Kit Review - Islamic Warrior S.XII

[Calvin]

The past week I got the opportunity to see in flash the figure used for the boxart of the above kit. After seeing it I'm more and more persuaded that a picture will never make justice of the real one, but I was unable to resist, so I took my own shot of it.

I understand that a review must be as much impartial as possible, but seeing that figure it's really hard to do not get charmed, so I prefer to separate my personal thought from the review.

In my opinion Young B. Song is one of the most talented sculptors out there, maybe not the most technical, but it's really hard to see a such passionate and proud poses like the ones he makes. Aside the historical issue, I think it's just a matter of feeling and his pieces are really charming, at least for me.

And now, the review.

Manufacturer: Elite Miniaturas
Article: BS/70.24 - Islamic Warrior S. XII
Casting: white metal
Scale: 70mm
Sculptor: Young B. Song
Painter (boxart): Jose Hernandez
Pieces: 6
Box size: 7 x 7 x 14 cm.
Box weight: 235 gr.
Figure weight: 176 gr.

The box is made by heavy white cardboard wrapped by a thin (bright) carton with the picture of the figure and more pics from the 70mm collection. The content is wrapped by two white heavy foams and some items (head, sword and nasal) are wrapped by a little envelope.

The kit is composed by the figure of the Islamic warrior and a little (rounded) pedestal. There are 6 pieces (5 for the figure and 1 for the pedestal).

 

[Calvin]

The figure measures 73 mm from the foots to the eye line, reaching a total of 81 mm on the top.

The casting is made with a very clear and light white metal, no seam lines excluding the one on the sides (from the mail down to the foots), but really thin, almost invisible. No imperfections at all (no misalignment, depression and/or shrinkage). The casting is very clean and dense. The level of smallest details is very high, with no blemish. Only the joint between the two valves of the body requires a little attention.

Cleaning and assembling the figure does not requires more than 5 minutes.

About the mail, the detail is very high and with the right dimension (considering the overall scale), so you need to pay attention while painting, avoiding a thick coat of paint.

From the books I have, for those who are interested in that topic, I would like to suggest the following titles:

- "Saladin and the Saracens", by D.Nicolle and A. McBride, Osprey publishing
Fully illustrated with b&w drawings/pictures and 8 beautiful colour plates.

- "Gli Arabi e l'Islam", by F.A. Arborio Mella, Mursia (italian)
A very good history of the Islamic world, from Bedouins (pre-islamic age) to the first/second crusade and Spain domination. Illustrated with b&w drawings/pictures and some colour pictures.

- "Oriental Armour", by H.Russel Robinson, Dover publications
A very good guide to the oriental armours (Persia, Turkey, The Middle East, India, Ceylon Philippine Islands, China, Korea, Tibet, Bhutan and Japan) with many illustrations in b&w.

- "I Mori", by M.Brett, Istituto Geografico De Agostini (italian)
A full colour illustrated history of (ancient) islamic world.

 

[Calvin]

- "Les Armes Orientales", by I.Lebedynsky, Editions du portail (french)
A full b&w illustrated guide to the oriental armour by category (swords, daggers, etc.), very good.

- "Las Navas de Tolosa", by Manuel G. Lopez Payer and Maria D. Rosado Llamas (spanish)
About the Islamic domination and the famous battle, with many illustrations (most in b&w).

- "Kingdom of Heaven", from the original movie of Ridley Scott, Pocket Books
A full colour illustrated book about the movie, a good source to start from and with a lot of interesting pictures.

- "Arquitectura islamica en Andalucia", by M.Barraucand and A.Bednorz, Taschen (spanish)
A full colour illustrated book about the islamic architecture in the south of Spain, in my opinion the best book about that topical, with a very good text about history, culture, etc. If you need some reference for making a setting for that figure, this book is a must.

A very good and large iconographical source about the islamic culture/influence in Spain is available at the following url:
El legado andalusí

Just as an example, here the Almohade flag captured by Alfonso VIII during the Navas de Tolosa battle and a full listing of available pictures.

 

[Guy]

Fantastic Kit review Luca...........I have now added this little gem to my "want list"

Many thanks for the time and effort to share this with us.

 

[Kisifer]

That's a great review indeed Luca. Very informative for everyone who wishes to add this excellent kit to his grey army.

Xenofon

 

[Calvin]

I got the 'access' to a showcase with most of the figures used by Elite for his boxarts and some more pieces. The Islamic warrior immediately catched my attention, but it was really hard to concentrate to get a decent picture..., I got a trance 'moment', it was like the first toy store experience for a baby...
Aside some real beauties from Pepe Gallardo, there are some gems from Jose Hernandez..., unbelievable.
I was seeing the pieces over and over again and it was impossible for me to find the transition between the different colours used in shading and highlighting.
A real trip, I'll try to take some more shots to show you such gems.

 

[Guayo]

Luca, thanks for the review, you are right, there is not justice on the box art, the face is just amazing but just notice that the nasal on the helmet is not from this period XIIc the use of the Nasal on islamic helmet of this type are more common on the XIVc.

Check this article on the Rigid and the Sliding Nasal

examples from the 15th Century

Great Book Recommendations, I got the Arquitectura islamica from Taschen and this is a must, you never get tire of checking the photos.

For more on the topic

Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf

Atlas historico del mundo islamico by David Nicolle(There is also a English version)

Saracen Faris AD 1050–1250 (Warrior 10) by David Nicolle

Saludos cordiales

Eduardo

 

[Major_Goose]

One thing that stopped me from starting the figure is hat i didnt had enougfh reference , this pretty informative review of Luca filled the gap and i guess, i will soon start it . I ll have to check and gety some of the books soon as i am planning some more islamic oriented themes soon . Actually a full display of them 7-10 figures from 54 - 90 mm.

Thanks a lot Luca !!!!!

 

[el cid]

Originally posted by Calvin@May 1 2006, 11:51 AM
The past week I got the opportunity to see in flash the figure used for the boxart of the above kit. After seeing it I'm more and more persuaded that a picture will never make justice of the real one, but I was unable to resist, so I took my own shot of it.

I understand that a review must be as much impartial as possible, but seeing that figure it's really hard to do not get charmed, so I prefer to separate my personal thought from the review.

In my opinion Young B. Song is one of the most talented sculptors out there, maybe not the most technical, but it's really hard to see a such passionate and proud poses like the ones he makes. Aside the historical issue, I think it's just a matter of feeling and his pieces are really charming, at least for me.

And now, the review.

Manufacturer: Elite Miniaturas
Article: BS/70.24 - Islamic Warrior S. XII
Casting: white metal
Scale: 70mm
Sculptor: Young B. Song
Painter (boxart): Jose Hernandez
Pieces: 6
Box size: 7 x 7 x 14 cm.
Box weight: 235 gr.
Figure weight: 176 gr.

The box is made by heavy white cardboard wrapped by a thin (bright) carton with the picture of the figure and more pics from the 70mm collection. The content is wrapped by two white heavy foams and some items (head, sword and nasal) are wrapped by a little envelope.

The kit is composed by the figure of the Islamic warrior and a little (rounded) pedestal. There are 6 pieces (5 for the figure and 1 for the pedestal).

Thanks for a most informative review.. I have this figure on order and can't wait to paint it!! .. If possible could you perhaps show more photos that you took of the original figure?? Would like to hear from others whom are a fan of 70mm and of this period in history..I see from the recent posts there is a few of us...

 

[Calvin]

Thanks for your comments.

Costas, do not know how many books are available on on that topic, I think not so much, anyway I saw some more titles on the printed catalogue of Tuttostoria. I will take a look at the back issues I have, maybe I can find some more.

Sthepen, I do not have more shots of the original figure, but for what I saw it is a real beauty. There are no more subjects like that on the Elite's 70mm series, but into the 54mm line you can find some little gems like the following

I saw the painted versions in the flesh at Manuel's home and they are really impressive.

My preferred is the 90mm Islamic warrior by White Models, the one based on the well known Gerome's painting.

 

[Major_Goose]

Luca thanks for looking and if you discover anything more please tell me . As i am on the road for many similiar figurestopaint . I have the 54 Elite ones and they all are small gems . Very very good ones.

I dont have the White Models one ...Yet ...but i am waiting their Mamelouk , and afterwards i will step on this one you show here..

So many figures ...so little tme !!!!

 

[megroot]

Luca,

Thanks for this very informative revieuw. I liked this figure from the first moment i saw it.

Marc

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Luca

Thanks for the review

Hi Marc

I too was looking at this one, and the white models figure too

Dave

 

[Jim Patrick]

WOW! Once upon a time someone told me about a "standard" for kit reviews. I think that "standard" just changed. This is an excellent figure followed by an excellent review. Luca, you did a fantastic job of not only showing us a beautiful figure but also of show us un-informed (like myself ) all the references needed to research, paint and finish this figure.

THANK YOU!
Jim Patrick