Let's see what we have on the table,
Title: "On the edge of no man's land" - WW2 Young Red Army Infantryman July 1943,Battle of Kursk
Reference: LM-B011
Scale: 1/10th
Material: Resin
No of parts: 17
Sculptor: Sang-Eon Lee
Box Art: Sang-Eon Lee
As with all releases from LM shipping was fast and efficient , the model was secure in a strong cardboard box covered with full colour pictures of the amazing artwork
, on opening it up I found the parts were sandwiched between 3 layers of foam as well as being in plastic bags , parts consist of :
Main torso, the right arm , the right hand, head , helmet, 2 helmet straps,the top of the backpack a weapon strap, the magazine , with 5 parts making up the actual weapon itself , we also have a piece of wire for the crucifix string and finally we have the normal base .
After washing all parts, drying I went on the hunt for casting plugs to remove ...suffice to say these are well positioned , minimal and easy to remove , dry fitting of the parts highlighted nothing of any concern .
Beginning as I do with the largest piece of resin , again quality leaps out at you , the resin is really smooth, underneath we have a couple of small casting plugs to remove .
Our subject wears the stand up collar of the 1943 blouse ,a simple and effective piece of clothing , with detachable shoulder boards, sculpting is excellent as it should be the garments features are well worked creases everywhere , over his shoulder he wears a blanket/groundsheet or plashch-palatka ,greatcoats were few and far between ....he is lucky to have this , we have the weapon strap around his neck , the straps for the simple cotton knapsack or veshchevoi-myeshok this was ,just a bag with a drawstring and fabric straps .
All area's have really nice folds the material sitting correctly , the knapsack hanging in the middle of the back . The neck area is very clean the collar standing as it should , we see epaulettes on the shoulders , these are again well done , you might like to add some rank , these were edged in red piping .
Now to the head ...a simple removal of a casting plug from the lower neck dry fitting showed a spot on fit , the lower part of the helmet strap is sculpted under the chin, great definition , the face is a real gem , this boy is scared clinging on to his thoughts and memories , lips are worked as if kissing the cross he holds in the hand, the eyes look so good as do the ears , painting will bring out the full power of this face ...... a real cracker for the painter.
Now the helmet, careful removal of the casting plug will be needed to avoid damaging the helmet rim, the shape of this is really good in all views , the helmet straps fit into the helmet after going into the small depressions in the head sides..you might want to super detail the connecting buckle in the helmet . Fit onto the head is a dream a perfectly formed cutout marries up with a lug on the head. Sometimes the helmet (this looks like the 1940 version) were stamped with a red star..the choice is yours ...a good opportunity to personalise it and use weathering effects.
The top of the backpack is another good sculpt , looking like it's been pulled in with the drawstring, the top blousing out , fit into the locating hole needing no filler .
The right arm is in keeping with the torso , folds are amazing , fit spot on to the shoulder what more can we ask, the cuff area is ready to receive the hand ...perfectly .
The hand is the piece that really brings this together , positioned held to the lips the beautiful cross hanging over his fingers (these are well formed digging into the palm)......really evocative ...this simple item is what this bust is all about ......really fine work....just look at the box art .
On now to the weapon the PPsH-41 , this is a kit in itself consisting of the 2 sides of the surrounding frame to the barrel , the sight(careful not to drop this) , the lower part of the weapon , details on all pieces are incredible but only due to the skill of the sculptor and caster , the magazine fits accurately into the recess , this is again very accurate .
Finally we have the base as with other releases a pedestal type fitting securely into a recess on the undersides of the torso.
Final thoughts:
This is without doubt my favourite release from LM , it really is a hard subject to pull off which has been achieved , such a wonderful subject showing the human side of war , a soldier who is perhaps going to his death , holding on to a ray of hope with help from his beliefs .
Excellent presentation and sculpting ...the box art ....amazing ....very highly recommended.
For more information on this and other releases get yourself onto the website:
www.lifeminiatures.kr
Thanks to Life Miniatures for the review model , I cannot wait to see what's coming next ...nice one Sang-Eon
Thanks to you all for looking in
Nap
This is on my shopping list for sure !
