1:35 British RAC North Africa refueling soldier No.2

PANZER ART 1:35: a British tanker refueling, North Africa, figure No. 2

A resin figure in 1:35 scale, the manufacturer's part number FI35-008. It captures a soldier of the Royal Armoured Corps replenishing the fuel of a tank on the North African battlefield. It is a working, non-combat pose that brings action into a diorama.

The real subject

The Royal Armoured Corps, RAC for short, was formed in 1939 and brought together the tank units of the British Army; its mark of recognition was the black beret. In the Western Desert between 1941 and 1943 refueling was done by hand from tins and jerrycans, because tankers reached the forward units only rarely. The crews wore khaki tropical kit, often just a shirt and shorts. Refueling and replenishing ammunition are among the most frequent scenes of desert dioramas.

Building and painting tips

Wash the casting with soapy water and let it dry, and only then will primer take to it. Cut off the casting block and sand the area it leaves; sanding resin is better done wet and with a respirator. Glue the joints with cyanoacrylate glue, ideally a gel one, which gives time to settle the position. Bring out the face and hands into the light by layering flesh tone and darker glazes into the folds, and add a dry brush on the edges of the uniform.

Who the figure is for

• builders of British Western Desert equipment, 1941 to 1943
• dioramas with refueling, servicing and resupply
• modelers looking for a working pose instead of a combat one
• collectors of resin figures in 1:35 scale

The figure is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.