Episode 21: Taesung Harmms

Alpine Miniatures is one of the highest-quality producers of resin figures in the hobby’s marketplace today, most of them WWII subjects (though it has begun branching out to Civil War) and most of them in 1/35th scale (though it also produces some beautiful 1/16h pieces). Taesung Harmms founded Alpine nearly two decades ago, taking the name from another town near his home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and he is the company’s driving force, artistic director, and primary sculptor. A native of Seoul who came to the U.S. after high school and attended college at New York’s Cooper Union, his passion for the hobby and concern for quality is in evidence in every figure Alpine releases, as he explained during our chat. As always, after the interview, we chose some of our favorite pieces that he’s sculpted, all of which are available as part of the Alpine line, as well as talking about WWII figures in general. We also add a few more thoughts about medals in the wake of MFCA 2022. Thanks for listening!

Barry Pick #1: US Third Armored Division Staff Sergeant.

Jim Pick #1: U.S. Tanker, Bastogne.

Barry Pick #2: British Tank Commanders.

Jim Pick #2: U.S. Tanker in Viet Nam.

Jim’s minor conversion of the tanker as a Pibber crewman (he’s not thrilled with the painting), and his Pibber diorama with the water that went bad (it should have been more transparent, but he was lucky to salvage it at all after he screwed up the resin mix).

The General Lee figure Taesung mentioned in our interview.

Taesung’s go-to sculpting and carving tools (some of the former he made himself).