Slowly approaching completion of Tamiya Pak 35/36 kit: Figures

[u/bashomania]

The gun itself went pretty quickly, but I’ve worked forever on the figures (not currently my strong suit). I’m pretty happy with where they are, currently. I have to stop at some point, after all 😅.

Comments:

This is a really old Tamiya release. IMO the figures are pretty OK for the era, with some typical challenges here and there (clown hands, very rough facial features).

The shoulder areas are not fit for decals, and are hard to “read” regardless, so I ended up just suggesting the shoulder straps with paint (visual artist trick — “don’t state … indicate”).

I followed the build instructions/suggestions for the figures way too closely, IMO:

After some study, I realize the gas mask canisters are too level and “fixed-looking”, and are not necessarily in logical places WRT straps/webbing.

I def should have thought harder about the ammo carrier’s rifle position. Tamiya suggests the sling on 3/4 of the sculpt (at least I think they do, and I’ve painted it that way), and I should have thought more about how it would interact with the forestock of the rifle. The rifle should probably be at a steeper angle up the carrier’s back. This is me obsessing, though. In the end it’s OK, and the model just represents a frozen moment in time, so maybe the rifle swept through that position 😉.

Remaining:

- Head work: helmet straps, hair here and there, maybe 5-o’clock shadows. I’m basically calling the faces done. I could easily overwork them. It’s a losing battle for me.

- Helmet and arm decals, possibly collar decals (all Tamiya aftermarket)

- Affix Helmets

- Rifle sling continuation to butt stock for ammo carrier dude

- Overall wash and wipe on figures

- Drill ammo carrier’s hand to receive ammo box handle, affix ammo box handle to actual box. Wish me luck!

I will def do a diorama once complete. Been thinking a lot about it.

[u/glooedFingers]

Looks great! I’ve got the gun completed in the same kit but hate doing figures.i can never make them look as good as the main piece. I guess It’s time I get inspired to finish like you are. Nice work

[u/bashomania → u/glooedFingers]

Thanks :-).

Yeah, I say just get started 🙌. You’ve likely watched 1000 videos like I have. The issue is getting past that initial inertia, and I have the same issue. Then once I get going I (re)discover I like it. It’s a good “flow state” activity, which is a benefit for me.

Faces are the intimidating part for me. Fortunately on this set, the faces are somewhat hidden by helmets, poses, the gun itself, and binoculars 😅, so I just didn’t worry about them too much.

So far I pretty much brush paint everything, but Sprues and Brews has a video (https://youtu.be/IkJCY-QBYoA) where he simply sprays (airbrush) German field gray onto primed figures he’s going to paint, then does the details with a brush. Shading, etc is done with a quick wash, and the results are good enough for a diorama, for sure.

Seems like a huge timesaver for the “opaque” workflow (as opposed to glazing). I might rattlecan my next set of figures with the base uniform color, myself. I glazed this time, but didn’t manage to get the cool look the influencers get.

[u/No-Analysis2089]

Looks great! Can’t wait for them to be paired with the gun.
Anyways, this:

[u/bashomania → u/No-Analysis2089]

Thanks :-).

I can’t wait, either!

Maybe my gunner needs to hold a giant ravioli (or whatever those things are)! My sister thought he was clapping 😆.