Introduction

Armor35, known for World War II-era Eastern Front figures and railway models, is producing figures straight out of today's headlines. This model is Donbass Militiaman (Set-I), model 35143. So far there is a second militiaman and two female militiamen in this series.

Donbass

The Donbass (Russian: Донба́сс) or Donbas (Ukrainian: Донбас) is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine. The word "Donbass" is a portmanteau formed from Donets Basin (Ukrainian: Донецький басейн, translit. Donetskyi basein; Russian: Донецкий бассейн, Donetskiy bassein), which refers to the river Donets that flows through it. Multiple definitions of the region's extent exist, but its boundaries have never been officially demarcated. The most common definition in use today refers to the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine, whilst the historical coal mining region excluded parts of these oblasts, and included areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Southern Russia. A Euroregion of the same name is composed of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine and Rostov Oblast in Russia. Donbass formed the historical border between the Zaporizhian Sich and Don Cossack Host. It has been an important coal mining area since the late 19th century, when it became a heavily industrialised territory.*

Since the 2014 overthrow of the Ukrainian government, the Donbass suffers war between Russian-backed separatists and a post-revolutionary Ukrainian government.

The model

Militiaman of Donbass (Set-I) is a gray resin figure kit. He consists of three cast resin pieces. The main piece is the entire body except the left arm or the right hand. The left arm is separate, as is the AK-47. The militiaman is in an attentive pose.

Casting is excellent for the figure with no bubbles or other flaws. The surface is neither slick nor textured. Each piece is still attached to a pour block.

Detail

This figure wears a body armor vest and four ammo pouches. Underneath is a hooded winter jacket with elastic cuffs. He wears a fur hat and also carries a long barreled holster. His combat boots have distinct lacing and the rest of the clothing has good seams and other detail.

His face has excellent detail, too. Hair is difficult to sculpt yet his full beard looks very convincing.

The only piece that looks questionable is the AK-47. Close-up...I will let you decide by looking at the photo. From normal viewing range it looks good.

Painting and Assembly Instructions

None except for what you can glean from the box art.

Conclusion

With this figure Armor35 continues to issue high quality resin figures. Militiaman of Donbass (Set-I) is one of four figures with which their step out of WWII and into today's headlines. This model can be used as a stand-alone subject or incorporated into bigger scenes of modern subjects. Using Militiaman of Donbass (Set-I) with the other militiaman and the militia women can create an interesting mini diorama, or be part of a larger endevour.

This figure features high-quality casting and excellent detail. My only complaint is that close-up the AK-47 looks a bit rough.

Militiaman of Donbass (Set-I), alone or with the other three figures in the series, should be well received by modelers of this era. Recommend.

Thanks to Armor35 for providing this review sample. Be sure to mention you saw it reviewed on Armorama when ordering your own.
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SOURCE

* Wikipedia. Donbass. [Web.] 13 December 2015, at 18:46.