CSA Cavalry Captain 1862

By Adrian Hopwood Company – La Meridiana Price – £27.00 Scale –75mm Material – Resin Code – CW75-29 Sculpted by – Alan Ball Although the box is larger than the usual La Meridiana packaging, I really thought that this was a 54mm figure, and it was quite a surprise to open it up ( Nah, I didn’t notice the code - that would have given the game away ). Inside the box are lots of well produced resin parts, including the tree that the figure leans against. These parts are all split logically so that there shouldn’t be any real need for filler, although a wipe here and there might be needed. Casting is quite good, although the sculpting is better; the definition is good, and the pose convincing enough to look natural and relaxed. There are some mould lines that will need attention, and the runners will need patience and care to clean away without damaging the parts. So allow some time for this when you’re doing it. Fit of some parts is very good – the separate right leg crossing over the left leg ( this latter being integral with the main body and head ) is a superb fit, and although a wipe of filler will be required, very little adjustment of the joint is necessary to gain a clean fit. The right arm is different though. Some trimming of the top of the shoulder will be needed to alight it properly with the main casting; but I think that’s the only joint that will need any attention. That’s a very large cigar in his right hand though, not sure that it looks quite right; although easier to shave it down, than to add small amounts of filler to one that was too thin and weedy. Certainly there are a few points that I’ve brought up that will need looking as by the purchaser, but they are minor and would take even a beginner only a few moments to sort out. The stance of the figure is nicely relaxed, the clothing and anatomy look right, and the tree trunk support comes in the kit price too, so you don’t even have to seek out something for him to lean against. I think the only additions might be some static grass and a few leaves ( which have been added for the box art ), although the more adventurous modeller might like to change the tree out for something more craggy, or even a wall of a building. The sculpting of the figure has no flat points of missed detail on the back, so theoretically you could have him leaning against a hitching post on a boardwalk…….The ideas are endless. This is a good little model, sort of encompassing everything good about a 54mm figure, but handing it to you in 75mm. Thanks to Matt and Celine at El Greco Miniatures for sending this along for review, the model is available from them at the address below, or by visiting their website. Adrian. El Greco Miniatures 63 Glebe Drive Brackley NN13 7BX United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)1280 840364 Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Home Page: http://www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk