Catafratari Bust from RP Models

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Hi everyone

Following on from my look at the Diorama from RP using the same subject as here https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/roman-auxillary-catafratari-from-rp-models.277705/

I am now going to give you a look at the bust version which Hugo announced here: https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/1-12-roman-auxilia-catafratari-in-germanic-wars.264192/

Some pictures from RP

Some ref pics from me

Couple of easy to find books including a couple from Osprey....

Details of the release:

Title: Roman Auxilia Catafratari (Ancient World )

Reference: RP-B-01-0005

Scale: 1/12th

Material: Gray Resin

No of parts: 16 plus information insert

Sculptor: 3D

Casting : YS Castings ( Yiannis )

Box Art: N/A

General comments

• Well packed in the cardboard box with the pieces in clear bags surrounded by bubble wrap
• The lance comes in 3 parts . the longest well secured at a angle in the bottom of box
• A insert is included giving a background
• Good picture on the box top of a unpainted version
• Thanks given to PF members and to Figurementors

Prep

Very little with parts fitting smoothly together :

• A little bit of sanding on the lower torso and cloak piece
• Remove pieces from casting blocks ...easy with no issues
• Sort a base fitment

Parts consist of separate centre and lower torso, upper part includes a cloak with the head cast in place. lower part of cloak 2 arms, helmet, shield , sword , 3 straps , 3 parts to the lance, no base is included

Continued in next post

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On to the resin

First thing to say is that this is the same piece in all respects that I showed in the diorama review ...the differenec is there are no legs !!

Torso

This consists of 3 main pieces , a upper, centre and lower and I would like to say a well done on the the engineering of the pieces , all fit very cleanly together with only the lower needing a tiny smidgeon of filler , to be honest primer will filler it

The fit of the upper part to the centre is excellent aided by really good smooth casting

The way this is put together allows for separate painting without having to worry about the build fit

Upper

My personal and I hasten to add personal preference is to have a separate cloak fitting over the head but saying that:
The cloak is a real success in the folds and movement around the shoulders with good details on both the inner and outer area's , sharply cast ...a credit to all

The cloak consists of 2 parts the larger lower we will look at later the fit is with cutouts on the upper torso resin which you will see in the pictures

Nestled nicely into the material is the head or should I say masked head , this is cut and shaped at the sides to take the helmet cheek pieces , around the head is mail , good surface work

The mask is a lovely piece of sculpting based on illustrations in particular the cover one on the Osprey book #1 ( Platee c3 ) with a moustache and a "teardrop" from the left eye

The underside is smooth and with a post that fits accurately into the central torso ...no filler whatsoever needed



Centre

The largest part of the torso the arms are positioned outwards with good connection points at the arms deep into the arm ensuring a solid fit

The body is very well armoured with mail underneath the upper scaled armour ...this is well defined and they are showing movement in relation to the action of the figure , good undercuts on each piece , the edging is leathered with good stitching in place , the front and back pieces held together at the waist sides by crisscross ties

Around the waist is a series of armoured longitudal paltes , flawless in shaping and each separate

On the shoulder there are a section of laminated plated overlapping slightly , again leather and stitching in evidence at the edges , this armour is held in place by 2 straps underneath the arm , good buckle detaisl and they are pulling into the mail itself as it should

Around the waist a sword belt consisting of individual metal plates with 3 types of decoration on them , again well cast

Lower

This is the extended mail garment and again we see the movement of the individual plates in relation to the unseen legs undermeath , the same exceelent casting on each and again at the edging

Underneath , super smooth



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Now to the remaining piece

Lower Arms

Fitting safely into the deep parts of the upper arms cast onto central torso the lower forearm being protected by a plate held in place by 2 straps , the surface being decorated with a shaped design , the arms are textured ( as we have come to expect from RP



Helmet

A real clever piece of casting and on this review piece the cheek pieces were thinner which was good to see , nice shaping with a design on each

The actuals helmet is segmented into four each held in place by a vertical band, leading to the top which again has designs on ( 4 flowers ...all easily seen ) , at the top a cutout for the streamers that will fit into place

Whats clever about this is without doubt the spot on fit to the shaping on the cast head on the upper totso

Underneath a post that fits well into the cut out on the head



Helmet Streamers

As you see movement again , flying around with the action of the figure , fits easy with a tiny bit of filler needed



Shield

This is highly decorated with a fine lions head at the centre , the mane spreading out all around , almost like a sun , very good definition not only on this but also the edges

The rear is plain with cutouts to fit in place , there is no suggestion of the shield make up ie : individual planks but with painting you can recreate this



Straps

All on individual formers with a bit of flashing , no problem to remove and easy to fit into place



Cloak

This is a full piece of resin , shaped with the movement nicely , for some it might be slightly over thick but there is no denying the sculptors 3 D skills , the design and patterns is all there , well shaped and with no mis casting anywhere ...this is on both sides

Fit is by 2 good posts but you might wish to pin as well , you will need filler where the piece meets with the upper cloak on the torso resin

Sword

A long and lethal looking weapon and that's in the scabbard , this is rextured well with cutouts to fit the sword straps into place

The handle continues in a decorative mood and its well styled

Fit is by a post to a cutout on the middle torso

Lance

Consisting of 3 pieces , dry fitting is recommended before going to a more permanent fix , all have I believe a wire going through , all are on formers as you can see , the lance has a good wood effect on all pieces with hands being cast on the upper and lower pieces

The lance head is well styled and looks dangerous

Good to see the hands cast on , work on these as expected with Hugo's medical background is very accurate the fingers gripping the lance ready to take the impact from the attacking move





Final Thoughts

If the Ancient period is your choice or indeed if you just enjoy a good well produced product that's well cast and released professionally with really good build thought then not only this but all from RP are well worth a look at

Recommended for sure​

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In today's current worldwide situation I can only say all the dedication is much appreciated that Hugo and all at RP have put into getting this to the market alongside dealing with many other work related things ​

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Again RP would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all PF members and so many others on their valuable input​

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Thanks to RP for the review piece​

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For more details contact:​

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[email protected]​

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/RPmodels​

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E mail: [email protected]​

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or you can contact Hugo via this site​

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Thank you for looking in ​

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[Hugo Pereira]

Hello BIG GUY

Thank you so much for this amazing review...

Bg hug.
Hugo

 

[Steve Brodie]

Superb piece and a super review.