Tuesday 11 August 2015

Well I am Jenny Ryan and here is my new blog about Action Figures for Modelers.

Now a lot of people think of Action Figures are toys but I want to tell you that the latest releases from some select manufacturers are far more complex. While some manufacturers still keep there figures toylike there are manufacturers who have set the bar extremely high . Manufacturers like DiD Corporation , DAM Toys & Soldier Story are really producing beautiful stuff. 

Here is an example of the detail that DiD corporation have added to their typewriter provided with their Heere Secretary Sophie figure , watch this amazing video of the engineering involved . 



When you look at these sophisticated action figures , at first the cost may scare you but the way I look at such figures is also as an investment in reference material, just as you may buy a book on a subject, the subject which is of such appeal to you, then the figure is just as viable a purchase. 

The usefulness of such figures, for color reference and camo patterns is massive. The exact colors of smaller items is very useful. But there is far more than just color reference. You actually see how equipment and webbing are assembled, how they sit on a figure and variations that can be carried , take for example the standard German gas mask container. once you have a 1/6 WWII German figure with one , you will identify exactly how it is stowed, even the color and type of material used for the straps . 

 






Did's Medic Peter shows just what a combat medic carried into battle , amazing reference for anyone who may be modelling similar models in other scales . 


If you wonder about the assembly & configuration of the scopes and laser optics from manufacturers of the like of Live Resin , then the modern figures from Dam Toys and Soldier Story will give you an enlarged 1/6 scale reference for these as well .

        
Damtoys  Mk11 Mod0 Sniper Rifle and its modular fittings from their Operation Red Wings Sniper Figure .                    

The Modern Action figure normally has real materials for boots and webbing, which give another handy reference source , not just the colors but the matt , satin or gloss nature of items as well .

 

Damtoys Boots (also from their Red Wings Sniper Figure) and Did boots from their Waffen SS Medic "Peter"figure show just how realistic the manufacturers attention to detail is nowadays .

Now one of the absolute most compelling reasons why you might want to own action figures lies within their own name , if you are a sculptor or just want to convert a figure for an action pose for a diorama , then you now have your very own model who you can pose into just the right pose and model your figure accordingly , just scale the figure down . These figures respond with almost the same limitations that our own bodies do , so not only can you pose the figure but you also see how the uniform behaves to the pose , giving invaluable reference. Maybe a uniforms blouse may ride up , to where the leg creases will be , does the canteen sit in its usual position or does gravity pull it to the side , can a soldier hold a rifle in this manner while the sling is still around his shoulder .


Are you modelling a sniper decoy in Stalingrad or a DEVGRU SEAL moving in on Bin Ladens compound ? Action figures can be modeled in the required pose for all manner of sculpting reference . 

As you can see there are many reasons that Action Figures are excellent material for modelling reference , they are fun to assemble , a modeler has the eye for detail to appreciate the effort in their manufacture & they look awesome in the showcase too .

Next time I will be back to show some amazing new sets from Very Hot to review.

Jenny

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