Topic about tank crew figures

[Zippersnapper]

I used the website "fiverr" and found a guy I have used many times since. Most freelancers will give a price range in their ad, but of course it depends on what you want them to paint and so each job is quoted individually based on a photo or description from you. There seemed to be a lot of miniature painters on fiverr (and by that I mean people who paint miniatures, not small people who paint), but there are other freelancer websites also, such as "upwork" or "freelancer". Most of the market seems to be fantasy / D&D type stuff. I suppose if your are a real stickler for military accuracy you might want a person who specializes in that, but on the other hand a good artist should be able to replicate anything if you supply them with good pictures.

You might also consider location. Shipping both ways can increase the total cost by a large percentage for a small job. Fiverr and other sites allow you to search by location also, if I recall correctly. So then you might find somebody nearby and drop off / pick up without shipping.

Gringo, your Fiverr suggestion has paid big dividends. I thank you. I found this gentleman by the name of "mehminipainting" . His work is great as far as I'm concerned, keeps me up to date on progress and makes every effort to make sure I'm satisfied. His prices are far more reasonable than one would think. This "factory" Henglong commander is almost done, and I couldn't be happier:



Needless to say, I have more to send to him...Soon:

[UltraVargen]

RichJohnson Love your lineup of Shermans there! And oh yes, I totally agree on the whole not supporting recasting stance. Back in the day I used to build various scifi scale models, including resin garage kits both from the US and Japan. Things can get costly, but are usually worth it.
However, when I see a single 1/16 scale resin figure from a company like SOL being sold for near € 50,00 I really cannot justify that price for a single figure.
The lack and variety of readily available figures in this scale should also be taken into consideration: It's difficult to find figures that have the detail and character that I personally am looking for. The cheaper figures mostly look very generic. Then when you stumble upon Aliexpress where there's a wide variety of figures to be found, the choice is easily made. I buy a recast figure of of something I'd never buy the original from because of a.) price or b.) unavailability (original out of production). Then again, the recasts are mostly duds, as the quality is severely lacking on them.

I'll look into Waltersons, let's see what they have. :)

[RichJohnson]

Figures really bring the models to life. I am always gathering more when I can. I still have about 10-12 to build and paint. Keep an eye out for Waltersons figures. Taigen usually carried them and should have them again when goods from China re moving again.
I would like to say to stay away from recasters if you know that they are doing that kind of thing, Recasting makes products cheaper sure, but it’s stolen intellectual property and then discourages the sculptors from making new figures. I know of two that used to make figures and stopped because there figures were being ripped off and sold on eBay. It’s not fair to the sculptor and retailer If there is one involved. How would you like your product being ripped off and sold at a price that undercuts you. You would throw in the towel, and be done with it. I myself am a master modeler that has made many things for model trains and found that at least one of my products was ripped off. So pay the extra money and go original, support the people making our hobby better, not the people making a buck off us.

[UltraVargen]

For the Aliexpress price it's worth a shot. I'm pretty sure it's not 3D printed as it's a lot cheaper and quicker for those chinese bootleggers to just cast in resin. Be prepared that the casting quality might be sub-par.

I didn't see any figures on that Shapeways link?

[Zippersnapper]

I found this figure @ AliExpress and was curious to its authenticity:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000239027620.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.5f322e0emr8cqm

Considering the price, and it looks to be exactly like the SLS printed items found at Shapeways

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/samofmodels

I'm skeptical about purchasing. SLS printed stuff is incredible, but not cheap in the slightest, Thoughts?

[Zippersnapper]

I never used such a service, but I would suggest searching google for figure painters or miniature painters. There are many of them in the wargaming world.

Thank you !

[Zippersnapper]

I used the website "fiverr" and found a guy I have used many times since. Most freelancers will give a price range in their ad, but of course it depends on what you want them to paint and so each job is quoted individually based on a photo or description from you. There seemed to be a lot of miniature painters on fiverr (and by that I mean people who paint miniatures, not small people who paint), but there are other freelancer websites also, such as "upwork" or "freelancer". Most of the market seems to be fantasy / D&D type stuff. I suppose if your are a real stickler for military accuracy you might want a person who specializes in that, but on the other hand a good artist should be able to replicate anything if you supply them with good pictures.

You might also consider location. Shipping both ways can increase the total cost by a large percentage for a small job. Fiverr and other sites allow you to search by location also, if I recall correctly. So then you might find somebody nearby and drop off / pick up without shipping.

Thank you kind sir ! This turned out to be a Godsend, as I think I found someone in the US who is quite reasonable "mehminipainting"

[Gringotuerto]

Does anyone know who would be able to paint a couple of figures for me? I have not the steady hand or eyesight to accomplish. What would the fee be?

I used the website "fiverr" and found a guy I have used many times since. Most freelancers will give a price range in their ad, but of course it depends on what you want them to paint and so each job is quoted individually based on a photo or description from you. There seemed to be a lot of miniature painters on fiverr (and by that I mean people who paint miniatures, not small people who paint), but there are other freelancer websites also, such as "upwork" or "freelancer". Most of the market seems to be fantasy / D&D type stuff. I suppose if your are a real stickler for military accuracy you might want a person who specializes in that, but on the other hand a good artist should be able to replicate anything if you supply them with good pictures.

You might also consider location. Shipping both ways can increase the total cost by a large percentage for a small job. Fiverr and other sites allow you to search by location also, if I recall correctly. So then you might find somebody nearby and drop off / pick up without shipping.

[UltraVargen]

Does anyone know who would be able to paint a couple of figures for me? I have not the steady hand or eyesight to accomplish. What would the fee be?

I never used such a service, but I would suggest searching google for figure painters or miniature painters. There are many of them in the wargaming world.

[Zippersnapper]

Does anyone know who would be able to paint a couple of figures for me? I have not the steady hand or eyesight to accomplish. What would the fee be?

[dai phan]

dai phan You can glue pieces of styrene to the bottom of the figure to lift it up. It's what I did when they sat too low.

I am going to mix some resin and mold into the bottom to raise him up. I thought the front panel lays down flat but actually stands vertical to protect the crew ? Since this area is not scale, I may leave it as is. Dai

[UltraVargen]

dai phan You can glue pieces of styrene to the bottom of the figure to lift it up. It's what I did when they sat too low.

[dai phan]

Hi all...

The hatch depicted on HL T34 is not accurate right? It should be at the vertical position and half moon shape with the curve on top. That means my crew is too low in its position? Dai

[dai phan]

dai phan Yeah, some are better than others. Unfortunately the quality of the casting only really shows itself when you spray some primer on the figures.

Yes that is what I saw when I primed the figures but not bad overall. I have zero figure painting experience so my assement is very supsect. Dai

[UltraVargen]

dai phan Yeah, some are better than others. Unfortunately the quality of the casting only really shows itself when you spray some primer on the figures.

[dai phan]

Hello all,

I got some figures from EB shipped from China. I thought the casting was decent. Dai

█ 1/16 Resin Tank Commander Half Body Unassembled Unpainted KY592 | eBay

[Vaseline]

Some of the powdered spices are a bit hydroscopic, so unless very heavily dulcoted they absorb moisture in humid weather and then mold can indeed become a problem. Might make for interesting weathering on a futuristic scifi tank in an alien world setting but otherwise not desirable, lol.

Thats good information to know, I hadnt thought of that when I watched the tutorial.

[oldwolf]

I myself never used foodstuff for painting. Many years ago I was into fantasy/sci-fi wargaming and there were people who used stuff like herbs, spices, etc to enhance their figure's bases. I'd be weary as colors might fade faster? Or worse, they could rot over time?

Some of the powdered spices are a bit hydroscopic, so unless very heavily dulcoted they absorb moisture in humid weather and then mold can indeed become a problem. Might make for interesting weathering on a futuristic scifi tank in an alien world setting but otherwise not desirable, lol.

[UltraVargen]

I use bright orange pastels for rust and streaking, white and gray in combination with powdered graphite for cordite stains on muzzlebrakes. You can also get colorless acrylic paint "base" to mix pigments like that, ive even seen a tutorial that used household spices like cinnamon or paprika to mix a paste to brush on for various effects. I havnt quite got into using any of these methods for figure painting tho.

I myself never used foodstuff for painting. Many years ago I was into fantasy/sci-fi wargaming and there were people who used stuff like herbs, spices, etc to enhance their figure's bases. I'd be weary as colors might fade faster? Or worse, they could rot over time?

[UltraVargen]

dai phan Think well before buying these, as they are recasts and not the best of quality. I think these may be recasts of largely Alpine miniatures.

The sets I bought are (Ali does a very bad dutch translation which I can't seem to turn off. I hope you get this in your language):
1/16 TANK CREW, wereldoorlog II Twee mensen Half van de body WWII Resin Figuur soldaten GK Ongecoat Geen kleur|world war ii|people figuresgerman soldier - AliExpress
1/16 Panzer Crew Frankrijk 1941, Resin Model figuur GK, Soldier Militaire thema van WWII Ongemonteerd en ongeverfd kit|Actie- & Speelgoedfiguren| - AliExpress
1/16 Montage Hars Figuur Kit Tankman|Modelbouwen Kits| - AliExpress
1/16 Schaal Resin Figuur Tanker 120Mm|Modelbouwen Kits| - AliExpress