I recieved my very first figure from Troop 54 yesterday. It is a splendid figure that I'm itching to paint, though it will have to wait it's turn for now.

The figure measures in at 65mm from boots to the top of the kepi, very cleanly cast, going to have to be careful as I can barely see more than one casting line, don't want to find more as I paint! The detail is exceptional, clean and sharp from clothes seams to buckles and the small brass studs on the webbing. The pose is very nonchalant and relaxed.

Including a scenic base the figure comprises eight pieces and though I haven't cleaned it up yet the parts fit looks good. There is a wee bit of clean up needed on the pack but otherwise it is very well detailed. His right arm is posed with hand in pocket, which is great because I hate painting hands. Some small clean up required on the Rifle, water bottle and bayonet, nothing at all difficult. They all come very well detailed. There is a cast sling on a small fret that is interesting, cast in a slightly different colour resin and less brittle/more bendy than the normal casting resin. I usually like to make my own slings but this one I'll most likely use as the original would be leather and stiff which is well depicted in the casting.

Packaging was excellent, I remember buying Chota Sahib and other figures in plastic bags. This comes in a sturdy and useful for later use clear plastic box, a separate zip lock bag for the smaller items which are further secured together with cello tape. All parts are then in a small bubble wrap bag so there is no potential for damage in transit. Also included are a couple of printed pictures of the assembled unpainted figure and reproduced colour picture of the original art work the figure is based on.

All in all this is a terrific figure which I would have no hesitation in recommending, the figure and the range of limited editions as they are available.





Without a doubt I'll soon do a WIP on the V Bench forum.

Cheers Simon

Looking forward to see your progress on this one. I really like the casual pose.

Cheers Rob, it really is a great figure, just kinda miffed now that I've missed all the previous releases, oh well such is life.

Cheers Simon

Evening Simon, look forward to seeing what you do with this when you get round to it. Troop54/ stormtroopers are awesome figures. Regards Pete

Cheers Pete, I have an out of my comfort zone project lined up then I reckon this one will be my first choice.

Cheers Simon

Cheers Kev, it will be done in due course and I'll review new figures as I get them. Got the first two the Osprey books but never seen the third, looks interesting, will have to have a search on line for it and the vol 1 which I assume is the Prussian side.

Cheers Simon

Yeah just seen the price of them, really can't justify £80 plus on a couple of books, no matter how good they are and Bob Marion's stuff is usually very good.

Cheers Simon

This looks really nice. It'll be interesting to see how you paint and build it.

Steve, David, thanks he is such a great sculpt I am really looking forward to painting, I will be keeping my eyes open for further releases.

Cheers Simon

When I did this one it took me ages to fit the rifle sling across his chest. I broke it twice and ended up clamping it down and running superglue into the joint. Nightmare. Mind you, I am very ham-fisted. But it's worth the effort because it's an excellent model.

Here's the Alphonse de Neuville painting that inspired it. Google the artist's name for loads more. Another artist for FPW subjects is Paul Groleron.

Cheers Steve, if the sling is such an issue I may just make a new one from paper or foil. I had a bit of luck with this one, he was the last one in stock. I am looking forward to starting him, which won't be long now.

I have some of the art by Alphonse de Neuville but not sure I know the other one so thanks for the heads up on Paul Groleron I shall have a look, though I have that many images saved on Pintrest I may have some of his work without realising it.

Cheers Simon

JMD did a Tirailleur with the rifle balanced like that.
(I always had my doubts about whether anyone would put it there in reality, for fear of being garrotted when it slid off)
It was hopelessly out of scale so I left it off.

Hi David, yeah it's odd but the amount of contemporary art that shows it carried that way it must have been common practice. I know though that if any of my lads carried a rifle in the field in anything but the ready position I'd have ripped them a new A hole. Different times different threats I guess, I'd be more worried about dropping the damn thing than anything else carrying it that way.

Cheers Simon