Review RP Models "Bustorama" Parthian Camel Warrior

[Nap]

Hi everyone

Its been busy year for the RP team with releases being eagerly anticipated , I have had the pleasure to review busts for Hugo here are a couple of links to them

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/war-elephant-bustorama-from-rp-models.130798/

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/carthaginian-elephant-from-rp-models.117898/

You might have noticed we have a animal theme .....and the ark continues to let a another out ...this review of the bustorama will include a camel ...or at least a part of it !!!

This was the inspiration for the subject release:

I would like to take a moment to emphasise a few points regarding RP

• They do everything from concept to shipping
• Hugo welcomes all idea's with feedback is always greeted positively withHugo making a point of replying to all
• Customer service is second to none
• RP send all their limited ( this run is 300 ) editions releases to their partners (for instance SK Miniatures and El Greco Miniatures in the UK)
• Releases are done in Bust, Bustorama (both 1/12th) and 75mm scale as a full figure

I have over 120 pictures to show you so thsi will be heavy on them !!! as a result I will provide references at the end of the review allowing you to see the resin first


Details of the release:

Title: Parthia Catafratari (Ancient World )

Reference: HRP-B-01-004

Scale: 1/12th

Material: Gray Resin

No of parts: 47 plus information insert

Sculptor: 3D

Casting : YS Castings ( Yiannis )

Box Art: N/A


As before we are provided with a very strong box , this time in an eye catching gold , there is no box artwork but a very striking picture on the top

With details on the sides including special thanks to Planet Figure and Figurementors (Jay Martin) as well as some other guy...... ......was my pleasure to help with research

As you can see we have a lot of parts in the box this is broken down to :

• Camel 6
• Figure 8
• Weapons 18
• Remaining 16

Lets have a look at all the parts laid out

Camel

Figure

Weapons

Remaining

As you can see a lot , I would like to mention the packing that I was greeted with and very happy to say there was no damage or bits broken off ...like the tops of the saddle for instance (to the right of camel in first picture )

• There is a choice of 2 heads for the figure
• The camel is cleverly cut and fits together well in a logical way
• There are parts to fit but reference to the box pictures will help
• Casting is very good indeed especially with such intricate detail
• Parts need to be removed from formers and flashing (arrows/reins)
• Minimal casting lines to remove
• Textures abound on the piece
• The figure has one full leg the other cut below the hip ...you will see more in pictures!!

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Lets look at the camel

• Consisting of 3 main parts , front, rear and neck/head
• All parts fit easily together (more later!!)
• The central portion and the armour will be in next part

Rear

The camels skin is well textured , something that RP are well known for on the rear part we have straps with decorated round pieces , definition is very good ....of course we have a tail as well , nicely detailed.... one comment is I will soften this to reposition a little more to my taste



Front

This continues with the skin textures , as you can see we have really good locating cutouts that are for the hanging armour and the head, the leg is nicely cut at just below the knee joint
We also have some of the armour this is a sign of things to come the lamellar scales are very nicely done



Neck/Head


This is where the piece really comes to life and this is a area that particularly attention was paid to when referencing with Hugo meeting with animal specialists as well ..has it paid off .....ABSOLUTELY in my opinion

• The neck is fully armoured
• The top of the head has a covering over it
• Cutout for the head feathers on top and a excellent fitment area to the back of the neck
  
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• Again the armour is finely worked with supporting straps and buckles being well defined
• The mouth is wide open teeth and tongue very evident ...its a cracking piece of work both sculpting and casting

Just look at the head details :




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Now to the Central piece and the hanging armour ( we will look at how they all fit together and sizes in the next part)

Central Piece

This is the saddle covering consisting of several layers all covered in details from a design , stitching , tassels together with the actual saddle again wonderfully decorated , the wood effect is very well done , with the front and rear pommels sitting proud on each end

Hanging armour

Another piece of very good sculpting with these details being cast by Yiannis at YS with real skill ...resulting in the piece you will see below in the pictures , on the rear there is the backing to the armour ( this could have been easily left off but that is not the way RP work , you will see areas that are different this is to allow for a accurate fit, again we have a really secure fitment post

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Let me show you how the 5 camel pieces fit together (using blue tac for pictures)

• There are fitment lugs to use
• I suggest you pin as well as glue
• Work out how you will base up the piece first

Front and Neck



Centre



Hanging armour



All together

Now for the size of the pieces




Continued in next post where we will look at the warrior

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This part will cover the main torso and limbs

Lets have some measurements first

Main Torso

• Consisting of upper and lower body down to the edge of the mail
• angled to the right wearing shoulder protection under which there is a mail shirt which extends to the above the knee when leg in position
• Fitment points for the cape, weapons and for the arms
• Mail and armour definition good overall , sharply cast
• Belt detail again has a good design on them
• Shoulder armour has indentations where cloak fits to
• Underside smoothly cast to take legs

Legs


Or perhaps that should be leg as these have been cleverly cut down on the left one to just below the waist
The trousers are as I expected full of texture work , showing the material up well ...this texture work is something that Hugo is quite rightly proud of
Moving down he is wearing knee high boots again with a leather texture effect , the top and ankle areas have band around them this has a circular design on them and extends along the upper part of the boot
On the main boot there is a wonderful design of a winged beast ...on both sides again well cast





Arms


As with the legs these have a well done fitment post that provides a secure and accurate fit
Again we have the textures on the sleeves over which the lower arm is protected by a armoured plate , a nice touch is the cuts and damage that's been added , both have the same pattern cast on it ...another detail to enjoy
The armour is held in place by well shown straps and buckles as you can see in the pictures



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Now to the cape and the heads

Cape

• This feature is seen in previous RP releases adding movement and interest to the piece
• Full of folds and movement with a decorated edging , the cape gathered at the shoulders culminating in a lions head boss on each shoulder

You could if you so wish do a bit of putty work on the torso armour and leave this off ......the choice is yours , perhaps something I might consider doing when this arrives at my bench



Head(s)


The head is something that is always focussed on and here we have a choice of 2 very good ones , one open faced the other wearing a mail head covering showing only the eyes ....the difficulty is ...which to choose

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• Both have different style helmets as well as you can see

• The open faced one is full anger and wonderful features mouth wide open shouting showing both teeth and tongue , great cheek work and eye definition

• The helmet is a high conical one with really detailed decoration on it , teh bar is again raised by looking at the cheek pieces

• Of note is the fact that despite the nasal bar being cast on ..you have easy access to the nostrils and the eyes for painting

• Long straggly hair flows out from under the helmet at the rear

• The other option has a face fully enclosed

• A lower conical helmet , 4 sectioned with a design in each quarter the mail covering is held to the helmet with well done links clearly worked and cast

• The mail sits correctly in respect the turned head , good suggestion of the facial features under it

• The eye work is clean and despite being surrounded is quite accessible

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On now to the remaining pieces

As before lets see some measurements

Looking at the weapons and accessories

If you have slightly bent pieces then carefully use a heat source ie hot water to soften and then straighten

You are supplied with a total of 7 full arrows all need to be removed from the formers and flashing removed



There is also half a bow which fits into a quiver (dont forget the string ....fishing line is a good idea or fine lead wire)

The bow itself has some nice detail work on it , brought out more by painting , nice work on the grip as well



The quiver itself is very well styled with 2 good boss plates on it , with a lions head design in the centre

Texture work is evident as are the stitching

Particular and very well done casting has been achieved with the inside being fully ready to take the half bow



There are another 2 containers for arrows and both have the same high quality in detail work , one with the similar to the above the other is strewn with a flower design , front and back

Both have the usual fitment points as seen below and both have the inside clear to take arrows






There is a sword scabbard ( the review one was slightly bent) and a separate sword handle , I would have preferred it all together , but the fit is easy to achieve

Good work on the straps and again we have textures on the leather with stitching , both have a design on them

There is also a small axe , a point one end with the axe head the other ,both sword and axe fit to the figure with ease

There is a small strap to use when fitting the scabbard to the figure




No warrior would be such without a shield and we are again in for a treat with the work on this fellows , this exhibits a really good wood effect on both sides , the front having well worked metalwork ...a veritable feast to paint up

I am thinking if I leave the cape off I could fit the shield to the back of the figure ...just a idea...whats modelling is all about imo !!




The spear now , well thought out and in 3 sections , the lower and centre section has hands cast on , these fitting to the arms well , assisting in lining the spear up , the full shaft is a very dangerous looking weapon and I can well imagine it going through 2 men easily when in action , the wood effect is on the shaft

The hands are protected by armour over the upper surface with good clean definition on the hands themselves , these fit into the arms easily , they are holding a hand grip on the spear itself



You can see the 3 pieces in the measurement picture in the centre


There is a set of reins for the camel , again textured , some might like to replace these with a lead sheeting , a matter of personal choice , these fit simply to either side of the camels head



There is also another similar piece which is in fact to use as a hanging strap to the shield again fitting easily in position



We now come to the final pieces

• 8 large tassels ...all in various movement styles all well detailed up again adding a nice addition/interest

• 4 smaller ones these are for the quiver/container with the lions centre boss

• 2 options of a helmet ornament to fit to the helmet points , both flowing in design , fitted by pre drilling

• Finally we have a rather magnificent set of plumes that fits to the camels head itself

Final Thoughts

Hugo and the RP team are always striving to give the customer something different , that is full of action and detail ...have they achieved it with this camel release ...from me its a resounding YES and I am sure the same comment would be from those that purchased the 75mm full version

Again its only right that congratulations are going to Hugo and his very supportive family ....there is a heck of a lot of time spent packing the pieces up even in the limited casting runs RP do

Recommended for sure ...a great long term project and the end result will be amazing

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

For more details contact:

[email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RPmodels

E mail: [email protected]

or you can contact Hugo via this site

Thank you for looking in on this little review hope you found it of use and interest...off for a large coffee!!!

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As promised

Here are some books you might like to get hold of



lets have some references

Some from Hugo ( thank you )

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As a final flurry of camel lets have some pictures fro the RP FB page:

ENJOY

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[Viking Bob]

Very nice review Nap,
I am sure someone on here is painting this with an SBS.

 

[yellowcat]

Nap, Fantastic review. It is disappointed the camel is only half round.

 

[Hugo Pereira]

Hello my GOOD FRIEND

Thank you so much for the review... Thank you for everything.

Big hug.
Hugo

 

[Hugo Pereira]

Hello Mr. YellowCat

Im sorry if some how I disapointed you. The idea is bring a bust of Catafratari... With this we want bring the detail to a big scale. I will try to improve in the next time... Thank you so much. My apologies for any inconvenience.

Thank you Sir.
With best regards
Hugo Pereira

 

[yellowcat]

Hello Mr. YellowCat

Im sorry if some how I disapointed you. The idea is bring a bust of Catafratari... With this we want bring the detail to a big scale. I will try to improve in the next time... Thank you so much. My apologies for any inconvenience.

Thank you Sir.
With best regards
Hugo Pereira

Hello Hugo,
Thank you for the info. It is kind of odd that the bust/figure is almost a full figure riding on a camel that is only showing one side of the camel's body. BUT from another perspective it is clever to design for such a bust. Keep up the excellent work.

 

[tefaet]

Amazing review.Very nice work

 

[Nap]

Very nice review Nap,
I am sure someone on here is painting this with an SBS.

Here Bob ....https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/parthia-catafratari-rp-models.154166/

By Paulo

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[Jonthan mcmeekin]

Cracking review of a belter Big Man! Well done on all fronts.
Cheers from Cumbria.
Jonathan

 

[Paulo]

Very nice review Nap,
I am sure someone on here is painting this with an SBS.

Hi Bob !! Unfortunately I cant do everything on SBS is very time consuming ( and in some way brakes your rythm /weeling of painting) But I do am working on it now, I´ll put the photos soon
A big hug my friend and nice paintings
ps: ... maybe the other versions I´ll made a SBS

 

[Paulo]

Or maybe ... on the next Catrafra ... oops
talk too much ... Hugo is going to kill me

PS: Nice to meet you all Planeteers ... see you on the next life

 

[Steve Brodie]

Nap, you were right ....... well worth the wait. The detail on the 75mm version is also just as stunning. And the camel goes together like a breeze.

Though the camel looks a bit on the 'short' side.