This is my first build after my long break since my last "BUkit Kepong" project...

I love ancient warrior. This time I've picked Verlinden 120mm "Spartan Warrior" resin figure (kit #0943).


Overall the kit spread into head with helmet, horsehair, arms, torso with body armor, legs and the his weapon of sword, scabbard, shield with left forearm moulded on... All are separate components which attached to resin casting blocks. The sculpting of this figure is not the best but OK to me, but it has a splendid pose.


Now the head, which I totally dislike the original kit (pic A & B). It's totally out of proportion and "deform"... (pic C).


So my first attempt will be rebuild a new head to replace it. I'm building the Greek Helmet base on the images from the internet. Chosen a spare head from Dragon 1/16 scale "German Grenadier East Prussia" (kit #1616). Using this as basic shape, I used thin aluminium sheet (from hardware shop) and epoxy putty to scratchbuild the Greek Corinthian design. Wire was glue on the edge then. The detail "eye-brow" design was add on with thin roll of putty. Finally cutting .03mm plastic card and form the helmetcrest and glue on top of the helmet.


I've sand off some od the detail of the Dragon's head, especially the ears and the hair to fit the new helmet. Reformed the neck to suit the facing position. Detail beard and mustache was added with putty. The head and helmet was put together for test fit.


The following steps will be the unique horsehair. As you can see in the picture, the original horsehair from the kit supposed to be in the "facing" position. Furthermore the kit's part is "ugly". I've decided to scratchbuild the whole thing. I used an old phone card to cut the basic shape for the horsehair. Then putty was added on section by section, scribing lines to form the detail.


Completed scratchbuild helmet with the replacing head in test fit shot



That's all for now... I'll moving on to the shield now, will post more WIP then.

Enjoy and comment pls.



Regards,
CPTan

CPTan -

That's an incredible piece of work you've got going. I must admit, even with my preoccupation with WW II Armor currently, I 'll always come back to figures, especially the 'Ancients'. I was fortunate to receive this 'version' of Verlinden's 'Spartan' from a friend who did the work with no modifications. I was disappointed that Verlinden had not done a better job in their research and sculpt, it is frustrating that the 'kit' doesn't allow for the Spartan shield to show the 'lambda' in proper inverted position, not as a 'V". Will watch your progress with great interest as this will be truly outstanding.

Blade48mrd

This is some very impressive work you did!

Can't wait untill you show the rest of he figure!

Hi CPTan,

Fantastic SBS!!! Can't wait to see your next step.

Keep well, my friend

Rudi

The replacement helmet and head looks very impressive. Looking forward to more.

Your efforts are going to turn this figure into a real masterpiece. Can't wait to see more...

Mario

Thanx for the nice words guys...

Mike, U're right on the 'lambda' sign on the shield, which is what I'm working now to correct this.

Keep save friends,
CPTan

This such a great rebuild on as you have said a dynamically posed piece
It is such a shame that they missed it with the helmet but I like what you have done to correct it
Ian

Great scratch work CP. You've definitely push this old figgie further with the modifications.

Nice alterations to the figure CP i enjoyed looking at you SBS to see the work involved,great use of the alluminium sheet.

Steve

Latest updates, guys.....

SOME HISTIRY REFERENCE:
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Greek infantry (hoplites) of various periods, is often referred to as "Hoplon".
Aparently, I've read some articles saying that "Hoplon" is refer to the Greek rounded shield?? Literally, the word "Hoplon" means: tools of war, mainly referred to the protective armaments including all the weapons. The Greek's unique deeply-dished shield is actually call "Aspis".

"Aspis" shield was made of wood. The surface was covered in a thin layer of bronze. Often the warrior will choose his own family emblem or some fierce character to decorate the shield; in others, it was usually left plain. Probably the most famous "Aspis" decoration is that of the Spartans: a red capital "Lambda" (the inverted V) on a plain bronze shield.

There're evident stated that the Spartan started unify their warrior using the single "Lambda" sign on their shield at 5th Century BC. Which until now, I'm still not sure whether to use the "Lambda" sign on my Spartan at the Battle of Thermopylae...


SHIELD's SURFACE:
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It's a pity verlinden didn't do much research on this figure... the kit comes with a scrbed "V" sign on the shield surface. which is an incorrect "Lambda" (inverted V = ^) sign. I've tried fill them up with putty but it didn't turn out well... This leads me to cover them with thin layer of putty which I've found out have the advantage of adding battle damage on the bronze surface shield. Now with the new "blank" surface, I've a choice of decoration on my hand... heheh BUT a problem too whether to choose the Lambda sign (unique Spartan sign) or some nice colorful design??? Any idea on the design, guys??



SHIELD's BACK:
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The forarm of the left hand was moulded holding the shield in one piece and with no detail. I've look thru' the net and found out that there happens to be some "lacing" tied around the back of the shield. I've use twisted wire and putty to add these detail.


The "grip" moulded on the holding hand was no good. So I've cut them out and drilled hole thru' the fist. Inserted a short twisted wire as the replacement.



SANDALS:
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OK, this is an additional item. U can see on the box art that the kit moulded bare footed. Indead I did come across images and articles on the net of Greek warrior fought bare footed. Maybe it's just me.... I just cannot take the fact that a fully armoured warrior bare footed... heheh. Unless he's fighting on aboard of a "Trireme" (battleship) in a naval battle??


That's all for now...

Enjoy and comment pls.


CPTan

Fantastic work on the shield CPTan

Love what you've done with the back of the shield. The sandals look impressive as well.

You might find some inspiration for the shield design here
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/se/~luv20009/Greek_shield_patterns_1.html

Amazing work. Nice scandals.