Customer Reviews

Make This Medieval Port (Usborne Cut-Out Models)

5 star:		(1)
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3 star:		(1)
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This model attempts a lot, but doesn't always succeed. The ships were so-so. There were small difficulties with getting things to match the groundplate or each other. When many buildings are strung together, or a city wall has many segments and towers, a trifle here and there adds up to a potentially large gap somewhere. Triple-check everything!

My grandfather and I made a number of paper model kits together when I was a young boy, and over the intervening years I have constructed many others. The series of models available as part of the Usborne Cut-Out Models series are top-notch. Many depict "generic" versions of historical edifices and/or locations (American Fort, Roman Fort, Medieval Castle, Greek Temple, Egyptian Temple, Viking Settlement, Cathedral, Medieval Port, Roman Villa, Medieval Town/Village) while others (Wizard's Castle, Lost Temple, Haunted House) are of fantastic or imaginary locations and incorporate movable "pop-up" features as well as detailed interiors. Most of these models are HO/OO scale, and could be used as scenic additions to a model railroad layout or as battlefield terrain on the wargamer's table. The complexity of the models varies but isn't daunting by any means, and the use of hobby knives means adult supervision for younger modelers, but I highly recommend all of Usborne's paper model kits for the modeler who has a use for or interest in detailed, quality structure models.

I only wish that this model would combine with the Cathedral, Castle, Town, and Village models to make an even bigger scene. The medieval cargo ship (with both interior and exterior views) is a very nice addition.