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

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!