Review Albert Jacka VC MC, Mil-Mart Miniatures 1/9 scale bust

[tonydawe]

Albert Jacka V.C., sculpted by Ken Farrar for Mil-Mart Miniatures.
1/9th scale resin bust

Disclaimer - Ken Farrar is a Planet Figure legend and a friend, so my review is favorably biased but fair.

When Ken mentioned his interest in sculpting a bust of Albert Jacka, I knew I wanted to help. Jacka is the archetype ANZAC soldier to emerge from the First World War. Australia's Victoria Cross winner in WW1, Jacka went on to win a Military Cross (which many felt deserved to be a second VC).

Background on Albert Jacka - Born Winchelsea, Victoria in Jan 1893, employed as forestry worker, joined up Sept 1914, served in the 14th Batallion AIF. 19 May 1915 cited for VC at Gallipoli. Aug 1916 Poziers awarded MC and seriously wounded. Promoted to Captain March 1917, May 1918 gassed at Villers-Bretonneaux. Elected Mayor of St Kilda, Melbourne in 1930. Died Jan 1932.

The Man & The Legend

Jacka was lauded at his funeral by Australia's official war historian CEW Bean as "Australia's greatest front-line soldier". After his heroic action at Gallipoli which saw him awarded Australia's first Victoria Cross at Gallipoli, Jacka's fame and legend grew. Throughout the Western Front he had a reputation for being at the front where it was hottest and reacting to situations on the battlefield faster than anyone around him.

What other men next to him saw as reckless bravery Jacka saw as a natural impulse to move first and seize the momentum. His bravery came at a high cost. He was twice wounded seriously and gassed on several ocassions.

The 14th Battalion proudly allowed the other AIF battalions to refer to them as "Jacka's Mob", a title they were proud to carry. Jacka's clean cut image made him a recruiting poster star across the British Empire and he developed a cult following at home.

His exploits in battle earned him great respect among the diggers, but his later life was spent working to support ex-diggers during the Depression and his strong social conscience that eventually led him to local politics.

His death at 39 was mourned by thousands in his home town of St Kilda, where he was Mayor for two years and where he is buried.

 

[tonydawe]

The bust

The bust is made from solid grey resin that feels substantial. The weight of the resin makes the narrow join between the base and the bust one area of weakeness and will require pinning.

The four pieces are the slouch hat, the head and collar, the upper torso and the pedestal with Victoria Cross motif.

The bust depicts Lance Corporal Jacka at age 22, shortly after being awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions against Turkish trenches at Gallipoli on 19 May 1915. Jacka is shown wearning Australian 1914 pattern battle dress jacket and the slouch hat of the Australian Imperial Forces.

On each upper arm he wears the rectangular colour patch of the 4th Division of the Australian Imperial Forces. The 14th Battalion colours were yellow over blue.

On each epaulette, Jacka wears brass "Australia" badges, and above his left breast he wears the Victoria Cross for Valour, the highest award for bravery in the Commonwealth.

On each collar he wears the brass "Rising Sun" badge, a half size version of the larger Rising Badge worn on the underside of the left wing of the slouch hat.

I must say Ken has captured all the uniform details superbly. The details on the VC medal and the rising sun badges are crisp and accurate.

Here are a selection of shots showing more views of the parts.

 

[tonydawe]

A few more pics.

 

[tonydawe]

Conclusions

I love the bust, but I want to offer fair comment.

On the negative side, the bust needs the pedestal connection point to be reinforced with pinning, and there is no painting guide or colour box art pics to help painters. That's all I can come up with.

On the positive side, this is an excellent likeness of Albert Jacka, and a great tribute to a great soldier. The uniform is spot on and the finer details on the medal and badges are crisp and clean and accurate. It's a simple, straight-forward and honest depcition of THE greatest ANZAC of them all.

All up, it's a great bust and I would have bought it, however Ken sent me a freebie for helping him out with the research on the uniform. I'm doing this review to thank Ken for his generosity, not to pay him back for giving me a freebie. I also intend to do an SBS on this bust on my VBench once I get my shit together.

My apolgies to Guy for letting down the quality on the Reviews section, but I hope I've convinced a few of you to give this bust a try. Thanks to Ken Farrar for sculpting this piece and having the skill and the passion to get it right.

 

[1969]

great review of a great bust Tony, thanks for the insight.

Steve

 

[housecarl]

Look forwards to you SBS Tony, and thanks for a clear and concise review.
Carl.

 

[megroot]

Great revieuw. Up to Guy's standard.
No nonsens, to the point, very clear.
I'll hope there will be a boxart very soon, where the colors of the bust are seen.
Not everybody has a great knowledge of WW 1 and specially not the ANZAC's.

Marc

 

[Jamie Stokes]

Always good to see a potted history of the subject, plus a balanced review; ie be aware of this with the figure (issues like fit, or pinning required), plus good parts of kit (crisp details, accurate for period)

Bravo to Mil-Mart, thanks Tony,

Cheers

PS - glad to see you quoted a disclaimer; I encourage such levels of transparency & admissions of personal connection.

 

[gordy]

Thank you Tony, look forward to your rendition

I like the sound of that, Ken Farrar, planetFigure legend

 

[mil-mart]

Thank you Tony, look forward to your rendition

I like the sound of that, Ken Farrar, planetFigure legend

Hey Gordy, do I have permission to add that to my C.V ....

Tony, as I've already said , brilliant review mate, informative, concise and honest. Love it, but then I might be a bit biased.

Cheers Ken