Review Russian Noble from Himini

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Hi everyone

Following on from my look at previous Himini releases here :

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/medieval-cuman-horse-archer-from-himini.119070/

and here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/the-tempter-from-himini.125210/

Its my pleasure to be able to show you another this time a bust , advised here by PF member Martin Rohmann along with other figure releases

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/himini-russia-news.117727/

with the sculptor ( pf member RantaN showing here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/noble-russian-warrior-14th-century-1-9.116317/

another version painted was shown here by PF member Klassik:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/noble-russian-warrior-14th-century.117646/

The release is of course this ( painted by Kirill Kanaev )​

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Depicting a high status Russian Noble , this is a very well armed and armoured individual , , the company have based these on original items found in museums amongst them the armoury in the Kremlin and also finds in various cities/towns , also looking at original manuscript illustrations

I will include reference at the end of the review for your information


Details of the release are :

Title: Noble Russian Warrior 14th Century

Reference: HI-B-001

Scale: 1/9th ( 250mm )

Material : Gray Resin

No of pieces: Information insert plus 20 resin parts

Sculptor: Stepan Nikolaev

Box Art: Kirill Kanaev

Casting: Russian Company local to Himini

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Onwards we go..

Initial thoughts

• Himini continue to use high quality resin = very high quality casting definition
• Presentation the same as previous releases in respect box and packing quality
• Dry fitting is excellent
• Choice of 4 weapons
• 2 head options ( helmet of mail )
• Cloak fits over the cast head ..if you choose not to use then a little bit of rework will be needed on the right arm fitment
• Parts are on easily removed casting plugs

As before all packing is very secure in a laser cut wooden box , with the parts in bags and in recycled materials (straw type) , the box being held by a push on cardboard surround with pictures on one side ( not colour ) and on the other the box artwork in a frame by Kirill , some might prefer a larger picture.




Insert includes the informative detail as we have seen in previous again signed by the sculptor

Parts consist of

• Main torso
• 2 arms
• Shield
• Cloak
• 4 weapons
• Sword Blade and Handle and crosspiece
• Mace end
• Small satchel/Bag
• Helmet and helmet finial
• 2 shoulder pieces
• 2 sets of hanging straps for the helmet

Prep

• This is a big chunk of resin so think before you do anything how you are going to base it up
• Choose your weapon and headwear
• Build the sculpt up as you wish , I would suggest you paint the cloak separately and fit once the torso is completed.
• The casting is very high quality and parts fit into place accurately and with ease , no filler needed if you fit the cloak ( see comment above )

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In this part I will look first at the Torso and then arms

Torso

• Sculpted as a 3/4 bust cut away below the waist in order to add the full sword belt
• Wearing full plate armour with additional mail protection , these are based on city finds in Novogrod and Torzhok
• The warrior is wearing his mail hood up on the head
• The undercuts and detail work is spot on , the plates are well defined with the mail being the same
• The sword belt is again very high quality sculpting and casting throughout
• The mail sits very naturally with the movement of the piece , the head being turned to the left looking down at an enemy
• Hanging centrally on the chest we have finely sculpted crucifix..a joy to look at
• Facial features are excellent particularly the work on the eyes , he is bearded with good texture work
• There are cut outs to fit the shoulder pieces and the arms as well as the satchel and the scabbard

on to the Arms ...

• Both are fully armoured with again the same excellent detail work , wearing heavily armored gloves based on items from Visby..suffice to say the high quality continues .
• The right arm is raised with your chosen weapon
• The left is sculpted and cast with the shield arm pad to it ...the work on the strapping is of particular note , the hand gripping the straps really well., the pressure of the arm to the pad is well shown , pushing the material out to folds nicely

Enjoy the pictures here:

Cracking work I am sure you will agree !!!

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Now to the remainder of the pieces

Cloak

This is a full flowing piece with plenty of movement cast complete with the front being held together by a brooch , nice folds , there are a couple of casting plugs to take away , be careful so it does not pull the resin away , fitting very well over the torso this allows full painting of both the pieces easily.
No texture is on the material to depict silk or a satin material



Shield

A very large item slightly textured but with no design on it allowing your own choice to be depicted

Fit to the left arm poses no issues whatsoever , in place its very imposing



Helmet

This is a very unusual shape but typical of the Russian types known as the "Greek ht" in the Kremlin armoury , conical in shape , pointed with a apex piece that needed to fit in place ( good idea as this stops its being damaged in box )

Fit is excellent to the head if you choose to do do , what I like is that Himini have included a arrow showing which way to fit ( arrow forward !! )



There are also 2 hanging straps to fit if the helmet is used, one having the buckle on it




Shoulder pieces and Satchel/bag

Both are well sculpted , fit of the shoulder pieces a little fiddly so take your time , well shaped and sitting good in the cutouts
The bag itself is full with a nice design shown on it , good locating pieces to the cutouts





Weapons

• A choice of 3 main ones Axe, Mace or sword plus a large dagger
• Scabbard is provided as well ...if you choose the mace or axe then the sword handle and crosspiece are included to fit to the scabbard...great option , choose the sword , scabbard stays empty with the blade and handle etc fitting to the hand
• The mace has a small round end to fit
• There is a separate sword blade

All the weapons are very well sculpted and cast again a great option choice ..., all are detailed up nicely as well ...my favourite being the mace ( think I will add a wrist strap as well )....of course you could add the axe hanging from the belt as well!!!









Final Thoughts

Well there you have it Himini's first bust release , a very interesting subject , extremely well sculpted with casting being the same , I certainly am very impressed by this release , something different , packed full of details , ease of build , and as we have seen great results when painted

I hope this will not be the last bust from Himini , Russia is full of history and subjects , I would like to see them look at other periods of history , Napoleonic , WW1 perhaps .

Again HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I would believe a website is currently being worked on but for now you can contact by :

but you can contact Vasily either by :

Message on FB page

Or a PM via this forum to user ID HIMINI

Email: [email protected]

If you are in the UK then El Greco Miniatures are showing the releases

Thanks to Himini and for you all for looking in

Happy benchtime

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As promised lets have the references for the piece

Here's a couple of Osprey books that are a good reference point






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Now Armour/Reenactors

Thank you and Enjoy

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[Jonthan mcmeekin]

Cracking review Kev!
As I mentioned at one point I didn't like the helmet...picky me … so I really didn't give this a second look.
Interesting that all the real examples are in steel plate where the paint work is in brass.
I'll see if it makes it into the cabinets after I look at a few more times.
Well done and keep up the excellent work.
Cheers from sunny Cumbria.... Deadly for the painting but great for gardening :0
Jonathan

 

[HIMINI]

Cracking review Kev!
Interesting that all the real examples are in steel plate where the paint work is in brass.

A small remark if you don`t mind)
That`s not brass but gold on the artifact and it`s replica.

 

[DaddyO]

Great review again(!) Kev.

Stunning piece of sculpting and it looks like a great casting too. If I were a 'bust' man it would definitely be one to buy . . . who knows what the future holds. Just love the work that Himini are producing at the moment. Did I mention the artwork? Eye catching and a great piece of inspiration to any fortunate enough to take this beauty on
Cheers
Paul

 

[S-73]

It's a beautiful bust.I was lucky to work with him.

 

[Paul Kernan]

Thanks Kev. Brilliant review and all that reference material too

 

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Thanks Kev. Brilliant review and all that reference material too

Pleasure Paul ..perhaps we will see your version

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