Today we open together a new kit.
The miniature in question is "Yihétuán" (BOXER, Ca. 1900) in the 75mm by Alexandros Models sculpted by Carles Vaquero, and fantastically painted by Alexandre Cortina Bonastre.
Who had the luck seen its live, as I had, knows what I'm talking about.
Here the pic of the boxart
The piece is presented in the classic blue box company, with the picture of the boxart.
Removed the cover we are faced with the classic white hard cardboard box.
Opening the box, we find the two sponges of protection, the explanatory leaflet of the model, and the metal pieces (those little ones, in a PVC bag)
The leaflet is written in two languages (English and Spanish) and has an interesting historical note, a nice explanation of the model and a suggestion of how to tie the hat to the model.
Following you can find interesting links to better understand who are the boxer and the story of their rebellion.
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Rebellion
- Web gallery of the pictures of Robert Henry Chandless
- Web Gallery with other more 200 pics
And just two interesting books that can help us:
- The Boxers, China, and the World.
Bickers, Robert, and R. G. Tiedemann Eds (Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007)
ISBN: 0742553949
Amazon link
- Men-at-Arms 95: The boxer rebellion
Osprey Publishing
Author: Lynn Bodin
Illustrator: Chris Warner
ISBN: 9780850453355
Osprey publishing link
So I take the two sponges, I open the bag in PVC and as my usual, I have all the pieces in order to get the full picture of the model:
As you can see are a total of 18 plus the base (not counting the metal wire, which I didn't photograph)
And here a zoom of the pieces that are there in the little bag, hands (amazing), the lanyards, ribbons bandages in the wrists and finally the nunchaku.
Then I take my usual tools to analyze it more precisely: cutter, sandpaper 1200 grit, water and pattafix and let's work!
Starting from the bust:
The first thing I notice is that the bust is totally concave, which definitely relieves some grams to the model and also it makes easy to work with when we're going to join the torso with arms and legs.
The answer is simple:
1- We prepare the pins in the arms and legs.
2- We put a bit of milliput in the hollow of the bust (in my case I preferred to fill it completely)
3- with milliput not yet dry insert the pins of the arms and legs, so as to create the hole for the pin without any problem.
A little suggestion is to wet well with water the pins and the parts of the arms and leg that will be in contact with the milliput, so as not to risk that the pieces of fresh milliput remain attached or that pulling the pins ruin the holes made.
As you can see, the torso has a central thin fusion line, with the dynamics of this piece, it's great as the fusion line doesn't go into sensitive areas of the face, and it is easy to remove with fine sandpaper or steel wool to polish a .
Small details like the rope around his neck, the expression of the face, ears and hair are perfect and don't have smudges, fusion lines and even defects due by the mold.
And now the two arms:
Also here there are the fusion line, but they are practically invisible.
The sculpture of the musculature of the boxer also presents the beautiful and fine veining, indicating stress and muscle tension..Congratulations again to the sculptor!
The right leg of the model, the one that holds all the weight of the model got already the pin,
It's long 3 cm and it got a 1,5 mm of diameter.
The work is already done and well-balanced, compliments to the idea. It's the first time I find a model already "pinned".
And as you can see there isn't the fusion line.
The left leg instead is one of the parts that makes the piece a bit more dynamic or moving.
Here we can find thin fusion line, but it won't be a big problem.
Jacket and sleeves
Part of that can be considered optional, for my opinion.
You can put them, or covering the holes of the hooks with putty if you want the model without them.
By pointing out the beauty of the folds and details of buttons.
And here's the hat, one of the pieces of this model that have caught my eye for realism.
The fusion line is located on the edge of the hat, we can eliminate it in a fairly brief, with the edge of the cutter, and then we make a lot of cuts, always with the cutter, to keep out the texture.
The tail of hair, now comments on the sculpture I think are unnecessary, as you'll see how much I like this model.
And the hands.
This is one of the key pieces of the model, this is the detail that let me say "YES..I want it!!!"
They are the most dynamic part of the whole model.
And perhaps this is one of the most delicate part to clean, because as you can see there are the fusion lines, even if they are fragile and thin.
Pay attention with this clean operation, just make sure not to delete the veins and the various folds of the hand, or not to cut a phalanx, models one or your one.
The nunchaku.
This is the optional part of the model, even here it takes a bit of attention to clean thoroughly.
And here the base for the model.
And finally a picture of the face and hands with the usual 1€cent, to let you know the proportions.
Conclusion:
The piece is really interisting like all the pieces that relate to the oriental culture.
The wonderfull thing is that it can be a good basis for modification or customization, as an Asian who trains in martial arts, any martial art, a ninja, a Yakuza gangster and why not, a nice Bruce Lee if you want to work on his face.
You can also pull out a fantasy version about it, full of tattoo, adding a shoulder protection, an hair style like Kazuya of Tekken (Guys you must knnow that I discovered my cards) and a beautiful huge weapon in Final Fantasy style, (eh I'm still one of those dinosaurs that few time in years likes turn on the Playstation 1 to remember the good times)
The piece is not easy, but the satisfaction of having a sculpture so interesting in his hands, and endless ways to paint it will give you the right energy.
So if you like, I'm sure that will end up in your wishlist, and why not also in your cabinets.
Enjoy!!!!
Cesare "Trevis_11" Trevisiol
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