SERGEANT, STANDARD BEARER CONFEDERATE CAVALRY, 1864
Sculpted and painted by Jose Hidalgo






This is one of the latest releases added to the extensive range of figures from this long established company Beneito Miniatures. It represents a mounted Sergeant Standard Bearer of the Cofederate Cavalry, sculpted and painted by the very talented Jose Hidalgo.


The kit is 54mm in scale and consists of twenty one white metal parts, two resin parts and a brass rod. All parts are packed in a sturdy cardboard box between two layers of foam. The box sleve has very nice colour art to use as a painting reference. There is also a colour guide included in the kit. A closer inspection of the parts show a good level of detail and clean casting with minimal seam lines to remove.






Continued..............................

A look at the horse components shows the usual way that a horse is cast with the two body sections and the head and neck as another single casting, the usual cleanup of seam lines is required. We can also see that a small amount of filler will be needed to blend the two halves of the horse together, this is normal in most cases when assembling a horse from most manufactures. The head locates nicely into the socket at the top of horse torso and the joint is hidded by the detail of the strap at the base of the neck.







The parts that make up the rider, .The upper and lower body is cast as one section and the left arm is integrated into the casting. We can see the components that make up the flag. A close up of the head shows the detail and character that has been sculpted into this figure.






The hand of the right arm has a hole to locate the flag pole which is supplied in the kit as a brass rod.



A closer inspection of the battle worn flag shows that is cast in resin to help reduce the weight. The detail of the confederate pattern is embossed onto the flag which will help to aid in the painting of the pattern. A small hole will need to be drilled at the bottom of the flag to accommodate the brass rod.



In the last image we can see all the smaller parts that will be fitted to the horse saddle. Again all parts are nicely detailed.



Conclusion:
Another very nice release from Benieto Miniatures. The kit is very well cast and shows good level of detail. A small amount of filler or thick glue will be needed on the horse between the joint of the two halves. The flag will need a small hole drilled at the base to accommodate the flag pole. Minimal clean up of parts and test fitting of parts was good. Highly recommended.


Availability:
Beneito Miniatures: http://www.beneito.com/catalog/products_new.php
U.K. S.K.Miniatures: http://www.skminiatures.co.uk/
Italy: Bestsoldiers: http://www.bestsoldiers.com/

Cheers
Tommi

Tommi looking at the photos the rider looks to relaxed, more a position as if he was riding uphill , how does it look in the flesh ? the reason I'm asking is ,1 This is probably my favourite period and 2 Benieto figures are still some of the most resonable priced figures on the market . I would like this kit but I think I would need to see it first at a model show before purchasing it due to the riders posistion .
chippy

Thanks for the review and closeup photos Tommi

Nice review Tommi, I personally think the pose is just fine, you can always adjust it anyway without much effort.

tommi, thanks for the review. quite a nice figure. bill

Hi Chippy.
Some pictures more of another angle.


Regards.
Jose