Friday 27 November 2009

New photos of old works

I finally got around to unpacking the last of the modelling boxes a few weeks ago. It really was like meeting old friends, as most of these hadn't been rummaged through since being packed about 18 months ago. Upon finding my completed works, most of which amazing survived the intercontinental move, I decided to shoot some new photos of 2 pieces in particular. I've loaded the photos into the gallery on my website (RR Scale Models), so I'll simply be posting a teaser pic here and refering you to the site for the rest of the photos.

The first is a 54mm figure sculpted by my friend Tomas Castano, which I finished back in May 2006: (Gallery link) Seil Models' SG/F1. Sergeant, US Army (US-Mexican War, 1846-48).



The next is my first serious attempt at an AFV. I am rather flattered and taken aback that folks don't quite believe me when I tell them it was my first, but it was. Also finished in May 2006 (busy month! I haven't had modelling momentum like that since!) is (gallery link) Emhar's 1/35 scale MkA "Whippet" WWI Medium Tank



I've also added a new WIP to my workbench on the site, so go check it out!

Monday 9 November 2009

Alpine's German Panzer Crew Set (Review!)

Manufacturer: Alpine Miniatures
Item Code: 35087, 35088, 35089
Medium: Resin
Review Publication Date: November 9th 2009

Staying warm appears to have been a challenge to soldiers throughout time. A fairly common practice is to wear as much of one’s uniform, both issue and non-issue, as possible. Taesung Harmms and Alpine Miniatures 35089 “German Panzer Crew Set” is an excellent example of a Heer tank crew doing just that: layering clothing. The commander wears two field tunics, while the crew member wears a boiler suit over his field uniform.

35089 “German Panzer Crew Set” is set of two 1/35th scale resin figures sculpted by Taesung Harmms. The two Panzer crew members are portrayed aboard a Panzerkampfwagen V (“Panther”): the Unteroffizier stands through the open commander’s cupola holding the cupola rim; while the crew member is seated on the barrel cradling a puppy. Released during August 2009, the box-art is painted by Calvin Tan.

Both figures are also available individually as figures 35087 German Panzer Commander and 35088 German Panzer Crew with Puppy.

Modellers would be short-sighted in thinking that this set of figures can only be used to “accessorise” a Panzerkampfwagen V. The figures can be used with most vehicles, as demonstrated by Calvin Tan’s (the box-artist) portrayal of the crew aboard a Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun (see Calvin’s blog: http://zyclyon.blogspot.com/).

The sculpting is Taesung Harmms at his best, and as we have come to expect from Alpine the casting is superb.

This is another outstanding pair of figures from Taesung Harmms and Alpine Miniatures. The quality of the cast and the usefulness of the subject should prove to be very popular. Recommended.


Click here for my full review on Historicus Forma