Introduction

Resicast recently released some images of a Commonwealth 25pdr Gun Crew in the making. One of the figures featured in the News release was that of an Officer in Greatcoat Order.

This figure has now been released as a separate item and this is a first look at the item. The figure was mastered by Gerard Detroeye who created many of the original Resicast figures. The figure on the package art was done by Christophe Nachtergael.

The Figure

This comes packed in a standard Resicast format of zip plastic bag with a paper insert depicting the maker, product information and a colour picture of the painted figure. The figure is cast in light grey resin and was free from any damage or air bubbles.

This is a simple figure consisting of 4 parts. The body comes as a whole, with separate head and two choices of left hand; one holding a mug of tea and the other holding a pair of binoculars.

The figure depicts a standing officer dressed in shirt and tie, jumper, battle dress trousers with anklets and ammo boots over which is worn an open greatcoat. Both arms are moulded to the body. The right arm is depicted with the hand thrust into the trouser pocket, the arm holding back the right hand side of the Greatcoat. The left arm is bent at 90% and to this can be added either a hand with mug or binoculars. The trousers have the correct pockets on view.

Around the jumper is a 37 pattern belt with a pistol holster prominent on the right hand side. Brasses and the stud are present on the webbing and the pistol holster has the butt of a weapon on view.

The Greatcoat is well done with the buttons and eyelets showing on the left hand side of the coat and the half belt, and 3 buttons are correctly depicted on the reverse of the garment. The slanted pocket is present on the left hand side of the garment, the right pocket being out of view.

Overall the figure has nice natural creases and folds in the clothing, and the boots/equipment look correctly portrayed.

I particularly like the order of dress that would be equally at home in the desert or NWE.

The figure is full bodied standing about 45mm from heel to neck, so a decent and acceptable size.

The head and arms that accompany the figure are again well sculpted. The face depicts that of a mature Officer with mouth open in the act of shouting/talking. The officer’s cap is well done with a nice leather strap at the front, cap badge and small buttons on the side of the cap. Both left hands are well sculpted, one holding a mug and the other a pair of binoculars.

Conclusion

The simplicity of the figure means that once washed you can get to the fun part quickly. Overall I like this figure, perhaps not a dramatic pose but a useful one especially when matched to the order and style of dress. The build/stature of the figure is good and the detail excellent.

I can see good possibilities for the body, and if you choose to add a different head for some individuality then that is also a possibility.

I would like to have seen the pistol holster as an additional option rather than moulded to the figure as this would give further possibilities, POW etc, but careful surgery could be used there if that is a desired purpose.

This is a figure that should be of interest to both figure painters and diorama builders alike.

Little clean up will be required and of course normal precautions apply when working with resin. This is another fine figure in Graham's extensive range of 1/35 scale Commonwealth Soldiers and should be enjoyed by many.