Review Landsknecht from Castle Miniatures

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Nap

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Hi to all

Mention the word Landsknecht and the response will more than likely be " Soldiers who wore very colourful clothing and liked to fight" ....pretty apt I reckon ....so its nice to be able to have a look at

a release of this subject from 00.jpg based in Canada.

On opening the parcel from Alex I found that I had the double figure version

castle landsnecht 002.jpg

unfortunately I was missing the prone figure pieces .....no matter I quickly contacted Alex who is sending the missing items so I will update this review when received but for now here's a look at a view from Castle at the missing base with figure

castle landsnecht 00000.jpg

I did however find I had the single figure so that's what I will look at in this review

castle landsnecht 000.jpg
The figure depicts a Doppelsoldner , holding the famous Zweihander sword , almost 66" in the double edged blade length....their task was to advance swinging the swords and cutting down pikes , forcing a gap in the enemy which was rapidly filled by those landsknechts following .

I will put reference pictures at the end of this review for your interest and hopefully of use !!!

Details of the release:

Title: Tu mea sola socium

Scale: 75mm

Material: a mix of dark and light gray resin

No of parts: 10 for the single version which I will look at ( 16 for both figures )

Sculptor: Vladimir Danilov ( A PF member )

Box Art : None on review piece


Using my best Latin translator the title means ...."You sole Partner" ...a reference to his sword ...his only friend


Parts were held in a cardboard box with the resin being in clear bags , the box had a slipover wrapping


castle landsnecht 001.jpg


Parts consist of full Torso ( less right arm and leg) , separate lower right arm and leg, head, cap, feather, small sword, main larger sword , cloak and a base

Prep

As with my previous comments on Castle miniature casting there is very little to do except remove small plugs from pieces , or remove from formers , slight sanding on the rear torso and base , remove flashing from sword ( be careful this is a cracking sculpt and resin so take it easy !!

Lets look at some of the resin

Torso

As you can see its cast with the left arm and leg on wearing armoured on thighs ( tassets ) and a breast plate , this is fluted in shape as we see in original manuscripts , detail on the armour is very good in all areas with good "rope" patterning on the lower tassets , nice strap work and the clothing is "slashed" in places , bulging out to show underneath ....many colour variations exist.

The lower leg shows nice creases as becoming the stocking he wears , at the knee there is the bugling slashed material again , on the stockings we have tears at the seam

One thing noticeable in all references is the "cod piece" ....and yes our landsknecht is well supplied in this area !!!

Around the waist is a sash, nicely worked with a fine looking tied bow at the front , on a strap just below there is a good small pouch/purse

Detail sculpting as you will see , but not all over where the cloak fits on over the torso



castle landsnecht 008.jpgcastle landsnecht 003.jpgcastle landsnecht 004.jpgcastle landsnecht 009.jpg

castle landsnecht 005.jpgcastle landsnecht 007.jpgcastle landsnecht 006.jpg

castle landsnecht 012.jpg castle landsnecht 011.jpgcastle landsnecht 010.jpg

Arm/Leg

It has to be said that both parts fitted well into position , matching well to the torso itself

The arm is the lower part with good crease work leading down to the hand which exhibits detailed finger work , the hand is gripping the cloak

castle landsnecht 017.jpgcastle landsnecht 016.jpg

The leg is bent at the knee as its on a raised groundwork on the base ..this is the correct height wether its this or the one with the prone figure on it , again great detail work from Mr Danilov on the material , tears at the calf , the shoes are as the style of the time wide at the toes and with slashing ..this applies to the torso shoe ( there was no L or R at this time )

At the knee there is a securing ribbon with the slashing appearing again above the knee itself

castle landsnecht 013.jpgcastle landsnecht 014.jpgcastle landsnecht 015.jpg

Head

As with any figure a focal point , this si well sculpted part with straggly hair working its way out the lower edges of a simple helmet ( with the rivets round the lower edge ).

Hair texture is good , strands being defined well

Facial features are excellent particularly the character of this fellow , ...he has a tooth missing as well ...nice touch

The helmet is held on by a cord knotted under his chin

Fit the head once the cape is in place

wip 012.jpgwip 010.jpgwip 011.jpg

wip 013.jpg Note : the blue is casting residue


Continued in next post

Nap
 
Lets look at the remaining pieces of Resin

Beginning with: Cloak

Looking at this our soldier has been on campaign a while , the full cape has been no doubt found whilst "foraging" , its well sculpted enveloping the body of the figure but with good movement , great folds which bring more life to the figure , he grips the cloak selfishly , despite it being holed and torn and ripped at the edges , its has aquired a warm fur collar which sits over the shoulders ...great textures on this .

Fit is spot on and this really works well when in place ...I can well imagine a bleak battlefield with him resting a while after collecting the spoils of war .

castle landsnecht 032.jpgcastle landsnecht 036.jpgcastle landsnecht 033.jpg castle landsnecht 034.jpgcastle landsnecht 035.jpg



Hat/Feather/Sword

The headwear is a soft sometimes leather , sometimes cloth cap , very distinctive in shape and again often seen in manuscripts , nicely shaped , sectioned in 4 on the top meeting in the centre with a button , around the edges there are 6 sections again correct in design .

Fit of this is easy to the helmet being worn on the head by means of a post and cutout , sitting high when in place

castle landsnecht 023.jpg


The feather is as in a good piece of both sculpting and casting , you could leave this off if you wish but looks great in place

castle landsnecht 026.jpg

The sword was called the Katzbolger or mangler , about 28" in blade length , lethal in close combat and often used as a means of execution

The sword itself is sheathed with a nicely shaped handle

castle landsnecht 024.jpg

All three ( feather, cap and sword are on a single former normally )

castle landsnecht 022.jpg castle landsnecht 025.jpg

Main Sword

Known as a "Zweihander" and capable of cutting a man in two , it took a lot of skill to wield this on the advance to contact of the the enemy's line.

The casting is something that must have been a concern but I am happy to say that with only flashing to remove you are left with a great version of the weapon , it displays all the style seen and even in resin looks dangerous!!!

Cleverly cast onto the handle is the left hand gripping it securely and firmly , needless to say finger detail is good and fitment is easy .

castle landsnecht 027.jpgcastle landsnecht 028.jpgcastle landsnecht 031.jpg

Base

A simple round base , more than suitable for the single figure , the sword resting on a raised area, the groundwork is stony and textured and could be used as it is or incorporated into a larger vignette or diorama

castle landsnecht 037.jpg


Final thoughts

As I wanted to see from this sculptor , cracking work and a well cast piece , you have a blank page in respect of the colour choice and with the figure having so much character ...it will literally come to life on your bench

Note: On website the single figure featured is called " Bandit-Renaisance period"

The double set is called "The Partners"

Highly recommended



Lets have a couple of unpainted pics from Castle Miniatures

zzz.jpeg
zzzzz.jpeg



For more details on this including the great "Dogs Life" series and other releases from Castle Miniatures why not go to the website:

www.castleminiatures.com

or of course there is the FB page

or PM here on PF

Or by e mail to : [email protected]

Thanks to Alex at Castle miniatures for the review piece and for you all for looking in

th.jpg

Happy Modelling

Nap
 
Great Review. The blue casting residue in the hair looks like from a tear of the silicone mould.
 
Terrific stuff Kev - balanced, thorough, lots of research details, all your usual touches. Anybody considering buying these seriously
good figures can now do so with confidence knowing exactly what to expect ( I certainly would if I didn't have them already ).

Mike
 
Not that it's important, but I see these as Condottieri - a class of impoverished Italian nobles employed as
leaders of mercenary armies involved in the many wars of Renaissance Italy. It goes some way to explain
the narrative behind the figures, and also provides the borderline head cases among us an excuse to flex their
painting muscles by having a go at micro detailed brocade patterns on some of the clothing :wideyed:. After all, such
men would have worn rather posh stuff in their former life even though it would now have become a bit shoddy.
There's nothing like some idiot suggesting a nightmare scenario....is there ?

Mike
 
Great Review. The blue casting residue in the hair looks like from a tear of the silicone mould.



Good eye...
….This is the problem we all have to deal when it comes to finely detailed sculpts...….As the saying goes...."A casting is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get"...…..All said... I love this sculpt and am very tempted... also a great review by Nap...….

Wayne
 
Lets look at the remaining pieces of Resin

Beginning with: Cloak

Looking at this our soldier has been on campaign a while , the full cape has been no doubt found whilst "foraging" , its well sculpted enveloping the body of the figure but with good movement , great folds which bring more life to the figure , he grips the cloak selfishly , despite it being holed and torn and ripped at the edges , its has aquired a warm fur collar which sits over the shoulders ...great textures on this .

Fit is spot on and this really works well when in place ...I can well imagine a bleak battlefield with him resting a while after collecting the spoils of war .

View attachment 365466View attachment 365470View attachment 365467 View attachment 365468View attachment 365469



Hat/Feather/Sword

The headwear is a soft sometimes leather , sometimes cloth cap , very distinctive in shape and again often seen in manuscripts , nicely shaped , sectioned in 4 on the top meeting in the centre with a button , around the edges there are 6 sections again correct in design .

Fit of this is easy to the helmet being worn on the head by means of a post and cutout , sitting high when in place

View attachment 365459


The feather is as in a good piece of both sculpting and casting , you could leave this off if you wish but looks great in place

View attachment 365462

The sword was called the Katzbolger or mangler , about 28" in blade length , lethal in close combat and often used as a means of execution

The sword itself is sheathed with a nicely shaped handle

View attachment 365460

All three ( feather, cap and sword are on a single former normally )

View attachment 365458 View attachment 365461

Main Sword

Known as a "Zweihander" and capable of cutting a man in two , it took a lot of skill to wield this on the advance to contact of the the enemy's line.

The casting is something that must have been a concern but I am happy to say that with only flashing to remove you are left with a great version of the weapon , it displays all the style seen and even in resin looks dangerous!!!

Cleverly cast onto the handle is the left hand gripping it securely and firmly , needless to say finger detail is good and fitment is easy .

View attachment 365463View attachment 365464View attachment 365465

Base

A simple round base , more than suitable for the single figure , the sword resting on a raised area, the groundwork is stony and textured and could be used as it is or incorporated into a larger vignette or diorama

View attachment 365457


Final thoughts

As I wanted to see from this sculptor , cracking work and a well cast piece , you have a blank page in respect of the colour choice and with the figure having so much character ...it will literally come to life on your bench

Note: On website the single figure featured is called " Bandit-Renaisance period"

The double set is called "The Partners"

Highly recommended



Lets have a couple of unpainted pics from Castle Miniatures

View attachment 365478 View attachment 365480


For more details on this including the great "Dogs Life" series and other releases from Castle Miniatures why not go to the website:

www.castleminiatures.com

or of course there is the FB page

or PM here on PF

Or by e mail to : [email protected]

Thanks to Alex at Castle miniatures for the review piece and for you all for looking in


Happy Modelling

Nap
I Tried to order this eons ago from Steve ,as yet no reply.

.
 
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