Review Eastern Viking from Tartar Miniatures

[Nap]

Hi to all ,

We are lucky here that we have Sergey who is involved with Tartar Miniatures

​

They have an almost endless seam of talent both in the sculptors and the artists they use , with the products having life and great movement , together with action poses and very good details .

We will be looking at a release from a while back but for your information here's the link to Serge's WIP , lots of pictures fascinating to see it develop.

http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/viking.72991/

And here's the release link:

http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/east-viking-x-century.74248/

The figure is in an action pose with the weapon being an axe with his shield in front of him.

But who were the Eastern Vikings, they were as with all vikings fearsome warriors but also known as " traders with the sword" . The Rus as the Slavic people called the Vikings took on long river journeys not only for trading but also raiding collecting trade goods like honey, wax, weapons, furs and slaves ..all in all a very lucrative time.

Viking fighting tactics included the famous shield wall and the use of fanatics called Berserkers who went into a rage before battle at times it is said they bit the shield edges and torre the armour off!!!

Helmets of many types , including plain, with nasal bars, eyes, eyebrows worked onto the helmet weapons have been found all beautifully worked ,


Museums also have many amazing finds to enjoy including intricate goldwork and helmets as well as weapons.

Books are available with ease here are a few (the Europa Militaria ones are particularly good IMO)

Continued in next post

Nap

 

[Nap]

Lets look at the release

Title: Viking Eastern (as per box detail)

Reference: TR75-70

Scale: 75mm

Material: Gray Resin

No of pieces: 9

Sculptor: Sergey Savenkov

Box Art: Ruslan Vorobiov


Shipping was fast and efficient with the resin being in a good strong box with colour artwork , the resin being in plastic bags surrounded by bubble wrap.

​

On opening the box just seeing the figure is impressive looking , a large 75mm IMO , parts consist of the main figure the 2 arms ,shield, sword, dagger, axe and a necklace decoration, a base , and a little note advising how to deal with any less than straight parts ( there were none in the review items)

Prep
I spent a long time with my optivisor on looking for casting lines and could only find a tiny and easily removed one between the legs of the main figure and one on the pouch , a small amount of resin to remove to fit to base , the arms have small casting plugs to remove and cut down to fit to the hole in the torso , the base has nothing to do on it, and that is it really good quality from the start ...all in all impressive to say the least .

Starting with the Full figure , sculpted in an action pose the left leg forward the right braced , this is a soldier who is ready to fight hard , the first thing that is noticed is the wear and tear on the clothing this is anup and coming soldier , fighting to gain wealth no doubt the helmet is a simple conical shape with additional decoration in the form of bands over the top and around the lower edge , the helmet sits well and from underneath we see a mass of straggly hair extremely well sculpted , facial hair consists of a large beard with the teeth well formed in the middle , these are being held together in rage no doubt , the work here is very well done as are the remaining facial features of the eyes and nose.


Clothing consists of a hooded garment nice folds , torn in places and at the edges , the stitches are well worked as well , nice touch of detail here , a sword belt comes across his chest with a waist belt also being worn , good undercuts and a nice buckle , the belt itself is looped into itself, hanging on the belt there is a pouch again often leather , plain in the casting

Trousers are baggy and very full as seen in the books I have mentioned , the lower legs are covered in wraps(puttee style) again well worn with nice definition . Shoes are again as in references , leather folded over at the top , the laces showing from the middle.

​

Just got to love that look!!!

Now to the Arms both have the same high level of sculpting nice folds and tears , at both wrists we see a twisted bracelet similar to the celtic torques .again good definition, the left arm has the hand on it in a gripping position ready to receive the shield ...this fitted really well .
the other has no hand this is cast on the axe handle.

The Weapons , the main one is the axe , this is a well shaped with the handle being wrapped to help the grip, the wooden shaft has nice surface sculpted on , the hand is a good bit of work well defined and actually gripping correctly , fit is easy to the wrist. The sword again well sculpted good details on the pommel and the base of the scabbard , these swords were approx 72-82cm long for the blade only , scabbards made of wood covered in leather.
The smaller knife or sax was an everyday item and more than likely carried by all warriors as a weapon itself, a single edged knife ranging from 7.5-30cmm in length , same level of sculpting as seen on the sword

​

Also included in the same bag is a tiny pendant ( a Thors hammer in shape)

The Shield , round in shape and very battle damaged on the rim and the central boss , no design on it , these shields could be just plain or decorated with symbols , there are some really good examples in the Europa Militaria books , the choice is yours , simple geometric designs were often seen ie quartered as in box art.
The rear of the shield has the wooden planks , great surface work with a central support bar across the middle , the centre is ready to receive the hand.

The Base a substantial area well worked groundwork with rocks and branches being sculpted , the positioning of the feet of the figure is made simpler by the provision of cutouts on the base.



Final Thoughts

Well there you have it an action packed figure well sculpted with nice additional details , good character face , easy to prep,lots to paint ......and a popular subject as well ...can't ask no more

A very good addition to the Tartar catalogue

For more information on this and other releases in all scales have a look at the websiteand follow on FB

Sergey is a member on Planet Figure so you could always PM if needed.

Website: www.tartarminitures.com

Email: [email protected]

In the UK you can get Tartar Miniatures products from El Greco Miniatures www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk


Thanks to Tartar for the review model and to you all for popping in

Happy Modelling

Nap

 

[Nap]

Lets have some Pictures now

...ENJOY

Unpainted first

now some more of the box art itself from Ruslan

​

Nap

 

[Wheels]

Very Nice

 

[mortier]

I like Vikings and that's a good example.
Compliments to Sergey and Ruslan

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

"Ok, its' agreat review, a great figure, so ...
We want our review or ......!!!!!"

 

[Viking Bob]

Another nice review Nap, well done. Your bookstore is very comprehensive

 

[Nap]

Another nice review Nap, well done. Your bookstore is very comprehensive

Hi Bob ,

Thanks , the bookstore is indeed very full !

ZC ...okay no threats from Vikings my friend..lol

Nap

 

[Wings5797]

Good review Kevin,
informative as ever.
Many thanks,
Kaith

 

[Oda]

Killer review and figure.

Oda.

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Sergey sent me the picture he used as the inspiration for the figure's helmet

Thanks for that

Nap