Recentkly I acquired this kit. Is a bit rough in the edges, but I could assemble the three vehicles included in the box in just one afternoon. I didn't added the horses yet, there's something disturbing in their anatomy.
Here are the models without painting:
-- Edited by d_fernetti on Sunday 17th of August 2014 12:30:59 AM
-- Edited by d_fernetti on Sunday 17th of August 2014 01:04:28 AM
Thanks for the images. Pardon me if I ask this, but I don't have that kit and the images I've seen don't show the crew clearly, so what work did you do to improve the look of the man and the vehicle? Regards, Pat
Well, here are a few pictures that shows the original molding and my "improved" version after some hacksaw surgery. They don't look exactly like fashion models, take into account that the figures are pretty small and my skills aren't those of a neurosurgeon. The easiest way to correct these two townfolks from Bad-Uglindorf are to ditch them ad get some suitable figures somewhere else. The charm however, is that they come with the kit and are molded in hard plastic, something that allows more room for conversion than the regular soft plastic figure.
On the "shotgun" guy, I tried to alleviate the shortcuts taken by the mold designer with the undercuts where the arms and the rifle join the body of the figure. Also, the buttons and shoulder straps are too prominent and might go away eventually to avoid that chunky look. I like the way the sculptor emphasized the facial features and that even at small scale it shows a good deal of personality. And personality goes a long way.
The wagon driver also has lots of personality. The original figure is on the right and has the correct stance of someone driving the reins. For his high forehead, I suspect that the initial purpose of the master-maker had to me to mold a visored flat cap. as usually seen on NCOs and drivers.
However, the head has no chin and the head no neck. I tried to change it carving away a short neck into the shoulders, which lead me to change the back of the figure as well (original fig is this time on the left of the frame). Some clipping in the buttocks should also occur if you want these figures to fit in the small wagon bench together. I think that I might try other options with the 2 other sets of figures, since they might, or might not be used on future builds (I'm planning on converting the other wagons into something else than the plain OOB option).
Both figures need some teaking and refining of the boot shapes. They're correctly placed to make contact with the foot rest in front of them, just that the shapes are completely off and are way too chunky to resemble an actual limb. I'd like to do one of them wearing putees, or maybe long pant legs. If I can tame the milliput!
To Kamil: I'll paint these guys in my usual mix of grey and dark green of humbrol enamels. Sorry I can't give you an exact account of the mix, I just put a few drops of it on a palette and mix until it looks good to my eye. It's been a while since I painted my last 1:72 figs! Hope I can do the trick again with my tired eyes.
-- Edited by d_fernetti on Monday 18th of August 2014 08:09:10 PM
-- Edited by d_fernetti on Monday 18th of August 2014 08:09:29 PM
-- Edited by d_fernetti on Monday 18th of August 2014 08:13:02 PM
-- Edited by d_fernetti on Monday 18th of August 2014 08:14:08 PM
Many thanks for the answer, Diego. These are the first clear photos I see of those fellows, and you have done well to improve them, especially by adding the neck. Looking forward to see these kits finished.
I have the WW2 wagon set from HäT and like you I dislike the horses, will try Revell horses (from the WW2 German artillery set) as replacements. Regards, Pat
Thanks! I think that it's fun to attempt some modifications to them, since one can hardly do something worse than what's cast. Besides, given the relative scarcity of hard plastic WW1 figures, I was interested to see how these could be saved from the spares bin and have some actual use in this or other vehicle projects. One of these guys could be "promoted" to drive a Marienfelde truck, isn't he?
