NEW PRODUCT: HHMODEL & HAOYUTOYS: 1/6 Gladiator - Hoplomachus #HH18033

HHMODEL x HAOYUTOYS 1/6 Imperial Army Hunting Ground Fighter-Hoplomachus

NO.HH18033
BARCODE:6974202930066
configuration list:
-1/6 simulation head sculpt
-Movable body
-6 replacement hands
clothing:
-Helmet (metal)
-Armor (metal)
-Belt
-Skirt
-Leg armor (metal)
-Shoes
Accessories:
-Spear (metal)
-Knife (metal)
-Shield
-Platform


















#newproduct #HHModel #HaoyuToys #Gladiator #Hoplomachus #male #AncientRome #historical

I don't have time to double-check but something looks a little off to me, and all these have been part fantasy (or movie-) inspired. I like the head sculpt, but overall I'm satisfied with my KP and ACI gladiators. Since these are probably long unavailable, however, it is nice that someone is producing more for collectors who would like to get some.

GubernatorFan wrote:I don't have time to double-check but something looks a little off to me, and all these have been part fantasy (or movie-) inspired. I like the head sculpt, but overall I'm satisfied with my KP and ACI gladiators. Since these are probably long unavailable, however, it is nice that someone is producing more for collectors who would like to get some.

Surprisingly this isn't too bad. They're heading in the right direction.

The curved sword is wrong though. It's a sica, which was used by the Thraex (Thracian) class of gladiator.

The pilum is likely a re-use from the Romans and isn't a good replacement for the spear, since it's a single use weapon designed to bend on impact so the enemy couldn't throw it back!

The Hoplomachus, a class inspired by the hoplite soldier, was one which actually wore leg greaves as a pair, and were of the taller variety.




KP were the best at producing accurate classes of gladiator, whereas ACI were a case of mix and match, inspired as they were, I think, by the Spartacus TV series.

Here's the Hoplomachus (on the right) that I put together from ACI and KP parts:



Before that figure (Verus) released it was shown with only one greave, yet the taller variety were always worn as a pair. Brian at ACI promised he would add the second greave to the production figure. He didn't, but he did send me an extra one!

The others there are two Murmillos and a Thraex.

And the rest, a Retiarius, Secutor, Thraex and Provocateur:



(I had to sort the Secutor out later, because there wasn't a head under the helmet when that photo was taken).

Great bunch of gladiatiors. Is that a Logan-headed gladiator in the back? There is also something about the shape of the helmet that throws me off in the present product, although I cannot guarantee I have seen all helmet variations and that this is not one of them. Since you have contacts in ACI, can you tell us if they are still around and if we are ever going to see their various crusader knights out?

GubernatorFan wrote:Great bunch of gladiatiors. Is that a Logan-headed gladiator in the back? There is also something about the shape of the helmet that throws me off in the present product, although I cannot guarantee I have seen all helmet variations and that this is not one of them. Since you have contacts in ACI, can you tell us if they are still around and if we are ever going to see their various crusader knights out?

Thanks.

Yes, that's a Logan sculpt. I think it's from the World Box/One Toys Steel Wolf set, because I upgraded some of the costumes with Eleven's versions.


The helmet is an unusual shape. It's Thracian judging by what looks like a griffon on the crest. A quick Google hasn't thrown up an historical example yet, but it appears in modern artwork and on models.

I'll have to trawl through the photos in Junkelmann's Gladiatoren book.


It's been a long time since I spoke to Brian. I was communicating with him through one of the forums, and then by email, during the period ACI were making gladiators and Romans. Don't know what became of ACI, but when HH/Haoyu came onto the scene I thought they were using their old moulds.

Thanks for the info, Asta.

GubernatorFan wrote:Thanks for the info, Asta.

No problem.

I scanned through the helmet section of the book, and checked Thraex helmets in another. There isn't anything quite like it with that pointed peak, nor one with the brim that comes down so sharply without flaring at the bottom. The HH helmet almost resembles a nineteenth century bonnet.

Asta wrote:No problem. I scanned through the helmet section of the book, and checked Thraex helmets in another. There isn't anything quite like it with that pointed peak, nor one with the brim that comes down so sharply without flaring at the bottom. The HH helmet almost resembles a nineteenth century bonnet.

Thank you for doing the research. I "knew" it was off, just visually. That said, gladiators have never been a special focus of my interest, and I imagine among them there would have been even more variety than among the military.

GubernatorFan wrote:Thank you for doing the research. I "knew" it was off, just visually. That said, gladiators have never been a special focus of my interest, and I imagine among them there would have been even more variety than among the military.

Quite a bit of variety in pattern, but with the same basic shapes, with wide brims to deflect blows.

Hoplomachi would fight the Murmillo or Thraex class, so the helmet would be designed to protect against a sword. With the HH helmet it looks as though the sword could slide off and into the shoulders.

I think I found the source for HH. It's a digital image without any archaeological reference, so likely a modern invention:

But... what about the hairy chest!?

GubernatorFan wrote:But... what about the hairy chest!?

I suppose he could pass as a Thracian-type gladiator (Thraex). They sometimes had small round shields instead of the more typical square one. They were usually paired against a Hoplomachus or Murmillo, so if you are looking for a second gladiator, you should get one of these.