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Modern RN figures

White Ensign Models 1/350

By: Tim Reynaga


Once the province of only the truly compulsive modeler, crew figures for small scale ships have become a whole lot simpler with the advent of photoetch metal parts. Excellent, easy to use etched metal figures are now available from several companies in a variety of scales; the Modern R.N. figures by White Ensign in 1/350 are among the best. Designed by Peter Hall, the set consists of 100 etched brass figures in various poses including everything from flight deck crew in helmets to deck swabbies with buckets and mops. They are labled "R.N.", but these little guys are easily adaptable for any nationality. The tiny figures are relief etched with sharply defined uniform details. Nominally 1/350, the set is actually a little oversized with the sailors scaling out to about 6 feet 9 inches tall. This isn't much of a problem really since the difference is not that noticeable in such small scale. On the plus side, they offer an opportunity to crew some of those off-scale kits; they serve admirably as 5 ' 11" inch tall Coast Guardsmen on my 1/303 USCGC Taney, for instance!

Scale notwithstanding, these figures are well proportioned and convincing. With a nice thick paint job to make the flat brass more three-dimensional, they can be an effective touch to bring life to your ship models.

Thanks to White Ensign Models for the review sample.

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