Hi everyone

The postman has been busy delivery much to review one is this piece ...or should I say pieces!!

Following on from the announcement by Hugo Pereira here: https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/roman-auxilia-catafratari-in-germanic-wars-figure.264191/

Also my previous look at a Catafratari here: https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/rp-models-bustorama-parthian-camel-warrior.158016/

We continue with the heavy armoured mounted ancient warrior , as always in a action pose in combat with a enemy but this time we are on a horse rather than camel



This will be a big review so I will just add some books and pics to look at for the subject





Details of the release:

Title: Roman Auxilia Catafratari (Ancient World )

Reference: RP-120-01-005

Scale: 120mm (Limited to 120 units)

Material: Gray Resin

No of parts: 35 plus information insert

Sculptor: 3D

Casting : YS Castings ( Yiannis )

Box Art: N/A

General comments

• A lot of resin in a big box measuring 18cm wide x 12cm high x 15.5cm depth
• Resin split between 7 clear bags with the base being at the bottom of the box
• All parts were totally surrounded by bubble wrap
• this is a big kit so careful build planning is needed
• Pieces dry fit well together and are sensibly thought out
• No build instructions are included

Prep
Overall casting is very good I will highlight areas that need dealing with as we go through
As I said a lot of parts which you can see here :











Lets look at the horse and the way its put together

This is a powerful animal and this is reflected in the sculpt with the pose being a rearing one , the pieces fit together easily by means of accurate posts and cutouts

There are casting lines and a small amount of excess to remove

2 pieces to the actual horse before the head and armored trappings are added

Very good muscle definition with a the horse shoes being detailed on the front legs

There is a cutout to locate the swirling tail , on this it is covered with a highly decorated surround










Continued in next post

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On now to the horses head and the horse armour

General comments

• These are areas where RP have really gone to town the details are really good
• Fit is very very good after removing the casting line on the inside a small amount of resin to sand away on the lower edge head part
• On the main piece or barding there is a slight bit of casting line to remove , fit is good to the horse body parts
• Fine details are everywhere but for me the head piece or shaffron is excellent

Let the pictures show you what I mean...











Click on pics for larger images if you wish

Continued in the next post

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Now lets look at the combatants

Firstly the Catafratari consisting of 8 parts , legs, torso, head , 2 arms and boots

• The legs are sculpted sitting in a roman saddle which is very well depicted , there is a small amount of resin to sand off at back
• The legs are armored the thigh pieces are sectioned with the edging having stitching shown
• The greaves are well decorated including some wonderful lions heads at the knees . these are held in place by straps pulling into the legs
• The actual trousers are nicely creased with folds with a fine casting line to sand away
• The body armour sits over the waist and again sharp details on the scales
• The ankles are shaped to take the boots

Upper Torso

Consisting of 2 parts the main body and the head with a section of cape

The armored detailing continues with the actual scales being sculpted to reflect the movement the lower part having a series of plates of armour around , the edges are all edged with stitching

The arms are positioned as per the action the left raised higher, both upper arms are protected by plates again with securing straps , with cutouts to fit the lower arms

Small casting line to remove on the underside but after this is done fit is good



Head

This has been cleverly thought out with a mask being cast already in place so no flesh to think about , the face definition is good and includes a moustache as seen in artifacts

The top part of the cape is wrapped around the shoulders with good folds and details in the way of a pattern

For me the cape looks a little thicker to scale but casting cannot have been easy so I understand why , the cape edge has 2 cutouts to fit the lower piece to

Fit to the actual body is accurate and no filler needed



Lower arms and boots

The arms are easy to fit into place with the same high resolution detail on the armour in the shape of swirls , nice strap work and folds ....I feel it would have been easier if these were cast on with the body as they are a little fiddly to get them in the right position to take the spear

On the left arm there is a lug to take the shield



The boots are textured and fit easily to the ankles , good folds , underneath we need to remove excess resin



Shield

Perfectly rounded and with a great decoration on the front with a lions head , the main flowing over the surface



Helmet

This is pointed and sectioned with nice defined panels , the decorated cheek pieces are cast on....a little thick for me in scale but you can sand back if you wish

To fit the helmet do so from the front of the cast on head



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Now to our poor enemy.....who is on the receiving end of the spear , this is very well thought out as you will see

Consisting of 6 pieces, torso , legs , head , arms and shield

Depicting a germanic warrior with hair in the distinctive side knot style

Torso

A simple top with a belt with hanging ends is sculpted , really good and natural folds all over with the belt pulling into the body well , the underside is deep and fits well to the legs

Thrust into the belt we have a long knife ...nice addition

Particularly of note is the wound caused by the spear which when made up will go right through him

The front has the clothing ripped apart with a very well thought out location hole to take part of the spear the Catafratari wields , at the rear we see the exit wound the spear pushing the clothing out ....this is clearly something that has come from Hugo's medical knowledge so well done





Legs

These are in the position as a result of the impact of the attack and looks good , again folds and creases are well formed and fit is easy to the torso





Arms

These are bow well muscled with fitting being accurate , the left hand is cast on the fingers splayed out in pain , good finger definition

There are fine casting lines to remove but nothing drastic






Head

Again the agony of the attack shows well on the facial features mouth open ,eyes shut together in pain , nice beard with texture and of course the hair style is well done , around the neck a torque

There is a fine casting line to remove from the rear of the head






Shield

Round in shape with a front with a circular design all are well cast , the rear has good planking work



Continued in the next post

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Remaining Pieces

Cloaks

The catafratari has a large flowing cloak packed full of a intricate pattern , moving with the action being done

Fit is by cast on resin posts but I would certainly say pin this as well , some filler is needed when together , again for me the scale thickness looks a little too much



Germanic's cloak

This is a animal skin well textured on the upper surfaces and again in a action position , consisting of 2 pieces again joined as the other , filler will also be needed

There is some flashing to remove at the neck part with a sharp modelling knife

What is clever and good to see is the the end of the spear is already cast in place ...good idea and looks effective





Weapons

The spear consists of 3 parts , removing from formers will be needed , one part has a point with a hand cast onto it , the other part also has a hand on it both show good details , the 3rd part is smaller ...I suggest you dryfit before committing to anything stronger

We also have a thin sword which fits nicely into the cutout on the Catafratari's side

There is also a axe being in the warriors hand ...well styled and with handle texture ....the hand is worked to show the moment in time he will drop the weapon after the impact of the spear , he figers are open and just about to loosen their grip







This shows the reins cast to fit , some might like to replace these with thinner versions , on the right is the helmet top pieces ...easy to fit and adds movement



These first 2 are for the sword , the 3rd for the shield and the right hand for the belt



Base

Like this review its a big piece and is heavy . depiction of a rocky ground and very solid indeed , there are locating holes fro the pieces ...again I would suggest you consider pinning

Some slight sanding around the edges and of course it could be incorporated into a larger basework !!





Final thoughts

This is a very interesting and challenging piece to look at and I have no doubt will give many hours of happy benchtime and result in a so impressive display piece

Overall casting is good some work needed to remove casting lines

Recommended for sure ...a great long term project and the end result will be amazing



Again its only right that congratulations are again going to Hugo and his family ....there is a heck of a lot of time spent packing the pieces up even in the limited casting runs RP do

Again RP would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all PF members and so many others on their valuable input

Thanks to RP for the review piece

For more details contact:

sales@rpmodels.pt

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RPmodels

E mail: hpereira@rpmodels.pt

or you can contact Hugo via this site

Thank you for looking in on this little review hope you found it of use...off for a extremely large coffee!!!

Nap

Hi All

To end this look some more pictures from Hugo of the built up piece














ENJOY

Happy benchtime

Nap

Is this out yet Kev?

Looks amazing. And the pattern on the cape gives those of us who are crap at freehand a fighting chance of making it look elaborate and good.

Very good & detailed review as usual.

- Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for comments appreciate it ..yes it's released

Happy benchtime

Nap