Metal figures - what do you do with them?

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PropWash
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Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by PropWash »

I just had a look at Ratch's tartan-clad figures (as well as other creations in that topic) and was impressed by what I saw. But this also got me wondering what you do with such figures after you assemble and paint them? I am used to just having pilot figures for aircraft models (including die cast). Now, I recently completed my first set of plastic 1/48 scale WWII RAF ground crew figures for use with my aircraft models of that scale. So that is what I built them for (not a full-scale diorama, mind you), just to add interest to an existing model and was my reason for building them. That said, I found it quite enjoyable to detail each figure (aside from the faces - those are still mannequin-like).

But I am genuinely curious as to what you guys do with the metal figures you have created and detailed so lovingly? Since many represent pre and early 20th Century military subjects, do you create dioramas of battles or individual scenes (vignettes)? Or do you group the figures by themselves or as a group? I think they are wonderfully done, but am somewhat baffled by what you would do with them. Or do you just like creating such interesting, detailed, and colorful figures for the enjoyment of doing so?

I hope you don't mind my asking.
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by rob_van_riel »

PropWash wrote:But I am genuinely curious as to what you guys do with the metal figures you have created and detailed so lovingly? Since many represent pre and early 20th Century military subjects, do you create dioramas of battles or individual scenes (vignettes)? Or do you group the figures by themselves or as a group? I think they are wonderfully done, but am somewhat baffled by what you would do with them. Or do you just like creating such interesting, detailed, and colorful figures for the enjoyment of doing so?

I hope you don't mind my asking.
I don't mind, of course, but I find the question confusing. Why would figures be any different from any other subject? I treat completed figures the same as I would treat completed aircraft: they end up in display cabinets.

Could it be that you are mixing up metal figures with small scale figures? To me at least your question makes more sense for small scale figures. Although some work those for their own sake, it is more typical (I think) for those to end up in battlefield dioramas, or on wargaming tables, or, as you've suggested, as 'scenery' for vehicles. Larger scale figures, regardless of media, are more typically built as distinct projects, bound for the display shelves.
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Ratch
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by Ratch »

Rob has answered perfectly - why would we treat them any differently to any other subject or genre :???:
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PropWash
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by PropWash »

Rob and Ratch, I do appreciate your answering. I didn't mean to make my query so confusing, but, being new, I tried to choose my words carefully - too carefully it would seem. I have never met anyone who created these mini-masterpieces so that is where my question comes from. I wondered if there was a purpose for them (as in my example, I made figures to go with the models I have of the same scale - not for any other purpose). I have read of the wargaming miniatures for things such as "Warhammer," but those are for gaming and are fantasy based. The figures I see on this forum appear, to me at least, to be something entirely different (historically based). The manufactured soldiers I've seen are rather expensive and I have no reason to think the ones created here are that much different. I am not writing them off as toys or otherwise denigrating anyone or anything interested in this facet of collecting / model building. I just wanted to learn by asking what you do with them and what you find enjoyable about them.

I fully realize they are probably displayed with care. I don't blame you as they look to be a good deal of work (the ICM RAF figures I did required my purchasing special detail brushes to get them right - which is probably the same feeling you have). I do apologize for the question.
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by Ratch »

A Club I attended was Northants Military Modelling Society, and they specialised (though not exclusively) with figures. Here they are at Milton Keynes Show earlier this year.
Image
Image

One of Paul Sergeant's excellent French Carabiniers
Image
It's quite an art form in itself :razz:
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by rob_van_riel »

PropWash wrote:I do apologize for the question.
No apologies necessary, I assure you. I'm sorry if I gave the impression I was in any way offended.

Wargames run the full spectrum of subjects, from ancient Egypt (and earlier, I suppose) to present day, and on the more fantastic side, from mediaeval sword and sorcery to SciFi and anything in between. Miniatures for them follow suit, in scales ranging from insanely small ,about 5mm, to about 30mm. Pretty much any army you can think of can be built. If you know of a wargaming group near you, it may be something of an eye opener to pay them a visit some day. It's not universal, but some of the wargamers I've had contact with produce figures that are every bit as well made as anything we've had on display here, and these guys paint them by the dozens. Large battles by driven wargamers are a sight to behold.

For the collectors, the range of scales is, if anything, even wider. I doubt any figure collectors go smaller than HO, but figure kits go as large as 1:5 scale for anime figures (yes, that means a whopping 30cm, or 1 foot, figures :shock: ). In addidion to complete figures, you'll also find a wide range of busts.

Figures are a pretty big domain, really, although not as prominently visible as the various vehicles. Also, a domain well worth visiting, in my not-even-remotely humble opinion :-D
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

There is a whole world of figure modeling out there - here is a world show which rotates every few years -- last was in Chicago in 2017 http://www.we2017chicago.com/;
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Re: Metal figures - what do you do with them?

Post by pmmaker »

Figures as stand alone models are something I see a lot when I visit my two local hobby shops. There are some very talented artists out there who paint up some rather intricate figurines of varied subjects. I just marvel at their workmanship with envy.

For me, I'm still too set in my ways. Like Propwash I still foolishly view these figures as "add-on" pieces to augment my aircraft builds. Painting figures as an art form all on its own is something I've never done, but am willing to try. I will participate in the figure GB in the hope that I learn something new and maybe enjoy myself enough to start a new facet of our hobby.

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