The Russian company of Altores Studio have certainly been busy with releases this year and I have been able to share all with you , the latest in the 1/24th scale is what we will be looking at in this review.

The subject release was announced here http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/altores-studio.79319/


A viking as you can see with a massive long axe in full action pose with the cloak likewise.

Lets have a bit about this feared weapon

In the early part of the Viking era, the cutting edge was generally 7 to 15 cm (3-6in) long, while later in the Viking age, axes became much larger. Breið-øx (broad axes) had crescent shaped edges 22 to 45 cm (9-18in) long.

The cutting edge of the largest of the axe heads shown to the right is 22 cm (9in) long. The edge of this axe is made of hardened steel welded to the iron head. The join line is clearly visible in the sketch and in the historical axe head. The steel permitted the axe to hold a better edge than iron would have allowed.

Typically, axeheads had a wedge-shaped cross section. The cross section of the head near the edge was sometimes diamond shape, which provided for greater strength for a given weight of iron.

The axe haft was made of wood. One source suggests that axe shafts typically were 80cm long (32in) but often much longer .

The shaft was sized for the intended use of the axe and to balance the axe head. The Bayeux tapestry suggests axes with much longer shafts (right), and modern replicas with longer shafts prove to be useful tools and powerful weapons.



Axes (as well as other weapons) were sometimes used to strike a blow that was not intended to be lethal. The öxarhamar (axe hammer), the backside of the axe head, was used for that purpose. Sometimes, the blow was made to humiliate an opponent, or in other cases, was made against an opponent so inferior that he didn't seem worthy of a proper blow.!!

The result of an axe attack could be frightening and deadly

Another weapon our subject has and often seen is the Sax

A sax is a short sword that was used primarily during the early part of the Viking era. It's a one handed single edged weapon with a blade length ranging from 30 to 60cm (12 to 24 in). Saxes usually had simple fittings and no crossguard. Hilts were made of wood, bone, or horn.

Saxes were usually carried in a sheath suspended horizontally from the belt.
A 10th century burial cross in a churchyard in Middleton, Yorkshire shows a warrior surrounded by weapons (right). The sax is shown suspended from his belt.

Saxes were carried with the blade upward, so the sharp edge didn't cut through the sheath. As a result, the bottom edge of the sheath mirrored the broken back shape of the sax.

Different length saxes are sometimes referred to by different names, such as langsax or scramasax.

Saxes, like any other Viking age weapons, were valuable. When they were damaged or worn, the iron was repurposed, and used for some other tool or weapon.

This stunning historical Viking age knife was probably made from a cut-down sax blade. The blade is pattern welded, and the fittings, shown in more detail to the left and right, are magnificent. The grip is in the form of a bird, with decorations incised into the wood and bronze making up the grip. The total length of the knife is 31cm (12.5in). X-ray images show that the tang is quite short.

A 7th century sax blade from the Higgins Armory Museum is shown here

and a modern reproduction sax based on this example is here.

The sheath is based on a find from Trondheim.
Books are as always easily found here are some you might like to look at getting and reading



Continued in next post

Nap

Let us look at the resin...

Details of the release:


Title: Viking

Reference: F- 75-009

Scale: 1/24 th

Material: Gray Resin

No of pieces: 12

Sculptor: Oleg Pogosyan

Box Art: Alexander Kataurov (Alessandro on Putty and Paint)

As with the previous releases items are shipped fast and efficiently , packaging consists of a white cardboard box with the distinctive yellow writing , with foam layers holding the parts which are in clear bags on the box top we have full colour box art .

Parts consist of the main torso , the left leg , 2 lower arms , head, , 2 pouches , the axe, sword and sax, and also a base.

Prep
As with previous releases very little to do , the base has the biggest casting plug to remove, ,for the remaining pieces its a simple case of carefully cutting away from the formers ( slight sanding will be needed to finish them off) and then fitting together to produce the figure.

As I have a lot of pictures to share I will look at the torso , arms and leg first the remainder in the next part.


Torso this consists of the right leg and the upper body, the left thigh is pushed forward ready to receive the actual leg itself , the upper body is covered in mail this is very well done indeed and impressive to look at , there are also belts to the same high level of sculpting the ends nicely shown wrapped round the belt with decorative ends .
This attention to detail is something that is always seen the releases I have reviewd.

The under clothing is well shown with good folds , again details are everywhere , the leg wrappings are well worth looking at , the shoes have the seams in place as they were made

There are cutouts for the arms and the left leg , very sharply done , dry fitting showed minimal filler needed ..if any .





Now to the Arms , these are the lower arms , bare with good shaping , and muscle tone , sleeves are worn pushed up to the elbow suitable shaped and ruffled , at the wrists there are several torques ,a nice addition

......and the Leg this is bent at the knee pushing to the ground as he moves forward to the attack as with the other one , great details again I highlight the work done on the actual shoes

Continued in next post

Nap

Now on to the remaining pieces

The Cloak this is al worn and very useful piece of clothing , the wear and tear are evident by cuts and worn edges all very well done , again a nice touch of detail from the sculptor. , the shoulders have a animal skin providing warmth and a little bit of comfort to our warrior on the long voyages and raids.
Fit to the torso is easy and looks good wen in place.



Head now , WOW !!! what a sculpt !!! this guy has straggly hair and beard , a headband and braided hair pieces at the sides as well as a drooping moustache ...., suffice to say the hair is wonderful , great textures all over , the facial features are of an older man , very viking in style and very detailed .

Fit to the torso is accurate by a well thought out post under the neck area.

Pouches...both show good details including stitching , 2 different shapes , nice work on the straps , fit is easy by a small block of resin , these are on the same former as the Sax.



The Sax is as you see a good shape as in references , its in its scabbard and again fits well to the figure.

The other weapons the Axe and the Sword are well up to the same high standard of craftsmanship throughout the resin, so well done to Oleg and Altores , the shape of the axe is in keeping with the vikings hands being sculpted on , these are gems with the veins and fingernail being well formed .



Now to the final part the Base , as with previous releases a good bit of groundwork textured and nicely shaped in form , layers of stone , cutouts ready to receive the figure.

Lets have some pictures from the website



and now the box art



Final Thoughts

I have no doubt that this will be popular , as with all of the releases well sculpted and thought out , minimal prep , quality details and presentation a really good addition to both the Altores catalogue and the display cabinet .

For details on this and 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 for the review piece

And to you all for looking in

Happy Modelling

Nap

Hi Guys ,

Thank you for all the comments .....keep a watch lots more to come from Altores

Keith ..be tempted mate

Nap

Hi Seraphim,

Thanks for posting Ii would like to see you paint one of the releases from Altores ..perhaps the Mursi bust ..you would do a great job!

Thanks for looking in

Nap