Armor35

Armor35 is a Russian based online modelling store since 2012 which offers a wide variety of products to our friends in Russia and around the world. Armor35 has branched out offering a line of products under the heading, “Project Armor35”, which includes kits and accessories in 1/35th scale focusing on Railway Transport and figures of the Second World War created from cast resin.

Armor35 latest release to their ever growing line of cast resin figures is a multi-scale version of Tank Girl; a Russian tanker with fantasy twist. Tank Girl, sculpted by Andrey Malygin, is a provocative depiction of a female Russian tank soldier. This figure is presented in both a 1/16 scale as well as a scaled down version in 1/35. In both cases, the figures have been cast in resin. Sold separately, both of these figures provide the same individual part configuration

Tank Girl – 1/16 & 1/35

• One grey colored cast resin body( Torso, legs and heads attached)
• Two grey colored cast resin arms
• One grey colored cast resin Russian Tanker’s Helmet
• One grey colored cast resin sidearm holster
• One length of copper wire

Since both of these kits are virtually identical with the exception that they are of different scaling, I will comment on the basic kit make up and make note of any issues and/or differences between the two kits. First off, the 1/16 scale version of Tank Girl is supplied in a handsome high quality decorative box. The box itself actually has a magnetic strip embedded within the lid to ensure the top stays closed when down. The parts within the 1/16 scale version come packaged in a Ziploc-type bag which has been rolled into a piece of bubble wrap to protect the parts during shipping. The 1/35 scale version is supplied in Armor35’s standard-sized, end-opening box which all of the armor scale figures come in. The parts inside are sealed in a small Ziploc-type pack to protect them.

The sculpting of this Tank Girl is somewhat fantasy based as the women depicted wears a tight fitting one-piece jumpsuit (I am guessing, but it is not standard issue) with a number of the top buttons unhooked to reveal her cleavage. In both scales offered, the main part of the figure consists of the figure’s torso cast solid along with both legs and boots attached; the head is incorporated into the mold as well. The figure’s left and right arms are provided separately with attachment points at the figure’s shoulder line. There is a cast resin version of an older style Russian tanker’s helmet provide. There is no option to not use the helmet as the head of the figure has been designed to incorporate the use of it. Provided as well in the kits, is a small sidearm holster which attached to the figure’s hip. This coincides with what appears to be a Markorov PPM that the figure holds in her right hand. In both the 1/16 and 1/35 scale kits, there is a small piece of copper wire included. This wire is to depict the connection of the headphones in the helmet to the small radio jack connection located on the front of the figure’s right shoulder. The wire appears to be appropriately scaled to each kit.

Onto a closer look at the figures! I have to say that both scaled versions have been produced with a high level of quality. There are no visible air bubbles or sink marks of any kind. Also, there is no casting flash present on and of the parts. In fact, the only remnants from the casting process noticeable are the obligatory casting blocks located below the feet of the base figure and fill port stubs located on the inside of the shoulder attachments of the arms. There is a faint bit of flash, probably as a result of a seam in the mold on one of the legs of the 1/16 scale figure, however, and what appears to be an attempt by the manufacturer to smooth this out has been done. I did run a sanding stick across this area for about 30 seconds and there was no trace of it ever being there.

Most of the intricate detail to these figures resides in the top half of the figures. The face and hair has been defined really well and the detail to the tanker’s helmet in pleasing. I did notice there was a very tight fit between the head and helmet on the 1/35 scale figure. This was easily corrected by shaving the sides of the head that fit inside the helmet and a small amount was also removed from the inside of the helmet itself. I have to assume this is as a result of excess casting materials in that area.

Construction

In both cases, these figures were a breeze to construct. After removal of the casting stubs on the inside of shoulder sockets of the arms, the parts seamlessly fit together; as was the case with installing the helmets and holsters. Basically, in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, these figures are ready for paint.

Conclusion

After taking a look at and assembling both versions of Armor35’s Tank Girl figures, I am impressed with the quality of design and casting that has gone into creating them. I found it amazing that the same crisp detailing that is seen on the 1/16 scale figure appears on the 1/35 scale kit as well. The figures themselves look proportional to scale and the overall detailing is pleasing o the eye. These figures are more of a fantasy novelty rather than something that would be added to one’s military diorama of vignette, but do stand on their own merits as high quality figure castings and interesting subject matter. There is originality to the design and the resin casting is near flawless. Either one, or both, of these figures are sure to please any modelling connoisseur who is interested in the subject at hand.