Introduction:
Airborne Miniatures is a one-man operation based in Poland, specializing in a diverse range of scale figures. Originally, the figures were hand-sculpted and cast in resin, but with the rise of new technologies, the company transitioned to CAD sculpting and 3D printing.
Ranger Sniper is the latest figure in Airborne Miniatures portfolio and is available across scales. This review covers the 1/16 scale version of the figure (kit #096).
Review:
The figure set arrived in a top-opening hard cardboard box.
Opening the box reveals layers of bubble wrap and soft plastic foam inserts protecting the figure pieces.
Majority of the figure parts are secured in zip-lock bags. The torso, delivered together with the weapon, is carefully nestled within soft plastic foam inserts, which provide excellent protection against damage during transit.
The main components of the figure are provided as 3D printed parts: the legs, torso with integrated arms and weapon, and head. In addition, two very fine elements — the headset microphone boom and the radio antenna — are also 3D printed. However, the weapon barrel with suppressor and tripod pieces are cast in resin. Curious about the mix of materials, I asked the owner and he explained that long, thin 3D printed parts tend to warp over time, especially under temperature changes or prolonged stress, so resin is used instead to better preserve their shape. The extra effort involved in producing these parts in a different medium is an appreciated choice that should ultimately benefit the modeler.
Under close inspection the quality of the parts is impressive. The surfaces are clean and sharp, details well defined and with no visible printing defects. The figure comes with printing supports already removed, which is a big plus in my book. Some minor irregularities remain where the supports were taken off - these need to be located and carefully cleaned up. Although this step takes time, the effort is well worth it to preserve the excellent detail and ensure a smooth finish for painting.
I have to commend the remarkable attention to detail on this figure. It goes beyond just realistic wrinkles and intricate uniform features - the Velcro texture, the mesh helmet cover, and the crisp detailing on the weapon are just examples of an exceptionally well-executed print. The M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle is extremely well delivered, and it includes a metal barrel inside the weapon. I’m not sure how it was achieved, but it not only looks authentic, it also reinforces the otherwise delicate structure of the chassis. Truly impressive work all around.
The assembly of the figure is extremely easy. The two protrusions in the lower body part fit perfectly with the torso. The head piece is a tight fit, but if optimally placed, it aligns well with the rifle. There is no need for any putty work whatsoever. I left the microphone boom and antenna off, in order to facilitate the painting process. As for the tripod, I suggest fixing one piece at a time to ensure the figure stands firm on his feet with the tripod pieces touching the ground. The rifle barrel with the suppressor was slightly bent and could use some work to get a completely straight geometry. In fact, some modelers would probably opt to replace the barrel with the metal rod of the same diameter and attach the suppressor to it.
The finished piece looks absolutely wonderful. The pose is nicely balanced and the figure well aligned with the weapon and the tripod, very similar to the reference photos I found on the web.
Conclusion:
The Ranger Sniper from Airborne Miniatures is a prime example of modern figure modeling, which combines exceptional sculpting and attention to detail with cutting-edge 3D printing technology. From impressive print quality to minimal cleanup and straightforward assembly, this kit delivers on all fronts, with the end result being a visually striking figure that captures the realism of the Special Ops sniper. Whether you're an experienced modeler or just stepping into the world of large-scale figures, this kit is well worth your attention.
Highly recommended.
A big thank you to Airborne Miniatures for this review sample.
