How do Forum members feel about including figures on ship models? I know that some modelers don't like to include them, but others feel that figures add scale or life to a model. As a novice ship modeler, I'd be interested in hearing opinions from you veterans on this topic. A related question: does the simple addition of figures turn a model into a diorama, or does a diorama require a natural-appearing base such as a simulated ocean or a shipyard setting? Thanks.

JM Norton

James could use some Members' opinions. You may vote once for each of two replies:
1st reply:
A - I think that figures add scale or life to a model, or
B - I don't think that figures add scale or life to a model.

2nd reply:
A - I think the addition of figures turns a model into a diorama, or
B - I don't think the addition of figures turns a model into a diorama.

It might be helpful if you also posted a reply as to the reasoning behind your opinion(s).

Hi all,
IMO adding figures adds the the character of a model and shows scale very well. People can perceive a model's size better with a small figure than say an inanimate object, even a familiar one like an anchor or ships wheel.

But just adding a figure(s) doesn't necessarily make it a diorama. I think one of the requirements for a diorama is that it should tell a story, regardless of the base its on. I added 25 figures to my 1/78 scale Cutty Sark but no story was told, just a bunch of guys stand'n around wait'n fer somt'n ta happ'n....

Dave

I have been involved into a lot of model judging at model competition, mainly in the field of plastic models.

A - diorama's. Originally, a diorama is a case closed on 5 sides, usually with a glass in the front, and which is well known by military modellers, and it depicts of course some kind of scenery.

This definition has been extended to a base only, with a scenery of some kind built on it. A navy aircraft on a base depicting an aircraft carrier deck for instance would compete in the aircraft category provided nothing more than the pilot would be visible. If there would be trailers, other crew members, for instance, it would be considered as a diorama. A ship with her crew could in my opinion compete both in 'ships' and in 'ship diorama's.

If you name your model with crew for instance "HMS Victory", in my opinion it would be a ship; but to see it as a diorama, you had better name it "bracing the sails on board HMS Victory.

Now you should be aware that modelling and especially painting figures is an art of its own. Excellent wood workers are not necessarily good figure painters. Also you should have some feeling for scenery. Too many diorama's are spoiled because they are too cramped, or the figures are looking outside the scenery, etc..;

A ship model without figures looks alright. The tradition of model ship building accepts a fully rigged ship without anybody on board: the sails are just there to show how the ship's motor look like. But if you are building a waterline model at anker or underway, then figures are definitely needed.

Conclusion: figures are OK, as long as their quality matches that of the ship.

Happy building and...send us your pictures.

Im not a big fan of figures,but if they are made well and implemented right they canbe interesting.If the model is for static display figures are fine. If the model moves like that of Remote Control, then i dont care for them.When i build a scale aircraft that flies, i dont use pilot figures.There is always members in my club that will ask me Chris where is the pilot figure?, my responce, you are looking at him!.Regards Chris

Kind of agree with Dave. It all depends on the model of course. A very small scale model wouldn't look so great with figures (way too small), but for a larger scale, it might look nice. As Dave said, it might help people relate to the scale of the actual ship or boat. I know that it is hard to find pre made figures some times. and that you may have to carve your own.
Pat

I definitly like figurines on models, the big problem with figures is that they are not supplied with the kit, and are hard to find otherwise. Besides that the figures need to be painted, painting a figure is a hobby on itself.

When adding figures on some model like the Victory then you'll need about 50-100 figures showing on deck or in the rigging, I mean adding just one on the steering wheel doesn't add much huh. But then if you are building the Victory then you can always get figures because there is a pack with 18th century english naval figures just for the Vicory available.

Where do we get the figures for HMS Victory and what scale are they ?

Oh, here's a link to the picture of the box
http://www.toemen.nl/fotos/hat0008098_kl.jpg

See http://www.hat.com/

There scaled 1:72.

Thanks for the info.

:banna: Hi,

I have found the Hat figures in Melbourne at my local modelling shop and have purchased the British mariners and sailors as suggested. Really good and will add a further dimension to the model. Have also visited a railway model shop and found they had figures which could also be adapted.

Again thanks for the advice.

Cheers

Andrew

np, happy painting :) I'm sure they will look very nice on your model. Post some pictures, I'd like to see how you're going along with the project.

My personal preference is not to employ figures on a model unless it is shown in an active mode ie: with sails hoisted, in water, or in a diorama. I have used figures only once in a model of a tug that was mounted on launching ways. The figures were of boatyard workmen.

Al Blevins

I am not an avid supporter of figures on my ships however I would not tell some one not to do it, whatever floats the boat. I did have figures on the CW Morgan during construction :yikes: but that was when my grandson turned it into a pirate ship :cap: . Maybe this is why I do not like figures on ships.

I do dioramas so figures are essential for me.
Cheers! John.

While perusing ME's site I discovered that they had 1/48 scale, 3.5cm figures (6 in all). It looks like they were ment to be some of the Bounty crew. Since my model is 1/48 scale it looks like I'll be including them. I think it will add another cool visual affect to the overall model. Now, does anyone have a clue on how to paint britania figures?

Dave

.............................Now, does anyone have a clue on how to paint britania figures?
DaveVery carefully!

Just being facetious Dave.
The trick is in the prime coat. Use white pigmented shellac (not the water base, but regular shellac based). Stuff adheres like crazy and you can paint the figures with any type of paint once the shellac is cured.

See - Painting of metal_parts (http://www.shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/articles4.html), by sabah

John

Also check your local hobby stores that stock figures used for wargaming and fantasy roleplaying games (D & D). They stock a spray flat grey primer that doesn't hide details, and a wide variety of water-based paints. There's also a clear flat spray for sealing the paint when you're done, since these figures are expected to be handled quite a bit.

Years ago I painted a few figures when my son was into D & D ... it was fun, but those games were interminable!

- Tom

I always put a few figures on my models just for the scale impression. Only a few mind you. I get them wherever I can. On my model of the Chesapeak Bay Skipjack, I found some plastic cowboy figures (a big bag full for a few bucks) and "worked" on them a little. One cowboy who was fanning his gun is now on the skipjack helping to furl the sail. I bet he wonders what happened..!

People are on real ships.

My Higgins has a on deck crew of 11 USN, 6 Australian Rangers hunkered down, 2 wounded in grey flannell blankets and 2 dead in closed blankets.

Figures tell something when I use them.

The Hacker runabout will have dressed people.

Static models can get away with no figures, but radio guided models? And if you have a waterliner can you get away with it without it looking like a ghost ship since it's supposed to be underway in most cases (obviously you can in the case of a 1/700 scale battleship!)

I come to ship modeling via model railroading and figure painting. It is my experience that well painted and posed figures can add a touh of completeness and scale to a finished model. Improperly done figures however will detract from a model faster than anything else the modeler can do.

We are all intimately familiar with the human form and what it should look like. We will quickly spot errors of proportion, pose, colour etc. As ship modelers we have trained our eyes to be sensitive to these characteristics in ships as well, but even a young child can look at a human figure and say "the head is too big" while not noticing that the mast of the boat the figure is placed on is to short, too thin, and raked at the wrong angle.

I have seen many otherwise excellent railroad and military models ruined by what I call the "shiny happy people" syndrome. Into a scene in which every detail has beenmeticulously crafted to scale, weathered and finished to exactly the right sheen intrude human figures painted in gloss finished, bright garrish colours. This destroys any hope of realism.

For ship models it is better to leave the figures off entirely if they do not contribute to the overall appearance of the model. The long tradition of displaying ships with no crew means that in both models and paintings we are quite comfortable seeing ships with no visible crew.

Painting and modeling figures is a hobby (or several) of its own.

Hello Dave,welcome aboard!I agree with your point view that the painting of figures is in itself a hobby of its own.I personally would not use them because of my talent level.Here are a few examples where they look great IMO.Some of these are dioramas.Thankyou for your imput =D> ,Walter http://www.guzmanshipmodels.com/ http://homepage3.nifty.com/shiphome/alert/alert-page1.html http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=597

I got to the point where I'm ready to place my model in a case but I can't decide if I want to go the extra step of placing figures on it. Since my time is very limited I don't have the luxury of making my own figures and what is available is also limited. If its not done just right I'm afraid it will look too "toyish" and undignified. I feel that it should either be a diorama or not with no middle ground.

I believe what walter said, if you have the time and talent to make it look good then by all means do it. As for me I can make a beautiful model up to the point of adding figures, then it gets laughable.

Dave

For some reason, I have always felt that adding figures severely detracts from the model itself; especially if the hobbyist hasn't painted the figures correctly. (flat acrylics, washes, inks, etc).

I think there is a huge danger of viewers looking at a model which may have taken a builder years to complete as if it is some kind of toy when it has figures on it (even if they HAVE been painted correctly).