https://ionmodel.com/pose-guides-for-ion-model-sets/]available on their website[/url] for all products) - very much apreciated as each figure has a different pose in this set!
[attachment=8]ION USN pose guide.jpg[/attachment][attachment=7]20250526_EOS_0819_cr.jpg[/attachment]
Here are some photos and details of the set (from various parts):
[attachment=6]20250526_EOS_0820_cr.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250526_EOS_0826_cr2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]20250526_EOS_0825_cr2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=2]20250526_EOS_0822_cr2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=3]20250526_EOS_0821_cr2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=4]20250526_EOS_0820_cr2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=5]20250526_EOS_0819_cr2.jpg[/attachment]
My only problem here is the way they chose to attach the figures to the sprue (by their heads). This means each of those joints has to be sanded, especially if the modeller intends to macrophotography the build.

ION Model also has a Royal Navy � Chilling on deck set. I decided for the USN version this time as I knew I�d only use a fraction of them for Australia, but I�ve got several more USN ships planned. Again, the differerence in 1/700 is negligible, there are even no helmets here.

[size=150][b]Conclusions[/b][/size]

Once you decide you want to show a busy warship (although in the Second Degree of Readiness at midnight like in my case :D ) neither of the sets detailed here can fully serve you, you need to combine more of them. If SSMODEL (MRY-SWF) is avoided at all, you can make no mistake by using any of the remaining described sets - or others by the same manufacturers. My personal preference is Shelf Oddity for its superior quality, it�s just a bit pricier. But you get what you pay for :heh:

[size=150][b]Triumph Model 1/700 WWII Royal Navy Officer & Sailor Set[/b][/size]
[attachment=5]20250609_EOS_0833_cr.jpg[/attachment][attachment=4]20250609_EOS_0834_cr.jpg[/attachment]
The same set after removing the protective sides and with enhanced contract to show more detail
[attachment=3]20250609_EOS_0836_cr.jpg[/attachment][attachment=2]20250609_EOS_0836_cr2.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]20250609_EOS_0840_cr.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250609_EOS_0840_cr2.jpg[/attachment]
Triumph Models also has another RN set [url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/126286058699]P70002 1/700 WWII Royal Navy Gunner Set[/url] that I haven�t got as my need for gunners has aready been satisfied by Shelf Oddity�s Bofors Crew (I know the helmets should look different for RN/RAN but it�s hard to notice the difference in 1/700).

[size=150][b]Shelf Odity - USN Bofors Crew[/b][/size]
[attachment=2]20250306_EOS_0737.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]20250306_EOS_0738.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250306_EOS_0737_cr.jpg[/attachment]
I think especially the zoomed-in photos speak for themselves about the detail provided by these sets.

I�m adding other sets of 1/700 figures I�ve tried for my HMAS Australia build.

I summarized my findings and opinions into this table � you can also access it at this link http://bit.ly/40nfsLG on Google drive, so that all included links are clickable.
[attachment=6]20250717 Comparison table.jpg[/attachment]
This photo of Triumph, Shelf Oddity and ION packaging side by side shows the difference in size - still all of them serve their purpose very well!
[attachment=7]20250717_EOS_0908_cr.jpg[/attachment]
[size=150][b]Shelf Odity - USN Officers[/b][/size]
[attachment=5]20250717_EOS_0910_cr.jpg[/attachment][attachment=4]20250717_EOS_0912_cr.jpg[/attachment][attachment=3]20250717_EOS_0912_cr2.jpg[/attachment]
[size=150][b]Shelf Odity - USN Sailors[/b][/size]
[attachment=2]20250306_EOS_0733.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]20250306_EOS_0734.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250306_EOS_0734_cr.jpg[/attachment]

Just for the record: See how the supports are really thick compared to the arms, bodies etc. Most importantly, they quite often "melt" with some part of the figure like in these examples. I attempted for a surgery but I failed - in my opinion this is unrepairable in this scale :(
[attachment=3]20250518 figures 1.jpg[/attachment][attachment=2]20250518 figures 2.jpg[/attachment]
For comparison these are by Shelf Oddity. No visible print layers, tiny supports, fine details etc. Sorry for the low-res of the photos, still I think they show clearly the difference.
[attachment=1]20250518 figures 3.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250518 figures 4.jpg[/attachment]

Avoid these 1/700 SSMODEL figures - they are TOTALLY UNUSABLE! :(
I�ve given them a final try today and I�m sad to confirm my previous conclusions. The outrageously thick supports leading to hands and bodies are joined with sides of the figures and cannot be removed without damaging the figures. The material is so brittle that most attempts end in feeding the carpet monster. All of that is even more complicated by the figures being so close to each other. And providing 100 figures in only 5 poses is just ridiculous. I tried to contact the producer with my suggestions but he replied he did not understand.

[b]Walrus:[/b] this post has been moved to thread [url=http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=403520]1/700 Supermarine Walrus: Yao's Studio vs. Flyhawk[/url]

Great review. Wise conclusions. Thank you Vladi! :cool_1:

Thank you very much for the reviews! :thumbs_up_1:

[b]Conclusions[/b]

For the reasons above I definitely CANNOT recommend the figures (as they are provided by now) to fellow builders in 1/700. The aircraft set is better, still an improvement would be desirable to make it easier to use.

Suggestions to the producer
[list]
[*]the base and cage frames should be modified (deep grooves added) to allow for easier separation of individual parts from others on the same sprue
[*]orientation of figures should be changed to side-by-side instead of chest-to-back, and spacing should be increased so these can be easily painted before removal from supports
[*]more than 5 poses should be provided for the figures!!!
[*]the tips of supports should be made as thin as technologically possible, especially in case of the aircraft set[/list]

This experience only strenghtened my adoration of Micro Master (see e.g. [url=http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=386494#p1064678]here[/url]) and Shelf Oddity who really not only design 3D parts in superb quality, but also print them with the modeller�s ease of use on their minds. Unfortunately, neither of them has any figures with RN/RAN helmets � that would have spared me lots of time and hassle :)

[b]Walrus:[/b] this post has been moved to thread [url=http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=403520]1/700 Supermarine Walrus: Yao's Studio vs. Flyhawk[/url]

[b]Sailors (SSCR014)[/b]

[attachment=7]20250224_Sailors_0670.jpg[/attachment]
The protective cage is absolutely ridiculous to remove in this case as there are columns not only around the figures, but also between rows of them! So the base platform (1.1mm thick!) has to be cut using a Proxxon/Dremel saw which not only takes time, it is dangerous to the figures, but also a lot of unhealthy resin dust is generated :(

On the plus side: rows of figures are a bit more widely spaced so at least it�s tad easier to cut the base between them � but it could have been done better.
[attachment=6]20250224_Sailors_0678.jpg[/attachment][attachment=5]20250224_Sailors_0687.jpg[/attachment]

But the sad story continues: printing supports are thicker than sailor�s hands...
[attachment=1]20250226_Sailors_0695.jpg[/attachment][attachment=4]20250226_Sailors_0692.jpg[/attachment]

Once again the orientation of figures is stupid � they�re impossible to paint before being removed from supports
[attachment=3]20250226_Sailors_0693.jpg[/attachment]
...and again - only 5 different poses (16 figures of each) are provided :(
[attachment=2]20250226_Sailors_0694.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250226_Sailors_0696.jpg[/attachment]

[i]Edit: I decided to extend the coverage of this post to cover all sets of 1/700 figures I�ve tried while gathering the complement for my HMAS Australia build, i.e. also
Shelf Oddity
[list][*]USN Officers
[*]USN Sailors
[*]USN Bofors Crew[/list]
Triumph Model 1/700 WWII Royal Navy Officer & Sailor Set
ION Model US Navy - Chilling on deck[/i]

I�ve been looking for some RN/RAN sailors with British-style helmets for my [url=http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=386494]1/700 HMAS Australia build[/url]. Google search yielded sets by SSMODEL (MRY-SFW STORE), Triumph Models, and one other Chinese producer on e-bay, but the latter two did not have too many figures wearing helmets, so I decided to go for the first one; and I also ordered two other sets with them:

[url=https://mry-sfw.com/products/sscr013?variant=41116621078590]SSMODEL SSCR013 Miniatures Soldier Model Kit British Military Officer[/url]
[url=https://mry-sfw.com/products/sscr014?variant=41116621176894]SSMODEL SSCR014 Miniatures Soldier Model Kit British Navy Sailors[/url]
[url=https://mry-sfw.com/products/lyr-144006?variant=41111501733950]Yao's Studio LYR006 Fighter Aircraft Military Model Kit British Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft[/url]

[attachment=6]20250224_MRY-SFW_STORE.jpg[/attachment]
The package arrived within just over 3 weeks from placing the order, it was well packed and without any damage. Each product had it�s own plastic container and the print(s) were placed into small bubble-wrap bags. Let�s go through the contents one by one.

[b]Officers (SSCR013)[/b]

Two identical sprues are provided, their protective �cage� definitely provides good protection in transport:
[attachment=5]20250224_Officers_0671.jpg[/attachment][attachment=4]20250224_Officers_0681.jpg[/attachment]

I tried using sprue cutter to remove the "cage" in this case, it was not the best method as can be seen as it caused the base to break, which was quite dangerous to the figures. I used Proxxon/Dremel saw on the other sprue (not photographed) which I recommend.

[attachment=3]20250224_Officers_0684.jpg[/attachment][attachment=2]20250226_Officers_0697.jpg[/attachment]

Unfortunately, the figures are placed very close to each other and are stupidly orientated � so it�s impossible to paint them before removing them from printing supports. Moreover it would be a real pain to keep them in place for painting after removal :(

But to my greatest regret only 5 different poses (16 figures of each) are provided! I hoped the picture on the website was incorrect in this respect but, unfortunately, it was not. It would be much better to get 5 each of 16 poses or 8 each of 10 poses...
[attachment=1]20250226_Officers_0698.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20250226_Officers_0699.jpg[/attachment]