Open Book Viet/French Para 1/16 AC MODELS

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Andy Cairns is one of the few craftsman who offers truly original figurines.
As proof, his latest production 1/16 ° and 120mm on an unusual subject, or almost not at this scale.
Indochina war.
Viet/French Para, Indochina Ref ACM16010
Resin/120mm 1/16°
A great achievement for me, to make a French or Vietnamese Paratrooper the end of this conflict, circa 1952/54.
This figure is the realization in 3D of Mike CHAPPELL illustration's for Osprey Men at Arms No. 322, "The French Indochina war from 1946 to 1954."
Private, TU LE, 6°BPC (6ème Bataillon de Parachutistes Coloniaux-Bigeard 's Battalion)October 1952

Judge for yourself with the photos of this thread.

Real photos of the TU LE "siège"
More photos and history about TU LE :
http://amicaleparalorraine.over-blog.com/pages/AVEC_BIGEARD_A_TULE-2138115.html

For buying this figure, contact SKminiatures in UK or send a PM to Andy, PF id amcairns

 

[swralph]

Thank's for showing

 

[Babelfish]

Great subject of a much-neglected conflict, but the casting looks a bit rough in places.

- Steve

 

[Bournouna]

" the casting looks a bit rough ."

I'd say for the most part, the casting is very poor. Too bad, it's a very nice sculpt.

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Great subject of a much-neglected conflict, but the casting looks a bit rough in places.

- Steve

I saw worst casting from big brand, in fact for me, casting is AAA, AAA+ is for figures from NEMROD, TOMMY'S WAR, NS-PROD.
it's like ANDREA compared to METAL MODELES.

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

" the casting looks a bit rough ."

I'd say for the most part, the casting is very poor. Too bad, it's a very nice sculpt.

The casting isn't rough,these are the pictures that are not of quality.
AC MODELS is a small craftsman molding can not be that of a producer as AIRES, CMK, NEMROD.
ANDREA produces resin moldings of lower quality.

 

[Babelfish]

The casting isn't rough.

In the immortal words of John McEnroe: "You cannot be serious".

- Steve

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

In the immortal words of John McEnroe: "You cannot be serious".

- Steve

And John McEnroe never win Roland Garros

 

[jasmils]

I have been helping Andy out with his casting. As much as someone can over the phone across the ditch.
His casting is getting much, much better and will only improve with time.
Small business resin casters at times can be very hit and miss, due to materials and equipment used to produce the kits.
However, some small time operators can produce castings that the big boys would not even think of attempting.
And I'm not talking about subject matter, but finite details with small casting blocks and attachment points.
Take the rifle sling for instance, two very small attachment points, and a thin bit off flash.
How hard is that to clean up?

Jason

 

[Babelfish]

Jason, I take your point about small business resin casters and Andy is without a doubt a very talented sculptor who does some very interesting pieces that the bigger producers have so far not tackled to any great extent.

I have no beef with Andy at all and I wish him well in his business ventures (I even have one of his figures kicking around in the stash somewhere that is actually cast to a decent standard). But when a figure is reviewed on here and offered up for comment, I see little point in going down the "emperor's new clothes" route and heaping fawning praise on it when its faults are plain for all to see. And I say that with regard to any piece, regardless of manufacturer - be it Andy, Andrea, Pegaso or whoever. And while we all get a buzz from compliments, constructive criticism can also be useful (if not more so). Plus although I don't know him personally, I'm sure Andy doesn't need his ego massaging like that with insincere praise.

With regard to the rifle sling specifically, I know from bitter experience that thin parts like that can sometimes be very difficult to clean up without breakage, particularly when the resin is brittle. But it's not just about the sling, that is a rough-looking cast in general. And what's going on with that base?!

The bottom line for me (and I'm sure for many others on here) is that no matter how interesting or attractive a piece, I'm not going to buy a ropey cast - and that is a ropey cast, no two ways about it. I've been burned like that a couple of times, but no more. If I'm spending upwards of £30 on a figure, I want it crisp, I want it clean, I want a decent fit and I want minimum clean-up & filling. Call me lazy, but I'm not going to shell out my hard-earned on something that I'm going to have to struggle and fight with before I even get to prime the thing up. My time, money and nerves all are too precious to me for that. Painting figures is supposed to be a way of relaxing (for me it is anyway).

For larger-scale figures, the gold standard for me in terms of resin casting are the likes of Young Miniatures, Jeff Shiu and the much-missed S&T (John Rosengrant). For the 1/35 and 54mm stuff, Evolution and Tommy's War get my vote. I do hope that Andy's casting does as you say continue to improve because if it does, I'd buy more of his stuff for sure. If he achieves more consistency and quality in his casting, I'm sure he could become a major player in the hobby. And deservedly so because as said above, he does some cracking sculpts.

- Steve

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Unfortunately the photos do not do justice to this figure.
It is really beautiful and the casting is much higher than it seems, more parts only require a light cleaning and it does not hurt that the different parts fit without problem.
Details are thin, and especially the figure is historically accurate.
This model gives off a special feeling is believed to feel the emotions of this soldier. Few figurine have this, and I'm not exaggerating.
To conclude, this model requires a good painter to do it justice, (Andy having already beautifully painted for the box art), a great painter as D.CARTACCI, TOMMY, Calvin TAN, Alexandre CORTINA ( I forget others) would do this figure a competition piece, with a gold medal surely.

 

[cimeterre de figurines]

Many thanks Zastrow for this feedback!
I think to order this figure, original subject, and a good opportunity for a small scenic dedicated to the 60th birthday of the battle of Dien Bien Phu!
Amitiés
Xavier

 

[jasmils]

Oh believe me Steve, I know exactly where you are coming from mate.
There is nothing worse than a figure (or armour) kit that has more bubbles than air, or more casting block than part.
For example (and I apologize in advance for name dropping), Imperial Gallery from the late 90's.
Covered in pin holes and a casting block the size of a small child.
I have cast a couple of 120 mm figures and I strive to be able to cast to the standard of those produced by Jeff Shiu.
And to be honest, I have told Andy in the past to either find a new caster, or, spend the money on a proper set up or it will, and has cost him sales.
He has done just that. Spent a small fortune on machinery so he can cast to the standard that customers are appreciative of.
Taking into account that when you have been "bench" pouring for a number of years, then go down the road of Vacuum and Pressure casting, it's a whole new world.
That in itself takes a hole new stet of skills, discipline and confidence.

As for some of the big resin companies, a lot of the problems with their figures/kits come down to a couple of points.
The first one is the method of casting. Most use only one way, and that is either just vacuum or just pressure. Hence large casting blocks, large contact points, lack of deep under cuts and soft detail.
The other factor is the type of resin used. A lot of companies will "cut" the resin with a "filler". This makes the liquid polyurethane go further, that in turn makes it cheaper to produce, but makes the resin very brittle.
White metal on the other hand, the only thing it's got going for it, is there is no waste.

I don't help many people with resin casting, but I have no problem at all helping him out as he likes ANZAC subjects.
Something I would love to do, but have a hard enough time working on armour instead.
If both methods are used (vac and pressure) while the resin is still liquid, casting blocks are basically none existent and the contact points can be very small. This is the way I have been trying to teach Andy.
Admittedly over the phone is a hard way to do it, but as he lives in another state (Aussie v's Kiwi joke there) it can be a bit hard at times to describe.
However, with this method, time is a factor. And with any business, time is money. However, spend a bit more time on the product and the sales will increase.
Any way, to sum it all up, he's getting there.

Cheers Jason

 

[amcairns]

Thankyou for your comments.Im working on better casting thanks to the Jason and Greg for their valueable advise.As for flash on the kit I will do better cleanup .As for those who complain,it has been my experience from those who complain the most do the least.
Aktzeptanz bestaetigt Kompetenz .means If you are competent ,you can accept certain matters to deal with an issue.
I am pleased with the casting of this kit ,albeit removing flash.
Cheers
Andy

 

[taff edwards]

To be honest ., I feel there are two trains of thought although I have no skill at casting or sculpting to the level that members have on this site ,what I will say is that when I used to buy Verlindon figures you had to dress up like yo were checking knocked out tanks in the 1st Gulf war when you got to the mould blocks , and I have had issues like that with recent purchases .
What must not be lost is the originality of these figures yes there is some clean up but no more that figures or Busts that I have purchased from far bigger modelling outfits recently .

Keep it going Andy ,thank god we have someone who with a select few others is attempting to give us Commonwealth figures that look like soldiers representing the theatre of operations that they fought in , and we have moved away from the plethora of boring UK/ Commonwealth figures of them Marching , drinking tea , sleeping sat sort of running the boring list goes on ,and faces that dont look like they have been copied out of a mans keep fit mag , sorry that was directed at the German figure element , they are far to bloody handsome lol
So keep that imagination going and keep the faith .
Cheers Chris

 

[Barke02]

Andy's sculpts are superb, and his output is amazing. He is a classic example of a cottage industry, from concept- to sculpt- to cast -to product. There should be more like him. Count yourself lucky that he has allowed you to buy a copy of his sculpt in the first place. You can spend your hard earned cash where ever you like...McDonalds...pizza....KFC...lucky you!

Don't forget the roots of this very new hobby (I've got Mil Mod's from issue 1 so I know how SHITE the quality REALLY was back then!), you are living in happy times and don't you forget it!

All the best,
Jon.

 

[Babelfish]

Andy's sculpts are superb, and his output is amazing.

Has anyone said otherwise Jon? Like I said (if you'll allow me to quote myself from higher up in the thread): "Andy is without a doubt a very talented sculptor who does some very interesting pieces that the bigger producers have so far not tackled to any great extent". Not quite sure who you're arguing with there.

He is a classic example of a cottage industry, from concept- to sculpt- to cast -to product. There should be more like him.

I don't disagree. So again, I'm really not sure what you point is.

Count yourself lucky that he has allowed you to buy a copy of his sculpt in the first place

Sure. But if you're going to come out with comments like that, then the flip-side is that a sculptor should also "count himself lucky" that there are people out there willing to buy their sculpts. It's a two way street, no?

But in any case - and as I also said above - I'd be more than happy to buy Andy's sculpts provided that the casting is up to scratch. And I apply that same yardstick to any manufacturer. But I see little point praising something to the skies and saying it's wonderful when quite clearly it isn't. And in this particular case I think it's a sub-standard cast (certainly based on these photos). That's my subjective opinion, yours may differ and that's fair enough.

Did I miss the section in the forum T&Cs that says only fawning praise is allowed, and no critical observations, and no opinions that differ from some "party line"?

You can spend your hard earned cash where ever you like...McDonalds...pizza....KFC...lucky you!

Thank you. Good of you to say so. I'll bear that in mind.

Don't forget the roots of this very new hobby (I've got Mil Mod's from issue 1 so I know how SHITE the quality REALLY was back then!)

The fact that figure casting in general was worse 30 or 40 years ago is no reason to accept a poor modern cast, any more than I'd settle for buying ... oh I dunno .... a crap 2014 car stereo system just because 1980-vintage cassette players were even worse. That's no logical justification at all.

you are living in happy times and don't you forget it!

Well .... that's me told and sent to the naughty step!

- Steve

 

[JasonB]

Did I miss the section in the forum T&Cs that says only fawning praise is allowed, and no critical observations?

Pretty much SOP around here, one that I have ran into more times than I can count. "Attaboys" heaped head high? A-OK. Criticism that aren't framed in such a way as to almost be a compliment, regardless of what your own eyes are telling you? You should just be quiet...

 

[amcairns]

One again,thanks for your comments.I do now and then enjoy projects off the beaten track such as this one.i wasnt expecting so much controversy,but I hope to have learnt from it all.
Finishing a kit from A-Z isnt easy ,but I must give a complete product(without flash).Its a challenge but an enjoyable one.
Positive comments are always good to hear ,but the constructive(not always negative)comments help improve skills just as much .
Enjoy your chosen hobby.
I do.
Cheers
Andy