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Review WW1 German Medic from AC Miniatures

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Feb 12, 2015.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi to everyone on PF ,

    WW1 proved to be the breeding ground for many new and horrific types of warfare all needing specialist medical care , these area's in themselves were also being developed as a result of new weapons .

    Perhaps one of the most terrible of weapons was the use of poisons delivered in many ways be it Artillery shells a.jpg or by a cannister and hose system 1l.jpg , I am of course referring to the use of Gas, the results being to totally incapacitate men , producing injuries the medical services were dealing with often by trial and error .

    In my opinion the shout of "Gas Gas Gas" was and is indeed even now sure to strike panic and terror into soldiers perhaps even more in WW1 when they were often experiencing it for the first time using unsuitable equiptment.

    The subject chosen by Andy for the release is a Medic wearing one of the first breathing apparatus 1.jpg

    The breathing equiptment that the subject wears was known as the "Drager Model 1914 Selbstretter" .


    1n.jpg
    00.jpg
    1g.JPG 1h.jpg
    1j.jpg
    1k.jpg

    1m.jpg
    1i.jpg
    1e.jpg
    1f.jpg
    0000.jpg
    000.jpg
    This in itself was developed not only by Germany into better and more effective versions
    1c.JPG
    1d.JPG
    but also by the Allies with there being masks for horses , dogs and even in WW2 for young babies and children perhaps the most unusual was the Mickey Mouse version .

    1a.jpg
    A very good starting point to read not only about this version but others used in WW1 is from Osprey Publishing Elite 150 WW1 Gas Warfare , Tactics and Equiptment :
    0.jpeg


  2. captnenglish Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    This is exactly, the information, I was looking for to do a conversion, I have planned.
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Lets now have a look at the model:

    Details:

    Title: German Medic with a Draeger Selbstretter

    Reference: ACM 12B14

    Material: Lt Gray Resin

    No of pieces: 7

    Sculptor: Andy Cairns

    Casting: Andy Cairns

    The review model (1st casting) was received in a good cardboard box with the contents inside in plastic resealable bags , be careful when opening as there are small parts !!!, no fitting instructions were included although you can see where it all goes from the pictures on the link and the pictures on this thread , no transfers are included for the writing on the main cylinders but most of us should be able to deal with this by hand painting or produciing decals !!!

    The parts consist of the main torso with head, the helmet and the actual breathing apparatus consisting of the main unit , the mouthpiece , the hose , a nose clip ( very small!!) , and a small pipe , in the pictures I have some show eye goggles are worn but none included within the kit , these will be fairly easy to add if you wish around his neck , we also have a picklehaube helmet in a cover.
    AC Gas German 001.jpg
    Prep needed for the largest part the torso included a wipe round the under edges and filling in a couple of small air holes on the undersides and a bit of sanding above the signature block AC Gas German 008.jpg ...all easy to do , there is a casting plug to remove from the rear collar. the helmet has fine and easily removed casting lines to take off on the spike.

    The apparatus needed very careful use of a razor sharp knife to remove flashing , but all again easily done ...I must mention the details included by Andy on this all pieces are well sculpted , particularly the cylinders and the hose .

    Andy has the knack of producing sculptures that just seem to live and breath the subject and this is no exception , he has the talent to show the soldier as he was at war .

    Looking at the Torso first , this is sculpted with the arms cut at an angle leading down to the equiptment , the head is worked with a lugs which fits into a corresponding hole in the helmet , facial features are well done around the eyes with the mask AC Gas German.jpg AC Gas German 010.jpg he wears over his mouth being pulled tight by cords around his head , over the ears (these are pulling forward slightly due to the cord) , the neck area has good structure ...looking at him you can almost feel the difficulty he would have had in breathing.
    AC Gas German 011.jpg AC Gas German 009.jpg AC Gas German 013.jpg AC Gas German 012.jpg
    Uniform work is fine with natural folds , the epaulettes are showing good undercuts, on his left arm we have the Red Cross emblem .

    The chest area has a large cut out ready to receive the main cylinders once in place minimal filler is needed , under this cut out we have some really nice work on the various bits of the breathing items , all well worked , I would advise referring to the pictures hers on the postioning of everything.

    The breathing apparatus now , this is a real corker of sculpting so well done Andy, the pieces are very small so beware of that carpet monster .the cylinders shapes are very well reproduced , the mouthpiece well done , as are the hose , lovely surface defintion....the whole thing together looks the part .
    AC Gas German 004.jpg AC Gas German 003.jpg AC Gas German 000-002.JPG
    Finally we have the helmet ...at last we have a great looking pickelhaube in this scale , fit onto the head at a slight angle was fine , the cover that is on the helmet is well detailed with the number of the Reserve regiment number 106 ....nice addition, the actual cover pulling up at the bottom opening up slightly the helmet underneath .

    AC Gas German 006.jpg AC Gas German 000-001.JPG AC Gas German 005.jpg AC Gas German 007.jpg

    Final Thoughts

    Well there you have it the first German bust from Andy with the early helmet ..a subject which shows the terror of using the breathing items and the care of the medical services , minimal prep , lots of character and good details.
    AC Gas German 000.JPG
    For more details why not have a look at Andys website:

    acmodels.co.nz

    Lots of great work from Andy and well worth a look

    Thanks for the chance to review this and quick shipping to Andy......

    ......and of course to you all for looking in

    Nap
  4. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Guys,

    Here are a couple of pictures you might find interesting on the helmet

    0000.jpg 000.jpg 00.jpg 0.jpg

    The numbers were originally in red but changed to green early in the war , in felt or wool originally , later they were often seen stencilled on

    Nap
  5. cimeterre de figurines Active Member

    Country:
    France
    Many thanks Nap for this very interesting review:)
    Regards
    Xavier
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  6. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    That's a interesting bust.
    This would be a good buy.

    Marc
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  7. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Great review Nap

    Bob.
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  8. swralph A Fixture

    Great review of a great looking bust.
    Ralph.
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  9. Macca G A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Thanks Nap, I'm just about to do this kit so the reference will be invaluable.
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  10. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England

    No problem Macca please do post the SBS on the forum I for one would be interested how you deal with it as I am sur others are .

    To everyone else .....THANKS for the comments it's an interesting subject

    Nap
  11. Dan Morton A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Great review!

    All the best,
    Dan
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  12. yeo_64 Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Singapore
    Kudos for a Great review, my friend (y)(y)(y)(y)(y)!
    A Big Thank You is also in order for the posted reference photos posted here :LOL:.
    Cheers!
    Kenneth.
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  13. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Kenneth,

    Glad you liked the review ...enjoyed the research hopefully it makes it easier for others

    Thanks for popping into the review ..I will be doing more over the next week or so!

    Nap
    yeo_64 likes this.
  14. Zastrow.cuirassier PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    France
    And an another great review from Nap !!!!
    A real pleasure as always !
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  15. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Cheers ZC glad you enjoyed it

    More to follow ..soon!

    Nap
  16. Zastrow.cuirassier PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    France
    Great, i'm impatient !!!
    Still waiting for it on my computer !
    [IMG]
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  17. Macca G A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    On the right arm there is what I assume is a medic's badge does anyone have any details on what colours that would be?
  18. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Macca G ,

    Thanks for looking in , the armband was very wide in a white with Red Cross when first issued obviously getting dirty quickly in the conditions ...here are some pictures of original items and troops wearing it .

    Hope they are of some help

    Nap

    image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
  19. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Macca G ,

    Had a think not sure if you mean the right as we look at him or the other arm!......so here is a genuine WW1 medics badge this was worn on the fatigue uniform originally .

    It's yellow wool stitched to an Ivory backing the field uniform version would have been a colour close to that.

    Nap

    image.jpg
  20. Macca G A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Thanks Nap, I found that image on Google images and wasn't sure of its accuracy

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