1:72 '40-French - Laffly Crew Set

The real subject

Laffly was a French marque of cross-country military vehicles of the 1930s. Its types stood on a chassis on which small auxiliary wheels on the front and rear overhangs helped it cross ditches and terrain edges, and the French army used them as artillery tractors, reconnaissance and liaison vehicles and as weapon carriers. In the campaign of 1940 they belonged to the ordinary picture of French columns. The crew of such a vehicle differed from infantry in its carriage and in what it was doing: it spent most of its time seated, at the wheel, at the load or at the gun under tow.

What the set contains

Figures of a French crew in 1:72 scale for the year 1940. They are supplied unpainted, and before work they have to be separated, the surplus material cut off with a sharp blade a little away from the figure and the remainder sanded gently. A figure one hundred and seventy-five centimeters tall in reality measures barely two and a half centimeters in this scale, so count on fine work and on good light.

Building and painting tips

Before you glue the figures on, try them dry in the place they are to go, so that they fit the space of the vehicle and do not clash with its equipment. Wash and degrease them before painting, apply the paint in thin layers and bring out the folds of the clothing with a dark wash, which in 1:72 scale will do more for legibility than drawing in small details. Keep the whole crew together in color, so that in the finished scene it reads as one crew of one vehicle.

Who it is for

For modelers who build French vehicles of 1940 in 1:72 scale and want to bring them to life with people, and for builders of small dioramas. Paints, glue and brushes are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.