Airfix 1/32 Multipose German Officer

[Neil Merryweather]

I’m still wanting to up my painting game for my Tommy's War figures so I’m trying to keep practicing it in between other projects, in the hope that the more I do it the easier it will get……
The idea is to find simple subjects that are almost ready to paint without the need for a lot of epic modelmaking to get them there, but not something so precious that it matters if I cock it up.
This guy is from the Starter Set Challenge GB last year and I threatened at the time to re-paint them in proper colours, so I thought he might be a good candidate for a quick makeover.


I'm sure it was a case of a bad workman blaming his tools, but I was really unhappy with this whole build, and those who followed it will surely remember my bellyaching:rolling:
Anyway, into the Dettol he went, and when he came out I just couldn’t help myself…….
I always thought these Multipose figures were the bee’s knees, but how standards have improved over the years! After working on the finely moulded ICM WWI figures I realise these leave a hell of a lot to be desired, and in fact are actually crude by comparison. I had intended making up all the sets in my stash OOB, but I think I might just use them all for conversions now.
Anyway I realised I had a few old Armour Accessories details in the spares box, so I awarded him a couple of Iron Crosses, I gave his belt a PE buckle and added carrying straps for the map case.


Not the best pic, unfortunately, but I didn't check it on the PC until it was too late.
The service cap detail was quite poor so I removed it and added some refinements, also from the now defunct Armour Accessories set. I had to sculpt his eagle, though.


Ditto with the photography, sorry.
I'm not in a place with my painting where I can show WIP shots, so all will be revealed soon.
Thanks for looking
Neil

[SimonT]

I too used to think the Multipose were the bees knees and have loads in the stash

Moulding has come on a bit over recent years and current figures tend to be much sharper in detail

Multipose are still a good starting point though

I have quite a few Armour Accessories sets of tools, German weapons and some less than brilliant jerrycans - not got any uniform detail sets though, assuming it is the same AA. I know they are OOP now but just out of interest what was in the set?

[Neil Merryweather]

I have quite a few Armour Accessories sets of tools, German weapons and some less than brilliant jerrycans - not got any uniform detail sets though, assuming it is the same AA. I know they are OOP now but just out of interest what was in the set?

You've made me doubt myself about AA now. I saw it whilst surfing recently and couldn't find it on Historex Agents site, so just assumed they had sold out.
I've only got a few bits left now, but apart from what I used I think there was a chest and SS sleeve eagles, there are a couple more service cap cords, SS skull for the service cap, and I think a couple of battle badges or marksman badge. Possibly both types of belt buckle, too,and I think maybe even a police gorget.
I've still got the Panzerschreck, and MG 34, I will have to think of a good setting for them.
One day....

[Guest]

He's at it again! - marvellous micro modelling Neil.

I remember when the multipose figures first came out and the excitement they caused. However, everyone was mystified as to why they were 1/32 instead of 1/35. It meant that they could only be posed with Airfix's limited range of vehicles in that scale (cunning plan). That said, they were streaks ahead of anything else available - I remember them with fondness.

[Neil Merryweather]

Yes ,Peter you're right- to be fair they were 'state of the art' at the time.
And how many 1/32 scale tanks did Airfix make....? I can only think of Monty's Humber, Rommel's Greif, a Lee/Grant and possibly a Crusader? Or am I imagining those?
Oh yes, they did those ready-assembled wargames things like the Bedford truck and was it the Stalwart?
There is also the 17 Pounder Anti Tank Gun which I actually do have,because it came with the Multipose British Infantry as crew, although I think it would take a bit more than mixing and matching to make convincing gun crew poses out of the bog-standard action pose possibilities.

Hmmm now there's a future challenge......

[Gary MacKenzie]

There is also the 17 Pounder Anti Tank Gun which I actually do have,because it came with the Multipose British Infantry as crew, although I think it would take a bit more than mixing and matching to make convincing gun crew poses out of the bog-standard action pose possibilities.

I have one in my stash , started over 30 years ago , may just look it out again

[SimonT]

Neil - there was a Crusader. It got limited time re-release a few years ago
I didn’t get around to buying one and now they are pricey

I do have the M3 Lee, either three or four Greifs, the Humber and the 17pdr - probably should make one of the Greifs at some point

[Neil Merryweather]

Ok, here he is.

annoying when you see it 4 times actual size on the screen, all the blemishes are magnified.
Still, hopefully it's a bit more progress.
Thanks for looking
Cheers
Neil

[Guest]

Cracking!

[Fernando N]

So much better Neil, great job :thumb2: :thumb2:

[Neil Merryweather]

I remember when the multipose figures first came out and the excitement they caused. However, everyone was mystified as to why they were 1/32 instead of 1/35. It meant that they could only be posed with Airfix's limited range of vehicles in that scale (cunning plan). That said, they were streaks ahead of anything else available - I remember them with fondness.

Actually I think Almark got there quite a lot earlier, I remember Germans and Japanese ,although the sculpts (by Cliff Sanderson, I think) were a bit 'tooly' but they were great figures.

[Steve Jones]

You are a busy bee Neil. Great to see another one of your figures completed. All the extra detailing was well worth the effort.

[Neil Merryweather]

Thank you Peter, Fernando and Steve
I definitely prefer it to the first version...........