1:72 Figure Ukrainian special forces soldier Pradjat

A special forces operator in 1:72

Special units are told from line infantry rather by details than by the uniform. The figure with the call sign Pradjat therefore carries a different helmet with a rail mount, a shorter cut of plate carrier and gear arranged so that it can be worked lying down and sitting in a vehicle alike.

This whole range comes from photographic subjects of particular men, so the individual figures differ in their stance and in what they are wearing. Out of a set of several pieces a group can thus be put together in which no two figures come across as siblings.

Why this scale in particular

The 1:72 scale is the domain of whole scenes. A convoy, a firing position and room for equipment all fit into it, and human figures in it play the part not of the main hero but of a scale. By them the viewer judges how tall the vehicle beside them is. Without a human figure even a carefully built model comes across rather as a museum exhibit than as a scene.

Painting small prints

A resin casting calls for degreasing and an honest ground, otherwise the coat peels off during handling. Do not copy the camouflage pattern faithfully at such a size: two or three tones applied in irregular patches are enough, and the eye will fill the rest in for itself. A thin brown filter will unify the transitions and spot brightening of the edges will bring out the outlines. A clear coat of matte protective varnish then unifies the whole surface, which rids the figure of unwanted gloss and protects the thin layers of paint against abrasion. Seat the figure into a scene only once it has dried.