Hello all,

In 2 weeks I am off to Bulgaria's Thracian plains were I seem to have lost (part) of my heart. So in a way I thought it appropriate to take a closer look at Soldier's 90 mm Thracian gladiator.

As many of us will know Soldiers as an independent company sadly is no longer. Almost the entire Classical Antiquity line (done by Laruccia) is incorparated into the Masterclass range. But as far as I can tell only the 54 mm's and not the original 90 mm Soldiers series.

I made an inquiry some time ago about the 90 mm Thracian. I was interested in it but it looked rather stupid to put it bluntly. Someone here commented that perhaps is was an early Laruccia. Maybe the Maestro had a bad day. And I initially tended to agree.

But we could not have been more wrong.

For we were all mislead. By an evil that came to us in the shape of a not so well painted/photographed box art version. I stumbled on pictures of a glorious version done by Hardy Tempest. And my faith in the Lord (=Laruccia) was restored. So I decided to post a little review (while waiting for the right arm of Romeo's Provocator to dry under the drying lamp) with the purpose of pointing my brothers and sisters the way to the Divine Light.

What can I say: a perfect sculpt. Yes the figure is static and Pegaso's Thraex as well as the Provocator I am painting are much more dynamic.

But believe me that no one can tip Laruccia's gift for sculpting intricate details such as can be seen on the greaves and helmet. Overall a very athletic masculine figure with a face to match that seems to have stepped right out of a Macbride illustration.

Very different too from the 90 mm Mirmillo and Hoplomaco Borin produced many moons ago under the White Models label or the latest 90 mm Jula Mirmillo. These three all seem to have a BMI of well over 25 and urgently need a bra. Let It be clear that I DO like them. They seem to give us a more down to earth realistic picture of what gladiators probably would/could have looked like. And they are great sculpts in their own right.

Anyway: off to paint. Enjoy the pics. If you like Laruccia's 90 mm Thracian get it while you can. As I said it doesn's seem to be in the Masterclass range any longer. I got mine from Historex Agents. Judging by the smell and condition of the box it must have been on their shelves for well over a century. A sadly underrated figure so it would seem.

Pictures can be enlarged to screen size and well beyond that. The 2 pics of the painted up Thracian are by Hardy Tempest. I found them by 'googling' around. I enclosed them to show the figure's potential.

Cheers Paul

The lames on the Manica overlap in the wrong direction. A very common mistake


Everything else looks great though.

Thank you for a nice review, Paul. Me too, I love Laruccia's 90mm. You can still find them on Italian Ebay at a good price and, if I am not mistaken, Art Girona has them all: http://www.art-girona.com/104-miscellaneous-subjects-90-mm

An excellent review and finished figure. I agree with all you say and having this figure myself, it is also a pretty much a perfect fit when dry fitting all the parts. If anyone has interest in this particular area - i.e Classics/Roman, then get one whilst you can.

Gary

Sometimes it can take a while to discover a gem! By the way Gary: from what you write I would assume you are interested in Ancient stuff? We are in a minority/niche aren't we?

Paul

This is a great example of how poor box art and photography can influence one's opinion of a figure. After looking at your photos of the kit and the finished figure photos, my opinion of the figure is totally changed.

Beatifull figure !!

Paul mate you know from our endless discussions that I don't have to be convinced about who's the demigod in the figure universe.I am a Maestro believer and always will be.That aside,this is a cracking review,maybe you should consider doing more of these along with your immaculate painting.Have a lovely time on your beloved mountains.

Oda.

I wasn't preaching to you mate. But to all those who are not 'in the know'. They need to be guided in following the 'Devine Light' don't they?

But let's face it: according to Babelfish's popularity poll we are a minority existing in a niche. And everyone has his/her own interests. Laruccia's qualities as a sculptor are beyond reproach. However if someone isn't interested in Classical Antiquity: c'est ca.

However I did feel that some potential buyer might be discouraged from buying this gem because of the box art.
Cheers

Praise ....... whatever

Thanks for the review Paul. Good to have a closer look at this.

Have to say I'm not totally converted yet, even while I admire Laruccia's work most of the time.
I'm still not sure about the head for example. Would it be possible to post a pic from the side or front of the head, to judge proportions? My feeling is the head is too low. The line of the eyes should be roughly halfway the face...is that the case?
Love the details of the sculpt, particularly greaves and helmet, but doubts about the head's proportions have been my main reason not to buy this figure yet. Hope I am mistaken...

Cheers
Adrian

I will post a few pics of the head tonight but there is nothing wrong with the proportions.

There appears to be something worng but this is caused by the haircut.

Some pics of the head as requested by Ferris. Nothing wrong with the dimensions but the fact that his hair in front touch the eye brows and the fact that he has a broad face gives the impression of a certain flatness on top of his head. His hair which clings to the top and front of his head is accurately protrayed. Our man has worn the helmet during the fight and has been sweating heavily. His hair became wet so......... . I think the face could be based on a Macbride illustration. Our Laruccia took it from a statue.

I seem to have a problem with getting my pictures (taken with a Samsung edge) displayed correctly. But if you click on a pic and then view it in its original location it should display correctly. Hope the pics help.

Thanks for taking the effort to make and post these pics Paul.
I agree now the head is ok. The guy is just not particularly pretty, with his chunky proportions, but I accept this was not the main requirement for a gladiator... ;-)

Cheers,
Adrian

Yes....that's what I tried to describe: he's just ugly and has a stupid head

Anyway: if you want want get it while you can. I think Historex Agents might have one and you could asl Joan from Art Girona to gewt one for you. And maybe the whole lot might be re released in a Masterclass box.

Cheers Paul