Legend Productions recently introduced a 3D model line into their portfolio, producing figures and accessories developed using CAD software and rapid prototyping. The artist behind this line is Peter Samofalov, the man responsible for numerous accessories and figures in the Live Resin range. Peter’s first figure released under Legend Productions label is US Navy SEAL Team Operator. The figure was initially produced in 1/35 scale, but the company also offers a larger version of the same figure.
Review:
This review covers US Navy SEAL Team Operator (LF3D16001) in 1/16 scale. This kit is packed in a hard cardboard box. The large composite image on the box top shows CAD figure rendering as well as assembled resin figure, displaying well how Legend managed to bring a 3D software designed object to life in form of a resin miniature. Opening the box reveals resin pieces, wires of two different diameter and assembly instructions. Most of the resin parts are supplied in a zip-lock bag inside a smaller box, while the two largest pieces are packed separately and additionally secured using bubble wrap. The resin pieces are:
- torso,
- legs,
- right arm,
- left arm,
- right boot,
- left boot,
- head,
- equipment pieces (41x),
- helmet and helmet accessories (7x),
- weapon and weapon accessories (6x).
The resin looks absolutely wonderful; the pieces are impressively cast and feature a ton of perfectly delivered details. The figure is designed in a modular concept with the main figure parts and all the equipment pieces provided separately. This makes the cleanup and assembly a bit more complex, but also offers various possibilities for customizing the figure per modeler’s own preferences. Also, the equipment can be fixed to the figure after painting the uniform, which is a big plus when tackling complex camouflage patterns.
Figure details:
The figure represents SEAL operator in the action posture with his weapon ready for any sign of hostile activity. The pose is nicely balanced and very realistic; I especially like the way the figure holds his weapon close to his face, looking down the weapon sight.
The figure sports the most advanced state-of-the-art equipment. Over his Crye Precision Gen2 AC Combat Shirt and Pants, the figure sports BAE RBAV Plate Carrier. As mentioned above, all the equipment pieces are provided separately in the kit: large MOLLE backpack/hydration pack, 5.56 triple MOLLE ammo pouch (2x), polymer MOLLE Fast Mag ammo holder w/wo magazine (6x), grenade pouch (1x), pistol magazine pouch (1x), 12-round 40mm ammo belt segment (12x), utility pouch (2x), MBITR radio pouch, U94 PTT unit, blade radio antenna, MAST antenna pouch and holster with secondary weapon. These equipment pieces can be attached to the plate carrier per modeler’s own preferences. However, I would suggest checking the reference images, or the photos of the fully assembled figure in this review, as there are some ground rules for positioning equipment on carrier vests. Hiking boots, gloves and Garmin wrist GPS add to the Special Ops feel of the figure.
On its head, the figure wears MICH High Cut Helmet. The helmet features VAS Shroud for mounting night vision equipment, as well as Velcro fields on the top, rear and both sides of the helmet, used for attaching devices, ID markers, etc. This kit includes Wilcox L4-G24 NVG mount, NVG battery pack and Manta strobe light. The Peltor ComTac Headset is there as well, sculpted on the figure’s head in great detail. The tiny microphone is provided as a separate part in the set, and the microphone boom should be added by the modeler using the thin wire supplied in the kit.
The figure is armed with HK416/M320 GLM combo. HK416 is a weapon of choice for many Special Forces operatives, packing a powerful punch when fitted with the underbarrel grenade launcher module. The weapon bits and accessories included separately in the set are ELCAN Specter w MRD telescope sight, ammo magazine and GLM accessories (mechanical leaf sight and AN/PSQ-18A day/night sight (DNS).
Figure assembly:
The set includes an assembly guide which shows the placement of the pieces on a built figure. The instructions are a very welcomed addition, as with over 50 pieces the assembly of the figure might seem complex for an average modeler.
Part cleanup is a long and boring process, which requires some patience in order not to damage any of the delicate pieces. It took couple of evenings to get all of the parts ready for assembly. The pieces are intelligently engineered and the main body parts feature protrusions and indentations which help to align the pieces correctly. I started with fixing the torso to the legs. I did some dry fitting of both arms to the torso finding their optimal position which should result in perfect alignment of the weapon. This process included trimming the weapon pistol grip in order to fit it firmly into the figure’s right hand. After positioning the weapon, everything goes together easily and there are no gaps to fill between the main body pieces, so the putty work was kept to a minimum.
I attached the pouches and equipment using photos from the instructions as a guide, omitting the radio wiring and drinking tube in the process (images 1-4). This takes some planning ahead, again finding optimal placement for all the smaller pieces. The helmet was fitted with all the helmet accessories, minus the microphone boom and NVG battery wiring (images 5-6). The weapon accessories were fixed as well (images 7-8). The fully assembled figure looks very impressive and all the extra effort is well worth it in the end.
Please note that some of the pieces are noted in the instruction part list, but the assembly guide does not show them fixed to the figure. These are some smaller pieces (i.e. wire jacks) which have probably been added if the part cleanup resulted in breaking the bits of the original pieces.
Conclusion:
US Navy SEAL Team Operator (LF3D16001) is an absolutely amazing figure. The resin pieces are cast really well with loads of tiny details wonderfully delivered in scale. The pieces fit perfectly and, although the kit consists of over 50 parts, the assembly is not as complex as it may seem. The end result is very impressive and this is definitely one of the finest 1/16 scale figures I have in my stash.
SUMMARY
Highs: An amazing figure all around... perfect cast, perfect fit and perfect subject. A must have.Lows: Long and tedious part cleanup. A bit complex assembly.Verdict: Highly recommended.
Our Thanks to Legend Productions! 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.
About Mario Matijasic (Maki) FROM: CROATIA HRVATSKA
You wonder how did this addiction start? I was a kid when my dad broght home a 1/72 Concord airplane; we built it together as well as couple of other airplanes after that. This phase was just pure fun: glue, paint, decals in no particular order... everything was finished in a day or two. Then I disc...
Cheers folks for all those comments!
Peter, yes he is only one guy, and I just thought I'd share his comments.
And i'm very grateful for yours....very informative and very useful indeed!
Good to hear the comments from the sculptor himself!
And picked up both 1/16 and 1/35 versions today.....so crisp and fantastic miniatures! Lots of references now as well
Thankyou
as modelers we are historians of sorts, who knows in the future what people would think if we displayed inaccurate replicas. History is important, thus the arguments about SS-Fallschirmjager smock patterns and helmet decals, life would be easier for modelers if more people took pictures back then. So Im not sure about the rifle or helmet, but I am sure about the pistol. My evidence, LINK numerous non fiction books also state the same. I was lucky to have visited Coronado in 2012, my family and I got to see the SEAL armory there. I saw only SIG Sauer 226 handguns. Im sure tier one operators can use whatever weapon they wish, within reason. Im sure no-one is carrying a Desert Eagle .50 in Syria or Afghanistan maybe a tomahawk on their belt, but anyway the available pictures on the web usually show SEALs carrying a 226, I do believe I read/heard that occasionally a dog handler might carry a smaller pistol like a P239, but that is pure conjecture, every photo I have seen that looks like a SEAL the 226 is there. I'm sure of it and I can tell, its the gun I carry daily. Think of it this way, a standard pistol is pretty important if you run out of ammo a friend can throw you a mag (you must in dire straights to be in that situation) so it would be important to have standardization for pistols, as for 5.56 mm the NATO stanag mags should work with a HK-416 or any M4 platform weapon,(although I think the seals use pmags) please correct me if I am wrong here
Rob, thanks for the interesting topic, it will be useful for completing the following figures.
Don, thanks for the detailed qualified consultation!
As I understand it, SigSauer226 has better corrosion protection than Beretta M9, which is of great importance when performing coastal missions in contact with salt water. At the same time for USMC, amphibious operations on the coast are standard conditions. Nevertheless, Beretta is used along with SigSauer. Perhaps Beretta has some advantages over SigSauer - the accuracy of shooting for example. I just assume that the some SEAL operator with Beretta M9 maybe is not an impossible case.
The following figures will be completed with Hk 45C, and probably separate sets of weapons and ammunition will be released, to complete the figures to choose from.
A uniform caliber for the whole team is very important in combat operations, but for the figures needs variety for spectacular purposes, so the sets use different weapons systems. And on the photos of the actual SF, I see a combination of weapons in one group - Hk 416 5,56 and SCAR Mk17 7,62.
Also, I see all the SF have almost identical weapons and equipment, so belonging to the SEAL is one of the options.
120426-A-SY924-0121140320-A-CL980-805
Hello Peter, firstly, thank you for the great figure.
looking at the photographs in this thread, will there be any provision for decals in future releases, please? I note the US flag, in low-vis, blood group, and unit patches, on operators, but there in no after market that I'm aware of.
Am really looking forward to any weapons sets you may be bringing out.
Kylie
Great figure! I just opened the box and i want to ask where does small part numbered #1 suppose to fit? I cannot see it anywhere in the instructions! Is it supposed to fit under the left arm, near the communication device?
Looking at the instructions I can tell you that part #1 is a hydration system bite valve. You would run the included wire from the backpack over one shoulder to the front where it would be within easy reach. You can see the tube exit the center of the pack and extend over the left shoulder in the renderings. Hydration system tubes of this type are about 18" long.
Regards,
Eric
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