Review WW1 German Medic from AC Miniatures

[Nap]

Hi to everyone on PF ,

WW1 proved to be the breeding ground for many new and horrific types of warfare all needing specialist medical care , these area's in themselves were also being developed as a result of new weapons .

Perhaps one of the most terrible of weapons was the use of poisons delivered in many ways be it Artillery shells

or by a cannister and hose system , I am of course referring to the use of Gas, the results being to totally incapacitate men , producing injuries the medical services were dealing with often by trial and error .

In my opinion the shout of "Gas Gas Gas" was and is indeed even now sure to strike panic and terror into soldiers perhaps even more in WW1 when they were often experiencing it for the first time using unsuitable equiptment.

The subject chosen by Andy for the release is a Medic wearing one of the first breathing apparatus

The breathing equiptment that the subject wears was known as the "Drager Model 1914 Selbstretter" .

​

This in itself was developed not only by Germany into better and more effective versions

​

​

but also by the Allies with there being masks for horses , dogs and even in WW2 for young babies and children perhaps the most unusual was the Mickey Mouse version .

A very good starting point to read not only about this version but others used in WW1 is from Osprey Publishing Elite 150 WW1 Gas Warfare , Tactics and Equiptment :

​

​

 

[captnenglish]

This is exactly, the information, I was looking for to do a conversion, I have planned.

 

[Nap]

Lets now have a look at the model:

Details:

Title: German Medic with a Draeger Selbstretter

Reference: ACM 12B14

Material: Lt Gray Resin

No of pieces: 7

Sculptor: Andy Cairns

Casting: Andy Cairns

The review model (1st casting) was received in a good cardboard box with the contents inside in plastic resealable bags , be careful when opening as there are small parts !!!, no fitting instructions were included although you can see where it all goes from the pictures on the link and the pictures on this thread , no transfers are included for the writing on the main cylinders but most of us should be able to deal with this by hand painting or produciing decals !!!

The parts consist of the main torso with head, the helmet and the actual breathing apparatus consisting of the main unit , the mouthpiece , the hose , a nose clip ( very small!!) , and a small pipe , in the pictures I have some show eye goggles are worn but none included within the kit , these will be fairly easy to add if you wish around his neck , we also have a picklehaube helmet in a cover.

​

Prep needed for the largest part the torso included a wipe round the under edges and filling in a couple of small air holes on the undersides and a bit of sanding above the signature block ...all easy to do , there is a casting plug to remove from the rear collar. the helmet has fine and easily removed casting lines to take off on the spike.

The apparatus needed very careful use of a razor sharp knife to remove flashing , but all again easily done ...I must mention the details included by Andy on this all pieces are well sculpted , particularly the cylinders and the hose .

Andy has the knack of producing sculptures that just seem to live and breath the subject and this is no exception , he has the talent to show the soldier as he was at war .

Looking at the Torso first , this is sculpted with the arms cut at an angle leading down to the equiptment , the head is worked with a lugs which fits into a corresponding hole in the helmet , facial features are well done around the eyes with the mask he wears over his mouth being pulled tight by cords around his head , over the ears (these are pulling forward slightly due to the cord) , the neck area has good structure ...looking at him you can almost feel the difficulty he would have had in breathing.

Uniform work is fine with natural folds , the epaulettes are showing good undercuts, on his left arm we have the Red Cross emblem .

The chest area has a large cut out ready to receive the main cylinders once in place minimal filler is needed , under this cut out we have some really nice work on the various bits of the breathing items , all well worked , I would advise referring to the pictures hers on the postioning of everything.

The breathing apparatus now , this is a real corker of sculpting so well done Andy, the pieces are very small so beware of that carpet monster .the cylinders shapes are very well reproduced , the mouthpiece well done , as are the hose , lovely surface defintion....the whole thing together looks the part .

Finally we have the helmet ...at last we have a great looking pickelhaube in this scale , fit onto the head at a slight angle was fine , the cover that is on the helmet is well detailed with the number of the Reserve regiment number 106 ....nice addition, the actual cover pulling up at the bottom opening up slightly the helmet underneath .



Final Thoughts

Well there you have it the first German bust from Andy with the early helmet ..a subject which shows the terror of using the breathing items and the care of the medical services , minimal prep , lots of character and good details.

For more details why not have a look at Andys website:

acmodels.co.nz

Lots of great work from Andy and well worth a look

Thanks for the chance to review this and quick shipping to Andy......

......and of course to you all for looking in

Nap

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys,

Here are a couple of pictures you might find interesting on the helmet

The numbers were originally in red but changed to green early in the war , in felt or wool originally , later they were often seen stencilled on

Nap

 

[cimeterre de figurines]

Many thanks Nap for this very interesting review
Regards
Xavier

 

[megroot]

That's a interesting bust.
This would be a good buy.

Marc

 

[Viking Bob]

Great review Nap

Bob.

 

[swralph]

Great review of a great looking bust.
Ralph.

 

[Macca G]

Thanks Nap, I'm just about to do this kit so the reference will be invaluable.

 

[Nap]

Thanks Nap, I'm just about to do this kit so the reference will be invaluable.

No problem Macca please do post the SBS on the forum I for one would be interested how you deal with it as I am sur others are .

To everyone else .....THANKS for the comments it's an interesting subject

Nap

 

[Dan Morton]

Great review!

All the best,
Dan

 

[yeo_64]

Kudos for a Great review, my friend !
A Big Thank You is also in order for the posted reference photos posted here .
Cheers!
Kenneth.

 

[Nap]

Hi Kenneth,

Glad you liked the review ...enjoyed the research hopefully it makes it easier for others

Thanks for popping into the review ..I will be doing more over the next week or so!

Nap

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

And an another great review from Nap !!!!
A real pleasure as always !

 

[Nap]

Cheers ZC glad you enjoyed it

More to follow ..soon!

Nap

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Cheers ZC glad you enjoyed it

More to follow ..soon!

Nap

Great, i'm impatient !!!​

Still waiting for it on my computer !​

 

[Macca G]

On the right arm there is what I assume is a medic's badge does anyone have any details on what colours that would be?

 

[Nap]

Hi Macca G ,

Thanks for looking in , the armband was very wide in a white with Red Cross when first issued obviously getting dirty quickly in the conditions ...here are some pictures of original items and troops wearing it .

Hope they are of some help

Nap

 

[Nap]

Hi Macca G ,

Had a think not sure if you mean the right as we look at him or the other arm!......so here is a genuine WW1 medics badge this was worn on the fatigue uniform originally .

It's yellow wool stitched to an Ivory backing the field uniform version would have been a colour close to that.

Nap

 

[Macca G]

Thanks Nap, I found that image on Google images and wasn't sure of its accuracy