1/350 Royal Navy WW2 Figure Comparative Review

[robgizlu]

When I first started modelling ships in 1/350, I struggled to find figures to populate the builds.  I ignored the etch 2D offerings as at this scale they looked unconvincing.

My introduction to 1/350 maritime modelling happily co-incided with the flowering of highly detailed 3D printed accessories for weapons, ship's boats and other deck details but seemingly not for figures.

This is slowly changing and 3D modelling is allowing individuals to print their own figures.  Our own @Chewbacca's HMS Puma that I was lucky enough to see "in the Flesh", is testament to the impact that figures can have on a model......

 

 

 

Sadly for us mortals without the expertise to print our own,  it's still down to commercial offerings and so I thought I' review those figures that I've manged to obtain to date.

 

So here goes....

 

 

Some you might be aware of - some not.  

 

From left to right

 

https://ionmodel.com/

 

https://northstarmodels.com/product-category/figures/1-350/

 

https://blackcatmodels.eu/en/118-figures

 

https://www.facebook.com/HOLDEN8702  (Luis Hidalgo figures, with a catalogue at https://www.shapeways.com/shops/panzer-vs-tanks-3)

 

So first some metrics and a reflection on relative size

 

ION Model figures          Av ht =4.7 mm       @1/350 scale = 5.3ft / 1.64m

 

North Star                       Av ht =5.0 mm       @1/350 scale = 5.7ft / 1.78m

 

Black Cat                         Av ht =5.0 mm       @1/350 scale = 5.7ft / 1.78m

 

Holden figures                Av ht =5.2 mm       @1/350 scale = 5.9ft / 1.82m

 

Details

 

IonModel - cost today - May 2022 - £16.99

 

 

 

70 figures come on 5 sprues joind at the head end.  As the title suggests - poses are arelaxed.  Removal is straight forwards with a sharp scalpel blade.  I've suffered almost no casualties

 

Pros

Relaxed with a variety of undramatic poses.

Easy to remove 

RN uniform

Easy delivery if iin stock at Hannants

 

Cons

They are small

Body proportion is slightly off IMHO with relatively small heads

Lack of uniform choice

 

North Star - cost today - May 2022 11.99 - 17.99 Euros

 

 

North Star have been around the longest .  You are presented with approximately 50 figures in relaxed and oftern working poses.  There are 4 sets in all.

 

Pros

Detailed anatomy and uniform - 

Good proportion and sharp moulding

Interesting and varied poses including climbing ladders

 

Cons

VERY difficult to remove from the sprue.  A micro razor saw is needed as most often both feet are moulded to the sprue.  If you use a scalpel alone expect multiple amputations

Long delivery times that during the Covid period extended up to 12 weeks

Limited availability

Possibly now only available from North star Direct, with eye-watering delivery charges greater than the cost of the figures

 

Black Cat Models - Current Cost 12.46 Euros

Presented on a single sprue with 72 figures

 

 

And the observant amongst you will have already realised that stricly speaking these are not Royal Navy figures.  However with a minimum of fileing the US navy hat will do for an RN hat for a sailor in fatigues, as they so often appear in wartime pictures, especially on the smaller ships.  I've pestered Ben Druel to consider releasing RN specific figures, so far without success!

 

Pros

Far easier to remove than the North Star even though they are attached by feet

Relaxed non-dramtic poses

Relatively cheap

Good availability

 

Cons

Not RN specific 

Comparatively small-sized

Heads are slightly on the small size in proportion

 

HOLDEN figures - current cost approx 1Euro = 4 figures

They came as individuals in plastic packs

 

 

Pros

Huge range of RN specific figures with various alternatives including  steel helmets, Duffle coats, life preservers etc, etc  Check out the whole range at https://www.shapeways.com/shops/panzer-vs-tanks-3

Well proportioned

Already detached

Other accessories available - eg tyres to be used as fenders

 

 

Cheap 

Fast delivery from Spain - usually within 7 days

Merchant navy range will be ideal for Drifters, Corvettes, small ships etc

 

Cons

Relatively large 

Definition not as precise as for North Star

 

Here is a pic of relative sizes

 

 

from left to right - ION, North Star (partially painted), Black Cat, and Holden (merchant Navy figures)

 

A huge size difference is apparent from the ION to the Holden figures, to such an extent that I don't think they could be used together.

 

Summary 

The Availability of 3D printed figures available commercially is growing and we should celebrate that!  There are variations in size and proportion that should be taken into account if mixiing from one brand with another,

though - individuals in real life will differ in size and proportion.  The "Holden" range from Luis Hidalgo ihas been available on Shapeways for a number of years but now that he is printing himself actual cost and delivery charges have dropped dramatically.  I'm sure many of you will welcome the variety of different appaearances this range provides.

I hope this overview proves helpful

Rob 

 

 

[Courageous]

56 minutes ago, robgizlu said:

I hope this overview proves helpful

Thanks for the review Rob. The quick review and your PM has helped me to choose the figs; going with ION for my 1/350 civilians on my Fushimi build and Holden figs for my Renown builds.

 

Stuart

[Adm Lord De Univers]

Extremely useful, thank you Rob.

 

David

[Norseman 3:16]

Very good review.  I was looking for figures and now feel I can make a more informed choice.

 

Thank you!

[robgizlu]

Looks like Starling Modals will be releasing their own RN figure sets in 1/700 and 1/350.  Check out their Facebook announcement.

Rob

[robgizlu]

I've received the Starling figures.

I'll review the RN figures that are also released in other scales as well as 1/350 and 1/700.

There is a simultanous release of RN Post WW2 Carrier crew that are sure to be popular

 

Av height - 5.2 - 5.3mm = 5' 9" - 6'

 

 

There are 1/700 figures on the left that are insanely small. 

The 1/350 figures arrive in a "tub" with the backs of the figures attached by very fine sprue points.  Interestingly 6 figures had printing defects missing either feet or heads.  Seeing as a set comprise 30 figures - to have 20% lost to attrition before you start seems a little unfair.

 

They are nicely moulded though appear on the thin "gracile" side.  All are standing and there are 10 different poses which are replicated x 3.  It's hard to distinguish rating from officers.  None have helmets or life preservers.

 

 

Despite being tallish they are definitely on the thin (small) size, so that mixing them with figures of other makes will need some thought.  

 

 

The (headless) Starling figure is on the Left then Black Cat , North Star, and finally ION on the right

 

Pros

Cheap at £6.00 for 30 figures

Will be easy to free from printing sprue points (I think)

Relaxed standing poses 

Yet more RN figures to choose from

 

Cons

Several damaged or arrived after faulty printing.  The 1/700 figures are printed with supports either side that "roof" the figures whilst in transit which seems a worthwhile and sensible step.  Not so with the 1/350 figures

Not particularly detailed 

On the small side though comparable with North Star and Black Cat

Rather generic with sailors uniform, no helmets, life-preservers etc though it's possible more will come

 

Rob

[mick b]

Thanks Rob, very informative, how is your wallet recovering after this outlay? 😊

 

I bought some resin figures from L’Arsenal way back but don’t think they were RN specifically.

 

Mike

Edited June 4, 2022 by mick b

[robgizlu]

43 minutes ago, mick b said:

Thanks Rob, very informative, how is your wallet recovering after this outlay? 😊

 

I bought some resin figures from L’Arsenal way back but don’t think they were RN specifically.

 

Mike

 

Services to modelling 

Once you've bought the North Star figures - everything else seems as cheap as chips!

 

Just hope it's helpful

Rob

[kapteenipirk]

Cheers for this comparative review.

I'll certainly be putting those Black cat model USN figures on my list.

 

I have pretty definite plans to start 3D-modelling/printing my own WWII USN ships at some point, and it would be nice to have some crew aboard.

I say USN, as otherwise im just gonna end up with too long a list of choices for ships (tough i will likely do at-least one or two Japanese BB's as they are simply gorgeous)

[Ex-FAAWAFU]

Thanks for this, Rob (I’ve been rather absent for a few weeks, so had missed it); really useful.  Apart from the Holden (& Starling) I have representatives of all the others & agree with your assessments of the pros & cons.  
 

My challenge is that most of the figures I want are for Ark Royal, and for a very specific moment in her history at that.  Bridge, lookouts, weapons crews etc. can all be assembled from what’s available… but I’m going to have 21 Swordfish burning & turning on deck in what are known to have been conditions so rough that they supplemented the normal flight deck crews in order to get the strike ranged.  Figures crouching / lying down with chocks, holding onto aircraft wing tips and so on… not to mention the upper chest & head of c.60 aircrew!

 

Adaptations to modern FD figures are in my future, I think - but it’s a real problem.  Chewy has, however, shown us what can be achieved

[TomTango]

Very helpful thankyou.

Just for anyone who may be wondering, the Northstar figures are still available. I ordered mine on the 15th of June and they just arrived. They look amazing. 

[Chewbacca]

On 25/06/2022 at 08:43, Ex-FAAWAFU said:

Thanks for this, Rob (I’ve been rather absent for a few weeks, so had missed it); really useful.  Apart from the Holden (& Starling) I have representatives of all the others & agree with your assessments of the pros & cons.  
 

My challenge is that most of the figures I want are for Ark Royal, and for a very specific moment in her history at that.  Bridge, lookouts, weapons crews etc. can all be assembled from what’s available… but I’m going to have 21 Swordfish burning & turning on deck in what are known to have been conditions so rough that they supplemented the normal flight deck crews in order to get the strike ranged.  Figures crouching / lying down with chocks, holding onto aircraft wing tips and so on… not to mention the upper chest & head of c.60 aircrew!

 

Adaptations to modern FD figures are in my future, I think - but it’s a real problem.  Chewy has, however, shown us what can be achieved

Hi Crisp,

 

These are my latest ones for HECLA for the Flt Cdr and his Acmn, only to be added if in the 2 week extension that the GB has been given if can finish drawing and print a fair representation of a Wasp.  If not, the ship remains at flying stations and the flight are waiting for the cab to come back!  Sadly neither look anything like the Flt Cdr who was singularly responsible for me transferring my allegiance from Hydrography to aviation.

 

 

What this macro photo does show is that my painting skills are not as good as my CAD skills!  Needs some touch ups I think!

 

If I can help with doing some bespoke figures for ARK let me know.  I can't promise anything but I've got a range of poses now in a variety of kit so it shouldn't be too difficult to do something.

Edited July 24, 2022 by Chewbacca

[TomTango]

Maybe a bit of a derail but a painting tip for 5mm figures, more for speed than a quality thing.
- Bite the bullet and go into a Games Workshop and buy a big pot of Nuln Oil wash. Put this on first, it has enough medium in it that it will also prime the figure. You can then use a fine brush to just add a small stroke of colour to raised areas, if you do this before the wash undercoat is fully dried they will bleed together and shade the figure.

I normally then put a wash of Reikland Fleshshade on top just to tie it all together.

 

I need a phone with a better camera....you cant see it well in that photo but the pre-wash method means you can just pick out the (limited!) facial detail and buttons.  

 

Edited July 24, 2022 by TomTango
typo's

[robgizlu]

Mindful of my commnets about the relative size of figures as discussd above, I stumbled across this pic whilst trawling the IWM collection - such a marvellous resource 

 

 

A reminder as if we needed it that there is considerable variation in Human size anatomy and shapes 

Rob

[beefy66]

Great photo Rob as well as the height variation it also shows the colour difference in the uniforms and duffel coats.

 

Stay Safe

beefy

[robgizlu]

So I propose to continue this comparative review as the products get used and new sets get released

Good news this week is that Black Cat have released 6 sets of 1/350 figures with another promised 3 to come.

They include RN sailors in "European" garb and also Tropical unifrom (2 sets apiece) with a set in Duffle coats and the last (to date) comprising FAA deck personnel and deck crew.  To the best of my knowledge the sets of RN sailors in Tropical iniform are the first anywhere.  I'll report when I manage to get my hands on some.

 

I'm building the Starling S- Class submarine at the moment......

And it seemed only fitting to use the Starling figures on her.

The bad news is that practically freeing them from their sprues has been a minor nightmare.  As I mentioned above - many had moulding defects and when I came to really closely examine them 11 of 30 missed heads feet hands or arms.  Each is attached by 4 sprue points at the rear of the figure.  Now I am not a beginner at freeing figures and the North Star figures posed problems until some of you suggested using a micro-saw.  Using a Micro-saw on the Starling figures together with a fresh No 11 blade,  I was only able to separate 9 figures without damage.  Unlike the sprue attachments with Black Cat or Micromaster with their 3D items that break easily often with gentle pressure from a thin set of tweezers, these attachment points need serious and meticulous work with the Microsaw.  

I should add that the 1/700 figures are attached by their feet alone, so my comments to date ONLY relate to the 1/350 offerings.

I'll leave you to decide whether a 33% "availability" rate is good value.

 

More soon when the new Black Cat RN figures arrive.

Rob

[robgizlu]

Well - the Black Cat sets finally arrived with a lengthy 2week+ trip from France due to the UK Postal strikes.

I've taken possesion of 4 sets

 

Royal Navy Sailors European uniforms

Royal Navy Gunners set

Royal Navy Sailors Tropical uniforms

Royal Navy sailors heavy weather or winter uniforms

 

 

 

This was all my poor wallet can afford - there are an additional 5 sets of RN figures available.  Who'd have ever thought!!

 

So as with previous BlackCat figures average height for each figure is approximately 5mm giving a scale height of 5'9" or 1.75m.  Bang on in my opinion for WW2 scale figures

Current cost is €12.46 (£10.68 at todays exchange rate) and the figure numbers range from 52 to 84 according to set.

 

Here's a crude comparator in size 

 

 From L to R = Ion, North star x2 - Black Cat RN and US figures (US painted)

 

It's really hard to photograph the figures given the size so here's the best I can provide

 

RN European

 

 

Relatively static poses though there is a separate "action" set.  Relaxed poses (which I personally like) approximately a third with officers caps.  The ratiings are in No 2 or 3 dress.  6 figures are in sea boots

 

RN Gunners

 

 

all with Steel helmets (Hoorah) and working dress

 

RN Tropical uniforms

 

 

Tropical dress with shorts, approx one third wear officers caps and 6 figures wear long trousers.

 

RN heavy weather or winter

 

 

 

All are in duffel coats (The Modeiling Gods have been gracious!!)  About 40% have officers hats and no sea boots.  The rest have steel helmets or ratings hats with seaboots.  12 figures have hoods pulled up  

 

Summary

 

Christmas has truly come early for modellers of Royal Navy vessels that wish to crew them.  

To my mind these are currently the Best Royal Navy figures available.  They are I feel, correctly sized and well sculpted.  Whether you prefer static or action poses - you now have a very wide choice including for the first time, the choice of figures in tropical kit and most importantly of all for all you modellers of Home waters and North Atlantic subjects - Duffle coats!!!!!!!!  For me this single set stands out and expect to see these figures on futures corvettes, minesweepers and trawler builds of mine in the future.  An additional bonus is the comparative cheapness of these figures, 66 in the winter set for instance means that each figure will cost you the princely sum of 16p.  Ben Druel has done a fantastic job and really leaves little left to be desired.  A "Merchant Navy" set of generic figures  would be all that I could conceivably want in the future.

I do hope they sell well for him

Rob

[Ex-FAAWAFU]

Thanks, Rob; I had already seen the words “duffel coat” and bought some of Ben’s figures (not yet arrived), so I’m delighted that they’re as good as I hoped.  Ark here they come (eventually)

[Chewbacca]

Thanks Rob, that's really helpful.  Much better than my 3D printed ones.  Just need someone to upskill my painting now!

[Hardcastle]

So everyone,

 

Do any of these producers do the same in 72nd at a reasonable price?

 

Tim

[bissyboat]

Very nice details. The figures are Ace. ⚓😎

[robgizlu]

I've come to realise that you can only really judge the quality and effectiveness of figures at this scale when they are painted.

I am pleased to report that the recent Black Cat Figures from sets:

RN sailors Winter suit

RNsailors standing at rest (European Uniform)

...painted up beautifully.

Here they are populating HMCS Eyebright, together with figures from "WW2 US sailors Set no  3" that provide a generic alternative in terms of uniform.  Studying the WW2 photographs of Eyebright, virtually none of the crew seem to be wearing formal uniform, an experience echoed in photos of crew on many of the smaller wartime vessels.  To this end I've nagged Ben at Black Cat to prooduce some "Merchant navy" types in generic clothing.  Fingers crossed.

 

There are 32 figures in all on Eyebright. .  The figures in duffle coats are particularly excellent.  Several appear painted with dark blackish paint as the RN WW2 waterprrof was very similar and commonplace.

 

 

 

Now they really are my favourite figures.

Rob

[neilh]

Aside from the figures that water is excellent.  Would you mind sharing how you did that? 

Edited March 9, 2023 by neilh
poor choice of word

[robgizlu]

13 hours ago, neilh said:

Aside from the figures that water is excellent.  Would you mind sharing how you did that? 

Hi Neil

It's all in the WIP:

HTH

Though the bugger is that the Cream styrofoam that I use does not seem to be available any longer 

Rob

[neilh]

Thanks Rob, took a look at your WIP last night. Inspirational stuff and thanks for the pointer ( I should have thought of it!).