Figure Scales.

[Prairie Tank]

I have noticed how different figure manufactures idea of human size differs a fair bit, the same is true of war gaming figures.
In a way it is a very good thing because it allows one to add different size and shaped people to ones lay out and loco's thus creating a more realistic look.

One thing to be very careful of however is the differences in equipment or other objects the figure is using/holding. Again looking back on wargaming, many a force was spoilt because one figure had a slim rifle and helmet while the next one had thick versions of both. It show when both are holding the same rifle type.

Below is an example, look at those mugs. I know in real life they vary a little but on these two figures it shows. In this case the loco driver will be well away from the ganger, if they were to be standing by each other I would have replaced the mugs with ones that are closer in size.
The same will apply to loco tools, shovels, picks etc. Keep your eye on your equipment, it makes a difference to your finish scenes.



John

 

[P A D]

Hi John,
Could be the guy on the left is drinking an espresso and the driver is having a propper northern brew in a Bricky's mug. Wasn't there an espresso machine in every plate layers hut?
Cheers,
Peter

 

[Jordan]

I take it the one on the left is from Modelu.

The ones on the right are from whoever designed those vile Cabbage Patch Kids some years ago.

 

[adrian]

I would have replaced the mugs with ones that are closer in size.

They both look pretty small to me.

 

[P A D]

Looks like there are bricky's mugs and Adrian's mega mug!

I don't put figures in my locos so haven't seen the variation in the equipment between different suppliers that John mentions, but it's a good point and something to watch out for.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[LarryG]

In 4mm scale, what you saw was what you got. In otherwords, a footplate crew's head and what remained of their torso was usually glued atop a speaker. This routine body-butchering plus gutting of cab & bunker interiors doesn't appear to be necessary in 7mm (when fitting sound).

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

One thing to be very careful of however is the differences in equipment or other objects the figure is using/holding. Again looking back on wargaming, many a force was spoilt because one figure had a slim rifle and helmet while the next one had thick versions of both. It show when both are holding the same rifle type.

Yes, I've noticed a large variation in 1/43 figures with anatomy and scale.

Following on from John's observations here is a selection of different manufacturers 1/43 scale figures for comparison (and apologies for the slight hi-jack).

Left to right. Modelu, Heros of the Footplate, Omen, Andrew Stadden, S & D and Preiser. (The latter two are in grey primer with a black wash and before painting I'll drybrush these with white to pick up the highlights which is the method I used for the Modelu figure. Having changed my painting style all my whitemetal figures will now be stripped and repainted).


From the front view they appear satisfactory but when seen side on there is a different story. Obviously the most anatomically correct are Modelu (as they are a 3d scan) followed by Heros of the Footplate, Andrew Stadden and Preiser. The Omen and S & D figures appear a bit flat and as John points out the trick is not to place different figures next to each other.

Nevertheless all credit goes to the sculptors who generate these figures bearing in mind they have to study how different clothing materials hang off the body and create the pose which will be able to cast without unnecessary undercuts.

On a question of scale the three painted figures below are 1/48 and left to right are Eduard, Tamiya and Preiser. The figure on the far left is 1/43 Preiser. However 1/48 figures should not be overlooked especially if used in the background to force the perspective a bit and not placed next to a 1/43 scale figure.


And finally a bit of history. The figure on the left is 1/43 Andrew Stadden and the one on the right is a 28mm Lace (7 years) War Grenadier drummer by the late Charles Stadden of 1960s/1970s origin.

 

[Peter Cross]

The preiser figure looks overly large, what height does it scale out at?

Pre 1950's there was a high proportion of smaller people. Especially within the lower working classes, due to diet. These days there are few if any of the small weight classes of boxers from the UK.

I don't think size is so important until you you model 1960's to present day.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

The preiser figure looks overly large, what height does it scale out at?

He scales out at 6'. Modelu scales at 5'6''. Both 1/43.

 

[Prairie Tank]

Yes, I've noticed a large variation in 1/43 figures with anatomy and scale.

Following on from John's observations here is a selection of different manufacturers 1/43 scale figures for comparison (and apologies for the slight hi-jack).

Left to right. Modelu, Heros of the Footplate, Omen, Andrew Stadden, S & D and Preiser. (The latter two are in grey primer with a black wash and before painting I'll drybrush these with white to pick up the highlights which is the method I used for the Modelu figure. Having changed my painting style all my whitemetal figures will now be stripped and repainted).
View attachment 106057

From the front view they appear satisfactory but when seen side on there is a different story. Obviously the most anatomically correct are Modelu (as they are a 3d scan) followed by Heros of the Footplate, Andrew Stadden and Preiser. The Omen and S & D figures appear a bit flat and as John points out the trick is not to place different figures next to each other.View attachment 106058

Nevertheless all credit goes to the sculptors who generate these figures bearing in mind they have to study how different clothing materials hang off the body and create the pose which will be able to cast without unnecessary undercuts.

On a question of scale the three painted figures below are 1/48 and left to right are Eduard, Tamiya and Preiser. The figure on the far left is 1/43 Preiser. However 1/48 figures should not be overlooked especially if used in the background to force the perspective a bit and not placed next to a 1/43 scale figure.
View attachment 106059

And finally a bit of history. The figure on the left is 1/43 Andrew Stadden and the one on the right is a 28mm Lace (7 years) War Grenadier drummer by the late Charles Stadden of 1960s/1970s origin. View attachment 106060

Thank you Dave, no problem with the slight hijack, you have illustrated the point really well.

John

 

[LarryG]

Wartime and post-war rationing had a big effect on both sexes ~ The first 10 years of my life were in rationing years. Lads were skinny but tough while girls often developed very small breasts. Bet you didn't know that

 

[Prairie Tank]

Wartime and post-war rationing had a big effect on both sexes ~ The first 10 years of my life were in rationing years. Lads were skinny but tough while girls often developed very small breasts. Bet you didn't know that

OMG most of my ex girl friends must have grown up during the post war time rationing...………………………….

John