Okay, first, a critique is not automatically negative and not all of what I say is such, quite to the contrary.
I bought a bunch of the 15 mm American buildings last year and liked them all. I resisted buying any Miniature Building Authority for a long time because I didn't think I'd like the damaged buildings much. None of those American buildings had that. Of course, I'm not a WWII gamer but understand that is a primary target market for these buildings. Just not me.
Well, I just received another order and I have one pronounced negative, a two-four neutral, and one very positive critique.
Again, this is for 15 mm. That town church kind of sucks – or maybe it would help if it actually sucked. The roof just doesn't fit right at all on the bottom half of the building and it will take a fair amount of work to get it right to my satisfaction. Nor does the top of the steeple fit properly – worse than the roof even – and could easily fall, perhaps bounce on the floor, and possibly shatter. So, a pretty big disappointment on that front. However, once I 'repair' it, it will be a nice piece of architecture on the gaming table. I'll just make sure it is all 'glued' together.
Now, the two town house sets, those fit together pretty nicely but I was right. I don't like the damaged building set and will be permanently affixing the tops to the bottoms – and making some 'joint' repairs to minimize what, to me, are those ugly lines. But they will make a very nice addition to my pirate town. Oh, the reason for the two-four? It is two sets, each of two buildings which adds up to four structures.
Okay, that is the not so good and the middling opinions.
The town hall? Well, that is one spectacular bit of work and will fit the bill nicely. For me, it will be the headquarters for the musketeers, maybe also a palace, and probably a governor's mansion in pirate games – and who knows what else. The way it fits together is ingenious. There is the main base with the full height walls and including stairs to the next floor. Then there is that internal next floor with stairs up to the attic – note that this is a piece of plywood, not resin and it appears it's supports are also wood but I don't mind that. Then there is the attic floor which is resin. I might actually use the interiors in this building. I will glue on the roof of the copula. But all in all, this is one very impressive piece of work. Though the little ball ornaments appear to be fragile. One of the two on mine was broken but an easy glue fix. And, best, it is not a 'damaged' building.
So, for those of you with MBA buildings, especially 15 mm, who've chosen to 'glue' them together, what did you use? I'm thinking to use some sort of adhesive that is also a filler. Once the adhering element dries I'll have to do some touch up painting and match the existing colors as best I can.
I hope no one takes this as a reason to not buy from MBA. They have lots of cool items, especially for the WWII player, but I think it fair to warn people about that church. It really needs a redesign in my opinion. I will certainly buy more if they come out with items of interest – but I won't buy any more of the damaged buildings. But that is more a matter or personal tasted than anything else.
All in all, nice range of buildings. And I wish they'd come out with some detail items for 15 mm.
