1:35 2cm SMK18 Crew Set

Crew of the 20 mm SMK 18 cannon, figure set 1:35 (Das Werk)

The set holds crew figures in 1:35 scale and is conceived for the kit of the automatic SMK 18 cannon, that is the Salvenmaschinenkanone of 20 mm caliber, which Das Werk offers separately. Neither the model of the weapon nor a base is part of the package; it is purely a figure accessory for a diorama scene.

Placing it in a scene

A model of a weapon without a crew looks like a technical display; with figures it becomes a scene. At the same time the crew around the mount gives the viewer a sense of scale from which the real size of the weapon is immediately clear, which with cannons of smaller caliber is never obvious from a photograph. When building, therefore, leave free space to breathe between the figures and move one of them slightly out of the group, so that the composition gains depth.

Assembly and painting tips

First sort the parts by individual figure, so that the small pieces do not get mixed up, and clean up the parting lines; on figures they show most along the arms, on the sides and on the footwear. Choose the glue according to the material of the casting: cement for plastic on plastic, super glue on resin or printed parts. After a primer work on all the figures in parallel, so that the shades of the uniforms match, and make the differences between the figures only in the details. Bringing out the folds with a thinned wash and lightly lightening the edges will keep the figures readable even from a distance. Finally add a dust shade matching the surface of the diorama, so that the figures blend with the scene.

Who the set is for

• builders of dioramas with artillery in 1:35
• modelers who want a full crew at a weapon
• anyone interested in painting groups of figures
• display scenes where the real scale of the weapon should be apparent

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. The model of the weapon, glue and paints are not included in the package.