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Dolman Miniatures 1/10th A2 Girl

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  • Steve Brodie
    SMF Supporters
    • Sep 2014
    • 4652

    #1

    Dolman Miniatures 1/10th A2 Girl

    Dolman Miniatures 1/10th A2 Girl

    Firstly a bit of history on the 531st Bomb Sqd

    Source : Wikipedia

    The squadron was activated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 3 November 1942 as one of the four original squadrons of the 380th Bombardment Group. After training with Consolidated B-24 Liberators, the squadron moved to the Southwest Pacific Theater in April 1943.[1][2]

    From its home in Australia, the 531st attacked Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismark Archipelago, including airfields, ground installations and factories. In August 1943, it participated in a series of raids on oil refineries in Balikpapan, Borneo in what at the time was the longest bombing mission flown by an Army Air Forces bomber unit. For this mission, the squadron was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). During April and May 1944, the unit conducted a series of raids on enemy airfields in western New Guinea to support landings in the Hollandia area, for which it was awarded a second DUC.[2]


    The bust comes in the standard dolman packaging; plastic clip box, with a picture of the figure on the front, opening the box, there is a piece of bubble wrap and two plastic snaptite bags. It only took 5 days to arrive from Europe.





    In the one bag are the main parts, torso, two arms and a choice of two head. In the smaller bag is both hands, a bomb, with a separate fuse. The right hand seems to be 3d printed, as its in a darker material and the cigar has been moulded in place with relief between the cigar , fingers and palms.


    To save me repeating myself and the reader getting bored of the same statement, every part is superbly sculpted and cast, without any casting plugs that usually need removing.

    Main Torso

    Cast with the familiar WWII leather A2 jacket, unzipped to the waist showing Cindy's (got to give the bust a name) standard issue blouse, which is unbuttoned to reveal her lace bra. The zip detail is noteworthy as is very sharp as are the pocket buttons. The texture of the leather is very visible.




    On the front left breast area is a Fifinella patch worn by women pilot trainees in what became the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). According to British Royal Air Force pilot lore, Fifinella was one of many winged gremlins that played havoc with their airplanes.




    On the back is a large 531st Bomb Sqd patch, featuring a rather angry Donald Duck about to launch a round '8' ball bomb, whilst standing on a cloud. Surrounded by the words of 'Great Balls of Fire'. The beloved Disney character, in his early incarnation, was rather cantankerous and prone to outbursts. He therefore made an ideal mascot for this wing of the Air Force.



    Heads

    The Bust comes with two heads, one with a 2 star General Garrison cap and the other with a Type B-6 Flying Helmet.




    The facial details are superb, great definition for the nose, eyes, lips and the teeth, The hair has a nice curvy wave to it and everything is cast to a very high degree, even subtle marks on the lips. Very small casting line on the back of the neck, again no issues with removing it foreseen.

    The 2 star General Garrison cap has the piping cast on along with, obviously, the 2 stars denoting a general and a nice crease on the top of the cap. Cindy must have friends in high places ;-), There is a slight mould line on the back of the Hat.






    Continued in next post ..........
  • Steve Brodie
    SMF Supporters
    • Sep 2014
    • 4652

    #2
    The Type B-6 Flying Helmet is another great piece of sculpting and casting, again a lovely cast leather texture is apparent, with some nice creases in place. Buckles and straps have nice sharp defined features as do the googles perched on Cindy's head.







    Left Arm

    This goes into a socket on the torso with a nice fit, wont need any filler on this one, the leather again has a lovely texture to it. On the upper arm is a nicely detailed US Army 8th Air Force patch.




    Right Arm

    As with the left arm this fits very nicely into its corresponding socket on the torso, again superbly sculpted leather shows in the casting, on this sleeve is a very nice 8 ball patch.



    Hands

    Both hands have very fine details and good fingernails. The right hand, looks like its 3d printed as its in a dark grey material, is cast with a large cigar, you can even see the leaf details on the cigar and the burning end. The left hand has a slight mould line, nothing a quick scrap with a scalpel wont address and a bit of flash between the fingers.




    '8' Ball bomb and fuse

    The final part of the bust is the bomb, cast as a round munition with the '8' cast onto it, underneath is a few indentions to assist in placing it on Cindy's left hand. Onto the bomb fits a short fuse, now how it feels.



    And thats it. A superbly sculpted and cast bust as we have come to expect from Eduardo Sanchez Barbero and the team at Dolman Miniatures. 100% recommended.


    Comment

    • Valeron
      SMF Supporters
      • Jan 2022
      • 930
      • Mike
      • St Albans

      #3
      The detail looks very impressive.

      Comment

      • Jim R
        SMF Supporters
        • Apr 2018
        • 15653
        • Jim
        • Shropshire

        #4
        That's a beautifully cast bust. Look forward to it. I imagine the lace will need thought.

        Comment

        • JR
          • May 2015
          • 18273

          #5
          Beautiful cast, looking forward to watching this as well Steve .

          Comment

          • Mini Me
            SMF Supporters
            • Jun 2018
            • 10711

            #6
            Still have my leather flight jacket from my years in the "Fleet"..........mind you, I never filled it like she does!!! :tongue-out3: :tongue-out2::tears-of-joy::thumb2:

            Comment

            • Airborne01
              • Mar 2021
              • 3945
              • Steve
              • Essex

              #7
              Really looking forward to seeing this develop!
              Steve

              Comment

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