Hi to all on PF ,

Following on from my initial post about the latest release from Linjo.....here's that link : http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showpost.php?p=462839&postcount=1

Its my pleasure to do the actual review now (thanks for your patience ...work has been manic!!!) ...so as usual let have a little bit of information on the subject of this bust from Linjo .

The bust has been sculpted after much research into the actual actor who plays our hero in the TV series The Water Margin , the actors name : Hu Dong ......

The character he actually portrays is called Lin Chong a fictional character in one of the Four Classical Novels in Chinese literature . He ranks 6th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Panther Head".

Before he became an outlaw he trained the Chinese Imperial Guards of over 800,000 men , his favoured weapon was the "Snake Spear" or podao.

Why did he become an outlaw ...well the lady in his life was being pursued by an admirer , and Lin Chong tried to protect her but was caught with a weapon in the White Tiger Hall which was not permitted and exiled.

He joined the outlaws based in Liangshan Marsh ,Lin Chong becomes one of the Five Tiger Generalsof the Liangshan cavalry. His skill in battle is never doubted, and when combined with his sense of loyalty and courage, becomes instrumental in the various victories of Liangshan over its enemies.

After further victories Lin Chong is stricken by paralysis. He dies six months later .

Although fictional Lin Chong is a revered character who is respected and loved by all Chinese , his story was brought to the Western world by the TV series in the late 1970's caled the Water Margin.

For your interest we have a picture of the actor Hu Dong , and the character as portrayed in the series and by Linjo's release , also some original 1880's woodcut depiction of Lin Chong.

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Nap

Ok then lets begin our adventures with our hero but first ...whats in the box then Nap :

Well in the box we have :


Subject title: Lin Chong (Song Dynasty)

Scale: 200mm

Parts: 10

Material : Resin

Sculpted by : Chunmei Zhou

Box Art by : None available at present

Reference: LJ20019

As always the model comes in the distinctive and very strong black cardboard box , with the parts which are cast in a cream resin all being secured between 2 thick pieces of foam ....

Always good to see the care that Linjo take on their packing and presentation

Consisting of 10 parts , these being the torso , the head , the hat , the arm , the gourd , a spear consisting of 3 pieces , some copper wire and a simple pedastal base.

No Box art was available which is a shame but already we have PF members painting the bust ....nice one Ron ..here are the links ..well worth looking at
http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showpost.php?p=467855&postcount=1

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showpost.php?p=467595&postcount=1

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Hi Guys ,

Moving on now to the largest of the pieces ..the torso

Sculpted with our hero wearing plated body armour , this is depicted as leather but could be painted as metal ..great choice for the painter which will produce different versions ..and who is going to say its not correct as its a fictional subject so its up to you if you wish to use the pictures as a reference ..for me it would be leather .

Detailing on the armour is first class with rivets being well defined , the plates themselves are all individually sculpted and look the job , all are surrounded by a rope like edging , nicely done as well .

Over the armour he wears a cloak blowing in the wind , folds are great with a mass of hair also being sculpted on , in the neck area we have a locating hole for the head..as usual this was spot on during the dry run .

There is a casting block to deal with ..careful use of the razor saw and sanding block will solve this .

Underneath you have a locating hole for the pedastal base , fit is tight and secure.

Top tip ...don't forget to wash all the pieces that you have prepped up to remove any dust and release agent .....wash and dry thats my motto .

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Nap

Moving on now to the head itself :

The head is encased in part of the cloak or perhaps a blanket wrapped around his ears and neck providing him protection against the winds , folds on this are really first class and will undoubtably make painting so much easier .

Facial features are nothing short of 1st class IMO , great defintion ,. mouth locked together in a defiant mood , high cheekbones, slightly raised eyebrows ..all full of character and very much in keeping with the actor and the images in the series.

Fit into the torso requires absolutely no filler ..a perfect fit , a casting plug on the top is easily sanded off , allowing the hat to fit neatly .

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Lets have a look at the hat now :

This is a piece of the bust that really defines the character , just look at the pictures in the 1st post and then at the sculpt ...rim turned up high at the front , the cap has been sculpted again in keeping with the TV series , iron bands , over perhaps a felt top and rim , at the pinacle we have a horsehair plume bursting out and hanging very naturally onto the cap itself .

A casting plug is present which is at the base of this plume so be careful here otherwise you might find yourself getting the putty out to rework ..but even if you have to no problem and easily done .

Fit is as I have said 1st class , with the head fitting so well into the base of the cap .


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Hi Guys ,

Next to look at is the left arm , fitting snugly into the recess in the torso , aided by a plug and a locating hole , you will need to remove a casting plug from the rear of the arm ..again be careful so as not to loose any of the wonderful details.

The arm is held at about 45 degrees , hand held holding his favoured weapon the 8 foot Snake Spear ,although the fit is good I would suggest you drill through the hand ready to receive the spear shaft (more later) .

Again as throughout the model clothing details and folds are smoothly done , he has an armband on his wrist , the choice is yours what you paint this as , for me again it will be leather

The clentched hand is well defined with fingers clearly sculpted .

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Now then Fellow Pf members ,

Looking at the final pieces in the box , the gourd and then the spear its self .

Firstly the gourd , this was usually a dried out fruit perhaps a squash or eggplant , used to carry water .

The version sculpted is in keeping with the series of TV , its secured by wrapping the copper wire around the spear , there is a casting plug to remove from the base , once done you have an interesting shape to paint , enjoy the shaows and highlighting ..softly does it .

Moving on to the spear itself , this was nearly 8 foot long with a wicked blade , this in particular is well done a viscious instrument of death to all enemies .

The spear consist of 3 pieces, the top of the shaft with flowing plume the spearhead and a small piece making the full length ...you can of course use the one provided , but I would personally replace the shaft after drilling the hand out with a brass rod , then attach the blade and rework the plume ...just prevents any accidental damage on the way to a show .

The base is a simple peadastal type which needs a litle work on the lower edges to tidy up , once this is done it will provide a secure fit (dry fitting is very accurate into the base) , I would recommend pinning as well for additional peace of mind .

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Hi Felix ,

Thanks for answering this !!!!!!! ...this was put in to show a variation of the gourd .

Thanks for all the comments , Ron pleased you are enjoying the painting .

Nap

Hi Guys ,

My apologies I forgot to add my final thoughts on this piece from Linjo :

IMO this is another really good sculpt , military and yet fantasy which brings to life the heroic struggles that are told in Chinese stories .

Details are great , although would change the spear pole to a brass one just for that added security and strength .

Lots to paint (As Ron T is showing us) , its an interesting subject from a perid long ago .

Sculpting is again extremely well done , and prep work is minimal ....a REAL PLEASURE TO SAY ...get this one its GREAT

In the UK it can be got from sole distributors namely El Greco of course at a cost of £30 plus shipping

Note El Greco are the sole distributor in UK

Phone: +44 (0)1280 840364

Email: info@elgrecominiatures.co.uk

Home Page: http://www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk


or direct via the Linjo website at www.linjomodels.com or contact them by e mail at linjomodles@sina.com



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Hi Ron ,

Thought it was a bit of a stonker as well ..New PF ...New Avatar ...love your painted version of Ling Chong


Nap

Hi Guys,

Just an update as promised here we have the actual box art pictures I received from Linjo ......nice painting and quite inspiratonal ....love the way the leather armour is done .

Enjoy

Nap