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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Eplay on August 28, 2022, 19:22:02

Title: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on August 28, 2022, 19:22:02
I bought 4 boxes of the 70348 zoo viewing platform set in a sale. I was really excited about it because I have plans to make a big asian zoo. I initially bought the 4852 Asian zoo set for the beatiful torii gate, but now I really like the set as a whole: the bamboo fences, the dark grey rocks and fences and the animals of course. The set and the animal enclosures are only a bit small for my taste, so I’m planning an upgrade.

With the 70348 zoo viewing platform set I was excited because the fences have that Asian vibe and at all the pictures they look white which would match beautifully with the Asian zoo. But apparently they are not white, but light grey  :o

For all the sets of this zoo serie I already didn’t understand why the rocks of the support pillars are a dark grey, but the rocks with the grass and water are a light grey. But apparently they have added an lighter light grey to the set in the form of the platform fences.  ???

It looks like they have changed the rock colours to one colour in the limited edition zoo sets 71190, 71191 and 71292. But I’m still a bit disappointed with my not so white fences (the new bright yellow ones don’t look better).

I’m thinking about painting the fences white, but I don’t think the result is going to look pretty as the material is a bit flexible. Does anyone have experience in this?



Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: GrahamB on August 29, 2022, 08:55:50
Given how intricate those fences are, painting them might be a challenge! I would suggest using a spray paint, sparingly, perhaps letting the paint dry after the first spray, building up coverage in stages. It's a good idea to apply a plastic primer coat first, but in this case that might make the paint layer too thick. Perhaps experiment on one piece and if it's not successful, you could replace that piece with a part from DS (Playmobil Plus, spare parts service) and put up with the light grey colour.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: tahra on August 29, 2022, 09:23:25
I bought several of those as parts - cheaper than the set. Rocks I have.

It is a prime example of the lengths they go to to make things NOT work - the measurements are all off. :(  Still.. they are BEAUTIFUL, and (if I live long enough) they will make a gorgeous path.. somewhere.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on August 29, 2022, 11:07:12
Thanks Graham, I think I will try it on one when I find some good paint. For now I’m hoping geobra will release a future set with white fences. (Yes I’m very hopeful, just like I’m hoping that they will produce the building, bridge and pavilion of the new ayuma set 71030 in the same red and white as the asian zoo :-[ )

I bought several of those as parts - cheaper than the set. Rocks I have.

I was thinking about that too, but I found the set on sale really cheap

Still.. they are BEAUTIFUL, and (if I live long enough) they will make a gorgeous path.. somewhere.

I want to order 2 of the stairs from the children’s zoo to see if I can combine them and make a lower path.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: playmovictorian on August 29, 2022, 12:02:05
This is a lovely set  :love:
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 05, 2022, 11:21:40
For now I’ve accepted the light grey colour. It doesn’t look terrible when you combine it.

I found some cheap zoo keepers with a lovely print on marktplaats (Dutch eBay), so now I’ve started building my zoo keepers army  :lol:
I’m not a fan of the sunglasses of the original ( https://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-00-6434 (https://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-00-6434)), so I’ve made them more culturally diverse. All the original zookeepers from the last zoo sets have a Caucasian skin tone with only the shop/entry lady having a dark tan skin tone. That is really disappointing. Finding arms for the clicky I made with the brown skin tone is hard. I found this guy:
 https://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-00-6392 (https://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-00-6392)
But the sleeves are a little bit darker. I think I’m going to try arms with white rolled up shirt sleeves if I can get my hands on them.
The green and the beige are really hard to match. Let me know if you have any recommendations.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Pynedor on September 05, 2022, 15:14:07
Even though the colour of the fences doesn't match the white you were looking for, I agree that they still look fine!

For the arms, have you looked at firefighters? Is that shade of tan the same that is used with them? For example, if the colour matches, the arms from the figure in Set 70488 or from the figure in Set 70649 might work well, if you'd be alright with long sleeves (and possibly with removing some of the printing).
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 05, 2022, 17:08:02
Thanks! That could be a good match. It looks like the vest and pants are the same mold.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: tahra on September 05, 2022, 18:02:21
I think I’m going to try arms with white rolled up shirt sleeves if I can get my hands on them.

If you mean for the black guy, I thing only the odd fat guy on the Asterix advent ship has them. I was meaning to use them on those U... promos.. I was going to get them from the box.... I was surprised there weren't any :(
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 05, 2022, 20:04:22
If you mean for the black guy, I thing only the odd fat guy on the Asterix advent ship has them. I was meaning to use them on those U... promos.. I was going to get them from the box.... I was surprised there weren't any :(
Yes, I saw someone on marktplaats selling him, but a bit expensive for only the arms. That belly is really weird looking.

If you disassemble a key chain figure, which parts are still usable? Is there an iron pin going though the head and hair? Is the head still usable?
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: GrahamB on September 06, 2022, 08:09:24
Is the head still usable?

Yes, in my experience you are left with a hole in the hair (which could be replaced), but the head is OK. Mind you, some recent keychains might be hard to disassemble, I struggled with the BA Barabus one.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 06, 2022, 09:50:07
Thanks
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 08, 2022, 09:14:00
Found some additions to my zoo keepers army. :love:
I like the females how they are, so I’ve only changed the hair.
The males I’ve changed a bit so that they are all different. Ive changed the inner base part and heads to those grey figures series ones so that it is easier to switch around the parts when I find some more zoo keepers.
I’m going to keep my eyes open for the other females of the zoo sets.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: tahra on September 08, 2022, 09:47:13
The colors of these klickys are really beautiful.

I like the variety you did - harder with the women, what with the dark tan showing... And there aren't that many options for dark tan heads either.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 08, 2022, 10:10:18
Thanks, I really like the colors too. And the red panda print.
I’m hoping to find the clickys below in the future and then give the females blond, brown or red hair.
I tried a tan head of a swim suit clicky, but it was too loose.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: tahra on September 08, 2022, 10:33:13
Thanks, I really like the colors too. And the red panda print.
I’m hoping to find the clickys below in the future and then give the females blond, brown or red hair.
I tried a tan head of a swim suit clicky, but it was too loose.

I avoid mixing skin colors, though I do have one of those dark tan torsos with a tan head  :-[ - I believe I got the torsos by themselves... I added a scarf...

Generally I think black hair suits the dark tan better, and dark brown or black for the tan ones... but variety, right? :)
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 08, 2022, 10:41:20
Yes, not enough contrast between brown hair and dark tan skin.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Pynedor on September 08, 2022, 12:43:26
Great additions!

Ive changed the inner base part and heads to those grey figures series ones so that it is easier to switch around the parts when I find some more zoo keepers.

That's a good idea. I do that with nearly all of my custom figures; it is so much easier (and essentially eliminates the risk of damage). :)
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: tahra on September 08, 2022, 13:14:34
That's a good idea. I do that with nearly all of my custom figures; it is so much easier (and essentially eliminates the risk of damage). :)

I do the opposite - I use figure frames and heads while drafting, and change them to the "permanent" ones when I am done (whenever possible). Exceptions for klickys that have heavily modified parts (like the Galactica ones), or if I anticipate.. issues.

Messing with done klickys is not common around here...
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: playmovictorian on September 09, 2022, 07:35:40
I love these red panda outfits  :love:
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: klickyklack on September 09, 2022, 12:19:46
The zookeeper crew are looking wonderful Eplay!  The unforms are really nice colours & that red panda logo is adorable. I assume there'll be lots of red pandas in the zoo too?
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 10, 2022, 09:27:28
Oh yes. The ladies love to cuddle and play with the red panda’s.
I bought a couple on marktplaats so I thought I was getting the normal ones. But they all differ in colour and they smell a bit weird, so they must be discarded Wiltopia ones.

I do the opposite - I use figure frames and heads while drafting, and change them to the "permanent" ones when I am done (whenever possible). Exceptions for klickys that have heavily modified parts (like the Galactica ones), or if I anticipate.. issues.

Messing with done klickys is not common around here...

That is a good idea. I think I will do that once I have my zoo keeper army complete and I am content with them.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Tiermann on September 10, 2022, 17:20:25
Yes, those look like the Wiltopia coloring. Nice to have a number of them, though you rarely see more than 2 in an enclosure at a zoo.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on September 10, 2022, 23:30:54
Didn’t know that. ??? Did some reading and they are indeed solitary animals only pairing up when mating.
Today I bought 4 lemurs on sale. Did some reading but luckily they live in groups :lol:
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: GrahamB on September 11, 2022, 08:33:34
Yes, those look like the Wiltopia coloring. Nice to have a number of them, though you rarely see more than 2 in an enclosure at a zoo.

Of course, well-run zoos pander to their animals' every need.

*Budum tish*, as Macruran would add.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on November 24, 2022, 15:12:11
Thanks for the fireman keychain 70649 tip. I ordered one on sale and it’s a perfect match. Now the fireman has short sleeves ;) I found it fairly easy to erase the print with a pencil eraser.
I also ordered some matching hats from the parts service but they will arrive later.

Now I’m still searching for a reasonably priced 70295 to make an African American female zookeeper.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Pynedor on November 26, 2022, 16:00:28
Great work! :)
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Eplay on July 22, 2023, 21:32:09
It’s been a while, but I’ve found another set of the Asian zoo for a very reasonable price.  ;D the animals will have a bigger enclosure.
In addition, I bought 2 sets of the zoo veterinary practice 70900 (it was on sale for >50% off. I have a lot of zoo animals, but I was lacking the giraf and chimpanzee. So it’s a good buy for me. 
I’m thinking about making the second building into a cafe (like 70115 or 5129) or an ice cream shop. I’ll need to buy some spare parts for that but not too much.
And a cafe or ice cream shop will go nicely with all the family fun/camping/leisure sets that I have.

I’m hoping to have some time the last week of august to set everything up.
Title: Re: Playmobil 70348 zoo viewing platform
Post by: Tiermann on July 23, 2023, 13:58:07
Great additions, those are both great sets.