1:72 German tank crew Africa

1:72 German tank crew Africa — a German tank crew in 1:72 scale

A set of figures of resin in 1:72 scale from the Czech manufacturer Black Dog. It is intended for crewing models of the vehicles of the North African campaign, that is vehicles in sand and sandy brown shades. A crew changes the effect of a finished model more than most other accessories: it gives it scale, a sense of size and a story. It is a resin set, which is worked with differently than plastic, so we recommend it rather to more experienced modelers.

The real subject

The crews of armored vehicles deployed in North Africa wore the tropical version of the dress: a lighter cloth in sand and olive tones, cloth headgear, goggles against dust and often only part of the prescribed equipment. In practice the dress was considerably non-uniform and was mixed and matched, so a lack of uniformity in the colors of the individual figures is factually correct when painting and will benefit a scene. For a modeler it is precisely the relaxed working pose that distinguishes a crew from infantry.

Building and painting tips

First wash the parts in lukewarm water with a detergent, as residues of the release agent from the mold would otherwise prevent the paint from adhering. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a cutting disc, not with pliers, level the surface with a file and protect your airways while sanding. It is glued with super glue (cyanoacrylate); for a longer time to set the position a gel variant helps. Apply a thin primer before painting. In 1:72 scale work with suggestion: a face does with a base tone, a dark wash and a light highlight, while a detailed rendering of the eyes rather does not pay off in this scale. Unify the uniforms with the shade of the vehicle, so that the crew and the vehicle come across as one whole.

Who the set is for

• For modelers of military vehicles in 1:72 scale building the North African theme.
• For builders of dioramas and vignettes who need a crew for a vehicle.
• For more experienced modelers with experience of resin parts.
• For collectors of figures in a small scale.

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted as a resin set. Paints, glue and a model of the vehicle are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.