Oda
A Fixture
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2016
- Messages
- 5,646
As promised a few days ago I have prepared an open box review of Alive History's latest release of an Indian War Elephant at about the time of the battle of Hydaspes.Although it can be used to represent any Indian elephant within a rather broad time spectrum,the inclusion (optional) of a Macedonian rider in the kit shows that the sculptor had the aforementioned battle in mind.
We are all used to seeing war Elephants in a hellenistic context(that is after Alexander's death) but an Elephant of earlier date is not so common a subject in our hobby.
Alive History chose to fill the gap with this release.The kit is a limited edition of only 25 pieces and comprises an elephant and its crew of three warriors.The scale is 1/32 (54mm) although it could be argued that it is slightly bigger (58-60mm).I have deliberately chosen to leave the Macedonian aside in this review as the kit can be purchased separately if one wishes so.
The elephant is cast in resin and comes in 8 parts (head,trunk,2 body halves,2 tusks,tale,2 ears),its decoration/armour/clothing come separately in two pieces (one blanket for its back and one peytral-to use a familiar term from european chest armour for horses) plus a bell for its neck.
The fit is good and not much cleaning is needed.Of course in a kit of this size some filling and filing will be necessary before painting.
There are 3 members in its crew,cast in white metal: 1 mahut/warrior,1 standard bearer/warrior and 1 woman warrior.
All the weapons are given in steel (the naked bladed weapons that is.All the scabarded weapons are cast in white metal).The company provides a tasseled banner in copper sheet that is already assembled,It only needs to be painted.
Again the fit is good but some cleaning and filing will be needed before painting.All the figures come with locating pins that will help positioning them on the elephant.
The kit also includes a simple resin base.
A very intersting kit,uncommon providing literally countless opportunities for colorful renditions.
As far as I can judge it is historically accurate.It also incorporates a great deal of movement and drama.Not a beginner's kit in my opinion,this beauty requires some experience to handle but overall not too complicated.It can be painted and presented on its own or combined with various other figures both Indian and Greek available by the same company.
Sorry for the quality of the pics it was the best I could do with my phone.Should any esteemed peer require more detailed pics of a certain part,please do not hesitate to ask and I will try to provide.
We are all used to seeing war Elephants in a hellenistic context(that is after Alexander's death) but an Elephant of earlier date is not so common a subject in our hobby.
Alive History chose to fill the gap with this release.The kit is a limited edition of only 25 pieces and comprises an elephant and its crew of three warriors.The scale is 1/32 (54mm) although it could be argued that it is slightly bigger (58-60mm).I have deliberately chosen to leave the Macedonian aside in this review as the kit can be purchased separately if one wishes so.
The elephant is cast in resin and comes in 8 parts (head,trunk,2 body halves,2 tusks,tale,2 ears),its decoration/armour/clothing come separately in two pieces (one blanket for its back and one peytral-to use a familiar term from european chest armour for horses) plus a bell for its neck.
The fit is good and not much cleaning is needed.Of course in a kit of this size some filling and filing will be necessary before painting.
There are 3 members in its crew,cast in white metal: 1 mahut/warrior,1 standard bearer/warrior and 1 woman warrior.
All the weapons are given in steel (the naked bladed weapons that is.All the scabarded weapons are cast in white metal).The company provides a tasseled banner in copper sheet that is already assembled,It only needs to be painted.
Again the fit is good but some cleaning and filing will be needed before painting.All the figures come with locating pins that will help positioning them on the elephant.
The kit also includes a simple resin base.
A very intersting kit,uncommon providing literally countless opportunities for colorful renditions.
As far as I can judge it is historically accurate.It also incorporates a great deal of movement and drama.Not a beginner's kit in my opinion,this beauty requires some experience to handle but overall not too complicated.It can be painted and presented on its own or combined with various other figures both Indian and Greek available by the same company.
Sorry for the quality of the pics it was the best I could do with my phone.Should any esteemed peer require more detailed pics of a certain part,please do not hesitate to ask and I will try to provide.
