1:35 Gunner 2cm SMK18

Gunner for the 20 mm SMK 18 cannon, 1:35 (Das Werk)

The package holds one figure in 1:35 scale, not a model of the weapon or a vehicle. The figure is conceived as a gunner at the automatic cannon designated SMK 18, that is the Salvenmaschinenkanone of 20 mm caliber, for which Das Werk makes a separate kit. The figure serves to man the weapon position and to give a scene scale and a clear storyline.

Placing it in a scene

In any artillery scene the gunner is the anchor of the composition: he determines where the weapon is pointing and tells the viewer what is happening at the moment the scene captures. It therefore pays to place the figure before you finish the surroundings, and to align the direction of the barrel, the layout of the ammunition and the positions of the other figures according to his gaze. A single figure can be combined with multi-figure sets of the same line to bring the crew up to the number you need.

Assembly and painting tips

Clear the casting of the sprue remains and the parting lines, above all on the arms and along the legs, where they show most. Choose the glue according to the material: cement for plastic on injection-molded plastic, super glue on resin or printed parts. Spray a primer before painting; it unifies the surface and brings out anything left unfinished. Build the uniform up from a mid tonal value, deepen the shadows with a thinned wash and lighten the edges, so that the figure does not go flat at a small scale. Finally tie the figure to the base with a light dust shade on the footwear and the trouser legs.

Who the figure is for

• builders of dioramas with artillery in 1:35
• modelers who want to man a weapon position
• anyone interested in painting figures in the most widespread scale
• completing the crew of multi-figure sets of the same line

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