Martin Philpott
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2015
- Messages
- 200
RPmodels Maj. John Howard 100mm Limited Edition Bust WWII Series.
Catalogue Ref: RPM-B-08-0003.
Number of Parts: 17 resin.
Price: £45.00
Availability: (UK) Historex Agents, El Greco and SK Miniatures.
Forward, A Brief History.
(photo below)
Major John Howard DSO.
Major John Howard was responsible for leading the attack by the 6th British Airborne Division on what is now famously known as Pegasus Bridge. His objective was to capture the bridge which was a vital link over the Caen Canal.
Major Howard led men from D Company, 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckingham Light Infantry, these men were the first British troops to land in the D-Day landing of June 6th 1944.
They were transported by three Horsa gliders towed by Halifax bombers and released at 8,000 feet over the Normandy coast landing just a few meters from one another at 00.16 on June 6th, 1944. Each of the gliders carried 28 men all of whom were from the 6th Airborne Division. The bridge was taken in just 10 minutes after the landing, a quite remarkable achievement.
There was a counter attack by 21st Panzer Division but this was repulsed by the British reinforcements that had parachuted in to assist Major Howard and his men. Strategically the bridge was vital to both the Germans and British as a supply route, control of the route was crucial.
Major John Howard was awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal (DSO) on the 16th July 1944 as a result of his heroic leadership that day. In 1954 he also received the Croix de Guerre avec Palme from the French for his actions. The original road that crossed the bridge along with its replacement road was renamed Rue Major John Howard in his honour, there is also a permanent memorial to him at that location.
Major Howard was invalided out of the army, the result of injuries sustained in a car crash. He was later to join the Ministry of Agriculture. Major John Howard, DSO, died in 1999 aged 86.
(photo below)
The memorial to Major John Howard at Pegasus Bridge.
First Impressions.
Presentation is excellent, the kit is well packaged inside a sturdy and practical cardboard box. On the front of the lift up lid is the eye catching artwork of the assembled piece with its title and description. Once you open the box you will find 3 clear plastic re-sealable bags that contain the various resin pieces, these pieces are further protected as the bags are surrounded by polystyrene nuggets. Under all of this you will find your certificate of Authentication which we will see more of later. As you might expect everything arrived in perfect condition with no damage or missing parts.
The Figure.
(photo below)
The main part on which all of the others are built is the torso seen below. The quality of the piece has an instant appeal setting the standard by which the rest of the kit will be judged. Detailing is sharp and well defined on the Denison Smock with the pattern 37 webbing and belt laying very naturally over the top. The two recess holes seen on the front are for locating the pattern 37 pouches, this method is used throughout the build and offers a very accurate and well engineered fit.
(photo below)
For reference purposes a photo of typical Denison Smock., the details of which have been captured so well on our figure.
(photo below)
The recess holes are used throughout the build, here we see the large recess in the back that will accommodate the backpack, the one on the bottom left is for the canteen, the one on the middle of the belt is for the bayonet and the one on the far right of the belt is for the fighting knife, all of which will be added later. The straps and buckles of the webbing look excellent while the smock material looks to have a natural appearance with the creases and folds.
(photo below)
From the side view we see how the webbing lays very well over the smock in a very realistic way. The smock itself is just full of exceptional quality detail, the pockets, buttons, collar and tabs all ‘pop’ and help bring life to the figure. The right arm proved positive when test fitting, the recess hole seen just below the belt is for accommodating the holster whilst the one on the front just above the belt is for one of the pouches, both offered a superb fit.
(photo below)
No matter the angle the figure shows exquisite detail with a wonderfully natural pose.
(photo below)
More convincing detail, this time in the collar, cravat and lanyard. The collar has a great undercut allowing it to sit raised above the in a very realistic way. The lanyard also lays nicely across the smock looping well under the collar and leading down to the holster. The cravat looks brilliant and will add a nice contrast. Just a few nibs to remove and tidy on the collar and also the base of the figure but once those are delt with you will be good to go.
(photo below)
You can see very clearly from this photo the superb layering and depth of detail involved. Each layer sits very well on top of the other offering a very realistic appearance.
(photo below)
Beautiful quality to the resin ensures the detail stays strong and well pronounced throughout. Sharp, crisp and well defined detail can be seen in every area.
(photo below)
The Major insignia on the epaulets is clear and well defined. The epaulets themselves add another depth and dimension laying nicely across the shoulders of the smock.
(photo below)
Kings Imperial Crown epaulet insignia. Accurately and very well defined on the figure.
Head.
(photo below)
The face is sublime with detailing that is first class. The resemblance to the Major is breathtakingly accurate as can be seen from the archive photo below, all of the features are extremely well proportioned.
(photo below)
Archive photo showing the stunning resemblance of the figures facial features.
(photo below)
The straps and chin guard for the helmet look very convincing in their appearance laying nicely across the face.
Left Arm.
(photo below)
A excellent fit is assured to the body with the pin and recess system working brilliantly. The material of the smock looks superb with the creases and folds of the material very natural looking while the hand fits snug to the arm in test fitting. Very little needed in clean up before this piece can be added.
Right Arm.
(photo below)
As you might expect, the right arm holds the same qualities as that of the left, no hidden nasty surprises here.
Catalogue Ref: RPM-B-08-0003.
Number of Parts: 17 resin.
Price: £45.00
Availability: (UK) Historex Agents, El Greco and SK Miniatures.
Forward, A Brief History.
(photo below)
Major John Howard DSO.
Major John Howard was responsible for leading the attack by the 6th British Airborne Division on what is now famously known as Pegasus Bridge. His objective was to capture the bridge which was a vital link over the Caen Canal.
Major Howard led men from D Company, 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckingham Light Infantry, these men were the first British troops to land in the D-Day landing of June 6th 1944.
They were transported by three Horsa gliders towed by Halifax bombers and released at 8,000 feet over the Normandy coast landing just a few meters from one another at 00.16 on June 6th, 1944. Each of the gliders carried 28 men all of whom were from the 6th Airborne Division. The bridge was taken in just 10 minutes after the landing, a quite remarkable achievement.
There was a counter attack by 21st Panzer Division but this was repulsed by the British reinforcements that had parachuted in to assist Major Howard and his men. Strategically the bridge was vital to both the Germans and British as a supply route, control of the route was crucial.
Major John Howard was awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal (DSO) on the 16th July 1944 as a result of his heroic leadership that day. In 1954 he also received the Croix de Guerre avec Palme from the French for his actions. The original road that crossed the bridge along with its replacement road was renamed Rue Major John Howard in his honour, there is also a permanent memorial to him at that location.
Major Howard was invalided out of the army, the result of injuries sustained in a car crash. He was later to join the Ministry of Agriculture. Major John Howard, DSO, died in 1999 aged 86.
(photo below)
The memorial to Major John Howard at Pegasus Bridge.
First Impressions.
Presentation is excellent, the kit is well packaged inside a sturdy and practical cardboard box. On the front of the lift up lid is the eye catching artwork of the assembled piece with its title and description. Once you open the box you will find 3 clear plastic re-sealable bags that contain the various resin pieces, these pieces are further protected as the bags are surrounded by polystyrene nuggets. Under all of this you will find your certificate of Authentication which we will see more of later. As you might expect everything arrived in perfect condition with no damage or missing parts.
The Figure.
(photo below)
The main part on which all of the others are built is the torso seen below. The quality of the piece has an instant appeal setting the standard by which the rest of the kit will be judged. Detailing is sharp and well defined on the Denison Smock with the pattern 37 webbing and belt laying very naturally over the top. The two recess holes seen on the front are for locating the pattern 37 pouches, this method is used throughout the build and offers a very accurate and well engineered fit.
(photo below)
For reference purposes a photo of typical Denison Smock., the details of which have been captured so well on our figure.
(photo below)
The recess holes are used throughout the build, here we see the large recess in the back that will accommodate the backpack, the one on the bottom left is for the canteen, the one on the middle of the belt is for the bayonet and the one on the far right of the belt is for the fighting knife, all of which will be added later. The straps and buckles of the webbing look excellent while the smock material looks to have a natural appearance with the creases and folds.
(photo below)
From the side view we see how the webbing lays very well over the smock in a very realistic way. The smock itself is just full of exceptional quality detail, the pockets, buttons, collar and tabs all ‘pop’ and help bring life to the figure. The right arm proved positive when test fitting, the recess hole seen just below the belt is for accommodating the holster whilst the one on the front just above the belt is for one of the pouches, both offered a superb fit.
(photo below)
No matter the angle the figure shows exquisite detail with a wonderfully natural pose.
(photo below)
More convincing detail, this time in the collar, cravat and lanyard. The collar has a great undercut allowing it to sit raised above the in a very realistic way. The lanyard also lays nicely across the smock looping well under the collar and leading down to the holster. The cravat looks brilliant and will add a nice contrast. Just a few nibs to remove and tidy on the collar and also the base of the figure but once those are delt with you will be good to go.
(photo below)
You can see very clearly from this photo the superb layering and depth of detail involved. Each layer sits very well on top of the other offering a very realistic appearance.
(photo below)
Beautiful quality to the resin ensures the detail stays strong and well pronounced throughout. Sharp, crisp and well defined detail can be seen in every area.
(photo below)
The Major insignia on the epaulets is clear and well defined. The epaulets themselves add another depth and dimension laying nicely across the shoulders of the smock.
(photo below)
Kings Imperial Crown epaulet insignia. Accurately and very well defined on the figure.
Head.
(photo below)
The face is sublime with detailing that is first class. The resemblance to the Major is breathtakingly accurate as can be seen from the archive photo below, all of the features are extremely well proportioned.
(photo below)
Archive photo showing the stunning resemblance of the figures facial features.
(photo below)
The straps and chin guard for the helmet look very convincing in their appearance laying nicely across the face.
Left Arm.
(photo below)
A excellent fit is assured to the body with the pin and recess system working brilliantly. The material of the smock looks superb with the creases and folds of the material very natural looking while the hand fits snug to the arm in test fitting. Very little needed in clean up before this piece can be added.
Right Arm.
(photo below)
As you might expect, the right arm holds the same qualities as that of the left, no hidden nasty surprises here.
If I were a German soldier with a Sten Gun pointing at me I don't think I would ask myself if the thing was cocked, I'm pretty sure I would just surrender.
