Hi benchmates

Its always nice to have a look at a members release .....the fellow in question is MILAN DUFEK , aka Taiko here on PF who has set up Taiko Miniatures



Those that went to Euro Miniature Expo would have seen some of Milan's artwork as well

Milan also has produced free e books to download ..all very recommended

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/milan-dufek-free-e-books-to-download.118805/

Also a link to more You tube video's

Video

Milan commissioned this last year and was announced here on PF

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/93rd-sutherland-highlander.116069/as

....well as in social media.

Artwork was announced here on PF

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/93rd-sutherland-highlander.116551/

Milan has also done a video for the prep on this bust ....well worth watching ...and it means I don't have to type !!...



The release is this:

Details of the release are :

Title : 93rd Sutherland Highlanders , Crimean War , 1853-1856

Scale : 200mm

No of Parts : 8

No of castings : 77

Material : Gray/Green Resin

Sculptor : Greg Girault

Casting: CMR Moulding and Casting ( www.castingresin.com )

Artwork : None on box but it has since been painted by Milan Dufek ( see link above )

Concept Art card : Alfonso "Banshee" Giraldes

The box contains:

• Resin bust consisting of 4 parts , 3 buckles and a post
• One resin 93rd regimental badge for a wooden plinth
• One photo-etched nameplate for a wooden plinth
• One metal strip for the water canteen strap
• A certificate of authenticity with the copy number
• Concept art card
• Parts are held safely in foam layers with wax seal on the outside when you first get it

( Note : The last picture is from Milan )

Prep

Please do watch the video link by Milan but I will briefly run through the parts

• Torso : Remove excess casting resin from rear and excess flashing
• Head : Remove small post on beard and from underneath , dry fit and pin
• Backpack : Remove casting resin from under , confirm fit
• Hand/Waterbottle : Small plug on wrist , pin and then fit
• Strap/Base post : Fit as and when you wish

Important Note: (Milan is aware of this error )

Those that have seen the piece will of course note that he is cloth as a SNCO ie : with a sash , but has only 2 chevrons on the left ....to depict the correct SNCO rank you need to either :

Add 3 on the right arm and add a part to the left or if a colour Sgt remove the rank on the left and add the single chevron with the crossed swords ,union jack , crown etc above ...there are full references at the end of the review ( new idea!!)

Or ..you could remove the sash and add 2 chevrons to the right arm

The rework will certainly be well within all modellers capabilities using the chosen putty


In this part I will look at the Torso and the head

Torso

This is a classic bust in style , cut above the waist, the pose is natural and quite relaxed with the right arm extended to the front

Undercuts are good particularly under the wings ..nice to see no excess resin there

Definition of the straps are well shown with them pulling into the uniform nicely

The epaulettes/wings are sculpted with the lace edging being correct in scale , with nice texture on half moon at the shoulder

Collar work is also good the material folded down in relation to the head position , the lace is present on the sides .

One thing to note the front lace should decrease in size as you go down so a little rework might be something you wish to do

Cuff work has the correct style slashes and lace positioning

At the back we have location holes fro the backpack

Underneath we have a cast in hole for the post of your choice ..good idea as many don't like drilling into their prized WIP !!

Head

Of course he is wearing the Scottish headwear , sitting well onto the head itself , well textured with the lower band having no dicing definition ..so you will need to freehand this , saying that the surface is spotless with no blemishes .

At the side there is the 93rd badge , again a nice version considering the scale , above this we have the plume again well worked

We now look at the face ...its a cracking one full of character and full of the period as we see in the pictures , excellent features on the eyes , with the tired bags underneath !!! , nice nose shaping and mouth work , sporting a fine beard that was permitted during the Crimean campaign , good texture work with strands peeking out from the bonnet at the sides.

On the underside there are 2 small resin "blobs" that match cutouts in the neck area of the collar





Continued in next post

Nap

Now to the remaining pieces

Backpack

Sculpt to be level with the torso when in place , the box like issue item is well done with the corner pieces in position , the mess tins in a cover are held in place with a blanket roll on the top , again both being held by straps , you could use the supplied buckles on the top straps

Fit is easy but I think I would pin as well



Waterbottle/Hand

The right hand sits well into the cuff of the arm sleeve , I would again say pin it , good work on the fingers nicely gripping the waterbottle at the edges .

The waterbottle is the circular one issued , wooden and banded in iron ( as in reference pics , there is a cast on strap which you will need to extend using the provided lead strip , the main surface have no marking on it but the MOD arrow was seen between the B and O ( board of Ordnance ) , as well as individuals names, company, regt details , all in various versions ., nice to see the stopper is included sitting on the top surface of the item



Post/Buckles/Nameplate/Badge

The post is a good fit but of course you could replace with a brass rod

Buckles ...3 provided , 2 for the blanket roll , one for the waterbottle, a little small so I would probably replace then



Nameplate ...a bonus and a nice addition and a good idea as these aren't cheap to get done ...cleanly engraved

Badge...another bonus from Milan ...a lovely larger version of the cap badge , very well detailed and cast



Final thoughts

A good subject from Milan , a popular period , but a limited casting run so get one while you can , good sculpting with minimal work needed to get this into the display cabinet , when painted a excellent representation .

Of course Milan has gone that extra mile with his own You tube video's .....all credit to him and as said they are well worth taking the time to view.

WELL DONE to Milan and lets hope we see more from him

For more details go to here: www.taiko-miniatures.

You can of course contact him via FB and PF messaging ( member id : Taiko )

Thanks to Milan for the review item and to you all for looking in

Lets have some pics from Milan showing his great painting talents

Nap

Lets have some reference and books to look out for

Books first:




Reference pictures

Original Line Infantry tunic showing rank badge

Note: different jacket to model but showing rank with a Scottish unit ( nothing on left arm )

Back pack ( on English Regt uniform ) [/



Rank information



Enjoy the benchtime

Nap

Hi Terry

Thanks for comment ...contact Milan direct , as far as I know he has no US suppliers but he will be only too happy to help ...all credit to him for us dedication on all his pieces and this release ...a one man band who deserves to succeed

If you need help let me know

Hi Neil

Thank you ....constructive in all my reviews hopefully ! ...glad you enjoyed it

Nap

Hi Terry

That's great service and I was delighted to share a release from Milan...hope you enjoyed the review and it helped ...if you need any details let me know ..look forward to your painting

Happy benchtime

Nap