"Sentry Models Terrain: Worth the Cost?" Topic
10 Posts
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Achtung Minen | 03 Dec 2015 12:33 p.m. PST |
I noticed Sentry Models has a comprehensive series of Western Front buildings, but the cost seems remarkably high. Compare for example the Row of Shops which goes for $85 USD, to a similarly sized Lancer model, the Normandy coastal building. At £22.50 GBP, the Lancer model is of similar quality and is 40% the cost of the Sentry model. I like Sentry's range, especially how many options there are, but is it really worth 2.5x higher prices? Buying 2 buildings when I could have 5 might be a difficult sell for me, unless the quality were tremendously higher. Also, the resin looks somewhat brittle on the Sentry pieces… Is this the case? I'd hate to shell out $70 USD for a simple, small house piece only to have it chip because I wasn't perfectly careful with it… |
nazrat | 03 Dec 2015 2:10 p.m. PST |
I just so happen to have been priming a bunch of Sentry buildings today! I think that the Sentry line is the finest resin 20mm buildings in existence. The Row of Shops you mention is a particularly nice model, but if you are getting your prices from RLBPS I believe he has retired, and they are actually about double what Raventhorpe/Sentry currently charges for them. That one is only 30 pounds, as a matter of fact. You can see beautifully painted examples of their stuff, get their currant catalogue, and contact Tony about ordering on their Facebook page at link As far as durability, I have carried the large Farm Complex and several other pieces with me up to Historicon several times and have never had a chip. They are solid, solid models and are crisply cast as well. This is not to imply in any way that the Lancer buildings aren't fantastic as well. They are my second favorite line (by just a hair) and I highly recommend them as well. I ordered several hundred dollars worth of their line last year and they came quickly and were packed so well that not one chip broke off. It did take most of an afternoon to get all the tape and bubble wrap off them but I just looked at it as a protracted Christmas morning (in March…). 8)= Jerry |
Achtung Minen | 03 Dec 2015 4:19 p.m. PST |
Cheers, thanks for that. It's good to hear that I had the wrong information. Is there another way to contact Tony for those who don't have Facebook? |
Achtung Minen | 03 Dec 2015 5:39 p.m. PST |
And from what I gather, Raventhorpe is a UK company. Are Sentry Models available in the US? |
deephorse | 03 Dec 2015 5:46 p.m. PST |
I can't comment on the current value for money of Sentry Models because I bought mine several years ago, and in the UK. Their quality, however, is second to none. They are strong and very well designed. Works of art really. I have a large number of them and they are worth evey penny I spent on them. It helped that I got them ready-painted by Mrs Colin Rumford! |
Some Chicken | 04 Dec 2015 6:21 a.m. PST |
Mine are still going strong too, although I got them ready painted from the designer, Mick Sewell, many moons ago. The price is high but the quality is unrivalled. I took the view that it was better to buy a few of the best and add others over time than go for lesser quality models and then look enviously at Sentry's. Glad I did, and I probably have between 20 and 25 of them now. So I would advise taking both a) the plunge and b) the medium term view. |
nazrat | 04 Dec 2015 6:43 a.m. PST |
From what Tony at Raventhorpe said last week, there are presently no distributors in the US. RLBPS has a limited stock but is no longer getting more. And Facebook seems to be the only way to deal with Sentry but he has been Johnny on the spot with replies and service. I'd recommend taking the plunge and finally getting a Facebook account! |
Ben Lacy | 04 Dec 2015 1:44 p.m. PST |
I have a number of them, but in the late 90s, there were not many choices. I would say the molds are somewhat dated and not nearly as detailed as Total Battle. I would not buy them again. Take a look at Crescent Root Studio too. Resin seems to be going out of favor these days. |
PeterH | 04 Dec 2015 7:40 p.m. PST |
I have my fair share and really like them. however, i purchased them many years ago and will say that there are a few less expensive, equally detailed (if not more so) options, like Modelbau Najewitz, Monday Knight Productions. lancer are also great be choosy, get some of each, pick the ones you find most interesting from each line! |
JimGF51 | 05 Dec 2015 5:57 a.m. PST |
Thanks, Ben and Peter, for mentioning alternatives. Not a FB fan. |
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