1:32 Padre Keymer. Rev Keymer RFC staff chaplain to 40 sqn.

Who the figure represents

The Royal Flying Corps was the British military air arm of the First World War; in the spring of 1918 it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force arose from them. A squadron consisted not only of pilots and mechanics but also of people who are forgotten in modeling scenes. One of them was the chaplain, who served with the unit, accompanied it in the field and was there when someone did not come back from a sortie. This figure carries the name Keymer and is associated with No. 40 Squadron.

Why it suits a scene

A First World War airfield on a diorama tends to be occupied by nothing but airmen and mechanics. A figure in clerical dress among them catches the eye at once and gives the scene a different tone from one more figure at a propeller. In 1:32 scale an adult figure measures about five and a half centimeters, so the face, the hands and the fall of the cloth are all visible on it.

Painting tips

Wash and degrease the figure, otherwise paint will not hold on the smooth surface. The cloth of the uniform looks credible in a matte finish and with very fine highlighting of the edges, not with a sharp white peak. Build the face in coats from a darker base to a lighter tone and leave the eyes to the very end; they are the most sensitive part of the whole job. Do not mix the dark clothing as pure black; a dark gray base can be both shaded and lightened, whereas black stays flat. The particular procedure for preparing the parts is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Who the figure is for

For builders of First World War aircraft in 1:32 scale and for makers of airfield dioramas. The aircraft model, the paints and a plinth are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.