Introduction:

Neucraft Models is a small model studio based in China, best known for their wargaming miniature model AFVs. The company recently entered the market of military modeling by releasing resin 1/35 scale figures, the first being Modern Russian Tankman A (35001).

Review:

The kit arrived packed in a hard cardboard box, with the pieces safely secured in a zip-lock bag and additionally protected using bubble wrap. The front of the box features box art image showing the painted miniature, listing both the sculptor (Qing Yi) and the painter (Han Dong).

The figure consists of 2 pieces:

- full body
- left hand with weapon.

The pieces are cast in grey resin. The resin looks good and I found no signs of seam lines, air-bubbles or any other casting imperfections. I’m glad to see weapon sling cast on the weapon, a detail usually omitted in resin figure kits. A big plus is also the lack of large carrier blocks… the pieces are clean and ready to use directly from the box.

The fit of the pieces is great. If aligned correctly, there are no visible gaps between the pieces and minimum putty work is needed.

The figure depicts a Russian tank crewman from the late 1980’s onwards, in a relaxed, but alert posture. The anatomy of the figure looks spot-on, with the pose is realistically rendered. The head sculpt is really good with its facial features well defined. The figure wears Russian winter uniform consisting of the lined jacket and trousers, high top boots and Russian winter tanker helmet. The uniform jacket has four pockets on the body and one small pocket on the upper part of each sleeve. The elbows are reinforced and the button plaquette is covered, with the exception of the throat button. Removable jacket lining can be attached for additional warmth and has a fur collar exposed over the collar of the jacket. The trousers are also lined, have a pocket on each thigh and have draw-in ties on each cuff of the leg. The tanker helmet has soft lamb fur lining and cotton top with leather headphone pads, buckle on chinstrap and built-in headphones. All the details are nicely rendered on this figure; I particularly like the fur on the winter uniform collar and the details on the helmet, as well as the folds on the uniform suggesting the weight of the cotton fabric.

The figure is armed with AKMS, a major variant of the AKM assault rifle (which is in turn a modernized AK-47), equipped with an under-folding metal shoulder stock instead of the fixed wooden stock.

Conclusion:

Modern Russian Tankman A (35001) is a very impressive miniature, the first 1/35 scale figure released under Neucraft Model label. Sculpted really well, impeccably cast in resin and easy to assemble, the figure is a perfect companion to Russian armor models.