1:35 SS Unterscharfuhrer- WWII

The real subject

Unterscharführer was the lowest non-commissioned rank in the SS rank system. That system had a series of names of its own which did not correspond to the army designations, and that is why ranks cannot simply be swapped between the two systems. On a diorama a non-commissioned officer usually has a different role from a private soldier: he tends to be closer to a vehicle or to the commander, and his stance suggests that the scene has some reason to it rather than that the figures have merely come together by chance.

What the set contains

One figure in 1:35 scale, supplied for assembly and painting. At this scale an adult figure works out at about five centimeters. The division into parts, the pose and the form of the equipment are given on the box and in the manufacturer's instructions. At this scale small insignia are as a rule rendered in paint rather than in shape, so the final impression depends mainly on the painting.

Building and painting tips

First put the figure together dry and check how the arms and the head seat, and only then glue it. Cut any excess material away with a sharp blade a little clear of the part and sand the remainder back, then fill and sand the seams. Choose the glue according to the material, and on parts that are not polystyrene cyanoacrylate glue will hold. Before painting, wash the figure, degrease it and give it a coat of primer; without a primer the paint rubs through on the smooth surface. The figure is more comfortable to paint mounted on a block or a cork, and glued to its base only at the end.

Who it is for

For modelers who build dioramas of the Second World War and want the roles of the figures in a scene to be distinct, and for figure collectors who paint them as separate objects. It also suits a model of a vehicle in 1:35 scale. Paints, glue and a base are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.