1:35 US paratrooper before jump N°1

An American paratrooper before the jump, the first pose, 1:35

A standalone figure cast in resin from the figure range of Black Dog. The name sets it into the moment before the jump and marks it as the first of several poses with the same theme. It is bought singly, which gives freedom in putting a larger scene together.

The moment the scene captures

The moment before a jump is rewarding for a diorama because the figure carries its complete equipment: what a paratrooper takes into the aircraft he has all on him only at this single moment. The scene is therefore most often built at an aircraft, on an airfield apron or beside trucks before departure. The figure comes off best when it stands still in the middle of activity going on around it.

What to watch out for when finishing

Richly detailed equipment is both an advantage and a trap here. Apply the base coat in a thin layer, or the straps will merge with the clothing and the whole relief will disappear. Work from the bottom up: the clothing first, then the straps and finally the small metal parts, which only need spot highlighting. Deal with the transitions between fabric and leather by shade, not with a black line; at 1:35 scale that looks drawn on. Finally unify the surface with a matte varnish and leave a faint gloss only on the buckles.

Who the figure is for

• for scenes on an airfield and at the cargo bay of an aircraft
• for modelers assembling a group from individual poses
• for anyone interested in painting detailed equipment
• for collectors of figures in 1:35 scale