Hi everyone

Following on from my posts here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/crying-veteran.216211/

and here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/crying-russian-veteran.249488/

This was a release that grabbed my attention right away ...it was full of emotion and full of medals...so it went on my wish list right away

Note: Before I begin this is a review of a release and not a place to discuss the actual person that inspired the sculpt

To me the release shows the sadness of war a soldier remembering with tears the lost friends of long ago , he walks at the head of a parade , surrounded by admirers ...but alone in his thoughts

Whats the piece I am talking about

Produced by Quota 33 for Masterclass it shows a soldier crying with a bouquet of flowers

Here we have pictures that inspired the release , all great references as well

The writing on the helmet says

1941 - 1945

"Think about it" (In the sense of: "Don't forget!")

....Thanks to Martin Rohmann

Details of the release :

Title: Russian Veteran WWII

Reference: EFB18D

Scale: 1/10th

Material: Lt Gray resin

No of parts: 8

Sculpt: 3D by Max Chertov

Casting: In house

Box Art: N/A

The model was received quickly and safely , in a padded bag with the resin itself having the pieces in clear bags and in a flip over clear container with a paper insert and a picture of the unpainted piece on it



All parts were found to be in a good condition with no transit damages

Parts consist of Torso , head , 2 arms right hand, helmet , strap , bouquet of flowers

Prep

• Torso... Sand away excess resin on underneath , remove casting line/slip on each side

• Head...Sand off top and edge, remove casting lines behind each ear

• Arms...Excess resin at top of left arm , slight casting lines at front and back of both sleeves

• Right Hand...slight casting lines on edges

• Helmet...Fine sanding around lower edges

• Helmet Strap...Small casting plug and line to remove and sand away

• Flowers...Casting line running along top of cast on hand

Initial comments

• Smooth Resin
• Casting lines are very tiny and easy to remove
• Minimal filler needed at fitment points
• Casting is sharp ....NO miscast on any of the medals
• Folds and creases are good and natural
• Undercuts again are very good
• Head has a cutout to fit helmet strap into
• 3D Sculpt is good as it should be
• A 5/6mm hole is provided underneath for basing

My suggested build sequence

1. Wash and dry resin or use ultrasonic bath to remove any casting residue
2. Dry fit all pieces using bluetac or similar
3. Fit left arm but leave right to allow access to paint medals easier
4. Paint head on torso but fit helmet etc last
5. Paint bouquet and fit once all torso completed
6. Fit hand last to allow for painting access to face

Continued in next post

Nap

Onto the rein

Torso

Obviously the larger piece of resin , cut level below the waist wearing a crossbelt from the left shoulder with a chest festooned with medals and awards

I am not in this instance go into full details on the awards as the reference pictures are very clear , many are commemorative awards ....suffice to say that the details on all are really very good indeed all medals are well rounded with sharp ribbon shaping , starts and head details are well done on the actual medals and very sharply cast

In the references there is also a crucifix , this was not added but something I will certainly do

The large ribbon in the centre is sitting naturally and very well cast so a well done on this to the casting team

The belts are well detailed and are pulling into the clothing correctly , good buckle details and undercuts

On the shoulders we have epaulettes , there is no edging so these depict field items ...you could easily add if you so wish , the rank is that of a senior sgt but again you could rank him up to Sgt Major by adding a central line

On the rear the crossbelt sits well into the body with the folds showing well and not overworked

Fitment points are very cleanly cut at the neck , arms and underneath the hole to fit a post to base up



Arms

The left will hold the flowers , the right is in position to have the hand that wiping tears away

Both have the full sleeves again with good movement on the materail , the cuffs ahve been buttoned up , the 2 buttons have a star design on them

Fitment points continue to be accurate at shoulders and wrists with little if any filler needed



Head

This is a really good piece of 3D work , the face is full with wrinkles and lines as befitting a person of age, these are at the sides cheeks and forehead, bags under the eyes , eyes not fully open , but showing good definition

The nose is full with good nostril details , the mouth is open a little just enough the see the upper set of teeth and a hint of the lower set ....I wonder if these were his own ???, the teeth are individually worked

Ears are well done , full and a good shaping , the surface of the face is slightly undulating as in the picture references , the skin pulling slightly onto the upper cheeks

There cutout for the strap is seen on each side

As I said in the prep there is a casting line behind each ear but easy to sand off

Fitment is easy again with good location points





Hand

This is a really well done item with the individual fingers, knuckles, nails and aged lines all evident as well as the veins themselves on the upper hand

Slight flashing around fingers...easy to remove

No issues regarding fitting but you will need to fit this last to allow access to paint the face



Continued in next post


Nap

Onto the remaining pieces

Helmet and strap

Our subject wears the distinctive 1940 pattern steel helmet which is well cast and shaed and in scale in respect of the thickness , there are 6 rivet/studs around just above the well shaped rim ,

On the inside there are fitment points for the strap pieces to fit into and a cutout for the head to sit into





The strap is shaped perfectly to fit into the cutout on either side of the face and when in place sits well into the helmet , there is as in prep a casting line to remove , buckle details are there , but you might want to add a end to the strap



Flowers

This is what makes the piece ...the contrast between the medals and the delicate blooms works really well and adds a lot of colour and meaning to the completed model

The flowers consist of a variety of roses, daffodils, and tulips , and all are well cast and distinctive in the flower and petal details

The stems peek out from the end and are a total of 19 showing , the leaves of the flowers are held in the cast on hand underneath a wrapping is seen

The sculpting of the hand is again full of details , veins and age , the knuckles straining against the stems being held

A challenge to paint these with compassion and feeling without doubt, as you can see a lot of very beautiful work on the bouquet

Continued in next post

Nap

To end this review on a high note some pictures comparing 3D images and actual resin from the FB page of Masterclass Figures






Final Thoughts

I think its pretty obvious that this is a piece I rather like and will certainly be putting this towards the bench soon
As a first release from team Quota33/Masterclass its a great start , very good casting and a pleasure to share my thoughts on

I look forward to seeing the next release very soon

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


To order this contact details

E mail quota33associazione@libero.it

Masterclass website www.masterclass.it

Thank you for all looking in

Hope you enjoyed the review

Happy benchtime

Nap

Do share your version in our completed figures part if you wish

Happy painting

Nap

Great info ......what would be great are pictures of each medal as well as title

Nap

Hi Eddie

That's brilliant references and what PF is about ...sharing information

Thank you for taking the time ....ideal for the painter

Nap