Andrea Templar Knight Bannerholder XIIc, In-Box Review

Hi All,

Its review time and this time its a white metal kit from Andrea.

Andrea Templar Knight Bannerholder, XII Century

Introduction

This set represents the most recent installment and one of two in Andrea’s Medieval 54 mm. series specifically titled as Templar knights or the Poor of the Temple of as they were initially known. Although, some of the other Andrea knights of the same period of which some bear the Hospitaller markings and one actually has the red cross associated with the Templars, could with minor modifications (i.e. color/shape of the cross emblems) be passed off as Templars as well.

The Set

Being my first experience with Andrea’s figures it came as a surprise to find the rather slim 1-piece box before me. Nevertheless, it was an attractive box with 2 photos and a small insert showing the arrangement and painting scheme of the pieces. The small insert showed the alternative head piece and its color scheme.




However, upon opening I found the various 13 white metal pieces sandwiched between a single, folded thin foam owing to the dimensions of the box. Also present was a small leaflet on puttying and assembly of Andrea figures in general. To my dismay the banner itself was bent backwards and a careful attempt in straightening it out led to the pike point breaking off. The sheathed sword was bent but to a much lesser and more manageable extent. I understand that its not uncommon to find the relatively longer and thinner white metal pieces such as lances and the like occasionally arriving bent due to the soft nature of the metal itself but I believe in this case, the box and the packing did little in reducing such occurrences. To Andrea’s credit they did send me replacements upon request along with replacements for the other Andrea set (Ithandir) which suffered a similar fate. Of course, this may be an odd event but it’s my personal observation that the packaging does leave something to be desired as far as packing white metal is concerned.

The set and its 13 pieces as can be seen in the overall photo consist off:

• 2 choices of Heads. One wearing a coif without a helm and another with a barrel helm
• Main body with right leg attached
• Partial lower torso with left leg attached
• Left arm
• Right arm
• Main cape
• Left portion of cape
• Collar
• Banner and pole with right hand
• Shield with left hand
• Sheathed sword
• Base





The figure comes decked out in a mail, knee-length hauberk and if the head without the helm is used, a chainmail coif as well (see photos of the 2 heads). The other head is sporting a barrel helm. Mail apparently predominated the First Crusade and to some extent in the Second Crusade where plate was making its debut. Of course, mail was still used to varying degrees beyond these periods. The figure is also wearing chainmail chausses for lower leg protection. The latter becoming increasingly critical when the mounted knight encountered heavily armed infantry. A black surcoat with the characteristic emblem of Monastic order, a red cross is worn over the armor. A cape consisting of 2 pieces of where the head sits on the larger piece completes his attire. I cannot verify if the cape is actually the Order’s cappa (monastic habit) which was more commonly worn by Hospitaller knights rather than the Templars over their armor and surcoats. The only garment not visible was the padded jerkin called a haubergeon usually worn under the chainmail to reduce blunt trauma and chaffing.

The figure has little else in terms of adornments thus keeping in line with the Monastic Order’s rule against decorations or finery. As far as I can tell from what I’ve read the figure is represented in pretty much a historically correct context.



Seam lines were present on all the pieces except the head without the helm, arms and base. The flash present was however, manageable. Fit was generally good although as can be seen in the second last photo light puttying will be needed to plug the slight gap between the main torso and the lower torso with the left leg.. Similar puttying will also be required at the portion just below where the 2 pieces of cape/cappa meet.Of lesser importance was the joint between the left leg portion to the main body. A large gap was present at the joint. This significant gap is not visible once the sword is in place. However, I had expected more and for me it’s the attention to the small details that separate great from good kits.





Nice detailing was present in the torn surcoat over the left leg exposing the chainmail underneath and in the fastenings of the mail chausses over the lower legs as can be seen in the photos of these parts. The facial features were also well sculpted as well. The other feature that I liked about this figure was the slightly resigned looking pose not unlike that of a battle hardened veteran. The collar piece will not be needed if the barrel helm head piece is used instead.





However, the detailing fell short for the shield as there was no wood grain on the inside of the shield (see photo of shield’s inner side) despite the shield being nicely detailed at the front with cuts and dents. ). The other downside was the sculpting of the chainmail itself. While the chain-links were of a fine texture as opposed to the more relatively coarse texture often encountered, they had shallow impressions. This requires care in both the priming and the application of subsequent coats of paint to ensure that it does not entirely mask out the detail altogether (see photos of the legs and the primed arms). As far as molding goes the cape pieces and the banner flag (see the last photo of the primed banner flag) were rather thick.





Comments/Recommendations

My personal overall rating for this kit is a 6 out of 10.

The subject of the Templars with all their associated secrecy, legends and untimely demise is a truly fascinating subject even for those who are not ardent students of the Crusades like me. So the low overall rating that I gave this figure had a lot to do with my expectations built up by the Templars mystique. The fact that this was a relatively recent release and one of the relatively more costly figures in Andrea’s Medieval 54 mm lineup of unmounted figures did not help either. These subjective expectations were unfortunately not met by the molding, the finer detailing, the packing and to a lesser extent the fit. It is merely my own personal opinion but I’d have to say I didn’t get value for money on this one.

Nevertheless, one figure does not a company make and neither does one review based on personal observations. Andrea has many other varied, interesting and excellent offerings that many before me have found to be excellent and that I may yet have an opportunity to discover.

This post has been edited by beachbum on Nov 10 2006, 09:42 AM

great detailing there

(did you get this at amcrop mall??? )

if amcorp mall sells this... we're all doomed...!!!

No guys you can't get it from Amcorp Mall fortunately or unfortunately. This was ordered online sometime back with Argrillion's Ithandir, Blade of Eternity which I previewed here earlier.

The set has its details but it also has its negative aspects. Thats why I rated it quite low. I have now in my hands another figure from Seil. Its a viking figure and if you look at its chainmail I think you may find it much, much more poisonous.

Nice figure.

Is there any way to slim that flag??

My dear fellow moderator,

Its cruel to subject us to this after the temptation last week. You are EVIL!
Suffice to say, even white metal in the shape of silly putty will look like an attractive model of Jabba the Hutt !

Need I say more?.....

I've done some minor filing to thin the edges a bit but didn't go any further as white metal is pretty soft and the folds higher up were too complicated.

To my fellow moderator, I confess to being evil although I must say IMHO this Andrea kit was slightly disappointing as I had high expectations. This is where I find it a pity as this kit has a lot going for it. Decent details, very nice pose, great subject matter but was let down by the finer detailing, molding, fit and most of all packing versus the price.

On a lighter note, Jabba given his prosperous stomach lots and lots of white metal will be required so it may be cheaper to make him in styrene.

Now reaaaaal evil is when I get round to doing the review for a Seil kit that recently came into my white metal contaminated hands. As mentioned earlier its a Viking fig and the chain mail work is incredibly fine.

CKTang... is it possible to CHOP away the flag, and replace it with PAPER???

Actually I was told many modelers do that including replacing the pole as well. White metal being so soft its hard to get a totally straight pole so most modelers just replace it with brass tubing or styrene rods and the flag with paper.

Look on the bright side. If the flag is replaced with paper, you can paint the flag easily (and to include a cicak emblem ) and do the folds in any manner. BTW, some modellers suggest that to insert a thin copper sheet in between the flag such the folds can be held easily.

The problem is when to get really thin copper sheets in KL? I can only think of alum sheets.

Alum sheets would be ok I guess. Its a real pity lead sheets are next to impossible to find here. I could think of many uses for lead sheets beyond flags.

As funny it may sound, the cicak emblem actually does exist as one of the medieval English coat of arms. Can't remember which family though but I have a pic somewhere. I may give one of my knights that I get in the future a cicak emblem on their shield. perhaps in line with the launching of 'Cicak Man' in our local cinemas soon.

Funny as it may sound, cicak (besides the frog) is one of the most used mascot for coperations. There is an IT company I know of having cicak for their logo. However, I haven't seen any cicak logo with its tongue sticking out. Not to mention Bat Rats and Bat Snakes.

As for the lead foil, I found a company carrying this product for modellers. Unfortunately, we have to import it from US. I will need to check my bookmarks again for the company name. Something to do with Tech....