Modelling Fallschirmjager FiguresReviewed by John Prigent
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Publisher and Title | Osprey Modelling 31, Modelling Fallschirmjager Figures, by Jaume Ortiz Forns & Daniel Alfonsea Romero, Osprey Publishing Ltd |
ISBN: | 1-84176-896-0 |
Media and Contents: | 80 pages, soft cover, full colour |
Price: | US Price: $18.95, UK Price: £12.99, available online from Osprey Publishing |
Review Type: | First Read |
Advantages: | Interesting selection of projects and subjects and colours; good photography; appropriate for a range of skills |
Disadvantages: | |
Recommendation: | Recommended for figure modellers |
FirstRead
The
authors are very good figure modellers, and here they use four
Fallschirmjager figures to demonstrate painting techniques and
figure modification at several scales.
The first figure is Verlinden’s 120mm early Fallschirmjager, modelled as preparing for the Crete operation in 1941. The large scale makes it a good demonstrator for their techniques in blending Vallejo acrylic paint on flesh and clothing, which are well illustrated.
Next are the pair of Alpine’s 1/35
German Para with Panzerschreck and German Paratrooper, used to
demonstrate how to paint camouflage uniforms. Vallejo paints are
used again, and a colour chart provides recommended colours and
mixes for the two main camouflage patterns.
The third model is again a pair, this time Elisena’s 54mm German
Paratropper 1941 and Afrikakorps Private 1942 and used to
demonstrate the remodelling of them into two proud recipients of the
Iron Cross 2nd Class, posing for a camera. The remodelling is quite
extensive but clearly described, including the often-overlooked need
to raise a shoulder when the arm attached to it is raised. Another
colour chart gives colours and mixes for a third type of camouflage
clothing.
Finally there’s a diorama using DML’s 1/35 sets 2nd Fallschirmjaeger Division Kirovgrad and 5cm Pak with Fallschirmjagers. Here is extensive figure remodelling, including the reworking of a horse form Esci’s Supply Wagon set. The results, for me, fall flat because the poor horse is straining to tow a gun that has nothing to stop its trail spades digging into the ground.
Recommended for Figure Modellers
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review sample