Hi All,

Didn't think I'd do a review so soon after the Templar Knight review just last week but after getting my white metal contaminated hands on 2 Viking figures from Seil I just had to share at least a review on one of them.

Seil Viking Warrior, 10th Century AD

Introduction

Most of us are acquainted with Vikings through movies like the 13th Warrior and comics like Hagar the Horrible but the accuracy in which these fearsome warriors have been depicted vary. In fact the Vikings were actually divided into Swedish and Danish/Norwegian Vikings. The latter was focused on exploring eastwards towards Russia while the later traveled north and westwards. They were feared warriors but what they truly excelled in was their seamanship. It was their amazing ship design that allowed them mobility and surprise. Their other strength was arguably their belief that if they die bravely in battle they would get to enjoy eternal life with fellow warriors in Valhalla. Imagine far from home and on your own with limited logistical support theirs was a ‘reconnaissance in force’ at best. Extended battles and fighting against cavalry were their weaknesses.

Another poor inaccurate depiction of the Vikings is that their all their helmets are adorned with horns. Helmets with horns were rare and if at all reserved for ceremonies. The other misconception was they were savages due to their pillaging but in fact they had skilled artisans among them and even a written language. It’s also very likely that they were the first Westerner to set foot in America.

With that let’s go and see one of two Seil’s 54 mm., white metal, interpretation of the Vikings and also one of its more recent release.

The Set

I’ll have to say while their boxart is not the best but their packing is the best I’ve seen todate. There is a thin shell, sliding outer box which shows the boxart and sliding this off one finds a very sturdy carboard box followed by 2 separate thick pieces of foam as can be seen in the photos below. Now on packing alone, I have to give Seil top marks as this baby will suffer several ‘flying’ deliveries even by our local postmen.




This is accompanied by a simple but clear 1-page painting instruction showing various angles of the figure.



Next comes 9 pieces of white metal. These consist of:

• Upper torso with head and cape attached
• Lower torso with both legs attached
• 2 arms, one holding an axe the other the shield handle
• Shield
• 1 sheathed sword
• Helmet
• 1 leather pouch with a knife attached
• 1 very large base


I have to confess that this figure did not seem all that impressive when I first saw it as it did appear a bit stocky and not terribly exciting in terms of his costume. In hindsight I could not be more wrong. The sculptor, Yuri Serebryakov who also sculpted the other Viking figure is an excellent sculptor. Let’s start with the pose. The figure is posed with outstretched arms and a head facing upwards. This allows the figure to be either letting off a blood curling war cry, or evoking Odin (Lord of their Gods) or their ancestors in Valhalla or signifying victory over a nearby fallen enemy.

If the pose does not impress you then the next few pics might. The next 3 photos show the front of the body. Despite the face being eventually covered mostly by the helmet the facial expression is very well sculpted (even his teeth are visible). What was truly impressive was the molding on the mail plus the wolf head draped over his left shoulder which forms part of his fur skin. Under his wolf fur skin I believe his cape consists of a deer or bear fur skin. The body is one solid chunk of white metal meaning there was no stinging on material here.





The back is just as impressive as not only is the fur cape well depicted with its various folds and fur edges but the individual locks of hair of the figure.




This is followed by the lower body with both legs attached. The legs are wearing fur boots.


Next is a closer look at the equipment. The highlights here are the fine detailing of his helmet which comes with eye-guards and the stitches on the sheath of the smaller knife attached to the pouch. Even the string on the pouch is detailed.



The next is the 2 arms which are wearing fur lined gloves. I was quite surprised to find the simple sculpted axe to have a thin edge as well.


Lastly is the very generous sized base that came along with the kit. Like most of the parts given Seil was generous with the material.


Overall seam lines were visible and there was a wee bit of flash on the eye guards of the helmet but these were not very major and definitely manageable.

Comments & Recommendations

Overall rating for this figure is 9/10.

Of course no figure is perfect although a few of my favorite women do come to mind. But seriously, this Seil figure comes very close to a 10. For me from a painting viewpoint this figure apart from the very high level of detail which makes painting easier, offers a challenge to bring out the various textures. In this one figure alone there is metal from the helmet and mail, 2 different types of fur (wolf and bear/deer), leather (cape, pouches, gloves) and cloth besides painting the face and beard. The other pluses are that even details not immediately visible are very well done which includes the face and various attachments on the equipment. For me that’s value for money.

The fact that this figure before the recent increase and still after the increase is still cheaper than some of the other leading white metal manufactures strengthens my personal view of getting more bang for my Ringgit. If nothing else then on material alone this is still a bargain because it is one heavy figure.

Hopefully I will get to work on him soon and his buddy, the other Viking figure from Seil. With a bit of luck I hope to put both of them in a bow of a Viking ship vignette.

All comments welcome.

Worth the investment CK. This is one of the best scuplted figure I see in your collection. Looks like the Koreans have been doing some serious works and this is tempting me to get the S-Boat figure bust.

BTW, how's the fit? I didn't see much flash and the molding lines have minimum impact on the details quality esp. on the upper torso. It would be a shame to see a molding line running across the beautifully scuplted chain mail.

That was also my concern too Arg on the seam lines running into the mail but as far as my poor eyesight can tell it was well done and even if there are any it can't be immediately visible on the mail.

In the other thread on Andrea Fantasy figures it appears this is not the case with their figs. Apparently the seam line on Volgor if I'm not mistaken runs into the chain mail as well. You may have to put off Beelphegor until we come across a in-box review to see how good it is. That was an interesting thread as several people also had complaints with some of the other Andrea figs of which I'm one of them. :rolleyes:

Pity I'm not into busts (the white metal/resin kind :) ) but as I mentioned the Seil S-boat bust is very well sculpted and if the QC is similar to the 2 Seil figs I have then I have to say go for it.

As for the best fig yet I should show you this as well which is a very close fight. I will eventually write a review on this beauty. Its the Elite Miniaturas Mongol Archer I mention. Just check out the sculpting on the armor and weapons, this alone was enough to get my saliva going when I opened the box. It gets better on the closeups.

Beachbum the Terrible:

You just have to drive my blood pressure up. Too much detail! Too much detail!

This figure is even better.

:lol: :lol: Just call be Beachbum the White Metalist.

This is what confuses me. Look at how thin the armor plates and the underlying knee length cloth is. Arg you will know this already but for the benefit of first time buyers of white metal figs with chain mail, look at how fine and well defined the individual links are on the Mongol and the Viking. Although it wouldn't be entirely fair but compare this against the Templar knight which I just reviewed last week and you can see the difference not only in the mail but how chunky their cloth parts are. Mind you both Seil and Elite Miniaturas are cheaper than most Andrea figs. Depending on the fig Elite is still the cheapest which proves the higher price doesn't necessarily mean better quality.

Many thanks Beachbum for the temptation. Only Lucifer could have done better at that. :lol:

These 2 figures are really great and shows the soft nature of white metal really well. I have always wondered why in some instance they use resin and others metal. Anyone?

If only Seil could get the license for LOTR, that would be something to die for!

:angry: ..beachbum.....u r the one again....as said by Argrillion " Beachbum the Terrible" :lol:

Oooii CK, these're first class figures lar.

Actualy I'm in the process of shrinking my model's scale due to space issue... as notice I've sold most of my 1:350 ships and shrink my collection to 1:700.

And yes, I still favour 120mm or 1:16 figure lar. But after looking at Ur reviews (they're all 54mm, right?) really make me seriously consider shrinking my figure's scale to <_<

As a poor man like me, I actually bought 3 Airfix 54mm Napoleonic mounted figures last week from Atria... they're plastic and the detail r eerrrr abit lousy (the horse looks much better than the figure). I'm thinking to use them as experience... don't know when I can start the build and paint them yet.


CPTan
PS. what's the price range of these 54mm metal figures.

As you say some of the Airfix figs are not that good but they're not too bad especially if you modify them with your good sculpting skills. No need to practice-lah with your skills. After 1/16 figs these 54mm should be easy for you.

Currently I would have to say both Elite Miniaturas Mongols that I have and this Seil Viking are the best detailed and sculpted figs that I have. Elite Miniaturas is definitely value for money and some of their figs at 54mm can still be bought at USD23.95 without postage. Seil was about that price until they went up recently. They're 54mm figs average around USD27.

I'm also pokai now that's why I hardly bought anything at all the SFTPMS organized sales discounts this year. :D Besides Kenny (Arg) is already blaming me for both of us having to eat grass and sand thanks to being contaminated with too much white metal. Get him to show you his latest that he blames me again for 'forcing' him to buy. :lol:

Come over and view the figs if you want to torture yourself further. :lol: