Thursday 24 April 2008

12 SS Grenadier Set

Manufacturer: Alpine Miniatures
Item Code: 35060, 35061, 35062
Scale: 1/35
Material: Resin
Sculptor: Taesung Harmms
Review Publication Date: April 23rd 2008

In 1943, while stationed in an Italy under the administrative control of the SS, Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler seized immense amounts of Italian camouflage clothing. The 1929 Italian pattern camouflage, or telo mimetico ("mimetic cloth"), later used to equip the 12th SS-Panzer Division Hitler Jugend and Leibstandarte’s own recruits, was used in the manufacture of many garments, from suits in the same cut as the “pea dot” suit to tunics in the same cut as the M44 suit. Perhaps the most famous of these garments was the camouflage coverall worn by the 12th SS-Panzer Division Hitler Jugend in Normandy.

35062 – “12 SS Grenadier Set” is set of two 1/35th scale resin figures sculpted by Alpine’s owner Taesung Harmms. The two camouflage clad Hitler Jugend grenadiers are portrayed on patrol in Normandy during 1944. The poses are a departure from Alpine’s traditional more neutral pose. It is also worth mentioning that, as far as I can tell, this is the first 1/35 scale figure set from Alpine to include a MP40 submachine-gun.

Released in January 2008, the box-art is painted by regular Alpine box-art painter Calvin Tan (Calvin’s blog describes the set as being “12.SS Pz.Div HJ PzRgt.25 Normandy 1944”). Both figures are also available individually as figures 35060 12 SS "HJ" Grenadier NCO and 35061 12 SS "HJ" Grenadier.

My review on Historicus Forma

Wednesday 9 April 2008

Lord of War 1

Manufacturer: Draconia
Item Code: FAN-01
Scale: 54mm
Material: Metal
Sculptor: Phillip Damont
Review Publication Date: April 8th 2008

Draconia is a relatively new figure company brought to us by Jose Jarque, who also brought us Ares Mythologic. The range of figures currently comprises of 30mm and 54mm fantasy figures, the first of which (and the subject of this review) is the 54mm “Lord of War 1”, or “Lord of the North, Brother of the South, East and West, Maestro of the Magic”.

FAN-01 “Lord of War 1” is a 54mm white metal figure sculpted by Phillip Damont with box-art by José M. Palomares. The warrior is portrayed wearing garb with a mixture of Asian influences standing feet astride holding a pole-axe type weapon.

Wednesday 2 April 2008

Climbing back on the horse

As you might have noticed, possibly due largely to the fact that I have yet to actually make my first editorial on HF, I've not had much time for modelling these past few weeks. This is mostly due to getting the house ready for sale. That is now done and our house is on the market, but now my brother-in-law has arrived from the UK for a surprise visit. It’s been almost 4 years since we last saw him so it’s good to have him around. Oh, and to top it off, I have been sent back to JPMorgan – this time I have not been spared the pains of OneDesk and I have virtually no ‘net access. Despite all these goings on, I have managed to steal a few minutes here and there, for real modelling mind you, not the virtual kind - i.e. reviews, editorials, or even simply surfing the model sites.
But I digress so slightly. I'm back on the Sertorial Legionary horse after rushing and taking a fall. No matter though.
- The figure was stripped down, and primer applied again.
- I took on the face again, and although not really satisfied with it, I guess it's passable.
- The neck scarf has again been blocked in and the first highlight put on - next will be a wash and then a series of highlights.
- The helmet is being painted using Danilo Cartacci's bronze technique. This time I used Tamiya clear orange instead of mixing my own orange using Citadel inks.
- I've blocked in the hair as well as the plume.
This is were it's at:

I'd say more soon... but we'll see - history has proven otherwise... ;-)

p.s. since taking these pictures last week I have since attempted the eyes and done the final shadows and highlights to the face.