Drivers wanted - preferably metal

[otherplanet]

Could anyone please help with sources of model drivers for fitting into the cab of road vehicles.

Specifically my interest is Edwardian to mid 1920s.

 

Ideally I am looking for cast metal as they are for 00 scale radio controlled vehicles, therefore every fraction of a gram is valuable for traction / steering performance. But resin, 3D prints etc are tolerable if metal is not available.

I am also most interested in general goods, IE not uniformed bus drivers, although these are of interest.

 

 

I am modelling in 00 scale, but I am open to using 1:87, especially as the inside of model cabs tend to be undersize due to practical limitations on wall /  roof thickness. 

 

I already have a good stock of Langley figures, but run out of the most suitable without resorting to duplicates, so wish to move away from this as my main source. They also seem a little large (again especially when squeezing into a cab)

 

I have found some good sources on military figure sites. But they tend to have very distinctive uniforms. Whilst I don't mind a bit of tweaking, filing or adding sculpting paste. I would prefer to minimise the effort.

 

similarly locomotive footplate crew tend to be uniformed and often the wrong pose, although at least raised arms are easier to repose than when folded in the lap or other normal seated figure poses.

 

Any suggestions welcome.

Thank you in advance 

[micklner]

Dart Castings/MJT  and Andrew Stadden are the best metal versions, still very little weight.

[otherplanet]

Thank you.

Unfortunately Andrew Stadden's figures, whilst beautiful, do not really include any in suitable poses for drivers.

I had forgotten about Dart castings, which is odd since I do have some of their other kits in my stock box. 

Unfortunately most of their figures with suitable poses are also in uniform, but there are definitely some possibilities there.

Thanks.

[Mike Harvey]

I have tended to use Preiser 10557 (H0) which will fit into the seat of most 1/76 cabs. With some careful warming the arms can be made to grip the steering wheel, and some alternative colour over the uniform will make them right for any era. This unaltered one slipped into an Oxford Matador, and the colour was good for workshop overalls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sandsmodels]

https://sandsmodels.com/product/generic-driver-figure/

 

[otherplanet]

Thank you. That's a different source, I have not heard of them before.

[Chas Levin]

Hello, seconded vote here for Preiser and also Noch - here are some other Preiser figure set numbers you can google and see whether they might suit; they're all ones I've bought and used (though they're all plastic of course):

 

14009 (vehicle drivers)

14084 (workers)

14145 (workers)

 

They're HO but I agree with others that often makes inserting them in cabs easier.

The great thing though is that they provide one key thing you mention seeking: variety from the standard UK offerings!

They're also superbly well painted, as are all Preiser and Noch figures. Not cheap, but well worth it IMHO.

Edited February 12, 2023 by Chas Levin

[otherplanet]

Thank you for the thoughts. I shall have a look at those.
I also found some 3D printed resin figures, which whilst not heavy, were very nice.
Military figures, for a range of different forces in a small set with a couple of different poses inlcuding changing gear on each side.
The british army drivers have relatively little "uniform" being coat off, with braces showing. Things like the helmet proved relatively easy to file off.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353321732871?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D245820%26meid%3De9ef5f558a9b4e468d09d4c91fb00111%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D9%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D353385772074%26itm%3D353321732871%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithRevOptLambda85KnnRecallV1WithCassiniImageSim%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A353321732871e9ef5f558a9b4e468d09d4c91fb00111|enc%3AAQAHAAABMBTnULwZvkwwvWb54Sp3TESux6kFTXxeByyFeTbBEJTAHELVvJ%2BnpiRCZsaEJO6SgqSsQIHvbg9YL2jxELBYJZWPAuIRQj6%2FC29lmsqlxuBANzF9vwNwtN%2FyDnrirEhai6ShSu5AU9noAMSUzCMvkOI3WZ2H1wCLUzAnXlT7arx%2BoptCufG%2BkImbmYjnU5Ibny6ARc4MeC1M2Z6yODc7YCE1HDNqCI9K0HlQNWDJEfd8D7s%2BWZ99G5l%2FA%2B9CpMafiMTg8Or8bz0EZ2RSGhrgOtPpZdvld42QUsATzHXF%2BODhu3uoY26dBbmp61izALZGa24ZQcOHU5aJCee62oCrYv3ziZDvyOo%2B07ZO2LnZHoYb7QbUq1amvn2eJNjTjWP73HEzsGDtOuyg9%2BC2A5o9ioY%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2047675 
They also come in a range of scales including 1:72, 1:76 and 1:87

I have tried adding a jacket, to one, but so far my sculpting skills have failed me, so I need to try again.

One nice detail is they ship inside their own little 3D printed protective cage.

 

However these will be for a future project, the white metal figure, whilst too tall added the much needed weight and has been installed.

However, I am always looking for more for the and appreciate the suggestions Thank you.