Masterbox 1/35 Battle of Chancellorsville - 1863

KIT #: MB3581
PRICE: $16.00
DECALS: None required
REVIEWER: Drew Pratt
NOTES: Excellent quality figures of a neglected time period as far as figures go

HISTORY
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War (1861–1865), and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on May 3 in the vicinity of Fredericksburg. The campaign pitted Union Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's Army of the Potomac against an army less than half its size, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Chancellorsville is known as Lee's "perfect battle" because his risky decision to divide his army in the presence of a much larger enemy force resulted in a significant Confederate victory. The victory, a product of Lee's audacity and Hooker's timid decision making, was tempered by heavy casualties, including Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Jackson was hit by friendly fire, requiring his left arm to be amputated; he died of pneumonia eight days later, a loss that Lee likened to losing his right arm. Lee's difficulty in replacing his lost men as well as his inability to prevent the Union Withdrawal effectively have led to his great victory being regarded as a Pyrrhic one.*
THE KIT

This figure set is designed to depict a Confederate stand against a Union charge. To quote the box, “Attention! This kit is a part of a series that includes two kits; 3581 “Do or die!” ”18th North Carolina infantry Regiment, Army of Northern Virginia, Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2nd 1863, American Civil War Series,” and 3550 “8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 89th Regiment    Pennsylvania Volunteers Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2nd 1863, American Civil War Series, Attack!” These kits are united by a general plot, which allows to create a very interesting diorama. At the same time, each of these kits can be used separately for creating a completed mini diorama. The previous is sales hyperbole from Master Box.

This set is made up of five figures, a uniformed officer, two kneeling shooters, a standing shooter and a running soldier. Upon opening the box you find,71 pieces, molded in gray, on 2 sprues sealed in a reclosable bag. Each figure is a mini-kit in their own right with 6-8 parts per figure including their equipment. Detail is excellent, from crisp facial details to the weapons selection. Speaking of weapons, set includes a couple of muzzle-loaders, an 1860 Henry lever action and what looks like a Colt revolver rifle. Worth noting is that the “sausage roll” (Which in reality was their bedroll.) carried by most confederate soldiers is molded separately with these figures.

CONCLUSIONS

Nice to see a quality civil war figure set! This is a set that fills a void as far as finding figures for this time period. On a personal note, researching clothing of the 19th century really brings home how novel fashion choices are nothing new! This was the best I could find for figures for the Hunley vignette I am working on.

REFERENCES

Wikipedia

Drew Pratt

February 2019

Copyright ModelingMadness.com

Kit courtesy of my meager funds.

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