MoonMonkey

PMMStudio do dogs as well which came out nicely, they can be seen in the long platform shot. Here they are unpainted...

The face definition of the ATS lady is a bit unfair on the quality of the product. There was a tiny bit of flash which I was trying to shave off, and I ended up cutting through her head! Interestingly, liquid poly didn't work, so I ended up using a tiny dab of 'Loctite 60 seconds'.

And here are some of the Hardys Hobbies people... These arrive with the sprue attached to the heads, so I ended up cutting them off the sprue and using blutac to stick them feet-down while I painted them...

For comparison, here are some images of the PMMStuio

And then after a bit of a repaint, but not wishing to chase the effect for fear of overdoing the paint and it just going to a splodge!

And after using the wrong brush to try and take off some of the varnish-induced haze (which had been used for weathering)

The issue with the wrong brush to take the spray- varnish off is shown here... the sooty deposits on the figure don't quite show up as much as they appeared in 'real life'. Before the incident:

I started this blog thread about lifecolor paints on Modelu figures. I thought it might be useful to add a few images of other figures I got, from Hardys Models and PMMStudio (on ebay). Before I add pics, it's interesting to compare the size of the people. Within each range, there is a degree of consistency of height, but there does seem to be some variation in body size/height within the Modelu and PMMStudio ranges. I would say that the Hardys people are generally shorter on average. And I would say that the PMMStudio people are taller on average. These comments are compared to the Modelu figures, and I have to admit I haven't done an actual line-up to compare properly, it's just my impression at the moment. That said, the PMMStudio ones are modern folk, and the Modelu ones I have are all 1940s/50s era when people were apparently somewhat shorted on average.

The image is just on an iphone, although I did play with the 'edit image' settings a little to try to get it to have more of an 'aged' look.

The Balkan casino scenario happened a few times, quite a few years ago now. It left a lasting impression on me though, I really wanted that kekab!

Thank you Kevin, much appreciated. I will look into the decal printer paper and go from there.

Hi Mikkel, the lady in red isn't a Modelu figure. I'm going to pop a few more images on the blog thread about painting using lifecolor paints though...

Hi Kevin, great scene here, thanks for sharing it. Regarding the chap with the newspaper/documentation... did you print out a tiny image like you did with the chap on the back of the truck, or did you just waft some colour onto the part to give the impression? I'm interested to learn if the mini-printer job is worth the effort, as I'd need to buy a whole set of cartridges for my normally unused printer. Alternatively, I could nip over the the local stationary/print shop but they'd probably think it was a bit odd, asking for a tiny image on an A4 sheet.

I was surprised to find it closed too... photos as at 7th October 2020. It's closed. Such a shame... Agreed about Spot On Models being good, and the Steam Museum with its cafe being good too. And the Cadburys shop, also handy. Nom Nom Nom!

One other thing... I decided that the Humbrol matt acrylic spray varnish is probably useful for making the figures a bit more robust (given that mine are likely to be moved around a bit). But the spray does leave a bit of a haze when you then take a close-up photo. So I decided to give the figure a brush with a make-up brush. That actually works... it turns out a better figure. HOWEVER... don't use the same brushes that you've used to add dust and soot and roof dirt. The lady in the red dress with plunging neckline was due to be my next unhealthy obsession after Anchovy relish and Death In Paradise. The paint job was, I felt, seductive. Then with one fell brush swoop, she looked like those makeup adverts when the mascara runs, but all over her, like a coal mining nymph. Dirty, but in the wrong way. So I ended up applying more paint and the definition and features were lost, and now she is a shadowless waif of her former self. I didn't want to apply more and more paint though in case she morphed into an elephant woman. Which would be bad. From a distance, she'll do. Platform, not coach.

Hi, just to followup on this thread, in case anyone is wondering about lifecolor flesh paints on figures... I tried with another batch of Modelu figures, plus some figures from Hardys Hobbies, and PMMStudio on ebay. It seems that increasing the chance of success is improved by watered down paint, and allowing it to dry a bit between new coats. But a real key seems to be not applying too many coats, and not getting tempted to apply new washes/layers over wet coats that haven't dried yet. It as bit like when you find yourself in a Balkan casino and you keep chasing that lucky 17 and then next thing you know - boom - you've lost your Euros and you are left wondering how you are going to afford a kebab before meandering back to your little apartment. So don't do it. Make a brew and think about what's next! BUT - if you have a bit of self-discipline, nice results are apparently possible. And that goes for any brand that I've tried. Some have more or less facial feature distinction, but I think Modelu and PMMStudio are great for allowing build of washes and highlights. There does unfortunately, with all figures, seem to be a bit of luck involved... probably for me due to a lack of experience... and some figures just happen nicely, and some turn out like the elephant man. So I reckon there are class A figures for the platform, and then Class B, the kind of people you see in a Colchester nightclub who can stay in the dimly lit coaches.

It's all going on. Including some unusual era-shifting.

Summer, early evening. Heading home.

I can't quite tell if that's Benny Hill or not.

Hi all, I'm a new modeler (not counting time spent as a kid/teenager) and started a layout. I discovered Modelu people via the Little Muddle pages, got some figures, and love them. Not literally, that would be weird. I emailed a few pics to Alan and he suggested posting them on FacePlant. Which I don't use. So thought I'd pop them up here. I see from other posts on RMWeb that the thing to do is state that I have no connection to the supplier, other than being a happy customer, so please take this post accordingly. For all those in the same boat, starting afresh and wondering how to add a little style and panache to the layout, I would personally recommend Modelu figures. And I have no connection to the supplier. I'm just a happy customer!...

Thanks for all the pointers, and I got some insight from books as suggested. It looks like the suburban sets were Birmingham, I think, rather than making it down to Wiltshire. So the Hornby 57' corridor carriages with gangways between seem to be more prototypical for the area. I think I'll focus on that type of rake, using the gangway connectors and maybe the closer couplings if the tight curves will permit. It'll offer more scope for mixing up the rake too with different liveries (eg wartime brown/grey) and carriage types, including some Bachmann Sunshine stock and a Hornby Clerestory or something. If Hornby produce the B-sets, and something to haul the autocoach, than I can indulge in those too for more local workings.

Hi Rob, thanks for the info. I love the picture... just the look I was hoping for, and I agree about the powders being user friendly. Is that an oil tide mark on the back above the buffer beam or intentional weathering? Do you clean with that IPA stuff (not the beer) or something else? It's interesting that not all brands seem to have this issue. I have a Heljan tank engine that I'm looking to weather next, and also a Dapol flying banana that I want a very light dusting around the bogies and lower faces. Have you found that any brands consistently avoid this issue?

Hi Stu, thanks on both counts... I'll look at giving it a go!

Hi Stu, You mention "Then the weathering using Martyn Welch’s time honoured mix of Humbrol’s Gunmetal and Leather plus a modicum of washes and powders". Is this specifically relating to the wheels/rods? I'll have a look for the book, but in the meantime it would be great to receive a little clarification on that particular pearl of wisdom. Also... I'm looking to pop some crew into my one of these. Did you find an easier way than trying to fit them through the door aperture and holding in place while the glue dries in a hopefully convincing position? I couldn't quite tell if the cab roof comes off or something.

Hi, I just stumbled across this range, looks good. I like the WW2-era wartime figures. If you are looking for ideas for new additions... I'm thinking of populating a carriage or platform with some military types, suitable for 1944-45. The standing people you have look good. But how about some seated people in uniform? That would add to the options??