Why so quiet (again), Mr Richardson?

It's been a few weeks, about a month methinks, since my last posting on this blog. Why so quiet you may be asking, or not. And so, the purpose of this posting is to inform those vaguely interested why it may be perceived that I have been quiet and perhaps detached over the past few weeks or even months. Even if you're not really interested, but read this blog as a 1/35th scale modeller, keep reading - there may be something of interest herein (he says slyly).

Let's jump right in. Now, whilst I may be been quiet on this blog (and not posting many new reviews lately) I have been busy modelling! OMG! Shocking! Yeah, I know. As most readers of this blog probably know I frequent many, many forums and subscribe to dozens of blog (I'm a self-confessed forum whore!). I think it was last year that I came across a new corner in the modelling world called "Tanks & Things". A site with many Aussie modellers and some big modelling names I made the odd post before over-committing myself to one of the group builds they often run. Quite honestly I was drawn in by the promises of fame and fortune. Just kidding, although the campaign is sponsored of sorts by the Spanish publication Xtreme Modeling. As far as I understand they'll eventually do a photo spread of all (or some?) of the completed entries.

I won't go into the details of the nature of the campaign but I put forward that I would build a Stug III B, since I had the Tamiya 1/35 scale Sturmgeschutz III Ausf B in my closet waiting to be built. Here comes the over commitment bit: I bought 2 Aber PE sets (a general exterior set and fenders - fenders! Bloody hell, PE bloody fenders!), and a set of Friul tracks. Talk about biting off more than I can chew! There I go and enter a group build, procrastinate starting the kit to 3 months before the deadline, and then decide to add more PE than I've ever dealt with as well as tracks I've never dealt with before either. To top it off, for some crazy reason, when I got to the interior stage I even decided to scratchbuild some of the interior. I think there's something wrong with me. Anyway, the build is not going to schedule and I'm way behind. Here's a link to the build for those interested: Rudi's StuG III B. And yes, this is part of the reason I've been off the grid as far as this blog is concerned.

Next up: Some of you may have noticed the feed just under my profile in the right hand column titled FigureOneThreeFive. Some of you may even have clicked it and visited the site. Now if you read the F135 Editorial on 1 Jan '10 (or there abouts) you would know that I am the bugger that started that site/blog. That's right, I've started yet another blog. This time you'll be spared my rants and raves though. FigureOneThreeFive (or Figure 135, or F135) is a blog styled site wherein I'll be posting 1:35 scale figure news, but specifically those figures falling within the Great War (WWI), Inter-War Years period, and World War 2 (WWII). However it's more than just news, I've also been posting links to the reviews of these subjects on a variety of sites. I just post the links, and make no judgement on the review - I expect we all have some form of brain, are able to read the text and between the lines, and make our own deductions and decisions. I should note, that what I'm not linking to are these so-called reviews which simply post the box-art and then descrive it. Yeah, guess what? I can do that when the news is announced if I really care to do so.

So, do yourself a favour, visit http://figure135.blogspot.com/. If you like it, visit again, or better yet subscribe. For the Facebook addicts (again, guilty Your Honour) I've added a FaceBook link and have a group going there as well simply posting the cross links. Feel free to join there as well if you'd prefer. So there you go, another part of the reason I've been off the grid as far as this blog is concerned.

The more astute Armorama/Historicus Forma readers may have noticed something a bit odd this week. Actually i'll almost guarantee it's not what you're thinking. The more observant will have noticed that from about the 15th of February my name no longer appears as the host of the Armorama Figure discussion group, nor about 4 HF DG's. No, it's not a computer glitch, nor was I canned. Due to personal reasons I have resigned from the Kitmaker staff in all capacities. Jim S is kindly facilitating my "extraction" :-) I gave notice of my intent at the beginning of Feb, ending all hosting duties mid-month, and editorial duties at the end of the month - just to help with any hand-over, not that one is required.

Now, let's get this out the way. When I cite "personal reasons", it is not due to: any discontent within Kitmaker or KMN staff member; or my new blog; or any heightened activity on any other site. The personal reasons we'll get into below, but there is more to this. You see, I'm a firm believer that if one serves on the staff of a club, or organisation, one should be making an active contribution to that organisation. I don't believe in absent landlords. My personal opinion is that if some assigned an editorial position to a site like Armorama or HF cannot spent at least 1 hour a day looking for content, editing features (articles, reviews, news, etc), encouraging users then one should reconsider their role. Similarly if one hosts a discussion group, one should be prepared to spend an hour or 2 a week posting interesting links, and encouraging discussions about DG related topics (it is called a discussion group). I found earlier this year that I was getting to the point where I felt I wasn't contributing enough to this regard and as time was about to become even more scarce, I felt it better to step down and let someone else, someone fresh, pick up the gauntlet.

If you're wondering if you missed a post on Armorama/HF regarding this, no you haven't. Consider yourself special; I'll make an announcement on Armorama/HFlater this month.

I need to clarify one further point though: I will still be reviewing modelling products. So fear not.

So, now, the main reason I've been quieter? Well, I'm going to keep you in suspense just a bit longer. Afterall, it is personal. Did you really think I'd go into the personal bit now? Watch this space, it's a good'un! ;-)

First review for 2010: Alpine's WW2 US Army Officer Set Set

Manufacturer: Alpine Miniatures

Item Code: 35093, 35094, 35095

Medium: Resin

Review Publication Date: January 15th 2010

Although much of the everyday uniform of US tankers was identical to that elsewhere in the US Army, they received a variety of specialised clothing, some of which was intended for general issue, due to the nature of their work. Once committed to combat in 1944, tankers ended up with various items of clothing, some as substitutes, some due to personal preference, and could be seen wearing jackets or other items worn by infantry, just as infantrymen could be seen wearing items of tanker clothing. Alpine Miniatures’ 35095 “WW2 US Army Officer Set” is an excellent example of US Army soldiers wearing an eclectic mixture of cold weather gear.
35095 – “WW2 US Army Officer Set” is set of two 1/35th scale resin figures sculpted by Krisztian Bodi. The two US Army Officers are portrayed wearing an assortment of winter-wear: the one stands somewhat relaxed with legs crossed having a cigarette break; while the other communicates using a hand-held radio transceiver. Released during November 2009 the box-art is painted by Marcin Skfzypek, his first for Alpine Miniatures.
Both figures are also available individually as figures 35093 WW2 US Army Officer #1 and 35094 WW2 US Army Officer #2.
The sculpting is Krisztian Bodi at his best and predictably Alpine Miniatures’ casting is outstanding: this is another exceptional couple of figures from Krisztian Bodi and Alpine Miniatures. The quality of the cast and recent resurgence in WWII Allied subjects should make this set very popular. Recommended.



Click here for my full review on Historicus Forma

Ademola22's 200mm Landsknecht (Review)

Manufacturer: Ademola 22

Item Code: 200 025

Medium: Resin

Review Publication Date: December 30th 2009

Today the term Landsknecht is more often than not associated with the type of German mercenary originating from what are presently Alsace, Baden Württemberg and the Austrian Tyrol, and who served through the reigns of Maximillian I and his grandson Charles V. The word ‘Landsknecht’ originally appeared in the German language in approximately 1470, and is thought to have been coined by Peter von Hagenbach, who is said to have commissioned troops such as these for the service of Charles the Bold of Burgundy. Landsknecht literally means ‘servant of the land’ however as early as 1500 the word had already transformed into Lanzknecht as the pike became the trademark of the foot soldier.
Ademola 22’s 200 0025 Landsknecht is a 200mm resin bust sculpted by Yury Serebryakov with Roman Rux having done the box-art.
Ademola 22’s 200 0025 Landsknecht is without a doubt a high quality product. The heavy casting blocks and the two seams will need to be carefully addressed, but once this is done, this bust will prove to be a magnificent canvas to paint upon.
This is the second bust from Ademola 22 that I have had the opportunity to review, and minor issues aside, I am not disappointed: recommended.


Click here for my full review on Historicus Forma

Alpine's WW2 Russian AFV Crew Set (Review!)

Manufacturer: Alpine Miniatures

Item Code: 35090, 35091, 35092

Medium: Resin

Review Publication Date: December 20th 2010

The winter fighting of 1941-42 forced the introduction of more suitable winter gear to the Red Army, which had been under development since the embarrassing Finnish campaign of 1939-40. It included the shapka-ushanka fur cap and a new sheepskin jacket for officers – if available.
35092 “WW2 Russian AFV Crew Set” is set of two 1/35th scale resin figures sculpted by Sergey Traviansky (known as “Menelay” on many figure modelling forums), this being his debut for Alpine Miniatures. The two AFV crew members are portrayed post the August 1941 degree wearing the new winter gear, i.e. sheepskin coats and ear-flapped fleece caps and fleece-lined padded tanker helmets. Released during October 2009, the box-art is painted by Man-Jin Kim – who appears to becoming a regular painter for Alpine.
Both figures are also available individually as figures 35090 WW2 Russian AFV Crew #1 and 35091 WW2 Russian AFV Crew #2.
This is an excellent Alpine Miniatures debut by Sergey Traviansky and another terrific addition to the Alpine Miniatures collection. The quality of the cast and the subject should prove to be very popular.
Red Army uniforms did not see extensive change through the duration of the war, thus this set will make great additions to any WWII RKKA winter scene after 1941 and could be used with virtually all, if not all, Russian vehicles of the period. As we have come to expect from Alpine, the casting and sculpting is superb, with only a negligible amount of flash.
Recommended.


Click here for my full review on Historicus Forma

Rest Model's 54mm German Barbarians (Review)

Manufacturer: Rest Models

Item Code: RM3204

Medium: Resin

Review Publication Date: December 7th 2009

It would be an injustice to say that Rest Models are newcomers to the historical figures modelling genre, as their very first 120mm figure was in fact a Napoleonic era French Hussar. Similarly, Rest Models are no strangers to 1/32 scale (approximately 54mm), having previously released two sets of early twentieth century aircraft pilots in this scale. However what is a new avenue for Rest Models is the release of a “vignette in a box” style set of Romanesque period German Barbarians, namely figure set RM3204 “German Barbarians. Burgundians, 4th Century AD”.
Sculpted by Rest Models’ regular sculptor A.Gagarin, the set is inspired by two colour plates from Concord’s “Barbarians”, these being Plate 8 “Alamanni break into a Roman fort, German border, 3rd century AD” and Plate 9 “Burgundians enter southern France, 4th century AD”.
This is another outstanding set of figures from sculptor A.Gagarin and Rest Models. The figures interact well together or could even be displayed individually or in subsets. The issue regarding the cloaks is relatively minor and easily overcome. The quality of the cast and “vignette in a box” aspect of the set should prove to be very popular. Recommended.


Click here for my full review on Historicus Forma