Review 1/6 Resin Bench Models "Special Forces"

planetFigure

Help Support planetFigure:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

JasonB

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 24, 2005
Messages
1,569
Resin Bench Models 1/6 figure “Special Forces”


The vagaries of a modelers world (or how I found a 1/6 scale figure on an airplane modeling site)
So I'm browsing over on Large Scale Planes (the webs premier site for..uh...large scale planes) and the topic is posted lamenting the lack of figures for large plane models. An appropriate subject I thought, and a valid argument at that, so I clicked on the link to view the discussion. One of the patrons posted, in jest, this picture of the figure I am reviewing today.

sf1ssmall_zpsb755d92b.jpg


It was love at first sight, and I knew right then I had to have her. However, my first thoughts were that she was a tease, a one off, or at best, the master sculpt for an action figure (the dread “Battle Barbies”). As fast as I could type it, I posted a query as to the origins and availability of the babe in the pic. Soon, and much to my relief and amazement, a response was posted that she was indeed available, a link was provided, and with a few clicks of the mouse, I was there.

"Resin Bench Models". Never heard of them. But she was there, and the additional pics overcame any hesitancy I had to ordering one. So faster than you can say "click here to buy now", I was Paypaling my way to what I hoped would be resin Nirvana. That was Friday, 4:17 PM. Fast forward to Monday, 9:30am or so, I am hefting a box of about 5 pounds and wondering just what I have here (“CRS syndrome is strong in this one”) but quickly I came to the realization that the figure I ordered Friday afternoon is already in my hands. I felt slightly light headed and just a little giddy. So it was quickly back to the bat cave to ogle and find out just what I had.
My Precious...

The box opening ( think the briefcase scene from "Pulp Fiction")
OK, so when I opened the box, rays of golden light didn't wash over me (what was in that briefcase anyhow?). I admit it, I imagined that part. I was presented with large parts securely wrapped in bubble wrap and surrounded by Styrofoam peanuts (actually figure 8's, but I digress). “Slowly” I told myself, “carefully cut open the...” Oh to hell with that, I was slicing through tape, bubble wrap, and at one point, the flesh on my hand, getting to the good stuff. Much to my immense relief, it was good stuff that I had. Five large parts to the figure, a sealed bag with the accessories, and 2 huge hulking base pieces. So much goodness in so few parts.

overall_zps53feed9f.jpg


Casting is sublime. No casting blocks to remove anywhere. Oh they were there at one time, but they have already been removed for you. All of them were at joints and mating surfaces, so there are no scars or blemishes requiring clean up on the surfaces that will be painted. Those areas where they were removed will need a little trimming to get rid of the remainder of the stub and make the fit perfect, but its easy work. Mold seams, where they are, are petite. I have many 1/16th figures with more and more pronounced seams than this kit. No mold shift at all, which is the bane of my large scale modeling existence. Molding quality is just about flawless. Not a bubble to be seen. No gunk in the nooks and crannies (gunk in the nooks and crannies, there's a cure for that now...)

head_zpsce9f2528.jpg

Beauty, in 1/6 scale

rightleg_zps49a39482.jpg

"I will take this boot and shove it so far up your..."

torsofront_zps27b8d004.jpg

Tactical combat halter top and harness. Ready for the beach or combat zone...



All the surfaces are smoothly cast, sharply detailed, and cast in a nice, not too hard, not brittle at all gray resin. Fit after cleanup looks like it will be very good, with perhaps a little Magic Sculp (or filler of your choice) here and there to fill a gap or two, but that might not be the case once more dry fitting is done and the mating surfaces cleaned up a tad more.

So what do we have?
One very big, combat ready, take no crap hot resin chick dressed for action (military on the bottom, beach casual on top) armed to the teeth and looking for trouble. The 5 parts are the head, torso including right leg, left leg, left arm, and right arm which is cast as one piece with the weapon. Her left hand is cast as part of the weapon as well. She is wielding a SCAR-L (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle-Light) with under slung 40mm grenade launcher with an Acog (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) 4x magnifying sight mounted on the upper rail. The rifle is well cast, which just a slight web of resin to be cleaned up inside the trigger guard area and around the grip. There is a seam that will need to be cleaned up on various areas of the weapon but its very minor. The muzzle is molded solid, and would best be drilled out and the slots in it opened up for best effect. The grenade launcher could also be drilled out to show more depth.
rightarm_zps5ccbc9cb.jpg

(Right)armed and dangerous

insideright_zps3ba417d6.jpg


leftarm_zps6daface3.jpg


In case you didn't know, the SCAR is in use by US special forces high speed operators (Navy SEALS, Delta Force, the A-Team) who use it in places that none of us want to travel to, so it must do something right.
Ok, ok, not the A-team.

Air-Force-SpecOps-SCAR-deta.jpg

"Yes sir, have a nice day. And your beard is spectacular if I may say so".

On her right leg is semi auto pistol in a holster with 2 magazines.
pistol_zps9981ca09.jpg

My, what a big gun you have

Two US M67 baseball type grenades are included and can be attached to her combat harness. Included with them are premade wire pull pins.

grenades_zps3b90fa25.jpg


Mental note. On real grenades, trying to pull the pins with your teeth Hollywood style is not advisable and will probably
yank your teeth out ...

There's also a knife in its sheath shown on her right hip or place it wherever you see fit. Several pouches are included to round out her combat load. There's also a pair of sun glasses that can be added either over her eyes (heresy!), pushed up on her head, or left off altogether. Plus theres even a bag of debris to add to the base. Debris!
accessories_zps44a087a8.jpg


A neat inclusion is the molding of her tactical radio (looks like a US AN/PRC-154 Radio) into the wall behind her, which helps line her up when mounting her to the base.

wall2_zps213a90a5.jpg


Ear buds and throat mics are molded into her neck and chest area, the throat mic being the break point between her head and neck (ouch).

chestrig_zpse0db65df.jpg

You are looking at the throat mics, right???

The bases on most kits are ignored or discarded altogether. That's not the case with the behemoth. Probably weighing in at a pound or two of solid resin, its every bit as detailed and well done as the figure. The wall and the base both have sockets and plugs that lock together, and there are sockets that match up to the plugs on the bottom of the figures feet. Spent ammo casings galore, a dropped empty magazine and rubble cover the base. The wall isn't your typical blah brick or concrete wall. Its covered with bolted or screwed on panels that you could translate as steel or some advanced composite material and finish appropriately. This is fantasy brother, think outside the bun. The base even has pipes molded into the broken edge to show detail under the street. Great stuff.

base1_zps4c4612ae.jpg

Someone has been busy laying down some serious supressing fire

wall_zpsbdf3c378.jpg


Lasting impressions (or how this will be paid off in 26 easy payments)
OK, so 1/6 scale fantasy battle babes aren't everyone’s cup o' tea. They are huge. They are expensive ($130) and they are sometimes a handful to assemble and paint. An airbrush would be highly recommended for base coating, and in this scale and with steady hands, lots of the smaller details as well. But at about a 1/3 larger than my 1/9 scale guys, and at about the same price point, you are getting a lot for your money. I have only seen one or two other large scale figs cast to this level of finesse, detail and quality, but at about twice the price. Since its fantasy, you can go to town on the uniform of the day (I'm thinking German Flecktarn for mine), you can, with a little surgery and nerves of steel, cut out the supplied SCAR and replace it with any number of 1/6 scale weapons meant for the 'action figure' crowd. Blonde hair? Brunette? Leloo (“ Leloo Dallas multi-pass”) two tone orange? Its all up to you. I highly recommend this one to anyone wanting something large, different and of high quality.

13587421866731085526059.jpeg

Resin Bench can be found at:

http://www.resinbenchmodels.com/main.sc

There are some other nice fantasy figs there as well (1/6 Neytiri from Avatar anyone?) so have a look, you never know what might show up at your door.

Oh, I also have to mention that this one is the cover girl for the latest edition of “Amazing Figure Modeler”. Its only printed 4 times a year, so ya know its good if they put it out front.

48115_10200203146155024_2075192584_n_zps697a0551.jpg



Kit courtesy of my banks willingness to extend me credit beyond my good sense not to use, and Paypals ridiculous ease of buying stuff without taking time to think twice about it. Credit card say “Damn!”
 
Great work Jason,

I'm not sure about the historical accuracy of this piece. So I will give it a miss.;)

Having said that..A very exact, in depth and humerous review of a fantasy figure which would be a fantastic addition to any fantasists grey army. Thanks for the photos also.
The face looks great and the weapon looks extremely mean. An amazing amount of detail included in the kit as well as the more than substantial base. Will you be applying some artistic licence with this beauty?
How long you think this will take you and look forward to seeing your in progress shots.



Cheers,

Gells
 
Jason, great review and really funny, I like your style.
I've ordered mine by the way, can't wait.
It's blooming huge!
How long did it take to arrive?
I live in the uk.
Thanks. I figure there are enough blow by blow reviews out there, I might as well try to be a little entertaining. My wife would agree...that I'm only just a little entertaining.
Ordered it on a Friday afternoon and had it on the following Monday, but I am in the States. Anthony is a good guy to deal with.
Cheers
Jason
 
Jason I had a little feeling you were in the States.
I suspect anything up to 2 weeks for me then, perhaps a little more.
Nice to hear Anthony is good to deal with.
You can tell anyway I think with his casting and the way he packs everything in little bags.
Professional!
A little sting for me regarding shipping but the exchange is fairly good.
It's a lot of model for your buck!
Will be interesting to see what you do with this one.

Karl
 
Darn good review, I just recieved my copy of Amazing Figure Modeller and thought the cover looked impressive, it was great to read your review to know that the kit is everything they state in their review.
Ben
 
Great review, Jason! Light-hearted and funny!

It's an awesome kit, and quite large too at 12 inches tall for the vertical wall. Lots of resin and eye-candy details. The figure looks impressive in size and scale. I hope to post a review of this kit soon.
 
Jason ,

Great review , like the way its been done , as others have said ..funny to read as well as informative .

The kit is a big one but what some great details are included , like the presentation as well , nice touch having the grenade pins included as well , casting looks very sharp as well .

Thanks for sharing

Nap
 
Should also mention that she is not only on the cover of AFM, but the subject
for a first-rate SBS article within. A full 5 pages ( very long for this type of thing )
with lots of photos. Build-up and article by Jeff Camp. Very informative.
 
Great review! Just to give the sculptor his credit: Roberto Von Behr from Brazil. A great dude, an amazing artist and the best female sculptor I´ve ever known.
Some of his work can be find here: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&global=1&q=roberto von behr

And he´s tones of comissions at www.theclubhouse1.net

Even I´ve comissioned him for a future kit.

Cheers!

Felipe.
Thanks for the info, and yes, he is definitely a talented sculptor.
Cheers
Jason
 
Back
Top