Review Zouave from Altores

[Nap]

Hi everyone

As promised I will now look at the other ACW release from Altores that was released the same time as the Southerner that I reviewed here: https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/southerner-from-altores.181912/

As you will see we have a Zouave , basing on the details in the sculpt ie: the flag this is from the Union Army

The piece has recently been painted by the talented ELENA SHENTSEL​

We all have heard of the Zouave's , colourful and flamboyant with many variations in uniforms , the decoration , headwear from a kepi to a turban , regiments including Fire Zouave's , , 5th, 10th 44th and 165th New York Tiger Rifles , 35th New Jersey,Burnside Zouave's, Salem Zouave's , Irish Zouave's , Wallace's and Collis's Zouave's all rallied to their relevant cause

Uniforms heavily influenced by the French Empire uniforms of the period as we will see

Weapons were as all through the war obtained from many sources including UK and Germany and France as well as US produced items......refer to my other ACW review for details of a Enfield and a Springfield

Here we have an original Remmington 1863 Percussion "Zouave Rifle" , 124cm in length and a '58 calibre along with an original bayonet

Uniforms were colourful as we can see:



The backpack ( many other types were in use )


Headwear




Here we have some original pictures :



and now some references ( Don Trioani )

Books are easily available here are a couple I have to hand





Continued in next post

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Forward to the resin

Details of the release:

Title: Zouave ACW

Reference: B-118

Scale: 1/10th

Material: Gray Resin

Number of pieces: 9

Sculptor: Alexander Deryabin

Box Artwork: Elena Shenstel


As always the pieces were secure in bags between foam layers similar to the Southerner , box is the same with on the review a picture of the unpainted piece on a slip over wrapping

​

Pieces consist of :Torso, 2 arms , headwear, tassel on a cord, backpack , weapon in 2 parts , the weapon mechanism , no base is provided

Prep

Torso: Remove casting plugs from underneath , excess resin and a casting line to remove from rear( this runs up the neck as well ) and drill to take a brass rod for mounting if you wish

Arms: Small excess resin from left elbow

Head wear: Nothing except fit to head

Tassel: Fit to back of headwear

Backpack: Remove casting plug from corner and fit to rear of torso

Weapon: ,; Remove small plug from stock , Fit the mechanism and the 2 parts together to form the full item , straighten the ramrod


Looking in this part at the torso and the arms

Torso

A one piece casting which includes the head itself wearing the waistcoat and the undervest with a sash as well

Locating cutouts are very well done to fit the arms and the backpack ...this is a feature I have seen on all the Altores busts which is good to see.

The details on the waistcoat is clean and sharply sculpted , the actual lacing having the stitching very much in evidence, making painting easier

Undercuts , folds and creases are very good with the waistcoat almost moving whn I looked at it ...flowing

Across the chest we have the backpack straps , these are crossed , being sculpted locating on the opposite strap

The under vest has lace running down the cntre and around the neck at the top

Around the waist there is a sash ...showing nice folds, over this the waist belt which would have held the bayonet , at the centre the "US" belt plate with clearly defined lettering , on the belt on the right side the expense pouch , despite being under the clothing has well formed edging

On now to the head itself , the neck exhibits a strong muscle tone , moving up to the face , looking forward this again continues in showing off the sculptors skill ....mouth shut tightly , around the top hangs a well textured moustache , at the chin we see a small goatee beard .

Facial features are well worked the nose, ears and the eyes are well shaped , making the painting so much easier , moving up the forehead is high with soft lines , the hair its;f is sculpted as just the lower paty , again well detailed up

At the back on the lower area there is a US Flag ...we saw a Confederate one on the Southerner , the stars and stripes are sharply sculpted and adds some interest to what could be a plain view

As you can see some really good looking detail work

Arms

These are when in place positioned held up at the same level as the shoulders , both arms have the folds very much showing , all in the correct place , at the cuffs there is the shaped cuff and the sharpness on the lace continues , there is the shirt cuffs with buttons x 2.

I am impressed to see the level of the casting where the hands are going into the arm , the left arm has the hand sculpted in place , the finger work is very good indeed , again something that features in Altores releases

The other hand is sculpted to the weapon

Fit of both the arms to the torso is spot on , no filler needed ..very good to see this





It is good to say the that due to the well shaped fitment points , you will not be able to fit incorrectly and as a result the position is right there to fit the musket in position

Continued in next place

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Onto the remaining parts

Headwear

This is a soft ( felt or cloth ) item which is cast as one piece , nice folds where it pulls backwards , on the top there is a hole ready to take the large hanging tassel

Fit of the headwear to the head itself is really very good again no filler needed



The tassel itself is nicely detailed on the actual cords with a twisted cord to fit to the hole in the hat



Backpack

This is cast in a similar style to the Southerner with a blanket rolled up on top except we have no hanging cup , the same comments apply as to the Southerner version , would perhaps have been an idea to do something a little different, but saying that it fits well to the rear.



The Weapon

Consisting of 2 parts , separated at the middle to allow for easy fitting , you will need to cut down the locating piece a little and of course fit the mechanism.

The detail is very good and looking at the other weapon , looks to be the same except with the addition of a strap

The rear of the weapon has the hand cleverly sculpted on it , great idea as it is holding the weapon very well , same comments regarding the fingers ..very good indeed.

​

So there you have it my look at the union side of the ACW

Final Thoughts

A nice subject and addition as well as a good companion piece to the Southerner , well up there in respect sculpting and casting levels , the addition of the flag might not be to everyone's taste but adds interest , you could remove it and then convert to one of the many other Zouaves ..particularly French or Papal units.

Recommended

Lets have some unpainted versions from Altores

Now for Elena's artwork...ENJOY ..I am !!!​

Contact details:

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.altores.com

They are also a member of FaceBook and the forum here on PF

Thanks to for the review pieces

And of course a big thank you to all for looking in

Nap

 

[Noel Walker]

Great reviews of both busts

 

[Viking Bob]

A lovely review and a lovely bust, must have.

 

[Jed]

Great review Nap and a great bust

 

[MrBMB]

Really like the sculpt, face and hands look great.
But its only half finished

 

[bucsfan21]

Nap, Great review of the Zouave Bust! I greatly appreciate you sharing the details with us. I really like this bust. I'm located in the USA, Atlanta, GA. Do you know of a miniature figure provider who stocks these please?

Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, GA

 

[bucsfan21]

Heard from folks at Altores Studio as a source for bust. Very quick response! Since Chuck Robinson has passed away no one in the US Stocks this kit. So, I am going to order from recommended figure vendor at El Greco. Love the bust! Have to rate it right up there with the bust S&T did of CSA Infantry with rifle on his shoulder back in the 90's as some of the best releases of American Civil War topics. FYI, Sure wish that someone would consider doing the Cherokee Rifles from Western Campaign of the American Civil War. Very colorful history and their leader, Stan Watie, was last Confederate General to surrender...Thanks again Nap for the review and Altores Studios for speedy reply! Much Appreciated Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, Georgia