Disclaimer: The images above were supplied by the manufacturer and painted by their artists.

introduction

Altar Modeling is a Turkish company with a series of 28 mm. Ottoman Army figures called “Ordu-yi Humayun” and a modelling book named “First Step Into The World of Modelling. Now they produced and released their first 54 mm. white metal figure on a modern Turkish related theme.

about the figure

The figure represents a Turkish commando with his G-3 assault rifle in action pose. It can be painted in OD-Olive Drab uniform and camouflage pattern vest as used by Gendarme commando units - Blue Berets in early period of 1990s or full camouflage dressed as used by all commandoı units in later days.

The term “Komando-Commando” is used for elite units of all forces in Turkish military terminology like Gendarme commando units, Mountain commandos of Infantry, Paratrooper commandos of Airborne and Special Operations Forces known as Red Berets.

Foundation of commando units within Turkish Armed Forces dates back to mid-1920’s. In Turkish Land Forces, commandos serve both as infantry and special operations forces. Along with that, commando units within Gendarme forces were formed in order to effectively tackle terrorist activities. Against internal and external armed threats directed to the country, these units serving under extraordinary conditions with super human effort under a modern command system, constitute the first and the most efective line of defense. Succesful activites of commandos in 1974 Turkish Peace Operation in Cyprus and in the fight against terrorist activities since 1970 prove this.

This paragraph is quoted from the informative text on the figure kit.

box

The figure comes in a 120 x 70 x 25 mm.dark red cardboard box. The front cover shows a photo of the painted figure. On the backside, 5 different small photos of the figure and a photo of Turkish Army camouflage pattern is represented. On the both sides of the box ; a description of the figure and informative knowledge about Turkish commandos are noted.

Inside the box, there is a small paper sheet in Turkish and English giving short notes about asssemblying metal figures, how to paint and display them.

Parts covered with a thick white polyfoam are well protected.

parts

The figure is made up of 4 white metal parts. In my sample, a few minutes to clean the vertical seamlines inside the legs was enough to make the figure ready for priming. There was no other visible seamlines or excess metal.

The main part is torso with head and legs. He wears a bandana or a scarf on his head covering his hair. Facial details and folds of bandana are well defined. He wears a combat- assault vest with 4 magazine pouches and 2 utility pouches over his uniform. A feedable ammunition belt hanged on the neck and straps of the backpack are molded on the figure. There is a hole on the backside to make the assembly of backpack easier. Bullets on ammo belt, front zipper of asault vest, cloth folds on pants and military boots are well defined. The left foot looked a little undersized to my eyes.

The other parts are;

Right arm with assault rifle : It makes a good fit to the hole on the right shoulder of main part. He carries the standard rifle of Turkish Army in 1990s, an early variant of 7.62 mm. G3 rifle with flip-up rear sight, metallic ventilated handguards and 20 rounds magazine. The gunstrap is molded with the arm and look a little thick.

Left arm : Posed to grab the rifle under the barrel. It makes a good fit to the left shoulder. I think the details of hand could be defined better.

Backpack : Standard one piece bag-like backpack with cloth straps used in 1990s. Buckle is molded only on one of the straps to simulate the other strap is left open.

Figure base : Simple base with a few different size small rocks on it. Two holes on the base make a good fit to the pins under the figure’s feet and make the correct posing easier.

conclusion

A different theme, good cast in nice details, a few painting options and the most important ; the first white metal military figure in scale produced in Turkey by a Turkish company.

Wishing to see more releases of Altar Modelling, I congratulate them for their big effort.

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