Doll and Hobby 1/16 scale “The Guillotine” plastic model kit review

Doll and Hobby’s 1/16 scale “The Guillotine” plastic model kit comes from the Aurora kit that was supposed to be one of a handful in its "Chamber of Horrors" line. It is beautifully packaged with vibrant artwork and a clear plastic sleeve to display the box without the print. Inside the box are three sprues holding 46 parts, a length of string for the rigging, a full-color instruction sheet, and a double-sided backdrop for indoor or outdoor scenes.

The parts are cleanly molded in tan plastic and flash-free. However, you’ll need to address a few ejector-pin marks that will be visible on the finished model.

Building the kit is straightforward, but make sure to follow the instructions for correct part orientation and to avoid using cement on moving parts.

I started with the figure first, which fit together well. It needed a little filler along the seams on the back of the shoulders. I left the stem in the neck for easy attachment, but if you make a working model, remove the stem so the head falls in the basket. The figure’s body is nicely sculpted, but the face is a bit flat. Then again, when it’s fully assembled, you don’t really see the face.

I built the Guillotine in subassemblies to make painting easier. The basic frame goes together with no problem; I assembled mine dry and then brushed a little liquid cement on the joints before setting it aside to dry.

The rollers on the blade assembly are a little tricky to get in place. I glued the halves together and positioned the rollers before the glue set. That was the hardest part of the kit.

Pay attention to parts orientation and the instructions while building the main tower.

Before the final assembly, I painted with hobby acrylics and some oil washes. As you put the subassemblies together, make sure you do not glue moving parts. If you want the blade to drop, I suggest adding weight inside the blade assembly.
The instructions show how to route the ropes, but I found the provided string too thick to run freely. So, I pulled it apart to thin it to a proper size.

Once again, Doll and Hobby did an excellent job releasing another nostalgic kit that makes a great addition to your collection. Also, at 1/16 scale, you can find plenty of 120mm Napoleonic-era figures that fit perfectly with the size and theme for a nice diorama or vignette.