The moment I unwrapped the whole parcel, I realised the box’s build was quite sturdy.
I pre-ordered this when it was announced via World Hobby Miniatures sometime in March this year and it just arrived 6 months later. From scalemates.com, the model started out as a US Military 8′ Storage Container set two years prior. And in 2025, it received new tooling (more parts) to become a small Mini Shop.
I loved the idea of using shipping containers as living space and also, for my Hobbies, after watching Jackie Chan’s Thunderbolt in the 80’s. However, as I was growing up, I realised that despite all the insulation to the walls and what-nots, this is effectively, still a metal tin box. Living in a Tropical Country, I had the rare chance of experiencing how fast temperature rose in this little oven.
The Parts
There are about 22 runners, with the last 6 being identical runners meant for the Shop’s inventory. 468g, 236g
I love this kind of packaging as they’re sturdy and does not warp, which is very important in a humid country.
Although the whole box weighs about 468g, its actual contents were 236g.
The upper runner are for the shelves while the lower runner is for the clock, rear speaker and the ceiling lamps. Although the instructions said to use Eb5, I am going to insert a LED in there.
The ceiling A1 & B3 are made up from two separate parts. When the are glued together, there is actually no space for any wiring. So, I would have to create a small trench for them. At the same time, I can make a small hole behind each ‘lamp’ for a SMD LED such as the 1210 or the smaller 0805. Because they have no lens, the light radiation would be quite wide and hopefully, casts shadows on the interiors. The light does not have to be too bright but just enough to overcome the matte paint absorbtion and let the shadows be noticed.
The other side of the runner above.
Hinges to the doors, depending if you want them opened or closed. D6 for Doors Closed and D7 for Doors Opened
The Chair and the Fan. Sadly, there is no way to make the Fan spin.
Surrounding sandbags and the Dog.
Sandbags for the Roof and Rear
First time I’ve seen shoe bottoms. The magazine is a separate part, which is good.
The Assembly Manual
Was there any idea to put the Container on top of a foxhole? I might have to redo the sandbags at rear to have an opening, something I’ve no skill to do so. There are no decals for the Magazine he is reading. So you’d need to cut out the pages instead or, maybe print something else…
The ideas…
The main plan is to light up the insides of this 8′ shipping container. And anything after that would beme more or less winging it. The original idea was to place the Container in the middle of a jungle, surrounded with a lot of trees. There would be a faint diffused lighting, to simulate a full Moon and maybe, a big enemy platoon hiding between the trees.
Yeah, do that and the model would be years away from completion.
When the three walls are glued together, the interior would be quite dark and so, it would be neat to add some lighting to it. Somehow, I felt that the fan’s outer metal detail is a little too thick.
The 2023 8′ container was given new tooling which are the interior details, a soldier and a dog. I hope to re-create the lighting effect shown above but maybe, with some furniture rearrangement.
Somehow, the arrangement of the sandbags does not look too convincing to me. I would need to learn how to make them, one bye one.
Here is a YouTube clip of a Conex Box loaded into a 2 1/2 Ton truck.
