Hi everyone

Altores Studio released a subject a little while ago that depicts a subject from the history of France and of a book that's been made into films, TV series so I thought I would share this with you (I will put some references at the end of this review)

It is of course:

Details of the release:

Title: Le Mousquetaire

Reference: B - 127

Scale: 1/9th

Material: Lt Gray resin

No of parts: 4

Sculptor: Alexander Deryabin (PF member Zippo)

Box Art: N/A



Note The sculpt was done using one of the Academic plain torso busts available from Altores also



As with previous releases packing is in a cardboard box with the resin in resealable plastic bags , all sandwiched between foam pieces over which a slip over cover which has a unpainted version of the release

On opening the box we see:

As you can see just 4 parts , torso , head, headwear and a feather

Prep

Torso...Remove casting plug from lower edge and sand edge itself , drill hole for mounting post , sand off small blip from rear

Head...Reduce down neck fitment for correct fit and remove small casting remnants from inside hair casting, slight rework with putty on the lower edge of hair

Headwear...Remove 2 excess resin posts from underside and then fit to head

Feather...Remove small casting excess and fit into position

In this part I will look at the torso and head

Torso

Sculpt in a classic bust style angled nicely from the shoulders , on the sculpt the insignia is in full detail on the front of the tabbard

At the rear the bust is cast just below the shoulder level under which we see a Fleur de Lys , just under this is a small hole as a guide for drilling the post

The rear design is a nice touch , we have seen similar on other releases ( ACW bust have flags on them)

Around the neck, upper shoulders there is the lace collar, cut so the head and hair sits easily in place , this is where the detail "zings" for me ...careful painting of this intricate sculpting and indeed casting will really look good

Under the collar and in the centre is the main insignia ....again very sharply sculpted and cast .....painting will without doubt be enjoyable ( you will see an orginal version in the references)

On each shoulder we have lacework and the top of the insignia worn

The folds on the tabbard are sitting naturally

The neck area has a good deep cutout to fit the neck fitment in ...something we see in all of the releases from Altores











Head

Sculpting has been worked with a influence of the book by Dumas , long flowing hair , a good looking face ...no doubt the love of many a lady at the time

He has the moustache and the small pointed beard ...all very typically period and french in style

Once you have done the prep as above you will see the bust come to life with the head in position , the hair sitting well onto the shoulders , flowing at the back

The texture of the hair is well done and not overworked , painting will be a pleasurable time at the bench ..the hair is cut where the hat fits in place giving a smooth area to fit in to the headwear

Facial features are sharply sculpted , an ear peeking out on the right , the other is covered by hair, eye details are good but the bag under the right eye looks slightly off .....a slight bit of putty work might be needed if you wish

Fitment to torso is good but you will need a little bit of filling where it meets the hat when in place









Continued in next post

Nap

Now to the Headwear and Feather

Again in keeping with images and the fashion of the period the hat is a very large item the brim turned up on the left , held in place by a brooch with a design of a flower , nicely done , around the middle there is a wide band , not over thick in scale ...this can also be said of the actual brim ...very much looking the right depth , in position the hat itself looks very prominant which only needs the final flourish to complete the look





The final flourish is a large single large feather which fits easily into place on the left , the underside of the feather is smooth , the overhanging is textured to a feather effect ...the feather has been well shown on the top surfaces , thankfully showing a bit of movement as well

Fitting is simple but you might need a little filler at the sides



Final Thoughts

Another good release from Altores who continue to produce high quality items well sculpted not only by Mr Deryabin as here but by other talented artists , subject matter is interesting and you will get this painted quickly the vibrant blue as seen in references certainly makes it noticeable

The piece has conversion potential as well to other Royal household troops of the french kings at the time

RECOMMENDED

For details on this and more from them :

E-mail: altoress@mail.ru

Website: www.altores.com

They are also a member of social media and the forum here on PF (z

Thanks to for the review piece

Nap

As promised here are some references

A couple of books to look out for including the Alexandre Dumas novel

as in a film version

Finally some pics from Altores of the unpainted but built bust

Happy benchtime

Nap