Hi

I'm working on some plastic figures, mainly Miniart but I do have a few Dragon sets as well. I love the animation etc. in the Miniart range but have to admit the detail can be a bit soft. These are mainly German based by the way

What I would like to do is replace the small insignia, medals and belt buckles on the figures with some nice finer detailed photoetched items.

Could anybody recommend any good sets ? Calvin Tan in his Osprey modelling book mentioned a set by Royal Model, but it seems out of stock. I also remember reading comments in reviews about sets being either undersized or oversized, so ideally any recommendation would be with the knowledge and experience that these are correct in size for 1/35 scale.

Thanks

Alan

Nimix has several sets of etched insignia, etc.

Hi Al

Thanks. I took a look as I'd never heard of them, and it said 54mm scale, is that not 1/32 nd scale ?

I'm looking for 1/35 scale.

Cheers

Alan

Archer Uniform Patches

Hi Jim

Thanks for your recommendation, it reminded me I brought a set at last years Euromilitaire from SB Models and hunted them out. Did I really pay £9.45 for that little set...wow. Lovely fine detail though.

I'm still in need of recommendations for the more raised 3D items, such as iron crosses, wound or campaign badges they had on their jackets, and the belt buckles.

Alan

You can also try LionRoar. Can't quite recall if Aber did any sets, and can't seem to find their site at the moment (anyone?).

Hi

Thanks to everybody for their recommendations.

I'm aware that Aber, Eduard, Lion Roar, Voyager and the other companies do these sets, but what concerns me is that I've heard and read comments, and I can't remember where, that some were not the correct scale.

Looking at Calvin Tan's latest he's working on over on his web site he comments how the insignia sold as 1/35 is too big for that but works great on his 1/25 figure.

So I'm ideally looking for somebody who has purchased a set, used it and found not only the detail excellent but the sizes correct.

Thanks

Alan

Hi Rudi

Abers site address, although they do say it's being worked on and apologises for any problems, errors etc. whatever that means.

http://aber.net.pl/

Alan

Hi Alan ,you mentioned you have dragon figures are they Gen2 ? they have pe insignia with enough spare to go around a few figures just a thought.
Phil

Hi Phil

I've got a mixture of Dragon figures. I know I've got two of their Gen2 range, and a couple of their Premium branded sets, with the rest just the plain range.

I'll check them out for spares, but silly as it sounds I'm loathed to use them in case I mess up the ones on the figures they came with.

It's been commented on by several people that I'd be better off getting resin figures with better detail and the potential of obtaining a better painting experience than plastic.

My plan was to gain experience and increase my skills before buying the more expensive resin figures but with resin replacement heads and PE details its probably as much anyway, certainly if you take into account the additional time I'm spending cleaning up the figures, sharpening detail, doing things like hollowing out sleeves, adding creases etc.

Thanks for your post.

Alan

Smashing site the Archers ,thanks Jim ;it´s now in my favourites. As for the Lion Roar set (LE35094) I´ve got it & the only criticism I have is that what I think are the six Wehrmacht breast eagles appear to be slightly large,I can´t be absolutely sure because all of my German stuff is at the in-laws so I have the P.E. sheet here but nothing to measure them against. The rest of the stuff seems ok though with a pair of spectacles, a pocket watch & chain & two wrist watches. It´s got badges,awards belt buckles,eight Iron crosses,plenty of shoulder boards,plenty of SS collar patches & felgendarmerie/ duty gorgets with chain. I also have the Verlinden decal sheet (382) which is worth taking a look at. If you can´t find any photos of them anywhere get in touch & I may be able to take some crap photos for you whenever I get the time.

Hi Mike

Yes the Archers stuff is very nice. I've yet to use my set but I'm just a little disappointed at the prices, the set I brought I see is now £11.00 !!! from SB Models.

Another to look out for is Echelon set P353010. This gives you transfers for the rank insignia seen on the arms of camo smocks etc. of the Waffen SS. Complete with "faded" look.

I'd noted the Lion Roar set as one to get but they seem to be a little confusing on their numbering. Initially it seemed LAM 028 was the number I needed, then on looking at Luckymodel's site they have a set with a different number, (possibly the one you've suggested), but judging by the photograph of the set it looks identical. Just want to make sure it's not 1/16th stuff or anything like that by mistake.

Cheers

Alan

Well I don´t know if this will clear up any confusion or make it worse but I have the Lion Roar set in front of me now; The P.E. sheet has LE 35094 etched on it ,as does the instruction sheet but on the back of the instruction sheet which explains what each award is it is marked LAM 028. The Verlinden decals are a very economical solution & will always come in handy that´s why I´ve got the American ones as well ,even though the Echelon versions just make me drool. Luckymodel may have made a mistake I think.

Hi Mike

Can you give me the number for the Verlinden set please, save me trawling the pages at Historex to find them.

I also remember Tamiya announced a set of 1/35th and 1/16th scale decals, and showed them at the last big model fair but I've not really tried to find if anybody has these in stock yet.

cheers

Alan

382 German uniform badges WWII & 383 U.S. uniform badges WWII-1988

Hi Mike
Historex lists the US set but not the 382 German set.
Thanks anyway. I think I'll check out the Tamiya set.

Alan

Echelon Fine Details makes decals for modern US (subdued & desert camo, pre-ACU), and Waffen SS Rank Insignias for Camouflage Uniforms.

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/%7Ekriegsketten/

Jim

Hi Alan !
I have the Lion Roar PE insignia set and I think that the insignias on it are perfect for 1/35 scale figures. Just my 2 cents worth. The other alternative, if you have steady hands and a GOOD Optivisor, is to use the details on these PE sets as scale reference and sculpt your own from 2-part epoxy putty. I have done these myself for my WW1 figure sculpts. Hope that helps. Cheers !
Kenneth .

Hi Kenneth

thanks for your email. I have decided that the Lion Roar is one set I will buy. I say one set because I don't think it will cover all my needs and others have told me that it's best to get several sets to ensure getting the right details.

So far on my shopping list when I can afford it will be

Lion Roar set LAM028 PE set
Aber Set AB35A111 PE set
Elchelon Set P353010 Transfer set
Tamiya Set 12625 Transfer set
Verlinden set 382 Transfer set - if I can get it, as Historex not listing it here in the UK.

I haven't checked out Eduard yet but I'm sure they do a set also.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Alan

Hi Alan, just came across your thread. I've just got the Eduard German set from Hannants they were £3.99 each and they are from the zoom range of pre-coloured brass.
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=EDTP517.

I'm using them with Dragon's Command Staff set.
Mark