Only mad dogs will be found outside in this infernal heat, and I have a complete kit before me. . . time to have some fun!
First thing I did was "cull the kit". Of the original 17 pieces comprising the kit, I am keeping 13--auspicious number given the subject, don't you think? Scabbarded sword, axe, shield, and the separately cast portion of the guige have been relegated to the spares bin. Joining them will be the brandished sword (minus grip, of course) which has been removed (via jeweler's saw) from the right hand, though this might find its way back as a groundwork accessory. . .
Following the preparatory minor surgery on the right hand (including drilling out the hole for the spear that will replace the sword), I began to remove the now superfluous belting from the torso: I would say I am 85%, give or take, through this process. Most of what remains will be dealt with when I begin the putty work on the chest.
That pretty much covers the preliminary legwork of this project. As much as I would like to assemble the head-torso-legs, I have to restrain myself as there is extensive reworking of the legs to be done. Once that is done, I can decide if I will reconfigure the chest or not. . .
More to follow. . .
Showing posts with label Viking Varulv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Viking Varulv. Show all posts
24 July 2010
22 July 2010
Romeo 90mm Úlfhéðinn - REVIEW--UPDATE
All's well that end's well. . .
By way of summary, Chuck contacted me immediately upon his return from Gettysburg. He was great about the whole thing and said he would put the missing pieces in the mail in the next 48 hrs.: he had to unpack from Gettysburg and find the kits first! Well, the pieces were en route less than 24 hrs. later (Tuesday), and today I have a complete Úlfhéðinn kit before me!
I have been a loyal customer of Chuck and The Red Lancers for over 25 years, and he has never let me down. If there is a problem, he will fix it. PERIOD. Having some of the most competitive pricing around, and the best selection under one roof on this side of The Pond is icing on the cake.
This is hardly news to most of the readership, but for those of you who are not familiar with the selection and service of The Red Lancers, consider this an unqualified endorsement!
My heartfelt thanks to Chuck!
Augie
By way of summary, Chuck contacted me immediately upon his return from Gettysburg. He was great about the whole thing and said he would put the missing pieces in the mail in the next 48 hrs.: he had to unpack from Gettysburg and find the kits first! Well, the pieces were en route less than 24 hrs. later (Tuesday), and today I have a complete Úlfhéðinn kit before me!
I have been a loyal customer of Chuck and The Red Lancers for over 25 years, and he has never let me down. If there is a problem, he will fix it. PERIOD. Having some of the most competitive pricing around, and the best selection under one roof on this side of The Pond is icing on the cake.
This is hardly news to most of the readership, but for those of you who are not familiar with the selection and service of The Red Lancers, consider this an unqualified endorsement!
My heartfelt thanks to Chuck!
Augie
12 July 2010
Romeo 90mm Úlfhéðinn - REVIEW
Just received the subject kit from Chuck at The Red Lancers.
SUBJECT: Viking Ulfhednar[sic]
PROJECT SUBJECT: Viking Varulv
MANUFACTURER: Romeo Models
ITEM #: RM-90-018
SCALE: 90mm
CASTING MEDIUM: White metal
# of PIECES: 17 + 2(groundwork) + 1(panoply alla Pegaso)
Sculptor: Gianni La Rocca
REFERENCES: 1 page, Ital./Eng. Essentially useless drivel of the type we have become accustomed to from the "parent company"! Surprisingly (is it?!), there is no indication that Ancient Germanic Warriors (Michael P. Speidel; Routledge, 2008) was consulted.
KIT REVIEW: First of all, this sample, in the country less than a week, underscores the "buy as soon as available" imperative: the casting is sublime!
Unfortunately, the kit has been shorted two pieces: I received but 15 pieces, not the anticipated 17. The missing pieces are the two forelegs of the wolfskin that are attached to the arms of the warrior. I will contact Chuck about this immediately (he is at the Gettysburg Show so I don't expect the usual timely reply), but I don't know if I am inclined to return the kit (yes, the casting is that good!) over a couple of pieces that may not have been used in the long run. . . Regardless, as with any kit, open it immediately upon receipt and inspect it carefully!
. . .
Well, I have done all that can be done to this point, so now we wait... As I mentioned in the comments, this is the most frustrating aspect of this unfortunate incident: the weekend is here and I can't set burr, file, and saw to metal! Ah well. . .
Have I mentioned the casting is exquisite? There are the usual nubs and the like that currently prevent a seamless fit, but the dry-fitting is EXTREMELY promising! I don't expect to have to do much filling at all on the stock points of attachment.
For those who are interested in this kit straight OOB, I don't believe you will be disappointed, but here are a few observations. This is one heavily-armed, albeit lean, viking! His panoply is comprised of: 2 swords, 1 seax, 1 medium axe, and a shield. And he is wearing a mail "vambrace" on his right arm. That's about one sword (and axe?) and a shield too many. Another thing you might notice, though it will be hardly noticeable once the kit is assembled and fully kitted, is that there is a pronounced step where his abs meet the waistline of his breeches. I don't know if the torso shrank more than anticipated (the fit is near perfect), or if this was done by some design; regardless, I will be filling out the abs and/or undercutting the waist of the breeches to mitigate the effect.
The rest is about as good as it gets. The wolf's head, cast separately, is amongst the best I've seen done commercially. The base, cast in two pieces, is masterfully done! It is littered with osseous remains: three skulls (one, anachronistically, has a Wisby-an coif; another is helmeted, the latter marginally displaced); a femur; and scattered ribs and pieces of bones. A wonderfully gruesome setting!
Had the kit been complete, I would give this piece a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It certainly will be a fun kit to paint and/or modify to your heart's content. And it is about as affordable as a white metal 90mm can be these days.
I will start playing with this figure as soon as I hear from Chuck. . .
SUBJECT: Viking Ulfhednar[sic]
PROJECT SUBJECT: Viking Varulv
MANUFACTURER: Romeo Models
ITEM #: RM-90-018
SCALE: 90mm
CASTING MEDIUM: White metal
# of PIECES: 17 + 2(groundwork) + 1(panoply alla Pegaso)
Sculptor: Gianni La Rocca
REFERENCES: 1 page, Ital./Eng. Essentially useless drivel of the type we have become accustomed to from the "parent company"! Surprisingly (is it?!), there is no indication that Ancient Germanic Warriors (Michael P. Speidel; Routledge, 2008) was consulted.
KIT REVIEW: First of all, this sample, in the country less than a week, underscores the "buy as soon as available" imperative: the casting is sublime!
Unfortunately, the kit has been shorted two pieces: I received but 15 pieces, not the anticipated 17. The missing pieces are the two forelegs of the wolfskin that are attached to the arms of the warrior. I will contact Chuck about this immediately (he is at the Gettysburg Show so I don't expect the usual timely reply), but I don't know if I am inclined to return the kit (yes, the casting is that good!) over a couple of pieces that may not have been used in the long run. . . Regardless, as with any kit, open it immediately upon receipt and inspect it carefully!
. . .
Well, I have done all that can be done to this point, so now we wait... As I mentioned in the comments, this is the most frustrating aspect of this unfortunate incident: the weekend is here and I can't set burr, file, and saw to metal! Ah well. . .
Have I mentioned the casting is exquisite? There are the usual nubs and the like that currently prevent a seamless fit, but the dry-fitting is EXTREMELY promising! I don't expect to have to do much filling at all on the stock points of attachment.
For those who are interested in this kit straight OOB, I don't believe you will be disappointed, but here are a few observations. This is one heavily-armed, albeit lean, viking! His panoply is comprised of: 2 swords, 1 seax, 1 medium axe, and a shield. And he is wearing a mail "vambrace" on his right arm. That's about one sword (and axe?) and a shield too many. Another thing you might notice, though it will be hardly noticeable once the kit is assembled and fully kitted, is that there is a pronounced step where his abs meet the waistline of his breeches. I don't know if the torso shrank more than anticipated (the fit is near perfect), or if this was done by some design; regardless, I will be filling out the abs and/or undercutting the waist of the breeches to mitigate the effect.
The rest is about as good as it gets. The wolf's head, cast separately, is amongst the best I've seen done commercially. The base, cast in two pieces, is masterfully done! It is littered with osseous remains: three skulls (one, anachronistically, has a Wisby-an coif; another is helmeted, the latter marginally displaced); a femur; and scattered ribs and pieces of bones. A wonderfully gruesome setting!
Had the kit been complete, I would give this piece a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It certainly will be a fun kit to paint and/or modify to your heart's content. And it is about as affordable as a white metal 90mm can be these days.
I will start playing with this figure as soon as I hear from Chuck. . .
02 July 2010
Romeo 90mm Úlfhéðinn
This 90mm rendition of an Úlfhéðinn (pl., Úlfhéðnar), sculpted by Gianni La Rocca, is one of Romeo Models' latest releases (90-018).
The Úlfhéðinn was the "wolf-brother" of the Berserkr, though primary literary reference is somewhat more equivocal in its distinction. Be that as it may, my interests in this figure are more mythological than historical.
"Úlfhéðinn" can be interpreted etymologically as "werewolf", and this is where the perhaps unrealized potential of this figure lies. As a man, the proportions of the piece strike me as a bit 'off'; but as a transmogrifying were' ??? Hmmm. . .
I obviously do not have this figure, but it is one I might consider acquiring in the months to come.
Thoughts? Comments??
The Úlfhéðinn was the "wolf-brother" of the Berserkr, though primary literary reference is somewhat more equivocal in its distinction. Be that as it may, my interests in this figure are more mythological than historical.
"Úlfhéðinn" can be interpreted etymologically as "werewolf", and this is where the perhaps unrealized potential of this figure lies. As a man, the proportions of the piece strike me as a bit 'off'; but as a transmogrifying were' ??? Hmmm. . .
I obviously do not have this figure, but it is one I might consider acquiring in the months to come.
Thoughts? Comments??
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