1:48 S-mine

S-mine in 1:48 scale

This is an accessory set for detailing models and dioramas, not a kit on its own. It contains a miniature of the German bounding mine, known in English as the S-mine, in 1:48 scale. In a scene it is used as an object stowed in a box, as a load on a vehicle, or as a small thing in the hands of an engineer figure.

The real subject

S-mine is the short designation of the German bounding mine of the Second World War. In shape it is a short cylindrical case with the head of the igniter protruding, which was set into the ground in the terrain. For the modeler what matters is exactly that cylindrical shape with a three-pronged or pressure igniter on top, because it sets the mine apart from the flat plate mines and from the angular bar mines. In dioramas it appears mainly in engineer scenes and with supply vehicles.

Building and painting tips

The protruding igniter is the finest part of the casting, so handle the part with smooth-jawed tweezers and cut it off with a scalpel on a cutting mat. Wash the casting in lukewarm soapy water before painting. The material of small accessories varies: glue resin with cyanoacrylate glue and injection-molded plastic with cement for polystyrene. Build the painting on a uniform matte shade, add a dark wash into the gaps and fine scuffs. If you want the impression of stored materiel, put the mines into a box and fill the gaps with a scrap of paper padding — pieces lying on their own look unnatural in a scene.

Who the set is for

• Builders of German Second World War vehicles in 1:48 scale
• Makers of dioramas on engineer and supply themes
• Modelers who add loads to vehicles
• Collectors of small accessories in a single scale

This is an accessory set for modelers, not a toy. Glue, paints and the base model are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.