Armor35 brings us Soviet Tankman, Officer, WW II (ARM35120), another 1/35 subject of the Great Patriotic War. This tanker is one of a series of four, sold individually and as a set.

Armor35 is a Russian based online modelling store since 2012 offering a wide variety of products to our friends in Russia and around the world. Recently Armor35 has branched out into offering a line of products, “Project Armor35”, including Second World War 1/35 resin figures, plus railroad kits and accessories in 1/35th scale of resin, wood and photo-etch.

Soviet Tankman, Officer

Armor35 packages this figure in an attractive small top or bottom opening box. The parts are enclosed in a ziplocked baggie.

Inside is a model tank officer of gray resin. Sculpted by Anishchenko Dmitriy, he is cast whole except for the right arm and left hand. The parts are crisply molded and I only spotted the slightest excess resin to clean up. The body is attached to a pour block the under the feet. The arm is free of a pour block while the hand is attached to one.

Casting is very good although there are some nitpicky tiny flecks and specks here and there. It appears the medium the figure master was sculpted in was grainier than previous Armor35 models. It appears that the figure was sculpted with the right arm attached, and then torn away to facilitate casting. Previous Armor35 figures have definite contours to attach an arm to the shoulder, yet judge for yourself if this one appears crude. Not a concern as long as the parts mate together cleanly.

This tanker wears the one-piece overalls with reinforced elbows, knees and cuffs, knee-boots, leather waist belt and “Sam Browne” shoulder belt, pistol holster, and Soviet crash helmet. An M35 Gymnasterka cotton soviet tunic, buttoned snug to the chin, peaks out from the open collar. He holds a leather case.

inspection

Facial detail is exceptional with well sculpted nose, eye lids, and mouth.

Clothing seams are sculpted along the garments. No branch or rank patches are molded on the collars. Excellent exposed buttons and button holes, clasps and snaps are sculpted. The waist belt has two rows of holes around it, a buckle, and an impressive diamond stitching pattern along it; clasps and fittings secure the shoulder belt to the main belt. A snap is visible on the helmet chin strap.

The pistol holster is very clean and sharp. It even has a beautiful fine loop-end cleaning rod secured to an edge that I did not notice until reviewing the photographs!

I also noticed that the expertly cast leather case in the left hand is held so that the superdetailed flap strap faces the body and is not visible when attached. A shame – hopefully Armor35 can remake the master to show this excellent detail. Perhaps I will attach the hand the other way – I can so twist my hand in that position, as though handing the case to someone.

painting guidance and instructions

None, other than the box art. You are on your own to find uniform and insignia detail. Assembly is obvious.

conclusion

Soviet Tankman, Officer, WW II, ARM35120 is a fine figure that can be used in many scenes. It is sharply cast. It features exceptional facial detail and uniform detail.

The excess flecks and grains of the figure could require clean up; I am curious how it will look primed and painted from a normal viewing distance. Also, I am puzzled why the excellent leather case was cast with the hand hiding the great detail.

I think this is an interesting figure that can be used for many scenes. I think this is a very good model and recommend it.

We thank Armor35 for providing this model for review. Please tell vendors and retailers that you saw this model here – on Armorama.

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Source

Windrow, Martin. "Soviet Russia: Armoured Units." World War 2 Combat Uniforms and Insignia. Warren, MI: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1977. 82-83. Print.