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Review 1/10th WW2 101st Airborne Bust from Nuts Planet

Discussion in 'Reviews , Video Reviews and Open Book' started by Nap, Jul 11, 2014.

  1. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi to everyone not at Stresa ,

    We are currently in the fury of World Expo fever and one of the companies that will be there is of course Nuts Planet the Korean company that has released so many top quality pieces .

    One of the latest and in keeping and to honour those brave US soldiers that fought in WW2 we have a subject that conjours up many pictures in our minds ...it is of course the 101st US Airborne Paratrooper or a member of the "Screaming Eagles" as they came to be known .
    N 129.jpg
    As a result of their service in WW2 particularly at Bastogne there is today a great museum dedicated to the unit , veterans and indeed their families are moved to tears when visiting , this bringing back so many memories of actions and of friends lost but never out of their thoughts.
    00.jpg 0.jpg 1.jpg
    Training for the airborne roll was tough ..it had to be with many characters being found in the ranks ....the unit gaining the nickname "Screaming Eagles" from their insignia that was worn on the left upper arm.... 2.jpg
    3.jpg 4.jpg 17.jpg 4a.jpg 6.jpg 13.jpg 14.jpg 15.jpg 16.jpg
    Casualities in the ETO were horrific:

    Total battle casualties: 9,328
    Total deaths in battle: 2,155

    Many books have been written about the unit and in particular the Paratroops themselves covering all aspects including training, clothing , insignia and much more .
    7.jpg 8.jpg 5.jpg 9.jpg 9a.jpg 10.jpg 11.jpg 12.jpeg
    Continued in next post:

    Nap
    yeo_64, RFL, Tarracus and 1 other person like this.
  2. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Let us see what in the box folks :

    Title: WW2 US 101 Airborne

    Scale: 1/10th

    Reference: NP-B007

    Material: Resin

    No of parts: 24 (including copper wire)

    Sculptor: Jun-Sik Ahn

    Box Art Myseong-Ha Hwang

    As expected we are greeted with the blue box covered on the top and one of the sides with colour pictures of the box art...great reference even if you have nothing else (there is of course the website to look at as well)

    All parts are sandwiched between thick foam with the smaller parts being held in small sealable bags.

    Parts consist of : the torso , 2 arms, a choice of heads, the hands, the helmet, the backpack, the weapon strap in 2 pieces, 3 pieces that make up the helmet chin strap, a field dressing, a water bottle, 3 small pouches , a grenade , the garand rifle, a pistol in holster , and a small piece of cord and of course the base , with some copper wire ( the use has been discussed in another thread ..so I will leave it up to you to use it as you wish (ie the hooks on the webbing , cord for the pistol, maybe the grenade pin )
    N 130.jpg N 131.jpg
    Lets begin with the torso first :

    Prep needed was the removal of a casting plug from the undersides and if you wish fit the base, the detailing on the jacket really does look correct , the clothing almost moves when you look at it , across his chest we see a bandolier of ammunition , the front pocket is bulging with stuff , detailing of the webbing straps are really good , with fine undercuts seen in all area's, the belt is a fine piece of work the clasp is almost workable , on the belt we have locating holes for the pouches . The collar area is folded down , good casting here as well , the neck area is perfect N 155.jpg all ready to receive the chosen head (more later)
    N 151.jpg N 150.jpg N 152.jpg N 153.jpg N 154.jpg N 158.jpg N 157.jpg N 156.jpg
    On now to the arms these are of the same high quality as the torso , we have to remove a casting plug from the shoulder on both revealing access to the locating plug , folds are excellent on both arms , fit into the shoulder area's are great with no filler being needed , the arms are positioned as if holding the weapon .
    N 159.jpg N 161.jpg N 162.jpg
    Of note is the distinctive unit insignia seen on the left shoulder , really crisply worked , all aiding painting ..really looking the part.
    N 164.jpg
    The hands will need to be fitted to the wrists , I suggest dry fitting them before any permanent fix is made to get the positioning right, the finger digits are cut well with nice features on the nails and knuckles , the hand positioning is spot on IMO to receive the weapon
    N 165.jpg N 166.jpg
    Now to the heads , whichever one you choose you will have to remove a casting plug before a near perfect fit into the neck area.
    We have a choice of 2 N 167.jpg , one ready to receive the helmet (more later) and the other bareheaded with the very impressive mohican haircut often seen in airborne troops (see pictures in 1st post) , one looks a bit like a well known actor and the other a bit like the fella out of Taxi driver..that is enough on that both are great sculpts no matter who they might look like .
    N 169.jpg N 163.jpg N 168.jpg N 170.jpg N 174.jpg N 172.jpg N 171.jpg
    Facial features in both are great , good structure to both faces , it will be a hard choice as both are so good , eyes are nicely done with the nasal and ears also be well done , the mohican hairstyle is very effective with good texture .

    Continued in next post:

    Nap
    yeo_64, Funky50 and Mac1966 like this.
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Moving on now to the remaining pieces:

    Firstly the webbing

    The pack he carries needed a casting plug removed from the lower edge , fit into the rear of the torso was spot on , this really looks like it was being carried full of kit , the straps straining , side pockets bulging with all he needed perhaps a chocolate bar or maybe even a pair of nylons for any liberated french madam ...who knows but mostly full of ammunition and clothing ......the surface detailing is really good with the straps being well defined , good buckle details are seen .

    N 145.jpg N 148.jpg
    Now to the 3 pouches , one being for the pistol magazines, one for a first aid pack, the other a small pouch, these all locate on the belt in the sections cutouts , after removing the casting plugs on each , fit into the belt is very good , all pouches having good details including the fastners (I heartily recommend the Europa Militaria 33 for all aspects of the webbing) .
    N 134.jpg N 135.jpg
    Now to the water bottle ..this is a gem of sculpting with the features seen in real life being well worked , the pouch strains at the water bottle inside , the webbing clip at the rear is a lovely detail , again removal of a casting plug is needed .
    N 136.jpg N 137.jpg
    The first aid pack ...exactly like we see in period pictures ...sometimes fitted on the helmet , sometimes taped to webbing but at all times easily seen and accessible , a casting plug is needing to be dealt with from the back and then fitted into your chosen position.
    N 139.jpg N 138.jpg
    On now to the weapons , 3 are provided the Garand rifle , the pistol in a holster and a grenade, all are meticulously sculpted , the rifle has 6 small plugs to remove , be particularly careful when you get to the trigger guard, the working mechanism is finely done with good work all the way along .
    N 143.jpg N 144.jpg N 146.jpg
    The pistol is another good piece and a chance to do your worn leather techniques , good details are on the holster flap including the "US" , there is again a casting plug to take off from the top surface.
    N 132.jpg N 141.jpg N 142.jpg
    The grenade could almost explode its so real ...after removal of a tiny casting plug from the undersides, this pineapple could frag at any time ..love the thought and work that has gone into this .
    N 140.jpg
    The strap for the rifle is in 2 parts , both are on formers which will need removing , fit is really good with excellent details on both halves.

    The helmet straps and chin piece are fiddly but perfectly formed , fitting will need careful work but the end will be a great result.
    N 133.jpg
    Now on to the helmet , we have a casting plug to take off , the helmet fits onto the head really well , this is a helmet full of camo , woven in amongst the netting worn over it ..it a brilliant bit of work , lots of great painting opportunities here , its a shame not to use this with the chin straps hanging down so evocative of the paratrooper.
    N 175.jpg N 176.jpg N 177.jpg N 178.jpg N 179.jpg N 180.jpg
    Finally we have the base this is as others from Nuts Planet a pillar type , if you choose to use it ..pin it if not to the spares box it goes , a small amount of prep is needed but fits well into the undersides of the torso.
    Nuts base.jpg
    Final thoughts:

    This is a great subject which has been so well researched , a great option with the head choice , prep is a bit more than previous due to the number of parts involved but all are easily dealt with , sculpting is as with the others from this company top notch , presentation is 1st class .
    There are a lot of bits in the box and you get a lot for the money as well as hours of enjoyment ..the end result being total satisfaction.

    If WW2 is your thing or if you just like a challenge then this is for you ..an ideal choice and value for the money

    Yet another great release from Nuts Planet

    For more details on this and others from Nuts Planet go to the website at:

    www.nutsplanet.com
    .

    Thanks to Nuts Planet for the Review model

    Cheers to you all for looking in

    Enjoy the modelling

    Nap
  4. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Now just for information some original items used on the sculpt:
    20.jpg 18.jpg 19.jpg 21.JPG 22.JPG 23.jpg 1staidkits.jpg Frag.jpg Fragcan.jpg
    Enjoy

    Nap
    yeo_64 and Tarracus like this.
  5. Tarracus A Fixture

    This is more than a review: Welcome to the Napopedia!!:D(y)
    RFL, crf and napoleonpeart like this.
  6. JasonB Moderator

    Country:
    United-States
    Very excellent review and overall presentation. I have this fig as well and the only thing I could come up with is "awesome".
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  7. Tarracus A Fixture

    And, of course, in order to take your painting experience on this bust to cathartic level:
    Bandofbrothers.jpg M2156942.jpg
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  8. Blue Thunder A Fixture

    Country:
    Portugal
    Kevin, unquestionably your reviews are the finest one can find! This is public service at its very best! :)


    Awesome review! For all you guys seeing this, don't miss too the step by step images Jun-Sik Ahn places in his FB profile. Look how classics are made:

    [IMG]


    [IMG]
  9. YongA01 Active Member

    Country:
    Malaysia
    Hi Kevin, excellent review and reference material... I bought this bust last week and can only say every aspects ..likeness , sculpting, details accuracy, casting, quality of resin, all first class.....
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  10. Filipe Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Brazil
    Thanks for the review, Nap. Nuts Planet will owe you at least one sale ;)

    And, to all those who made a storm about it, the first aid kit is NOT cast to the helmet, so, your choice! :whistle:
    napoleonpeart and sd0324 like this.
  11. woody New Member

    I have this piece thank you to my grand children .
    It is very nice and special to me
    Thank you for the review before my brushes start.
    What was once good is not today but we all try to keep up.
    sd0324 likes this.
  12. Mark Dollery Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Well Nap, don't think you missed anything there, top review! :)
    I think we are going to see more of theses soon
    Mark D ;)
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  13. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Guys,

    Thanks so much for all the comments always good to see wether they are good or bad as I can always improve in some way ...spread the word about my work folks !

    Nap
  14. Tubby-Nuts2 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Thanks Kevin?! .. another in-depth review, with possible reference options! (y).. very well done!

    Regards,

    Mark
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  15. swralph A Fixture

    Excellent review Nap.weird casting pips on the rifle.
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  16. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
  17. tomifune A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Seen the painted version of this in Stresa and it is the epitome of figure sculpting and painting!

    Bob
    napoleonpeart likes this.
  18. kiwi45 Active Member

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Magnificent review of a magnificent bust, bought two, one for my friend and we both agree...Awesome work . Well done to all involved.
    Les.
    napoleonpeart likes this.

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