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Armorcast Overhead Pipeline Preliminary Review

(click images for (much) larger views)

Product URL: http://armorcast.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55&products_id=54

 

Years ago, I used to sit at my computer, and drool over all of the cool terrain on the Armorcast website.   At that point in my life, my budget did not match my desires, and I was never able to own any for myself.  Right about the time I was able to afford decent looking scenery for my games, Armorcast closed down, and took with it my dreams of tech canals, overhead pipelines, and other resin delights.  So, when I heard that Armorcast had been purchased and reopened, I was extremely excited! 

              The first thing I noticed when I went to the new website (www.armorcast.com) was that the new incarnation actually has an online shopping cart! A secondary reason that I never picked up any Armorcast stuff in the past was the old ordering system, which forced you to cross-reference the catalog pages with an order form which needed to be printed and mailed in.  Yes, I’m lazy, I admit it. 

              I’m really impressed at the enthusiasm that is being shown by the new owners.  They have set up a forum for customer feedback, and are actively seeking advice on which products to produce next.  I think that Armorcast will very soon be more successful than ever.  Enough about the site though, let’s get on to the review.

             I placed my order on Wednesday, June 13, and it arrived on Thursday the 21^st. No complaints there.  I was informed by email as each step of the process was completed.

 
The Overhead pipeline started set costs $50.00 and consists of the following pieces (seen below with a 12 inch ruler):

 

5 5 inch pipeline walkways

2 4-way connectors (roughly 3 inches across)

2 Supports/connectors (roughly 1 inch across)

3 End Supports (roughly 2 inches across)

 

 

            The castings were very clean, at least for resin standards, just normal flash, and no large imperfections at all.  One of the cables on a walkway had broken off in shipping, but I’m cool with that, because it adds character to the piece.

             The set is designed in such a way that all of the pieces can be painted separately, and then reconfigured into several layouts for your battlefields.  There is no blank space.  Any section that might be uncovered (i.e. unused sections of the 4 way junction) has details sculpted into it. The parts fit together firmly enough that bumping the table won’t send everything crashing down.

              The full set gives you enough terrain to make a nice sized centerpiece to you battlefield, or fill a table quarter.  Below are some sample layouts (one by me, the other the ‘official’ pic on the site)

 

            The set stands about 3 inches high, enough for most standard infantry models to fit beneath.  Risers are available to extend the height of the pipelines.  Below is a pic with some common GW figures for scale reference. (Preacher, Space Marine, Guardian, Ork Mek/Nob)

 

 

            All in all, I’m extremely pleased with my purchase.  I’ll update this review later, after I’ve painted it.

To come:  Reviews of the Modular Refinery and Soda Can Storage Tank kits!

I hope you found this review useful.

 

Jim

Nice review!  I may have to think about that.

I was browsing the website, and decided NOT to get the Bubbly Vats.

~shudder~

As I have tons of this stuff I can agree with you. Its top notch. I made quite a large order with them when they annouced the closing of the terrain side of the house. Glad some one picked this stuff up and released it again. Its a bit heavy and it smells like hell when you have a big box of it but the finished product is well worth it. I like the osda can things only I am worried the can will need extra detail added to "look" right and then you have the problem of the curved surface and all that. Let me know how you like them.