1:72 Guards Colour Party

The real subject

The Colour Party is the formation that carries the regimental colour at ceremonial parades of the British Guards, accompanied by an armed escort. The soldiers appear in full dress uniform with a red tunic, dark trousers and a tall bearskin cap. The colour itself is richly embroidered and in a diorama it tends to be the element the eye settles on first.

What the set contains

The set brings small plastic figures in 1:72 scale. They are supplied unpainted, in a single color of plastic, so the final effect is created by the painting. In size they fit in among models of buildings and vehicles in the close 1:76 scale, with which they are commonly combined in dioramas.

Painting tips

Before painting, wash the figures in lukewarm water with detergent and let them dry, or the paint will hold badly on the smooth surface. Work from a dark base toward the light details, and lay the red tunic on in two thin coats so that it stays rich. The staff of the colour is the thinnest place in the set, so handle it carefully when removing excess material. Attach the finished figures to a base with super glue.

Who it is for

The set suits parade and ceremonial scenes, models of barracks and use as a way to bring a display case of British vehicles to life. Modelers who want to practice painting small uniforms with sharply bounded areas will appreciate it too. Paints, glue and a base are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.