1:35 Waffen SS Tiger I Turret Set (Operation Zitadelle / 2 Figures)

A turret comes alive only once somebody is standing in it

An empty hatch on a finished model is always a little sad. This package solves both upper positions at once: one figure for the commander's cupola and the other for the loader's hatch, that is exactly the two places that were most often occupied on the move and at halts alike. The figures came out of a common series, so they have the same style of shaping the clothing and the same proportions, which with a combination from different sculptors usually diverges.

Why 1943 in particular

The German summer offensive on the Kursk salient took place in the first half of July and heavy tanks played the part of the spearhead in it. Open hatches were common practice away from direct contact with the enemy, because the view through the vision slits was poor and inside it was unbearably hot. A pair of figures conceived this way therefore looks credible both on a model in motion and in the start position.

Practical notes

The castings are resin, unpainted and without a base. It pays to decide on the turn of the heads before gluing, so that both figures look in the same direction or, on the contrary, deliberately elsewhere: it is precisely this detail that gives the scene its action. Start the painting with the faces, while the figures are still loose in the hand.

Finishing off the scene

Small things that add depth suit a pair on a turret: a folded map thrown over the edge of the hatch, a canvas satchel hung on a grab handle, or simply a dusty coat of paint unifying the figures with the vehicle. The commonest mistake tends to be the exact opposite: perfectly clean figures set on a weathered machine. Matching the surface of the figures and the tank will do more for the overall impression than hours spent on the eyes.