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"Southerner" from Altores

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Oct 9, 2019.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi

    Time to have a look at a recent release from Altores which was announced here :
    https:

    //www.planetfigure.com/threads/altores-studio.118481/

    I have had this a little while while waiting for a replacement cap which was damaged when I opened the box but as with Altores great customer service sending a replacement was quickly dealt with

    The release is from a popular period ...the ACW , this is the first of 2 , there being a Zouave from the Union also recently released ( I will look at this soon )

    zx.jpg

    THere is now box art by the very talented ELENA SHENTSEL :)

    Southerner ELENA SHENTSEL.jpg

    Altores have chosen to show a confederate as well equipped complete with both blanket roll across his chest and one on the backpack ( perhaps a aquired US item ) , along with a kepi ...certtainly early on in the conflict as supply was aparticular problem for the South with many variations in colours and equiptment used including weapons used with many being purchased from other countries including England and others .

    Here's the details on the release

    Title: Southerner ACW

    Reference: B099

    Scale: 1/10th

    Material: Gray Resin

    Number of pieces 12

    Sculptor: Alexander Deryabin

    3D sculpture of Arms : Oleg Derbasov

    Box Artwork: Elena Shenstel


    As with all releases the contents were held in clear bags , sandwiched between foam ( despite this as said a peak was damaged but replaced quickly )

    The box was enclosed in a slipover paper surround

    ACW Altores 002.jpg ACW Altores 001.jpg

    Parts consist of Main torso, head , cap right arm, right hand , back pack, 2 straps , a mug , weapon in 2 parts plus the "dogs leg" , you will see a tiny half circle ...I am unsure where this fits on


    ACW Altores 036.jpg

    There are naturally many books here are a few from my library:

    zz book.jpg YYY.jpg YAAAAAAA.jpg


    YA.jpg YAA.jpg YAAA.jpg

    YAAAA.jpg YAAAAAA.jpg YAAAAA.jpg



    Continued in next post

    Nap
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    I have enjoyed researching this so thought I would share these , including original clothing ...with many variations

    YY.jpg Y.jpg z image.jpg
    zzzzzzzzzzzz.jpg
    zzzzzzzzz.jpg zzzzzzzzzzz.jpg

    z.jpg zz.jpg zzzz.jpg

    zzzzenfiled and springfield.jpg
    Above top = Enfield , below= Springfield

    Detail shots of a Springfield

    z springfield.jpg
    zz springfield.jpg zzz springfiled.jpg

    zzzzzzzzzz.jpg zzz.jpg zzzzzzz.jpg zzzzzz.jpg zzzzz.jpg many other colours were used

    Nap
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    On now to the resin

    Prep

    General comments: Overall the resin is very cleanly cast and with a couple of casting lines and casting posts to remove (you will see these in the pictures as we go on ) there is nothing else to do except:

    Fit the head and cap, backpack, arm , hand , straps and the make the weapon pieces up

    Torso

    Sculpted as with all Altores cut just above the waist , he carries a lot of equipment and has the uniform coat and a shirt , this show nicely under the collar and beneath the uniform at the front view , the jacket itself has good edge definition at the seams , folds are natural and not overstated , buttons are well shaped , the backpack straps are pulling into the blanket roll with good locating holes fro the hanging straps

    The blanket roll has a nice addition of worn material at the front with hanging threads , the remainder is clear ...allowing a pattern to be put on if you wish as many of these were often bedspreads/quilts .

    The neck area is very well cast with nothing stopping the head from sitting right .

    At the rear there is a cutout to fit the backpack , under this is a ragged confederate flag with the stars being very well done and cast ...like the addition as this will add a flash of colour to the piece

    ACW Altores 005.jpg ACW Altores 008.jpg ACW Altores 007.jpg ACW Altores 006.jpg

    ACW Altores 010.jpg ACW Altores 009.jpg ACW Altores 012.jpg ACW Altores 011.jpg

    Arm/Hand

    Sculpted using 3D as I presume was the hand , coming with a very good fitment post , the arm is slightly bent at the elbow with the folds at the bend , personally I feel the main one looks a little too deep , at the cuffs there is the material being torn , there is a cutout for the hand

    ACW Altores 013.jpg ACW Altores 014.jpg

    The hand itself is positioned to hold the weapon at the stock end , fingers are well done ,perhaps a little spindly for some but they look good holding the weapon .

    Again we have a good fitment post

    ACW Altores 024.jpg ACW Altores 025.jpg

    ACW Altores 027.jpg ACW Altores 026.jpg

    Head/Cap

    Th is my favourite part and a area where Altores excel in my opinion , he is fully bearded and has the look of a older man ...particularly with the cap off !!! .....you could build up the hair slightly , fill the hole and leave him bareheaded ...nice option perhaps

    The facial hear is very well done with the hair at the back of the same high quality with very good texture and details

    The features are spot on , good ears , mouth closed , the eye area has bags under his eyes and above the eyebrows , the eyes themselves are cleanly presented making painting a lot easier

    ACW Altores 021.jpg ACW Altores 019.jpg ACW Altores 020.jpg

    ACW Altores 022.jpg ACW Altores 023.jpg

    The cap is the classic french inspired kepi , the crown pushed down towards the front creating good folds in the material , the peak is nicely shaped with the strap sitting on the top edge of it

    Fitting is simple ...there is a blob of resin that marries up with the hole in the top of the head

    It might have been nice to offer another cap option as well as the kepi

    ACW Altores 043.jpg ACW Altores 044.jpg

    ACW Altores 046.jpg ACW Altores 045.jpg

    Continued in next post

    Nap
  4. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Onto the remaining pieces

    Back pack/Straps/Mug

    The backpack consists of just the top piece showing a small part of the 3 straps , above the blanket is held in place by straps , these are well worked , perhaps they could have been pulling more into the blanket itself , on the blanket there is soft texturing

    Fit is simple with a matching cutout in the torso

    One of the blanket straps is cast to fit the metal mug onto if you choose to do so

    ACW Altores 028.jpg ACW Altores 031.jpg

    ACW Altores 029.jpg ACW Altores 030.jpg

    The straps are cast separately as you can see , no chance of fitting the wrong side as they have corresponding qtys , 1 hole and 2 holes ..nice thinking there

    ACW Altores 040.jpg

    I like the addition of the mug , normally metal and with many uses , a good shape with a deep inside ...again the casting has produced a good item ...you could really put wear and tear on this , dents etc

    ACW Altores 032.jpg ACW Altores 033.jpg

    Weapon

    This consists of 3 pieces separated just in front the backsight where the retaining piece is ...a good choice as when together there is no join showing ....I would suggest pinning as well

    Detailing is very good particularly the mechanism and the sight , with the barrel being slightly drilled out , under this we have the ramrod in place

    There is a strap swivel by the trigger , no strap is included ..indeed theses are hardly seen in use

    ACW Altores 037.jpg ACW Altores 038.jpg ACW Altores 035.jpg

    The weapon in position sits on his right shoulder

    The dog leg is separate and small !! so get this fitted asp ....no carpet monster to feed !!!

    ACW Altores 041.jpg


    Final thoughts

    A good addition to the Altores catalogue , great facial work , lots of conversion potential as well , good details on the weapon , casting and presentation is high , lots to paint as well as being a challenge with the colour limited palette

    Recommended

    Lets enjoy some more of Elena's artwork

    Southerner 6.jpg
    Southerner 1.jpg Southerner 2.jpg Southerner 3.jpg Southerner 4.jpg Southerner 5.jpg


    Contact details:
    E-mail: altoress@mail.ru
    Website: www.altores.com
    They are also a member of FaceBook and the forum here on PF
    Thanks to [IMG] for the review pieces
    And of course a big thank you to all for looking in
    Nap
  5. Warren SMITH A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Fantastic review.. The box art is simply superb... Elana is amazing...
    Thanks for sharing..
  6. captnenglish Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Thank you for another thorough review, this one has been on my list since I first saw it’s release
  7. Jimbo A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Great review Kev(y)
    Cheers
    Jim
    Nap likes this.
  8. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Thanks Guys

    It's a piece with lots of conversion potential .

    Now on its way to Jimbo as a thank you for stuff he has done ....now and in the future ...LOL...might see legs on the horizon !!

    Nap
  9. Zippo Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Russian-Federation
    The name of the artist is Elena. Not Elana. Correct it please Kevin. Thanks.
    Thanks for the review.
    Nap likes this.
  10. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England

    Thank you for pointing that out ....pretext !!! All changed

    Apologies to Elena for not spotting this first

    Looking forward to reviewing the Zouave from Altores as well

    Nap
  11. grasshopper A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    Box art lovely..the arm position holding the weapon looks odd to me ..too high..vs even you reference images..but nice review
  12. Ronaldo A Fixture


    arm position holding the weapon looks odd to me ..too high.. Well spotted , but still a nice piece . good review . But Kev you should have spotted this :rolleyes:
    Nap likes this.
  13. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Ron

    Thanks for looking in , good point ref weapon , looking though reenactors pics there are some in a similar position

    Always appreciate comments

    Nap

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