Dragon Natter

[HOG]

Hoyhoy`all

At the moment I`m chopping some figures for the dio. Now I accept the fact that I`m not doing the norm but I`m getting really frustrated again with the lack of suitable figures.
In all the other major scales there is plenty of variety of cheap and economical stuff to chop.
When I used to make 1:72nd there was the Preiser range of `multipose` kits for both luftwafe and military, great items at a reasonable price, the huge ranges of railway stuff, and even the Airfix/Matchbox/Revell etc polythene figures that gave just about every possible pose.

But in 1:48 it`s so limiting. I know that there resin stuff available but at a price. But where do you find a selection of figures `pushing`. The Tamiya tank maintenace crew are ok (at least their in overalls) but then you move on to the military sets where the first job is to remove all the webbing etc before you even start to convert. The Verlinden range is available, if you can find a supplier but again at a price.

Therefore I`m considering making a few figures more suitable for dio`s. Pushing, lifting, at rest on a teabreak/eating, etc  just doing the more mundane jobs that groundcrew do. I think that if their in a sort of generic overall or shirtsleeve order then they could be used in all timescales from WW1 to present, military or civil.

So what do you think? Would there be a market for a cheap range of nonspecific figures?
Any ideas of what you would like, how about a civilian pilot? How about a female civilian pilot?
let us know your views
cheers
Gary

Rant over and back to scraping of some straps

[Mossie]

There's a single Luftwaffe ground crewman pushing in Hasegawa's 1/48 WWII Luftwaffe Pilot Figures & Equipment Set Gary.  Only four figures, two ground crew & two identical piolts.  I'm sure you could find a use for the rest of the stuff, bombs of several sizes, W.Gr.21 rockets, several oil drums & I'm certain if you wanted you could modify the bomb loading dolly for some other purpose.  If you want I can send you my geezer?
http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=98925

I think there's always a market for more figures in as many poses as possible & if you where going to cast your own they'd probably sell well.  White metal is much cheaper, but resin does tend to bring the details out a bit better. Civil pilots would be useful (female too) & any earlier than about 1950 could easily double up as WWI/interwar pilots.  Mentioning female figures, there's a only a handful to be found & I think a generic tea lady & trolley would go down great!  Really.  You could drop her into all sorts of dios, nippping tea out to the chaps on duty, in the workshops, or a WI type of any nationality pouring cuppas to the troops on the streets.  She'd be more useful than that gut from one of the Tamiya sets handing out the beer!

Tea, Father?

[HOG]

Hoyhoy`al

At last somthin substantial added to dio`,










Tried to give some indication as to the state of Germany at this period in time, hence the SS figures with the trailer collecting airframes, the Hitler Youth as casual odd job staff and civilian workers in the factory rather than the usual Luftwaffe `blackmen`. Still have to finish the suspended Natter but at least I feel like its progress.

Cheers All

[van883]

This is great-will we see it at a show?
Van

[Brian da Basher]

If your cutting mat wasn't peeking out beneath this dio, I could be convinced this was a period photo instead of a model. Yes, your work is that good! I really like the addition of the Boss Man chewing out one of the workers.

Brian da Basher

[Ed S]

Looking good.  It should be even more outstanding when you finish it.

Ed

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Superb work...... it's like a good novel, lots of twists & turns in the plot-line but worth staying with it for the gripping conclusion.

Ian

[HOG]

Hoyhoy`al

At Last. Both Natters are now fixed to the base with some bitz and boobs and for once I`m quite pleased with the results. Normally I`m very critical of my own work, usually because I know every little brushstroke and glue blob thats out of place, but here theres just so much going on I`ve forgotten where most of them are and have taken a more laid back attitude. Except that I`ve realised there should be some sort of aerial on the radio, the controls on the hoist are missing locks pawls etc, how does the hoist move? etc etc .(note to self-you`re supposed to be more laid back!) Any ways for your edification and amusement
















My camera seems to like me today and has given some reasonably good results. I like pix 6 & 7 that are taken roughly at scale eye level as they give me a good insight as to how the dio`s working. Roughly another 6-7 figures to go then it`s done. Anyway all comments etc post away, and I`ll even read the bad ones

Cheers

[Ed S]

WOW!

That is a great diorama.

Ed

[GTX]

Wow is an understatement!!!

and boobs

Mind you explain this statement so that I can interest the wife...I'll get my coat now .

Regards,

Greg

[sotoolslinger]

What they said . Just outstanding...... But since you left off the antenna you'll just have to trash the whole thing. Send it to me and I'll get rid of it for you.

[HOG]

Hoyhoy`al

Thanks for the kind verbage, an I`ll try to answer your queries,
Van883 .....unlikely .
BdaB    .....he`s suppossed to be intimating push these over there, but I supposed young boys will muck around.
Ed S & Ian THG  .....Words like these help my ego, which has a slow puncture, to stay inflated.
GTX ....one of my phrases is "playing around with bitz and boobs (bits and bobs), but back to work" and I`m sorry but it just slipped out. BTW did you know the expression `it just slipped out` is often the reason for a quick game of 4 handed scrabble in the bedroom.
STS .....being laid back I think I`ll finish it before I trash it.

Once again thanks. Just out of interest I wondered how many people look at these posts and made a note of the numbers when I posted the pictures. I am absolutely staggered at the amount of interest you people have taken in this dio`. AND THIS IS MUCH APPRECIATED and I`m flattered.
Cheers

[Brian da Basher]

Is that a bottle of schnapps on the worktable? I imagine working around early rockets would require some brand of "nerve tonic". I just love the little details. HOG this dio reminds me of a visit to the Smithsonian in that everytime you go back, you always see something new.

Eddie's right you're an artist!



Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

Yeah your definitly gonna have to fix all that  incorrect stuff before you send that to me.

[Mossie]

Nearly there!  I'll echo Ian's comment about it being a good book, plenty of twists & turns.  I'll add to that to say it's like going through the writing process of the novel with you, you knowing roughly where you want to end up but making changes to the plot to get there, & us guys being in on the editing process with you.  I really can see in my minds eye this scene coming alive, I've already made up my mind to what's happening within each little group, but I'm waiting for your stories!

I don't know if you've got plans Gary, but my only suggestion is that there could be a few more tools about for a workshop, especially some heavier items, maybe a mobile tool box, but it's a very minor point & no criticism.