1:72 Women's bike

1:72 Women's bike — a woman's bicycle for a diorama in 1:72 scale

This is an accessory for a scene in 1:72 scale, not a model of a vehicle. A woman's frame differs from a man's in the missing top tube, so the bicycle is recognizable at first glance even in such a small scale. A bicycle is one of the most effective enlivening elements of a diorama: it gives a scene a civilian dimension at once and naturally conveys how big the scene is.

What the accessory is suited to

It comes into its own propped against the wall of a house, by a fence, in a yard, by a station or laid on the ground. It also works well in a military scene — a bicycle by a curb or dropped beside a vehicle suggests that the action is taking place among ordinary people. The accessory can be combined with figures: a person pushing a bicycle is a rewarding and easily legible scene.

Cleaning up and painting tips

A bicycle has very thin parts by its nature, so handle it carefully and cut the casting residue off with a sharp knife in small pieces, not with nippers. Degrease the surface and lay down a really thin base, so that the fine detail of the frame and the fenders is not flooded. The frame will take any darker shade, usually black or dark green; a small sheen on the handlebars and the wheel hubs suggests metal. The rims and spokes are rather only suggested in this scale with a dark wash than drawn in detail. Glue the bicycle on only after the base has been painted, otherwise it is hard to get a brush underneath it.

Who the accessory is for

• For builders of civilian and town dioramas in 1:72 scale.
• For modelers of vehicles who want to populate a scene with civilian elements.
• For builders of sceneries and railway buildings in a close scale.
• For anyone looking for a striking yet small enlivening element.

The accessory is supplied unpainted. Paints, glue, a base and figures are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.