Hi there everybody

9th Gate Miniatures have been beavering away with releases since I was sent these earlier in the year to look at .

The company's idea is to "Celebrate the Lives of Remarkable People" with this series in the scale 1/14th they will cast a limited amount with more available in a larger scale of 1/10th , a business decision by the company 9th gate are reworking all releases to the larger scale ....so grab these smaller scales while you can ( details of this was announced on both the website and FB page in November )

Looking at the details on the website I see that in 2019 they are planning on looking at mainly fantasy and historical figures in both 75mm and 32mm scale with some busts in limited amounts of 50 pieces, all with a authentication certificate

The subjects have included HRH Prince Phillip , Churchill amongst others

The subject we are looking at is of course Her Majesty The Queen , without doubt the most instantly recognised and respected monarch and of course the longest reign .

HM is fairly small in statue at 5' 4" with those blue eye so distinctive

Her names are Elizabeth Alexandra Mary

Her Majesty was born on April 21st 1926 , this is her actual birthday but she also has a official one as well this is always celebrated by the famous Trooping of the Colour , this is normally the 2nd Saturday in June ..a ideal time of year for the pomp and ceremony that only HM Armed Forces can shown with over 1400 soldiers , 200 mounted and 400 bandsman on parade in 2018 ...a true spectacle.

Of course there are many books here are a couple :



Lets have some pictures for you

The Queens wartime medals

I received the boxed set of 3 busts depicting the Queen in 3 different periods of her life , during the WW2 period, mid life and in later life

The packaging was in a very strong black box which pulls apart with the 3 separate busts in individual bags with a a foam piece sandwiching them above and below.

The box has a full colour picture with a silver design stamped into the other side




As you can see minimal parts and therefore minimal prep with just casting plugs to remove and earrings to fit to the mid life version.

On my review piece the tiaria had a broken part ...fiddly to fix but possible

You will note that the name is spelt wrong and should be ELIZABETH with a "z" not s

As a bonus you also have a choice of heads for 2 of the busts , showing the hair style off .

Details of the review

Title: Queen Elisabeth

Scale: 1/14th

Material: Gray Resin

No of pieces in total: 7 plus 2 earrings

Sculpting: 3D by Barruz Studio

Casting: In house

Box Art: Arnu Lazaro

General Comments

• Nice casting on all
• Good presentation
• Some might consider it a little "niche" in respect the subject

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Nap

Lets look at the pieces

Firstly a couple of pics showing measurements:

The 3 Torso

The Separate Heads

The Queen in WW2

As a princess she told her father the King that she wanted to do her bit and be seen to do so ...this has IMO always been her though out the long reign.

As such she was commissioned in the ATS ( Auxillary Transport Service ) as Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor (service number 230873 serving as a mechanic and truck driver , she was promoted 5 months later to Junior Commander/Captain

She is the only female member of to actually have entered the armed forces and the only living head of state from WW2.

She wears medal ribbons namely King George V coronation and Silver Jubilee

Torso

As with all of them the torso is nicely angled , wearing the uniform of the ATS , the sculpt has nice undercuts on the lapels and the pockets with good definition on the buttons , the shirt collar kept nicely inside the jacket with the tie .

On the epaulettes there are the rank badges ( a single "pip" , for me the review ones were too rounded so I will replace these .

On the lapels we have the ATS collar badges , even in this scale well shown

Above the pocket there are the ribbons , again for me I will enlarge then slightly

Folds and creases on the arms are soft but in keeping

In the neck area there is a well done cutout to take the head

Head(s)

A choice of 2 one with the ATS cap the other bareheaded .

The shaping of the cap is really good with the definition of the ATS badge and the leather strap of particular note the form of the cap is correct at the sides and with nice folds and creases on the crown .

The hair is a well done area again really nicely shaped with good detailed surfaces

The face is a young woman , sculpting known people is particularly difficult , this is IMO a good version , she is smiling and has some nice features to paint , all well cast making painting easier.

Looking at the bareheaded version the same comments are applicable but here you can fully appreciate the work on the hairstyle.

Lets have a look at the painted versions :

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Nap

Lets move on in the life ...Princess Elizabeth is now Queen Elisabeth the SECOND.

As with all Royalty many functions are attending representing their country , especially balls and receptions all those female members that go display a glittering array of diamonds and dresses ...none so more than the queen in particular when wearing tiaria's and crowns .

This version is a one piece cast with just the drop earrings to carefully add , these are drop pearls I believe .

Again we have 3D sculpting and is depicted wearing a fabulous tiara pushed back into the hair , with a pearl necklace and a beautiful dress showing just a little of the shoulders....classy in anyone's books

The queen has many favourite designers including the late Norman Hartnell who produced her coronation dress , as well as Hardy Amies who designed for the commonwealth tour in the 1950's , more recent designers include Angela Kelly

The work on the crown is very very good , sitting well into the head

The hair is differently styled and in keeping with the reference pictures , this time the face looks straight on mouth closed , again good features , looking older of course

The sculpting accentuates the neck which is highlighted by the necklace , all of which are well shaped .

Looking at the dress , wonderful work on the actual style very much like the pictures , like the original very styled and very classy in the look.

This is a good chance to use pearl paint and get the shimmer of the bling.







The earrings



Now a painted version :

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Nap

Now we are in more recent times

Even in later life HM retains the dignity and poise and sparkle and dedication to serving her country .

This sculpt depicts her in the robes of a royal order and you have a choice of colour schemes should you wish

The Torso

Wearing the full and I am sure heavy robes , sitting on the shoulders the cloak is worn open and displays fine looking ribbons , at the neck we have a securing clasp, all the folds at the rear are again sitting well and naturally





You also have a choice of heads , capped or uncapped

Personally for me this is my favourite piece in respect the facial features , a excellent rendition of the face , all the signs of a long life are there and all well cast .

The plain head shows the hairstyle of a older woman very well indeed framing the face very nicely .

The other version has the soft cap very well done , with the full feathers seen in the reference pictures well done also , the hat is worn high allowing us to enjoy the work on the hair and features .

Lets have some painted versions

Final Thoughts

A interesting and possibly niche subject to choose , sculpted using 3D tools so features are good , they look fine painted and are available not only as sets but individually ..

Good presentation on the sets with casting being good , there is also a Prince Phillip which I will look at soon

9th Gate are certainly a company to watch for all pieces no matter what scale

Thanks to 9th Gate for the review items and to you all for looking in

For more information:

They are members of Planet Figure user ID 9th Gate Miniatures

They have a Facebook page as well

Website details : https://9gate-miniatures.com.

E mail contact : info@9gate-miniatures.com


Happy modelling and benchtime

Nap