Hi everyone

We are going into the depths of Russian history with this release to meet a man who we know better as IVAN THE TERRIBLE



Lets have a little background on him known as Ivan Vasilyevich, also called Ivan IV, (born August 25, 1530

Ivan’s early reign was relatively peaceful, leaving him time to make major reforms. He updated the legal code, created a parliament and a council of nobles, introduced local self-government to rural areas, founded a standing army, and established the use of the printing press, all within the first few years of his reign.

In 1570 Ivan carried out one of the lowest points in his reign: the sacking of Novgorod. Convinced that the citizens of Novgorod, who were suffering from an epidemic and a famine, were planning to defect to Lithuania, Ivan ordered the city destroyed and its citizens captured, tortured, and executed on false charges of treason–including children.

Ivan accusing his son of conspiracy, and he struck him with his sceptre or walking stick. The blow proved to be fatal, and the son died a few days later, to his father’s intense grief.

in his later life Ivan was plagued by physical weakness, nearly unable to move at some points. His health deteriorated, and he died of a stroke on March 28, 1584.

He had made for his library whats called the "Chronicles of Ivan the Terrible" here are a few pages from it

As is the normal for Legion there is a laser cut box which holds the contents in clear bags and sandwiched between foam layers , with in this case a picture on the top of a unpainted version

Prep

Small amount of sanding prior to fitting the base pieces , casting line running down the back of helmet downwards ..careful sanding will be needed as this is a little in evident on the chain mail

Straighten up the helmet point using a heat source ...be careful!!!

After this fit the base together if you wish to use it

Details of the release:

Title: Ivan the Terrible - In Russian on the review box Иван IV Васильевич (Грозный) part of "The Greatest Men " series

Reference: LMBT 091

Scale: 1/10th

No of pieces: 3

Material: Medium Gray resin

Sculptor: Alexander Bodunov

Casting: In house

Box Art: N/A on the review sample

Parts consist of just 3 ...the main bust and 2 pieces that make up a small base



Continued in next post

Nap

On to the resin

The main bust

As you can see from above this is a one piece casting and credit to Legion for this , particularly with so much intricate mail to deal with and of course that helmet

Regarding the helmet point this was itself wrapped in a wad of foam when in box but despite thsi could be broken off so again be careful removing

Ivan is depicted wearing the pointed conical helmet ( the original you can see in the reference pictures ) , casting is good and the resin has no blemishes apart from whats mentioned in my prep info .

It would have been nice to have the cast on pattern on the helmet as not all will want to paint it and choose the plain version ...but the option is there and a good challenge as well

The edging is edged with securing rivets running around the edging

The face is surrounded y a mail coif , this hangs naturally onto the shoulders folding into rolls where needed at the rear

On the torso again mail is very much in evident with plain armoured plates at regular intervals

The mail work is really accurate and very well defined and casting that really brings the individual rings all joined correctly very well indeed

The arms are in a padded sleeve with good stitching showing between the sections

The over garment has a nice edging in a fine twisted coding . there looks like on the review piece a touch of superglue was used on the edging itself with a small part missing ...easy to replace using your chosen putty

The garment is folded over on his left to reveal a textured inner , the other side is smoothly cast with folds , at the sleeve edge a tiny slither of filler might be needed but I suspect a primer will fill any area's easy enough

On the chest Ivan wears a beautiful cross with figure details of Christ above this a crown to each side upper torso qty 3

Hanging on a series of 3 larger metal rings intertwined these are held on a chain , a small part is seen coming from under the coif mail

The face is surrounded by the mail , he has a neat beard and moustache , the mouth open to reveal the teeth , good cheek defining , as normal with legion the eyes and nose work is good and sharply done , the nose shaping is as seen in portraits .

Slightly sinister given his reputation ..the face is grinning !!!











Base




Consisting of 2 parts with the T piece fits onto the underside shaping with the circular part fits against the curve .....making this base:



These pictures are is the previous review here:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/admiral-pavel-nakhimov-from-legion-miniatures.28875/

...but the base fits the same !!


Final Thoughts

A simple bust in terms of being a one piece casting , there is a design to paint onto the helmet as in the original if you wish , the clothing is ideal for a pattern to be done of course , good facial work and details on the mail and the cross .

This is a piece that will repay dividends when painting

I hope you have enjoyed looking at this release with me


RECOMMENDED

Legion are members here ( user ID Andrey )



....so you can order direct from him here on PF or via the website which is:

www.legionminiatures.org

They also have a FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/214757915731528/

Thanks to Legion for the review item and to you all for looking in

Some pics from Legions announcement





Lets have the artwork from Russian artist VLADMIR GLUSHENKOV ( PF member also )







Enjoy your bench time

Nap

Once again a great review!

While obviously not a person to pick a fight with, the translation commonly used gives a somewhat one-sided view of the man. 'Грозный' can also be translated as 'formidable' referring to the man's less bloodthirsty achievements and might refer to his more peaceful legacy.

Pierre