1:32 Herman Göring "the Beast of Berlin"

Hermann Göring, a figure of a First World War pilot in 1:32 scale (Aviattic)

This resin figure from the Aviattic range of airmen of the First World War captures a German fighter pilot in the flying gear of the period. The casting in 1:32 scale is designed as an accessory to models of Great War aircraft, because the figure livens up a vignette beside a machine, a scene of a forward airfield and a base of its own in a collection, and gives a model an immediate human scale.

Context: the fighter aviation of the Great War

During the First World War Hermann Göring was one of the fighter pilots of the German air service and went through the era of the Jasta fighter squadrons and of the larger fighter formations. The airmen of that era flew in the open cockpits of wooden biplanes and triplanes, so the typical gear of the time included warm leather coats and overalls, helmets, flying goggles and gloves. It is precisely this characteristic look that makes figures of Great War airmen a rewarding and picturesque accessory to models in 1:32 scale.

Preparation and painting tips

First wash the casting in warm soapy water to remove the remains of mold release agent and clean up any casting blocks with a fine file. If the figure is divided into several parts, join them with super glue (cyanoacrylate). Before painting, lay on a thin coat of primer; build the skin areas up in acrylic paints or oils from the shadows to the highlights and liven the leather parts of the gear up with a fine wash and a dry brush.

Who the figure is for

• builders of First World War aircraft in 1:32 scale who want a figure to scale beside a model
• figure painters with an interest in the aviation of the Great War
• makers of dioramas and vignettes of forward airfields
• more experienced modelers who have already worked with resin castings

The figure is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Paints, glue and the aircraft are not included in the package.