1:16 U.S. WWII Tank Commander

1:16 US tank commander, Second World War (Andy's Hobby Headquarters)

A figure of a US Army tank commander from the period of the Second World War in 1:16 scale. It is not a model of a vehicle but a standalone figure that is built and painted on its own, intended to complete large models of armor in the same scale. In 1:16 scale a human figure reaches about ten centimeters, so it carries considerably more detail than the small figures in 1:35 and becomes a prominent element of the resulting scene.

What the figure is for

A commander posed in the turret hatch gives the model both scale and a story. An empty open hatch makes a finished model look unfinished, whereas a figure in place shows the size of the vehicle at once and directs the viewer's eye. The figure suits a display case on its own base as well as part of a larger scene.

Building and painting tips

• Clean up the parting lines before gluing and align the arm and head joints dry, because at this scale every gap shows.
• Paint the figure separately from the vehicle and fit it last, otherwise it is hard to reach the details inside the hatch.
• Build the flesh in layers: a base tone, a darker shade in the eye sockets and under the chin, a lighter tone on the forehead, the nose and the cheekbones.
• Bring the uniform to life with a dry brush on the edges and a light dark wash in the folds of the cloth.
• Paint the eyes with the finest possible brush, or use a dark line instead of drawing the pupil, because in 1:16 an exaggerated gaze catches the eye at once.

Who the figure is for

• Builders of large armor models in 1:16 scale.
• Modelers who want to take up figure painting and need a bigger, more rewarding format.
• Collectors of display scenes.

The figure is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.