Introduction

Armor35, known for World War II-era Eastern Front figures and railway models, is producing figures straight out of today's headlines. This is Woman of Donbass (Set-I), model 35141. So far there is a second female militiaman and two male 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

Woman of Donbass (Set-I) is a gray resin figure kit. She consists of four pieces:

1. Body, sans hands
2. AK-47 held by forearms and hands
3. Makarov PMM Sidearm holster
4. Helmet

Those parts are contained in a single zip-lock baggie held in a small box.

Casting quality is top-notch with no air pocks, mold seams or flash. The figure features sharp and crisp casting with good undercuts and raised details. All parts except for the helmet are on pour blocks.

The figure is sculpted in a natural stance, cradling the weapon with feet planted wide.

Detail

She is dressed in bulky fatigues and wears a field cap and gloves. Two magazine pouches are suspended from a waist belt.

Hair is sculpted under the rim of the hat and with a ponytail. The helmet has a cloth cover and a web for adding foliage. The Makarov PMM holster has the pocket for an extra clip and loops for cleaning rod.

Instructions and painting guidance

None, other than the box art. The box art is a color photo of the painted figure superimposed over a sepia-tone image of a Donbass checkpoint.

Conclusion

Woman of Donbass (Set-I) is an excellent model of a woman militiaman straight out of today's headlines. The simple kit features quality top-notch casting and features sharp and crisp casting with good undercuts and raised details. Armor35 continues to create unique and quality models.

My only complaint is the lack of painting instructions for those unfamiliar with modern Russian camouflage uniforms.

Modelers interested in the Donbass conflict or women combat soldiers should find this to be a desirable model. Recommended.

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.