Any Idea ?

[Ron Tamburrini]

I have an old Benassi's Military Miniatures figure in my grey army and I thought of posting some pictures of it here just for nostalgic reasons.

It's a Byzantine Peltast at 80mm, very nicely sculpted and casted.
It has a characteristic interesting face and crisp details on the uniform and weapons.
There are no casting lines and the parts fit perfectly!

All the needed painting details are in the paper the figure came with, along with Julian's greetings...

The reason there is no casting lines is that he used to clean every figure himself before selling it ,a tedious job that I sometimes helped him with in payment for his painting and modelling knowledge and the odd freebie , I was well skint in those days

Ron

 

[Ray Stout]

I also have the Byzantine trio he did for Clydecast, I think he did a similar set from the Crimean war, and a Scotts Dragoon 1680. Like you all said good, crisp castings in their day. Ray

 

[billyturnip]

Those photo's bring back happy memories of receiving kits from Julian when I was first starting out in figure painting. I have some in the cabinet still, I'll post some pics later.

Roger.

 

[The Dozing Dragon]

i knew him back in the nineties he used to hang around my friends shop the adventure zone which used to be in high street. he gave me a load of his prototypes from way back sci fi figures greeks and a few other bits and bobs.
john

John, would there be any chance of getting pics of those? I have a handful of the Greeks but have never seen anything of a sci-fi range
David

 

[Banjer]

John, would there be any chance of getting pics of those? I have a handful of the Greeks but have never seen anything of a sci-fi range
David

I think you are unlikely to get a reply. That post in 2014 was his one and only contribution. Perhaps someone else will be able to help.

Bill

 

[The Dozing Dragon]

In case anyone is interested, I have just blogged what little info and pics I have of the Benassi 25mm ancient Greek range.

http://www.deartonyblair.co.uk/2022/02/julian-benassi-25mm-ancient-greeks.html

 

[bigbadxenomorph]

hi I'll try dig the figures out when I get back, oh and a big PS Julian is still alive.
john

 

[Mirofsoft]

Hinchliffe 75mm in the 70ies ( 75-76 ?) then from 1977 Caledonian Casting still 75mm then Benassi's choice circa 1981



The last time I saw a Benassi's Choice was a 75mm introduced in Military Modelling 1998 N° 7

 

[Paul Creswell]

Yes Mr benassi is indeed alive in hospital at the moment .where I saw him I work there when he gets out have said to him phone me and will take you for a coffee.ps I am the guy who had the comic and book shop back in the 90's.I am sure Julian will be happy to hear people are still interested in his models he does still paint sometimes but not sure when he last turned out any models.

 

[Paul Creswell]

New update most unfortunate Mr benassi has passed away today .was looking forward to meeting up and chatting about old times .last I heard he had been well enough to go home but looks like he had a relapse and didn't recover .well be sadly missed.RIP Julian Benassi Rossi

 

[bigbadxenomorph]

here are some pics of the prototype figures

 

[theBaron]

here are some pics of the prototype figures

I think you saved your reply before including a link or attachments



Prost!
Brad

 

[Ronaldo]

lol I saw that, I'm half worried it IS him!
Keith

I was lucky enough to know Juliano for many years and often visited him in Glasgow
I remember showing him my first efforts of painting and he said they were crap but also said you must do this and that to improve and was a guiding light ,he was a fine painter and had a distinctive style using Humbrol paints . His figures sometimes were a little caricature but there were also some gems . One in particular was a a French cuirassier mounted in I think 75 mm

 

[Mirofsoft]

Sad news

 

[Nap]

Sad news

Indeed it is

Nap

 

[gorgosaurus]

So sad. Juliano Benassi was a really nice man. I have a few of his figures in my "stash". Now I wish I had kept his letters so that I can read them again.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Spike.

 

[Bundook]

His "trademark" was that all his foot figures would have one foot on a stone.

 

[The Dozing Dragon]

Oh no. Condolences.