1:72 Spanish Infantry Set 2 16 c.

Spanish infantry of the 16th century, set 2, figures 1:72 (Red Box)

A set of historical figures in 1:72 scale from the maker Red Box. It depicts Spanish infantry of the 16th century and carries the designation set 2; further numbered sets on the same theme exist, including a separate set of pikemen. The set serves as a building element of a diorama or as an infantry unit on a game table.

Infantry in front of an artillery position

Foot figures hold a different function in a scene from the crew of a piece: they make up the line that closes the position off at the front. A rank of figures comes across more naturally when it is not completely straight; a slight bend and differing spacing remove the impression of castings lined up. Leave a free strip between the line and the piece; it tells whoever reads the scene where one group ends and another begins. When you are completing the formation with further sets of the same line, keep the height of the bases uniform so that the groups follow on from one another without steps.

Building and painting tips

With larger groups of infantry it pays off to paint in stages across the whole formation rather than figure by figure. First the primer, then one tone of the clothing on all the figures, next the skin and the metal, and only at the end the details. Contrast at this scale is made by a dark wash and a fine lightening of the edges rather than by a quantity of shades. Before the final varnish, check whether the paint has flooded the engraved detail on the equipment; if it has, run a dry brush over the edges again.

Who the set is for

• Builders of historical dioramas in 1:72 scale
• Players of tabletop games with infantry units
• Modelers composing a line in front of an artillery position
• Collectors of the numbered Red Box sets of the 16th century

The set is supplied unpainted. Paints, glue, bases and terrain material are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.