"Failed experiment in 1:72" Topic

While searching for cheap Napoleonic miniatures suitable for nice uniform paint ups Ive tried my luck with 1:72. While I like the model i dislake the scale (and paint chipping is frustrating) so I decided to try my luck with 28 mm (But I am yet to posses any :)

here is specimen i got for experiment:

Few more photos and full story on my blog – which was a frozen lately but i hope to add few updates till years end !:http://waristheh-word.blogspot.com/2014/12/esci-cuirassier-172.html

Newline Designs 20mm Napoleonic's are very nice

There are a few techniques you do to reduce paint chipping on the soft plastic 1/72nd scale figures. Back when I used to have 1/72nd Napoleonic armies I used to paint PVA (white glue) on the models, then undercoat and paint over that. It added a flexible base for the paint. I also used to put a metal pin up through the base and into the underside of horses. It made them way more stable and solid on their base (no bending legs to flake paint off).

Very nice painting!

Keep up the good work.

Yeah, Thanks Brian, I am familiar with them,, I am not sure I want to bother with it.. (And I didn't want to do this with this one, Its fastpaint really.

I have to paint 28mm Napoleonic miniature now, and decide if 28 will be the way or if more experiments with newer 1:72 is in order.

It will finally depend on what I have bigger fun painting.

This is my first Napoleonic miniature not in 3,mm , and test 28mm will be second :P

Wash, prime, paint, seal.
I have hundreds of 1/72 plastics (not Napoleonic, though) and have never had a single one "flake".

Hopefully you can find what you're looking for.

Our local hobby shop has a base coat paint strictly for or soft plastic, no chipping or flaking at all.

I just use Halfords grey spray paint, works fine if the figures have been washed first

I have tried even the hard plastic.After putting together a unit, decided it was too much work and time spent. So I stick to the metal ones( Front Rank, Elite, Older Connoisseur) . Yes I could save money but to quote along the lines of Napoleon:
" I can make up the money , but not the time".

Or you can use Cel-Vinyl by Cartoon Colors- used by Animators for painting Acetate, only problem it's only sold in the US. I'm pretty sure they ship overseas though. The paint is made to be flexible.

Well, if you can find a nicer metal figure than a Zvezda 1/72 Napoleonic figure, go for it.

Quite a few nicer metal figures. But if you are a plastics fan I can see your point.

Opinions differ – for me, the Zvezda Saxon cuirassier attained new heights of excellence for so many reasons, but to note just one small matter – the stirrups have an air gap round them above the boot – technical genius.

I like metal figures, and own them (Mindens, Perries etc), but find 1/72 plastics, when done well, are the finest reproduction of humankind in military uniform – proportions, detail, finesse etc.

I've been following this and never understood the title. The figure shown is hardly a failed experiment. I think you've made a great job of him…….

Thank you Deadhead

Well fail comes from the fact that I planed to make skirmish force of them, but I dislike the techniques and chores of painting 1:72.
And there is not much variation possible (I plan skirmishing with Sharp practice)

So Cuirassier is Ok but I don't want to paint 20 of them.
I might reconsider at some point because there is some vivid Napoleonic 1:72 initiative around, but then I will base mine on battalion bases as a ig battles force.