These guys had quite a bit of flash on them, but that was easily removed with some snippers. Then if required cleaned up with a metal file.
So after a quick clean with IPA (not the beer!), they were ready to prime. I blue-tacked them to coffee stirring sticks (available from your local McD)
Next step was to prime the figures. Again, as per the BAOR figures I used Halfords grey car primer.
My next step differs from my previous metal figure painting. I took a note out of wargamers painting tips and gave the figures a coat of flat black.
The idea behind this is if the following coats of paint don’t get in to every nook and cranny, then the black will hide the silver of the metal, or the grey primer.
Now the fun bit starts, the painting of the base colours. I used a mixture of Vallejo and Tamiya paints, but didn’t make a note of which ones I used!
Figures now ready for adding some shadow effects.
Base colours all finished, next step was to use a mixture of dark colours as washes to flow in to creases and some dry brushing for the high lights.
So the final results for the Elhiem 1:72 Soviet Motor Rifle Infantry is as follows.
Considering the amount of flash on the figures at the start, they came out quite well. I’m sure someone with better painting skills would make a far better job, but I’m quite pleased with them.
I did give the figures a coat of Matt varnish, which seems to look almost satin. I seem to have this problem with matt varnish. But it does keep the figures protected.
If you would like more info about the Elhiem figures, pop over to their website www.elhiem.co.uk
My plan for these guys is to add them on a little diorama incorporating a ICM BTR60 model kit, blog to follow.
The Revell 1:76 Challenger 1 is a re-boxing of an old Matchbox offering of the Challenger.
Apart from adding the aerials to the tank plus some static grass to the base, the kit was built straight out of the box.
Revell 1:76 Challenger 1 box art
The build
Supplied on 3 runners and with rubber band style tracks. There are decals for 2 vehicles:
British Army, ,BAOR, Royal Hussars
Tank Museum, Bovington
The second option is not very descriptive as to which tank it actually represents.
Construction starts with the wheels and preparing the lower hull and the rear f the hull.
No real issues at this stage of the build, all parts fit well.
While waiting for the wheels and lower hull sections to set, I made a start on the upper hull and turret.
Used a small pin vice to drill out the end of the gun barrel. I also glued the gun barrel in place. It’s not like I’m going to be moving that part inn the future.
Again, no issues with the assembly at this stage. Except I managed to lose the pickaxe head, so this did not get added to the tank.
As a side note, I own 2 airbrushes, a cheap Abest 0.2mm airbrush, and a Harder & Steenbeck Ultra. The H&S Ultra came with 0.2mm and 0.4mm needles and nozzles.
I tend to use the cheap Abest airbrush for doing priming and varnish coats and the Ultra for more detailed work.
You’ll see in the photo, that the plan was to use Tamiya XF81 Dark Green 2 (RAF) as the main colour for the colour scheme.
Painting and construction
Lower hull painted with the Tamiya XF81 Dark Green 2 (RAF).
To my eyes, this green just did not look right. It does not really show in this photo, but for me it was a little too light in colour.
So after a bit of umming and ahhing, I decided to re-paint the lower hull and wheels with Tamiya XF 61 Dark Green.
To me this just seemed a better green for a BAOR vehicle. Possibly a little too dark, but after doing a bit quick of Google searching, it would appear that the green could vary quite a bit with BAOR equipment!
Wheel rims painted black and gluing them to the lower hull starts.
Adding the tracks. I did manage to snap off the front roller on one of the sides while adding the track.
Simple fix, was to drill out a hole in the wheel hub and the connection on the hull for the wheel. Then using a small section of paper-clip as a pin between the two items.
This gave a very strong join, much better than the original plastic pin.
Upper hull, turret and side skirts primed, then painted Tamiya XF61 Dark Green.
Time to attach the upper hull to the lower hull.
Was a good fit except for a slight gap at the front. Nothing a small amount of Vallejo Plastic Putty couldn’t fix.
The side skirts were quite fiddly to attach, not sure I really got them as flush as I would have liked.
Next step as to paint the black part of the distinctive but simple BAOR camouflage scheme.
Using my H&S Ultra, I free handed the very simple black sections. I used Tamiya XF69 NATO black. Very happy with the result.
Once the decals had been applied, another coat of satin varnish was applied to protect them.
At this point I then used a selection of Vallejo model washes (76.518 Black, 76.513 Brown and 76.516 Grey) to add some subtle weathering, to the model.
Also used a dry-brush technique and Tamiya XF52 Flat Earth to add some mud splatter on the side skirts.
Sprayed various greens, browns, blacks and greys to get an earth look. Then added some static grass. I don’t own a static grass applicator, so I just generally use an old paint brush to try and make the grass stand up. Not always a great success!
A follow on from my previous blog post (Quick look at Elhiem 1:72 (20mm) figures). I take a quick look at the Elhiem BAOR British Infantry 1:72 scale (BAOR08 British skirmishing with SLRs).
I’ve managed to get some bench time and painted this set. I think they came out looking OK.
Started with a coat of Halfords grey car primer.
To prime the figures, I used Halfords car primer, as it is designed to cover metal surfaces. The primer is ideal for giving a great base for the next stage.
Looking at each figure in turn of the BAOR British Infantry 1:72
This figure is kneeling at the ready. Very pleased with how the DPM looks on this one.
Rifleman taking aim with his SLR. Again very happy with the DPM at such a small scale.
Posed as to be shielding his eyes while he peers into the distance. Probably just noticed some T62’s and BMP1’s heading in his direction!
This figure shows how well the webbing is done at this scale. It includes his respirator bag on his hip. two kidney pouches with groundsheet rolled up below those.
Final thoughts about the BAOR British Infantry 1:72
I have to say, I’m really impressed with these figures. They are not perfect, some of the facial expressions are a bit odd. However, at this scale that is something I can live with.
The important part is, is that they look like British Infantry from the period. I also really like the natural poses of the figures. No over exaggerated limb positions, and they look purposeful.
The detail is also very well done. I can tell they have ’58 webbing’ on. The SLR’s look like SLR’s. Just be careful when trimming the flash, not to cut the muzzle off the SLR’s (like I did with the standing rifleman). Because the detail is so good, it makes it much easier to paint.
Just a quick look at the contents of the Airfix 1:72 NATO Ground Crew set. This set was first released in 1981. Re-boxed in 2000, this is the example in this review. Last re-boxing was in 2013.
It will be interesting to see if Airfix re-box these figures. I hope they do, as I suspect they would be very popular.
Contents of the Airfix 1:72 NATO Ground Crew
The box contains 48 figures in a green soft plastic.
OK, going off topic a bit here. The soft plastic that Airfix use for these figures is a pain to paint on. I understand the history of using this plastic. The Airfix small soldiers were made and sold as toys. But I think Airfix, and other 1:72 figure producers are missing a trick here. If they produced these in hard plastic, they would be very popular with model makers. They may even result in more sales.
The set is labelled as NATO, but the figures in the set look very much like British Royal Air Force to me.
Break down of the figures from the Airfix 1:72 NATO Ground Crew set
Pilots (x4)
The set contains 4 very nice pilot/aircrew figures, all in the same stance. Once painted, these figures will complement any RAF Cold War aircraft.
Aircraft Marshaller (x3)
Three figures of aircraft marshallers. Again, all the same pose. The figure appears to be wearing woollen jumper and DPM trousers, or lightweights and the hated ‘Cap, Combat, DPM‘. Would look good on an airfield display.
Airman carrying case/toolbox/equipment pack (x4)
Now this figure could be quite useful as an extra on non aviation dioramas. To me it’s not quite clear what he is carrying. So if he is stood next to a Jaguar GR1 or a Scorpion CRV(T), he would fit in quite well.
Again, this figure is wearing woolly jumper, DPM or lightweight trousers and the combat cap.
Radio Operator (x3)
Another figure that lends itself to either an airfield/FOB for Harriers or Army diorama. His uniform also appears to be woolly jumper, DPM or lightweight trousers and the dreaded combat cap.
Dog Handler (x3)
RAF Police dog handler, complete with his Browning 9mm! Certainly a dynamic action pose, but not sure how you would incorporate it in a diorama. Uniform is woolly jumper, DPM or lightweight trousers and the combat cap.
Ground Crew NBC leaning in with tool (x4)
No idea what this chap is holding or doing. However, he is kitted up in full NBC suit so is ideal for a Cold War airfield diorama.
NATO Ground Crew NBC standing with tool (x4)
Another ground crew in NBC kit working on something. I can see this figure being easily incorporated into an aircraft diorama.
NATO Ground Crew NBC kneeling with screwdriver (x4)
Again another useful figure to have in a diorama scene. Once more, fully kitted out in his NBC suit and respirator.
NATO Ground Crew NBC standing and reaching with spanner (x4)
At least we know what tool this guy is holding. Maybe using the well known fix it technique of giving something a good whack with a heavy object. Again, nice figure in full NBC suit and respirator.
NATO Ground Crew NBC pointing at the ground (x4)
Well I think he is pointing, he could well be pulling a trolley. Another good figure in full NBC suit and respirator.
RAF Regiment Gunner, standing guard (x4)
I say RAF Regiment gunner, but could easily be Army. Figure in full NBC kit with respirator and armed with the venerable SLR. One of my favourite figures in the set.
RAF Regiment Gunner, running (x3)
This is a very dynamic pose. If he wasn’t wearing a respirator, he would fit very well with the running dog handler. Maybe a bit of surgery and some head swapping, you could then have 2 figures that work well together.
Again another figure that would easily fit in an Army diorama.
RAF Regiment Gunner, kneeling (x4)
The last figure from the set. He could be RAF Regiment or British Army, so again another very useful figure to have.
Final thoughts on the Airfix 1:72 NATO Ground Crew set
Yes the figures are showing their age. The moulding is not very crisp and that soft plastic is such a pain to work with. However, they are fantastic if you are looking or a very British looking set of Cold War era figures for airfield or even British army dioramas.
If you are looking for more NATO related figures, then the Italeri set ‘NATO Pilots and ground crew‘ (1246) may be a better option for you.
I decided it was time to add some Cold War armour subjects to my Cold War in miniature collection.
Revell’s 1:76 Challenger 1 box art. Building the Cold War in miniature.
I liked the look of the Revell Challenger 1. It is from the old Matchbox range, so comes with a little display base, which is an added benefit.
So I plan to complete this one in the BAOR the scheme (Royal Hussars) which I believe is dated 1983/84. The Royal Hussars were the first unit to be equipped with the Challenger 1 in 1983.
However the kit does not come with any figures, so I will be using the armed figures from the old Airfix “NATO Ground Crew“.
Talking of Airfix, it will be interesting to see if they re-release any of their old armour kits as part of the “Vintage Classics” range.
The kits would be the Centurion tank, Chieftain tank and the Scorpion tank. These are a good representation British Cold War armour.
If Airfix also release the old JB models that they owned, that would be a welcome plus.
Other Revell Cold War armour in miniature include:
Did you know that a British Army Challenger 1 achieved the longest ranged confirmed kill of the 1991 Gulf war. Destroying an Iraqi tank at 4,700 metres with an APFSDS round.
The Royal Jordanian Army is also an operator of the Challenger 1, however with heavy modifications.
Challenger crews can have a brew with their “water boiling and ration heater”.
