1:35 Navy Seals N°1

The first number of the naval special forces line

The opening numbered item of the Black Dog figure line focused on the contemporary Navy SEALs. The line continues with further sequence numbers and combined items complete it, so a scene can be widened step by step. The 1:35 scale lets the figure be combined with modern equipment, with a small craft and with an urban backdrop.

Where to set the figure

Contemporary naval special forces appear in scenes above all in three settings: on board or in the hull of a small fast boat, on the coastal transition between water and land, and among buildings. Each of them makes different demands on the base; at the water a glossy surface with ripples and wet transitions suits, while among buildings it is dry concrete, grit and low walls. A combination of the two usually does not work.

Black kit without losing its shape

The most common trouble with a modern figure is dark kit painted in pure black: the figure turns into a silhouette and all the relief disappears. Choose a very dark gray for the base, then, draw the depth in with black only in the deepest places and brighten the edges lightly with a cool gray instead. Textile carriers and straps should stay matte, whereas buckles, glass and optics take a hint of gloss. For a water scene add a darker, more saturated shade to the lower part of the clothing so that it looks soaked.

Suitable for

• modelers building contemporary scenes with small craft
• anyone interested in a coastal or urban backdrop in 1:35
• collectors who want to assemble the line by sequence number
• those who want to try painting dark modern kit