Review Algerian Zouave from Albu Miniatures

[Nap]

Hi to all

Hope your all safe

Following on from my last review of a release from Albu Miniatures here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/african-woman-from-albu-miniatures.226154/

As promised my look at the 2nd of the 2 busts I bought from Albu


Details of the release:

Title : Tirailleur Algerien ( Algerian )

Reference: N/A

Scale: 1/10th

Material: Light Gray resin

No of Pieces: 1

Sculptor: Alain Butaeye

Box Art : N/A

What attracted me to the piece ...well apart from the fact its a bust ...its got to be the very distinctive haircut!!!

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This was painted by Alain Butaeye

Here's a couple of pics of the actual sculpt used to cast

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The sculpt is based on this fellow

This shows him with 3 medals , namely the Medal Miltaire, Italian Campaign medal and the Crimean medal



Alain used a picture without the Italian medal as his main reference but the same person

For interest here are a few other pictures of Algerian troops with hair featuring in many

And if you wish to look at the uniforms and the 1870 war here are a few good books





I received it with the African the shipping was fast and efficient with the model being received in aresealable bag and then packed in bubblewrap , when shipping to all others resin is in a bag in a cardboard box as well , a colour photo will also be included

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Prep

With only the single piece this wasn't going to be too taxing...even for me !!!

1. Remove casting post from under chin
2. Remove excess resin posts from underneath base
3. Sand off the thin casting line that runs up each side where the casting was formed
4. Wash to remove any casting residue
5. Prime

Continued in next post

Nap

 

[Nap]

Lets look at the resin

As you can see a full on piece casting , very little prep as detailed previously

Albu is very much a home grown company with his son helping set up the website

The sculpting is well detailed and Alain has a good eye fro character pieces and this shows here especially with the facial features , the well styled facial hair with nice texture work , the eyes are a good shape and easy to get to

The high forehead , furrowed brow with the very distinctive hair style this follows closely the references as you can see well ...I was happy to see that there is no casting line to remove from the hair itself

The folds and creases are well worked and sitting naturally , the edging on the uniform is defined nicely with the design on each side being well shaped







On his right there is a hanging chain with a pricker at the end , this is seen in the pictures so a nice detail , the chain is held in place by a attachment with a crescent and a star sculpted on



On his left we have 2 medals ...Medal Militaire and the Crimean Medal with 3 bars , both are easily recognisable with nice detail working as you will see in the pictures

Perhaps the medals could have been a tiny bit larger but that aside they look good painted up




Underneath the piece you will need to fit a post in position to base up once the excess resin is taken off ...a simple enough thing to do



Final Thoughts

Good to see a military subject and a unusual one as well with the distinctive hair , and a period of history I wish we would see more from ..hopefully we will !!

A easy bust to prep , using good quality resin and nicely cast ...a colourful subject as well with the skin tones against the uniform colour making for a very striking piece


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Contact Alain via PF or also via website and follow his blog

https://albuminiatures.wixsite.com/albu

https://albuminiatures.wixsite.com/albu/blog

You can also look at his club website ( Le Lancier Pictave )

http://lelancierpictave.e-monsite.com/

Some great work, including in the galleries including Alain's

http://lelancierpictave.e-monsite.com/pages/galerie/

Thanks for looking in

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Jed]

Excellent looking figure,looking at the photographs showing hair styles,they make me think the hair cuts are fresh as there is a distinctive lighter line/band at the top of the forehead to hair line?

 

[Babaich Sergei]

Great!

 

[Geoff Charman]

Interesting subject, like him.

Thanks Nap

Geoff

 

[KenBoyle]

Very nice bust and great review Nap! thanks.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Wings5797]

A super review Kevin.
Thank you
Keith

 

[Nap]

Excellent looking figure,looking at the photographs showing hair styles,they make me think the hair cuts are fresh as there is a distinctive lighter line/band at the top of the forehead to hair line?

Cheers Jed

A good point about the hair styles ...something to think about when painting

Great!

Thank you for commenting

Interesting subject, like him.

Thanks Nap

Geoff

Cheers Geoff there's some interesting pieces on the website

Very nice bust and great review Nap! thanks.

Cheers,
Ken

Cheers Ken ..it's something different and a great period of history as well

A super review Kevin.
Thank you
Keith

Cheers Keith hope your both well

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap