1:35 Metal Suitcases

Metal suitcases in 1:35 scale

A suitcase is a narrator in a scene. Standing by a road it means departure, stacked on the roof of a car evacuation, open in a room a house move. This set from Vallejo brings metal suitcases in 1:35 scale, that is a prop that adds a civilian layer of story to military hardware and moves a scene from a display of a model to a depicted event at once.

Where to place them in a scene

Suitcases will take even a prominent placing, because they have a simple, legible shape. It works well to combine them in pairs of different sizes and not to be afraid of irregularity — a suitcase laid flat beside another standing on edge looks more natural than two lined up side by side. If you are attaching them to a vehicle or a cart, bear in mind that in reality they were strapped down, so a thin strip of foil or wire as a strap adds credibility to the scene.

Surface and painting

• A metal suitcase will take more gloss than military equipment — a satin surface is not a mistake here but a characteristic feature.
• A worn edge is a typical sign of use: a lighter tone around the perimeter, darker surfaces in the middle.
• You do not have to render the fittings, locks and corners: a dark wash and a fine dry brush will bring them out by themselves.
• If you want to tell the suitcases apart, vary the shades; a set of identical suitcases side by side looks like a store, not like personal luggage.
• Always test the adhesion on a small spot; the material of the casting determines whether to use cyanoacrylate or epoxy glue.

Who the suitcases are for

For diorama builders who tell a story and need civilian props, and for modelers who want to enrich the cargo space of a vehicle. They come into their own in military and purely civilian scenes alike.

The accessory is supplied for the modeler to finish — painting it and setting it into a scene is part of the work. Paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.