Vladimir Lenin (Ulyanov) was a communist revolutionary, bolshevik and leader of the October revolution in the Russian Empire in 1917. He was then leader of the newly formed Soviet state and his development of Marxism was called Leninism. After his death monuments in his memory were erected in almost every place in Soviet Union and many of them can be still seen in former USSR countries, like Russia, Ukraine but not only limited to them (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_statues_of_Vladimir_Lenin).
Armor35 is a resin manufacturer from Russia that was initially focused on the railroad accessories and then expanded to their own line of figures and other products. Their series “monuments” has a monument of Stalin, Soviet pioneers, Bismark and now Lenin. They are basically 75mm figures sculptured by various Russian sculptures exclusively for Armor35.
Review
The set comes in a small cardboard box with item show on the front including the basic information about it. The sculptor of this figure is a well-known Sergey Traviansky (mastermind of Evolution miniatures) and he also did the Stalin monument for Armor35. Inside there are several zip lock plastic bags with grey coloured resin parts: oval base, torso with head, separate hands. Torso and hands come on separate casing blocks.
The sculpture is similar to other works of Sergey with great attention to detail and realistic clothing folding. The monument depicts Lenin with right hand pointing forward and another hand holds some papers. This is a classic variant of the monument and usually those papers symbolize first laws that were issued in Soviet Russia – like peace decree, land decree and so on. One of the most famous phrases from Lenin was (and still is) – “we will go another way”. The facial features of Lenin are well done as well and you can easily identify him in that monument. Style of clothes depicted is also characteristic for him and for that time period.
The casting quality is very good overall, however I had a minor defect (a line) on the left hand. This is easy to fix with a hobby knife and some polishing afterwards. The hands are casted so that they fit the torso firmly and one has to be careful not to trim the edges of the hands because they fit only if you keep them the way they are casted. Some putty and polishing would be again necessary to make the joining line invisible.
Conclusion
Overall, this is a very welcome resin monument which would be useful in many settings and different countries. Time period would range from the Second World War to nowadays (f.e. vandalism against Lenin monuments in Ukraine). The above mentioned minor issues should not stop anyone who would like to get such figure/monument as the sculpture is very well done and everyone can use the putty and sanding sticks.
SUMMARY
Highs: Very useful figure/monument for Soviet era settings (diorama, vignette, anything that fits your idea).Lows: Minor amounts of putty are necessary for hands, small defect in my sample. Verdict: Recommended.
Our Thanks to Armor 35! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
Any idea where the original statue serving as inspiration for this model is (was) located?
Edit. The one in Leningrad is pretty similar but not the same.
The simple, but main mistake is here !
Don't forget - V. I. Lenin was real Bolshevik's idol; there were only few World-scale leaders on the Earth through all times, whose image had been replicated so widely.
Each city, each town, each village - EVERY, even smallest, settlement should have the statue (statues) of Lenin - and ALL those places had those statues. Large cities/towns had dozens and dozens of such statues (for example, according to historical data, only Leningrad with all its suburbs had over 150 Lenin monuments before the Nineties). Smaller and smallest places had 1-2-...-5 [or similar numbers] statues.
In 1991 the total quantity of Lenin monuments was:
- in Russia - 7000,
- in Ukraine - 5500,
- in Belarus - 600,
- in Baltic states - 160,
- in foreign countries - 150, etc, etc, etc.
And this is very - very approximate quantity (for quite large monuments only).
Moreover - each plant, factory, school, administrative and office biulding, railway station, even the hospitals and kindergartens, etc, etc could have the Lenin statues (and most part of those objects had such statues).
Moreover - even many private persons had the miniature Lenin statues at their homes. For example, my grandfather has small Lenin statue - about 30 cm/1 foot/ tall - on his table in living room.
And I'm not talking about Lenin's portraits - there were dozens-and-dozens of millions of them in Russia and the Socialist countries.
The most part of those statues were made in similar style - they show standing Lenin; or Lenin, going forward.
Thus, this is absolutely impossible to say, where was (or is) placed this particular statue of Lenin.
You will be absolutely correct, if You will place this model of statue in ANY Russian/Ukrainean/Belorussian, etc, "Soviet places and areas".
Most statues of Lenin were torn down or demolished with the fall of the Soviet Union. Very little of the old regime was to be left standing after the start of the Yeltsin era and the short lived Russian Federation... I am surprised there are not statues of Putin being put up in their place!
I think you have VERY little knowledge of ex-USSR countries
Most statues in Baltics were removed, but not destroyed. Those usually were moved to museums or private collections.
In Russia and other countries they are considered as part of history and they are kept as they are.
As I said in the review quite a number of those were destroyed in Ukraine during the last two years. Which is awkward if one knows the role of Lenin in the territory of UkrSSR and modern day Ukraine. But this is probably too much info?
That is more than I expected. In Hungary they have a theme park with all the removed statues. That might also work for a diorama.
Poor Stalin has had a much worse fate (he seems to be getting more popular lately). Armor35 also has a model for him.
Did You know, that my city, Prague, used to have the largest Stalin statue in the world? It ended in a large explosion...
Sorry, but Roman but I have very direct knowledge of the circumstances in which the statues were removed. They were emigres from the states of Georgia, Ukraine, and any number of locations. These were neighbors of mine in Dallas who expressed deep concerns that the history with they had lived for so long was being virtually erased. One of them even said "imagine one day that Thomas Jefferson became out of favor and all references to him... pictures, stories, books... suddenly were gone. You lose your frame of reference". This came from a former KGB Colonel who moved into our building.
I also have a degree in History with a specialty in Russian studies. It is not uncommon for history to be "erased"... look at the Chinese every time there is a purge.
But I digress... this statue would look great regardless of the circumstances in a diorama. I guess I just get a little peeved when people start telling me what I do and don't know...
BTW, my brother-in-law is with the diplomatic corps and was in Estonia for three years. I do know a little more than meets the eye...
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