1:35 Observation German Tankman and captain

German tank crew observing, 1:35, Rye Field Model

According to the name the set captures two figures of a German tank crew, a tankman and a captain, at the moment of observing their surroundings. It is not a model of a vehicle or an addition to one but a stand-alone figure set. Rye Field Model keeps figures as companions to its armor models in the same scale, so the poses are designed to be set into a turret hatch and above a hull.

What the set is for

Figures do two things on a finished model. They give scale, because without a human figure the viewer judges the size of the machine badly, and they lend the scene a story. An observation pose, that is a figure leaning out of a hatch with its gaze away from the model, is among the most rewarding of all, because it directs the viewer's attention out of the model and suggests that something is happening beyond its boundary. The exact number of parts, the breakdown of the figures and accessories such as binoculars or headsets are all stated on the box of the set.

Building and painting tips

Put the figure together dry first and try it in the hatch of your own model. Figures tend to be designed for a particular hatch shape and sometimes the mating surface or the angle of the arms has to be adjusted slightly. Putty and sand the seams at the shoulders and the waist, because that is exactly where the joins show most on a finished figure. Work the painting from the skin through the basic areas of the clothing to the details; proceed in thin coats so that the modeling stays legible. Bring the faces up with a fine dry brush and let the shadows run into the folds. Finish the figure separately and set it into the model only at the very end.

Who the set is for

• Builders of armor models in 1:35 scale who want to give the model scale
• Makers of dioramas and vignettes looking for figures in poses tied to a vehicle
• Modelers who enjoy painting figures and want to practice faces and folds
• Anyone interested in complementing vehicles of the same manufacturer in the same scale

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. A vehicle model is not included in the set.