Introduction

Blitz is a French manufacturer of resin models in 1/35th scale covering subjects from World War 1 and World War 2; by far it is World War one that gets the most attention and due to the area they cover offers kits seen nowhere else that I am aware of. Recently we received some figures from Blitz in 1/35th scale and the first one I will be looking at is identified as an Artilleryman No.4 and has a No.5 written on the rear.

Review

This offering is listed by Blitz as a Artilleryman No.4 and depicts a relaxed figure minus his jacket and having a smoke. The figure is very well moulded in all respects as detail goes and is in good order in the carton. The packaging consists of an end opening card box with the figure and the parts in a Ziploc bag. I am wondering if something needs putting in the box to stop the mouldings moving and so prevent potential damage.

The figure is stood in a relaxed pose smoking a pipe. The figure is wearing uniform trousers from the 1916 on period after the more garish uniform was discarded due to it making the troops easy to see. I cannot provide information on the shirt as regards uniform other than it is the type pulled on over the head with some fasteners like a polo shirt. The crease detail in the cloth elements is very well replicated looking natural to my eye. I rather like the effort put into the braces holding up the trousers due to them being a common garment seen far more often than belts.

The footwear looks appropriate for the French military and I appreciate the effort put into the lace and eyes on the boots. I initially thought the puttees were way to high up the leg, but further research revealed this to be correct for the uniform of 1916 on. The hands are well moulded and have good finger detail. The right hand being a separate moulding is well shown holding the figures pipe that has a high level of finesse to it. The head is supplied separately but with the Adrian steel helmet that came into use early during World War 1 attached, I am very pleased to see the badge on the front of the helmet well replicated. The face is very well done, especially the moustache that provides this figure with great character.

Conclusion

This figure is a great stand alone offering or shown with an artillery gun during a lull in the fighting. The relaxed pose kind of shouts at me ‘Same S##t different day’ a feeling I am sure we can all attest to. A small vignette with even a simple wall would make this figure pop in my opinion. The build of the figure is perfect for the time due to the poor diet of that period. The clothing has a very realistic look in the way that it hangs on the body and the crease detail replicated. This is a really nice figure in my opinion that does not have very much in the way of flash, and if I have to pick a fault I would have preferred a different colour to trhe resin to make the wonderful detail easier to see.