Lets open the box.......
Details of the release
Title: Roman Republican , Legionary ,Dirrakhia 48 Year BC
Reference: TBA
Scale: 1/30th
Material: Gray Resin
No of pieces: 7
Sculptor: Sergey Valgar
Box Art: N/A
So with the unopened box offering an interesting figure the top was lifted with anticipation.....as with all of the releases it was items in bags , all safe and sound.
The top had a picture of the unpainted version of the built figure, together with the yellow text we know Altores for .
Parts consist of the full figure, 2 arms , Helmet plume, stone bag with sword, sling and of course a base.
Prep
Main figure...Nothing to speak of apart from a very fine casting line at back of legs
Arms ...Remove casting posts and fit to torso ...no filler needed when dry fit tested
Bag/Sword...Remove 2 casting posts and sand , small casting line on back of sword handle
Plume...Sharpen edges slightly and fit to helmet
Sling...Remove slight flashing from inside and fit into place.
Base...Casting plug to cut/sand away
All easy to do as you can imagine
Looking at the parts now :
Main Figure
Consisting of the complete figure less arms with the head included looking to the left slightly , feet slightly parted standing ..perhaps he is looking for the enemy ?
Our man wears a helmet with cheek protection covering most of the sides of the face , these are nicely edged and show good undercuts and also "frame" the face nicely .
At the neck he has a scarf which served to not only keep him a bit warmer but mainly as a protection against the chaffing of armour.
The helmet has the protective covering this is well shown all the way round and certainly adds a nice bit of interest to the sculpt., on the top we have a locating hole for the plume.
He wears a mailed shirt and this is where the Altores sculptors do well in my opinion ... a good rendition of the links , shoulders are covered with mail and the leather edging is good , these are held together by the securing brace , styled slightly as per the reference
The facial features are easy to access for painting , eyes nicely defined for the scale, mouth closed , he certainly has a veteran look about him.
Over his left shoulder he has the straps for the bag with good detail at the buckle area, this belt hangs over the sectioned belt he has around the waist ....again nicely detailed with he end hanging naturally.
The lower clothing has nice natural folds which brings us nicely down to the legs , bare , nice details on the knee and calf muscles , at his feet we have the leather sandals , lovely work on the strapping and well cast with no loss of detail.
Arms
East to fit with the left hanging down at the side the right has the arm slightly raised holding the sling when in place, both arms have good folds natural in positioning with some mail at the tops of the arms which joins well with that of the torso , the hands are also well sculpted with good finger separation.
Bag/Sword
This is a "string" bag as such and holds the ammunition used in the slings , I like the work on the cods that make the bag , painting will be easy as the details can be brought out by drybrushing with ease.
We also have a sword , the gladius , with the often seen style handle , nicely shaped with the scabbard seen at the lower part of the bag.
Fit to the figure could not be easier .....a round of resin fits well into the cut out on the figure
Sling
This is a credit to not only the sculptor but the caster , minimal flashing with the ammunition sitting well into the "envelope " , the weight of this allows the piece to hang naturally as it did in the real thing ,again nicely detailed work .
Fit will be a little delicate but with care and patience a good result is assured .
Plume
Sitting on top the helmet this looks well worn and ragged , and hangs down suitably , with the atrocious weather of rain and heavy campaigning results like this was often seen no doubt.
Nice surface work on this I like the way it separates at the middle , flopping down at the ends ...a nice touch and in keeping with the reference.
Fit is easy I would try and pin it as well .
Base
Altores continue to give us textured bases , stoney , simple but very much suitable , the positioning of the feet are helped by clear see areas that are plain allowing fit to be accurate.
On the underside we have the sculptors signature initials
Final Thoughts
Altores have made a big impact on the figure scene and continue to do so with this interesting release , a natural pose , well detailed figure , not too complicated in the painting so ideal for all skill levels .
I will be sharing the other Roman release soon so if Ancients are your thing keep watching !!! ..if its not then why not go out your comfort zone ..you will enjoy it !!
From a personal modelling preference I hope we see a bust from the Roman armies !!!
Recommended to all
For details on this and more from them :
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: Currently not available but here are their European suppliers
https://www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk/collections/altores-studio
http://www.perenciomodels.it/joomla/manufacturers/altores-studio
https://www.wendysminiatures.nl/c-3821866/altores-studio/
https://www.zinnfigur.com/
They are also a member of FaceBook and the forum here on PF
Thanks to
for the review piece
And to you all for looking in
Happy Modelling
Nap
