PPST005
"Sergeant 1st Batallion, The Gordon Highlanders, 1914"
1/9th scale resin bust - 8 parts
Sculpted by Carl Reid
Painted by Mark Bennett

A recent release by Stormtrooper Miniatures depicts a Sergeant of the 1st Batallion, Gordon Highlanders in 1914. Sculpted in 1/9th scale by Carl Reid this light gray resin kit contains 8 resin parts and a color guide for painting.

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Packaged in a sturdy heavy white box the entire contents of the kit was wrapped in bubble wrap to insure against breakage during shipping. The above bottom photograph shows the parts of the kit out for inspection prior to photographing.

Above you see multiple views of all sides showing the immense detail Carl Reid has sculpted into this bust.

Above are several close-ups showing the detail closer.

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Above are the front and back of the right and left arm and hand.

Above you see each arm dry-fitted to the torso. A perfect fit with no filling required.

Above are photographs of each side of the separately cast rifle.

Above you see each side of the separately cast small parts as well as the bust plinth in the bottom photograph.

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Above is a scanned copy of the color guide included in the kit.

The top photograph above shows the master sculpted by Carl Reid and the bottom two photographs show the box art painting done by Mike Bennett.

Conclusion:
An exceptional quality kit cast by Stuart Hale of Stormtroopers. A slight seam line on the back of the neck and shoulders. Dry-fitting was excellent and no filling needed at the joints. Highly recommended.

* As happens with all manufacturers occasionally the rifle sling was missing. Stuart was contacted and is sending one out in the mail.

Stormtrooper Miniatures web-site
click here

R492

Hi Nap,

I did not find an sbs done on this figure by Mark. Can you send me the link.

Great review on the wonderful piece.....Thanks for taking the time to post

Thanks Guy!

Thanks Guy,
Missed the last one with a half hour. They where sold out in a half hour on our show.

Marc

That's quick - sold like hot cakes!! lol

Another great sculpt from Carl. Well done Mark for the painting.

Wonderful sculpt and the best SMLE Mk. III you will see in any scale.

I was also interested in the medal ribbon issue as I collect British military medals.

The age of the figure would suggest a long-term soldier (at the time he would possibly have been nicknamed an 'old India' which was a term for older soldiers)

The 1st Gordons did qualify for the India General Service medal 1895, they also qualified for the Queens South Africa and some Kings South Africa's. The Gordons also had 5 members of the regiment qualify for the India General Service medal 1908.

Of course, as the figure is depicted at Mons he would not have worn his WW1 entitlement. However, uniforms of the time did include gallantry and campaign medals.

I would suggest that of the gentlemans age he would be wearing the Queens South Africa medal, perhaps with a KSA - if you really wanted to spice him up then perhaps he won a DCM in South Africa?

Yes, the King's and Queen's South Africa medals are most likely:



Queen's South Africa medal on the viewer's left, King's South Africa medal on the viewer's right. The order is important!. These denote service in the 2nd Boer war. The award of the King's medal indicates that the soldier had served 18 months in theatre by the end of the war. A recipient of the King's medal always got the Queen's medal too (but not vice versa).

The India General Service medal ribbon is also likely. This was awarded to the Gordons for actions on the North West Frontier in the late 1890s. Its ribbon is as follows. This would be worn to the viewer's left of the South Africa medals.




The painting instructions are in error in prescribing a tartan badge backing on the Glengarry bonnet. This should be black silk, never tartan.

The No. 3 tartan battle patch on the sleeve should also be removed, as the British army in 1914 wore regimental insignia only. Battle insignia was not introduced until the New Army divisions were deployed starting in May 1915. The figure's service dress is applicable only to the period between September 1914 and early 1915.

This well-known image by war-artist Charles "Snaffles" Payne shows the Gordons service dress on the continent in 1914:



Items such as the Glengarry bonnet, spats, diced hose and highland brogues were to be quickly replaced with more serviceable items in 1915.

Many thanks for all the positive comments and encouragement.

Harry thanks for your indepth knowledge and advice but your colour image doesnt back anything up as it doesnt show the left arm or the backing colour of the badge.

I was always advised to never say never as field modification is always probable especially with old hands. In a lot of mike chappels illustrations he shows tartan as well as black silk so I suggest everybody should take their pick. As to the tartan patch ?.

Thanks

Stuart

Guy, another great review many thanks. Superb sculpting and painting by Carl and Mark , congratulations.

Cheers Ken