Introduction

Information from Wikipedia:

The Representative Honor Guard Regiment of the Polish Armed Forces (Polish: Pułk Reprezentacyjny Wojska Polskiego) is an Honor Guard unit of the Polish Armed Forces, of regimental size. It performs public duties for the armed forces and the President of Poland throughout the Warsaw Capital Garrison region and acts as the main drill and ceremony unit for the military. It performs during the annual Armed Forces Day parade on Ujazdów Avenue, during state arrival ceremonies at the Presidential Palace and alongside other honor units at the National Independence Day ceremony. The regiment has been described by President Andrzej Duda as one of "the best-drilled and organised formations in the world".

The first honor guard unit of independent Poland was formed in 1954. In 1969, it was divided into the Representative Honor Guard Company of the Polish People's Army and the newly created State Honors Company. The first company represented the armed forces during state ceremonies while the second company was supposed to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and other memorial sites in Poland. In 1982 the use of the Polish Rogatywka was restored to the soldiers of the guard of honor. The company was dissolved in 1990 following the fall of communism in the Polish People's Republic. The company was restored on January 1, 1993 with direct subordination to the Commander of the Warsaw Garrison. It eventually became the 1st Honor Guard Company of the Representative Honor Guard Battalion of the Armed Forces in 2001, acting as an independent joint-service formation with personnel from service branches of the armed forces. On 31 March 2018, the battalion became the 1st Guards Battalion, Representative Honor Guard Regiment of the Armed Forces, following yet another Armed Forces-wide reorganization of its ceremonial units. The regiment received its colors a year later at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw by President Andrzej Duda.

Review

This offering from ICM is packaged in the usual high standard that they have adopted and now always stick to. The result is that the model arrives in the way that ICM intended in most cases. In the case of this example I am pleased to say that the model has arrived in perfect condition and with all parts provided as intended. The Guards series from ICM must I believe have a good following as there are a good number available now. My reference for this figure is limited to online sources and so I apologise if I make an error.

The Base

The display base for this figure is a universal part in all offerings in this series. You are provided with a raised plinth with a choice of four surfaces on which to mount the figure. The options provided cover three paved options and the other is tarmac.

Weapons

This offering is provided with a ceremonial officer’s sabre; the blade thickness is good for this scale and I feel looks good. The scabbard has the hanging rings hollowed out and I would have liked to see this feature taken further in the set. The sidearm in this offering appears to be a Glock in a choice of two holsters.

The Uniform

The uniform represented on this figure is very good when compared to online reference as I was not able to locate any issues. The crease detail that gives the figure some life is realistic and at the same time not so heavy as to look untidy. The badges and insignia that adorn the uniform are raised details and accurate; I feel that even ion 1/16th scale decals are a must for good representation of the needed detail and this will be a hard task to find for this release.

The Rogatywka hat has a history going back to the 1800’s and is well represented here. The square top has been moulded separately to the rim and peak and this has enabled a more realistic representation to be provided in terms of undercuts. Insignia is again provided via raised detail and my previous comments still apply I feel. The high calf boot is an accurate feature and the crease detail present at the ankle is a nice touch.

The lanyard on the uniform looks a little heavy to me, but your opinion may differ. The shoulder boards are provided as a separate parts, detail is again raised and on this occasion should be fine. The gloved hands have been very well replicated offering good finger detail; in order to show the hands gripping as they should finger detail has been tackled with additional parts. The head is a large moulding that I was concerned would have sink marks; I need not have worried as the detail is very good and should please all but the most demanding modeller.

Conclusion

I am happy with what has been provided by ICM, but as stated in the review the raised emblem detail really needs decals and ICM are more than able to provide that. I would also have liked to see the option of the figure in the act of a sword salute as shown in the painting instructions. The detail looks spot on to me with very good subtle crease detail where needed.