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Review Frankish Warrior from Altores

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Dec 9, 2016.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi everyone

    Altores Studio continue to give us a selection of releases from all periods of history this time they have gone for the Ancient.

    The release was announced here on PF and also on social Media

    http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/altores-studio.80427/

    The choice is a Frankish Warrior 5th Century
    00aa.jpg

    The release has a choice of 2 heads and 4 different weapons

    00aaa.jpg

    Who were the Franks....Feared warriors by all the enemies , deadly in their tactics and showing no mercy particularly the roman troops .

    Weapons associated with them included a long spear , iron shanked possibly based on the roman pilum the franks called it a "angon" . There was also the famous throwing axe called a "francisca, with a sharply swept head.
    Shields were noted for the large boss in the centre , being either domed , pointed ..itself a fearful weapon.
    Roman writers talk of the clothing being dyed and striped in bright colours , belts with inset bosses , green cloaks are mentioned also but very few brooches have been found as grave goods suggesting they might be less common.

    Books are available as always here are a few that will be of interest
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    Continued in next post

    Nap
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Onwards and upwards now,

    Details of the releases


    Title: Frankish Warrior 5th Century

    Reference: F-75- 013

    Scale: 1:24 or 75mm

    Material: Gray Resin

    No of pieces: 17

    Sculptor: Alexander Deryabin

    Box Art : Sergei Popovichenko



    Overview

    Packaging ...Strong box with parts in bags between foam layers

    Presentation...Good clear picture on box top

    Resin ...High quality smoothly cast

    Sculpting...Well upto the high standard of previous releases

    Detail definition.....Excellent with great undercuts

    Fit of Parts ...Very good indeed minimal filler needed if any

    Parts include...Main figure, 2 arms, 2 heads , 2 spears , 2 swords one in scabbard, 1 knife , 1 axe p, pouchm cloak , hand and base

    FRANK 002.jpg FRANK 003.jpg
    Prep...Minimal with just small plugs to remove from pieces fine casting line on left leg
    FRANK 001.jpg
    We will look at the main figure and the head in this part

    Main Figure

    Posed in an action position , left leg thrust forward wearing a mail vest ( probably taken from an enemy !!) the detail on the mail is very finely done sitting close to the body , it stops at the back due to the cape position..clever idea allowing that piece to sit into place very cleanly .

    All belts are well defined and sharp in sculpting , particularly liked the purse that hangs at the front

    Folds of the under garment and the trousers are really good as expected , this together with the very nicely worked lower leg wrappings leading down to the shows as seen in references the buckle at the side .


    FRANK 004.jpg FRANK 005.jpg FRANK 006.jpg FRANK 007.jpg FRANK 008.jpg FRANK 009.jpg FRANK 010.jpg

    Head(s)

    Here we are being treated by Altores ...a choice of 2 one helmeted the o , both have excellent features , both have the teeth showing in great detail held tightly together ,.
    FRANK 011.jpg
    The bareheaded version has a long moustache the other a full beard , the texture of all the hair is well done , like the way the hair is all over the place .
    FRANK 015.jpg FRANK 014.jpg FRANK 013.jpg
    FRANK 012.jpg
    The helmet is mailed across the neck at the back , same amount of details in place , some good work on the actual helmet decoration with the cheek piece puling into the face , at the top we have a flowing horsehair plume ..very naturally sitting on the helmet

    FRANK 019.jpg FRANK 018.jpg FRANK 017.jpg
    FRANK 016.jpg

    Continued in next post

    Nap
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Now to the remaining pieces

    Arms

    These are showing good folds and fit is as good

    FRANK 020.jpg

    Cloak

    A real nice piece of well thought out sculpting in relation to the pose of the figure , fully open , with the opening at the top ready to take the head of your choice.

    Surface is smooth some might want to texture this up a little.

    FRANK 023.jpg FRANK 024.jpg

    Shield

    A simple round version , with a large central rounded boss , the front is plain with the back showing planking , there are locating hole for the hand

    FRANK 028.jpg FRANK 029.jpg

    Hands

    As we have a choice of weapons we see in the box a clenched hand ready to take a spear of your choice the shield hand has the grip cast on it so making fit easy , fit to the arms is also as easy.

    FRANK 021.jpg FRANK 022.jpg

    Remaining Weapons etc

    We have a total of 6 weapons , a sword with a hand , one in a scabbard , a knife and a axe, the choice is to fit either the spear or the sword , the axe fits to the belt , although you could easily with a little bit of rework fit the axe to the hand.

    The knife hangs on the belt and is in a scabbard itself we also have a scabbard for the belt if you choose to use the sword version.

    All have really good details particularly liked the sword hilts. , the axe is a really accurate shape as well .

    Spears are a choice of 2 , one pilum type , the other more germanic , both are delicate so be careful

    Note : If any blades etc are bent these are easily sorted by using the natural heat from the fingers ..or if you are cold ...hot water ..be careful!!

    The small bag actually fits onto the main purse at the belt , nicely done and again easy to fit .
    FRANK 025.jpg FRANK 026.jpg FRANK 027.jpg

    Base

    Certainly a very substantial piece well textured , rocky outcrops , I can see this being included in the main base work very easily .
    FRANK 030.jpg


    Final Thoughts

    With so many releases its difficult to not say the same but AGAIN Altores have given us a really nice sculpt , with lots of variations , sculpting is very good with the same high standard as in previous releases.

    This piece would fit into place with other 75's easily and will give hours of bench time enjoyment

    Altores have not been going that long but have already made a big impression on the modelling world ...so WELL DONE to ALL

    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

    Why not book mark Altores Studio on your favourites , I have a feeling 2017 is going to be busy!!

    For details on this and indeed more from them :

    E-mail: altoress@mail.ru

    Website: www.altores.com

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

    Thanks to a.jpg for the review piece

    Also to you all for looking in ...ENJOY the modelling

    Nap
  4. Wayneb A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    I like it all....Altores work.....Historical reference.....and this review.........much appreciated.

    Wayne
  5. swralph A Fixture

    Cheers for another great review Nap:).
    ALTORES STUDIO likes this.
  6. mortier A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    All Altores figures are on a very high level and this good reviev shows it again,thank you
    ALTORES STUDIO likes this.
  7. clrsgt A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    I like it all especially the helmeted head. A particular thanks for the excellent reference material.

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