Review Quota33 for Masterclass presents Russian WW2 Veteran

[Nap]

Hi everyone

Following on from my posts here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/crying-veteran.216211/

and here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/crying-russian-veteran.249488/

This was a release that grabbed my attention right away ...it was full of emotion and full of medals...so it went on my wish list right away

Note: Before I begin this is a review of a release and not a place to discuss the actual person that inspired the sculpt

To me the release shows the sadness of war a soldier remembering with tears the lost friends of long ago , he walks at the head of a parade , surrounded by admirers ...but alone in his thoughts

Whats the piece I am talking about​

Produced by Quota 33 for Masterclass it shows a soldier crying with a bouquet of flowers

​

Here we have pictures that inspired the release , all great references as well

The writing on the helmet says​

​

1941 - 1945​

"Think about it" (In the sense of: "Don't forget!")​

​

....Thanks to Martin Rohmann​

​

Details of the release :

Title: Russian Veteran WWII

Reference: EFB18D

Scale: 1/10th

Material: Lt Gray resin

No of parts: 8

Sculpt: 3D by Max Chertov

Casting: In house

Box Art: N/A

The model was received quickly and safely , in a padded bag with the resin itself having the pieces in clear bags and in a flip over clear container with a paper insert and a picture of the unpainted piece on it



All parts were found to be in a good condition with no transit damages

Parts consist of Torso , head , 2 arms right hand, helmet , strap , bouquet of flowers​

Prep

• Torso... Sand away excess resin on underneath , remove casting line/slip on each side

• Head...Sand off top and edge, remove casting lines behind each ear

• Arms...Excess resin at top of left arm , slight casting lines at front and back of both sleeves

• Right Hand...slight casting lines on edges

• Helmet...Fine sanding around lower edges

• Helmet Strap...Small casting plug and line to remove and sand away

• Flowers...Casting line running along top of cast on hand

Initial comments

• Smooth Resin
• Casting lines are very tiny and easy to remove
• Minimal filler needed at fitment points
• Casting is sharp ....NO miscast on any of the medals
• Folds and creases are good and natural
• Undercuts again are very good
• Head has a cutout to fit helmet strap into
• 3D Sculpt is good as it should be
• A 5/6mm hole is provided underneath for basing

My suggested build sequence

1. Wash and dry resin or use ultrasonic bath to remove any casting residue
2. Dry fit all pieces using bluetac or similar
3. Fit left arm but leave right to allow access to paint medals easier
4. Paint head on torso but fit helmet etc last
5. Paint bouquet and fit once all torso completed
6. Fit hand last to allow for painting access to face

Continued in next post

Nap

 

[Nap]

Onto the rein

Torso

Obviously the larger piece of resin , cut level below the waist wearing a crossbelt from the left shoulder with a chest festooned with medals and awards

I am not in this instance go into full details on the awards as the reference pictures are very clear , many are commemorative awards ....suffice to say that the details on all are really very good indeed all medals are well rounded with sharp ribbon shaping , starts and head details are well done on the actual medals and very sharply cast

In the references there is also a crucifix , this was not added but something I will certainly do

The large ribbon in the centre is sitting naturally and very well cast so a well done on this to the casting team

The belts are well detailed and are pulling into the clothing correctly , good buckle details and undercuts

On the shoulders we have epaulettes , there is no edging so these depict field items ...you could easily add if you so wish , the rank is that of a senior sgt but again you could rank him up to Sgt Major by adding a central line

On the rear the crossbelt sits well into the body with the folds showing well and not overworked

Fitment points are very cleanly cut at the neck , arms and underneath the hole to fit a post to base up

Arms

The left will hold the flowers , the right is in position to have the hand that wiping tears away

Both have the full sleeves again with good movement on the materail , the cuffs ahve been buttoned up , the 2 buttons have a star design on them

Fitment points continue to be accurate at shoulders and wrists with little if any filler needed



Head

This is a really good piece of 3D work , the face is full with wrinkles and lines as befitting a person of age, these are at the sides cheeks and forehead, bags under the eyes , eyes not fully open , but showing good definition

The nose is full with good nostril details , the mouth is open a little just enough the see the upper set of teeth and a hint of the lower set ....I wonder if these were his own ???, the teeth are individually worked

Ears are well done , full and a good shaping , the surface of the face is slightly undulating as in the picture references , the skin pulling slightly onto the upper cheeks

There cutout for the strap is seen on each side

As I said in the prep there is a casting line behind each ear but easy to sand off

Fitment is easy again with good location points





Hand

This is a really well done item with the individual fingers, knuckles, nails and aged lines all evident as well as the veins themselves on the upper hand

Slight flashing around fingers...easy to remove

No issues regarding fitting but you will need to fit this last to allow access to paint the face



Continued in next post


Nap

 

[Nap]

Onto the remaining pieces

Helmet and strap

Our subject wears the distinctive 1940 pattern steel helmet which is well cast and shaed and in scale in respect of the thickness , there are 6 rivet/studs around just above the well shaped rim ,

On the inside there are fitment points for the strap pieces to fit into and a cutout for the head to sit into





The strap is shaped perfectly to fit into the cutout on either side of the face and when in place sits well into the helmet , there is as in prep a casting line to remove , buckle details are there , but you might want to add a end to the strap



Flowers

This is what makes the piece ...the contrast between the medals and the delicate blooms works really well and adds a lot of colour and meaning to the completed model

The flowers consist of a variety of roses, daffodils, and tulips , and all are well cast and distinctive in the flower and petal details

The stems peek out from the end and are a total of 19 showing , the leaves of the flowers are held in the cast on hand underneath a wrapping is seen

The sculpting of the hand is again full of details , veins and age , the knuckles straining against the stems being held

A challenge to paint these with compassion and feeling without doubt, as you can see a lot of very beautiful work on the bouquet

Continued in next post

Nap

 

[Nap]

To end this review on a high note some pictures comparing 3D images and actual resin from the FB page of Masterclass Figures

Final Thoughts

I think its pretty obvious that this is a piece I rather like and will certainly be putting this towards the bench soon
As a first release from team Quota33/Masterclass its a great start , very good casting and a pleasure to share my thoughts on

I look forward to seeing the next release very soon

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


To order this contact details

E mail [email protected]

Masterclass website www.masterclass.it

Thank you for all looking in

Hope you enjoyed the review

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[eddie_C96]

It is very unfortunate that the sculptor chose to represent the very unprobable mix of real and phoney decorations found on this particular person.

 

[captnenglish]

Thank you for the review, this one is definitely on my list

 

[Viking Bob]

Enjoy painting this one kev, you have a knack for medals.

 

[red tom]

I finished this yesterday, as I intend this to represent someone in the Unforgotten Regiment parade held each year. Basically the same as our Armistice Day with the difference that there are no military bands involved. I saw this man at last year's march when the commentator said he began crying when he realised that he was the last survivor of his group.

 

[Nap]

I finished this yesterday, as I intend this to represent someone in the Unforgotten Regiment parade held each year. Basically the same as our Armistice Day with the difference that there are no military bands involved. I saw this man at last year's march when the commentator said he began crying when he realised that he was the last survivor of his group.

Do share your version in our completed figures part if you wish

Happy painting

Nap

 

[Capt. Warren]

It is very unfortunate that the sculptor chose to represent the very unprobable mix of real and phoney decorations found on this particular person.

Hey Eddie

can you name any of the real medals and badges?

I have identified the Order of Zhukov, Order of the Patriotic War (cannot tell if it is 1st or 2nd class),

Capture of Koenigsberg (Row 2, #4)

Victory over Germany (Row 2 #3)

20 years victory (Row 3 #5)

40 years victory(Row 3 #7)

30 years victory (Row 4#2)

Any others you or any others can ID would be helpful

Thanks

 

[eddie_C96]

Hey Eddie

can you name any of the real medals and badges?


Thanks

Are you talking about the photo or the bust?

In any case, the guy has the epaulettes of infantry "starshy serzhant", which is E7 (Sergeant First Class) equivalent.
The Zhukov order is out if place because it was awarderd to commanding officers (O6 and higher) only.
I ll try to find a better photo, but it does not look like the order of Zhukov.
The Order of the Patriotic War on the photo is 2nd class, but normally, as the guy had previeous war-time decorations, it should have been 1st class (however, some errors did happen in 1985, so it is not a complete impossibility).
The Polish medal is a post-war "Odznaka Braterstwa Broni", with an added fantasy eagle. The medal immediately underneath is 65 years victory.

Row 3 #2 is 50 years victory, issued by a dissedent Permantent Praesidium of the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union (Sazhi Umalatova)

The real 50 years victory is hidden by the cross, but can be seen on other photos.

If anyone can find more high res photos of the guy, it would be helpful

 

[Capt. Warren]

This is very helpful Eddie. It sounds like you are a real student of awards, badges and other USSR regalia! There are some very high resolution photos of the bust earlier in this thread posted by Nap. That may be helpful in ID. Again, many thanks! Any idea what the medal is on the right breast pocket is (its a long one with what appears to be a shield imposed over a circular background.

 

[eddie_C96]

This is very helpful Eddie. It sounds like you are a real student of awards, badges and other USSR regalia! There are some very high resolution photos of the bust earlier in this thread posted by Nap. That may be helpful in ID. Again, many thanks! Any idea what the medal is on the right breast pocket is (its a long one with what appears to be a shield imposed over a circular background.

This is a Polish post-war Brotherhood in Arms medal "Odznaka Braterstwa Broni"

 

[Nap]

This is a Polish post-war Brotherhood in Arms medal "Odznaka Braterstwa Broni"

Great info ......what would be great are pictures of each medal as well as title

Nap

 

[Fantomas]

 

[eddie_C96]

Here is what I have been able to identify so far/

1 Medal "For the Defence of Moscow"
2 Medal "For the Capture of Königsberg"
3 Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
4 Medal "Defender of a Free Russia" (Russian)
5 Jubilee Medal "Fifty Five Years of Victory" (Umalatova)
6 Medal of Zhukov (Russian)
7 Jubilee Medal "Sixty years of liberation of Belarus" (Belarus)
8 Medal "In Commemoration of the 800th Anniversary of Moscow"
9 Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow" (Russian)
10 Medal "Veteran of Labour"
11 Jubilee Medal "Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
12 Jubilee Medal "Fifty Years of Victory" (Umalatova)
13
14 Jubilee Medal "Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
15 ribbon of Jubilee Medal "Sixty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (Russia)
16
17 Jubilee Medal "Seventy Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
18 (?) (Private)
19 Brotherhood in Arms (Polish)
20 Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class
21 Star "Pride of Nation" (private)
22
23 2nd Jubilee Medal "Sixty years of liberation of Belarus" (Belarus)
24 Jubilee Medal "Sixty five years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (Russia)
25 Jubilee Medal "Sixty five years of liberation of Belarus" (Belarus)
26 Jubilee Medal "Sixty five years of Moscow battle 1941–1945" (City of Moscow)
27 Badge "Son of the Regiment" (private)
28 ribbon of Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR"
29
30
31 Jubilee Medal "Seventy years of Moscow battle 1941–1945" (City of Moscow)
32 Copy of Gen. Bredov March cross (White Russian / private)
33
34 Badge of 338Infantry division (private)
35 (?) (Private)
36
37 ribbon of Jubilee Medal "Sixty years of liberation of Belarus" (Belarus) + Jubilee Medal "Fifty Years of Victory" (Umalatova)
38 ribbon of Jubilee Medal "Sixty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (Russia) + Jubilee Medal "Fifty Five Years of Victory" (Umalatova)
39 ribbon of Jubilee Medal "Fifty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (Russia) + (?)

 

[eddie_C96]

Medals without a mention are official Soviet ones - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders,_decorations,_and_medals_of_the_Soviet_Union
Medals with mention "Russian" are official state decorations of Russian Federation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders,_decorations,_and_medals_of_Russia
Medals with mention "Umalatova" were issued by the Permantent Praesidium of the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union - a dissident Comunist/nationalist organisation lead by Sazhi Umalatova, who refused to acknowledge the legality of the breakup of the USSR.
Their medals were distributed thru the veterans organizations, and while they are not official, they are very common and frequently worn by veterans:

- Jubilee Medal "Fifty Years of Victory" (Umalatova)

- Jubilee Medal "Fifty Five Years of Victory" (Umalatova)

Medals with mention "Belarus" are official state decorations of the republic of Belarus:

- "Sixty years of liberation of Belarus" (Belarus)

- "Sixty five years of liberation of Belarus" (Belarus)


Medals with mention "City Of Moscow" are official local decorations of the city of Moscow:

Jubilee Medal "Sixty five years of Moscow battle 1941–1945" (City of Moscow)

Jubilee Medal "Seventy years of Moscow battle 1941–1945" (City of Moscow)

 

[Nap]

Hi Eddie

That's brilliant references and what PF is about ...sharing information

Thank you for taking the time ....ideal for the painter

Nap

 

[Capt. Warren]

Amazing Eddie, this is a terrific reference and I REALLY appreciate your time and willingness to share your knowledge!! Thank you so very much!!