Open Book "Roman Cavalry Officer" - Young Miniature Review

[JGREEN]

"Caratacus,"

Dude, what the hell is your problem? You really are full of yourself, arent you? Yet, at the same time, so insecure. Actually, I DIDN'T question your qualifications. If "sounds like you have some knowledge of the period" comes across to you as implying you dont know what you're talking about, that's just your own insecurity.

"I was just stating my opinion - that's all. Thank you for allowing me to do this - so kind." As for you being condescending, here's a good example.

" . . . I would not dream of reviewing a WW II figure - precisely because I know damn all about the period. I could review such a figure but I would then state that I was only talking about the technical aspects of the model (sculpting, animation, mould quality, fit of parts, etc) and that I could not vouch for the accuracy of the figure." Really? So, what would you do - label it "open box" or something like that, having already explained that "open box" means that you're just showing what the kit looks like, how it goes together, etc.? Great idea!

"If you are happy with Mr. Young's work, then good luck to you, Sir! It's your cash. Perhaps you can explain why, if he is such a 'highly respected manufacturer", he can make 'a few errors' - one of which was an attempt to pass off a not-very-good (actually, it's little more than a toy') Spanish 'souvenir' as a piece of Roman equipment?" Did it occurr to you (I doubt it, as I suspect you have very little social awareness) that the sculptor of that piece may be reading this thread? You know, it's a small community, those of us that sculpt and paint historical miniatures. We should try to encourage each other, and offer criticism in a constructive manner. You, on the other hand, come off as a derisive jerk - which was the one and only point of my first post.

Jason

 

[Hans]

OMG, this discussion makes it hard to make any historic remarks. :thumb down:

 

[Tommi]

Hello Dr Mike Thomas


Many thanks for the information and contribution that you have made to this thread. I am pretty sure that you are quite knowledgeable on the subject of the Roman Empire and its Historical accuracies as you are working at the Roman museum at Caerleon.


Reading through your posts there are some interesting points but I did find your manner a bit abrupt in some of the content of your post.


For a start the item being reviewed is not listed as a figure and that can be clearly seen, it’s a bust.



POSTED BY Guy
“July's release from Young Miniatures brings us a fantastically detailed bust of a Roman Cavalry Officer”
My second points is,


POSTED BY Caratacus
I must admit that I am tired of seeing uncritical 'reviews' of figures that do not address fundamentals and which display a lack of knowledge of the subject matter by the reviewer. Everything seems to be concentrated on how the figure 'looks', i.e. just the quality of the sculpting.

Sample castings off figures and busts are sent to us for review purposes. The review normally covers what you get in the box, the quality and fit of the parts, customers that would like to purchase some of these kits like to know what they are getting before they part with their hard earned cash.



It is impossible to be a knowledgeable historian for every figure and bust that passes through our hands. I think it is unfair to knock the reviewer
(Guy 500+ Kit reviews) based on historical inaccuracies of a figure or bust when all they are doing is spending their own time and effort taking photos and writng the report to bring us up to date information and a look in the box of new manufactures releases.



Any constructive and non offensive criticism is most welcome and can help in many ways with painters, sculptors and manufactures so please can we calm things down now and progress the thread on in a more civilized manner.



Tommi

 

[pipetrepid]

guy, great kit! thanks for the fine review. bill

 

[smudger1960]

Thanks for the review Guy,i will be purchasing this at EURO now i've seen the box contents.

Brian

 

[boswell]

caratacus states "Cavalry officers did not wear a muscle cuirass - they would have been armoured with either mail or scale armour (try riding a horse encased in a rigid armour like this)." sorry but cavalry have been wearing rigid amour for years my old regiment (The lifeguards) wore amour captured from the french at waterloo and still wear it to this presant day were the romans so soft that they couldnt take a bit of discomfort over protection ?

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

HI Guys

Caratacus ,J green and Guy the "innocent"

Reading with interest the ensuing melee , so with Gladius in hand ,thought
I would jump in with a couple of Cohorts.

Remember Guys this is a hobby which is laden with inaccuracies and fiction
regarding ancient history, we have Russel Crowe, Sean Connery and a couple
of actors guised as Hector and Achilles ( where the hell is Spartacus) sorry I
meant Kirk Douglas, the figure, bust or whatever you wish to call it reviewed by Guy, is as usual a fine piece of sculpting by Young miniatures and yes it would be nice if they could get away from the hollywood look and do there homework,I suppose you could paint this anomaly in many ways, so why don't
you guys get out the paint brushes and see what you can come up with "just for fun"

NO Malice

 

[bunnie666]

Well, I have read some interesting posts but this one was great for a Monday wake-me-up. Ours (hobby = passion) is made up of all manner of enthusiasts; from the beginner to the noted experts but all share one common goal... to enjoy the hobby. If I were sculpting a 5 meter historical figure and then cast it in bronze, sure I would spend weeks and months on research (note - this would be a professional project with it's implied requirements for historical accuracy and overall finish). The point is, we sculpt and paint these little jewels for our own satisfaction and relaxation. So please ease up on the critical stances, and figure in some manners.

Paul...