Waffen-SS - Modelling Waffen-SS Figures

Calvin Tan

Consultant editor Robert Oehler Series editors Marcus Cowper and Nikolai Bogdanovic

Raised to serve as Hitlers personal bodyguards, the Waffen-SS burgeoned from a small militia into a 38-division-strong elite combat unit by the end of World War II. Its men were handpicked according to the dictates of the Aryan ideal; they were imbued with strict discipline and strong political convictions to the Nazi cause. As such, its units were issued with special uniforms and equipped with the most sophisticated weaponry and equipment of the time. In battle, the Waffen-SS would spearhead some of the most pivotal campaigns and key combat operations, proving time after time their right to be called an elite unit, and gaining the respect of even their most hated enemies. Despite their symbiotic association with the Nazi quest for world domination and the acts of racial hatred and genocide that they participated in, to this very day soldiers of the Waffen-SS exert a fascination, particularly for military modellers, wargamers and reenactors.

An SS-Schtze from the 1st SS-Panzer-Division Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler in France 1940. (Stephen Andrew; from Osprey Publishings Men-at-Arms 401)

An SS-Sturmmann from 1942, carrying an MG34 machine gun, and wearing the reversible camouflage smock. (Stephen Andrew; from Osprey Publishings Men-at-Arms 401)

Apart from the evocative historical appeal of such a topic, many modellers are drawn to the aesthetic details of Waffen-SS uniforms. Its divisions pioneered the deployment of camouflage clothing on a large scale, and made use of numerous exotic patterns in the plentiful types of standard and non-standard uniforms and field wear.

In response, many figure and model kit manufacturers have satisfied the demand for this popular subject with frequent releases of Waffen-SS figures, making it one of the most widely available subjects on the modelling market. Furthermore, the emergence of numerous websites, photo-journals and publications over the years has, in parallel, increased the accessibility of reference materials.

However, representing camouflage patterns in 1/35-scale modelling is no easy task, and its with this in mind that this book was written and prepared. One of my key aims is to assist the modeller in tackling some of the most technically demanding aspects of figure painting. Embarking with the use of acrylic paints (a medium thats fast gaining popularity amongst many modellers today) this book will also feature useful tips, techniques, colour plates and after-market products to improve stock figures, or to create an accurate scale representation of a Waffen-SS soldier. The builds will essen tially focus more on techniques for problem solving rather than just direct finishing methods. Additional tips on design concepts and groundwork techniques will also be provided for the reader, with the aim of reinforcing my holistic approach towards creating what can hopefully be termed a miniature work of art.

Finally, given the potentially controversial nature of the Waffen-SS, I would like to stress that this book is quintessentially a guidebook to aid the modeller in rendering this historical subject in scale form. In no way does it seek to glorify Nazi politics or practices. I hope that you will enjoy the work and that some of the techniques and tips will prove useful in your future modelling endeavours.

Acrylic paints are a relatively new development in the field of visual arts, but it has not taken long for military modellers to find uses for them. In recent years, many modellers have gradually made the switch to acrylic paints in lieu of traditional mediums like oils and enamels. Made by binding pigments in synthetic polymer emulsified by water, they are, in short, water-soluble liquid plastic paints. They possess good adhesive qualities; are stable (meaning that the pigments will not separate easily from the binder); resist oxidation, fungus, decomposition; and will not yellow or fade over time. This medium proves especially favourable to me; in the humidity of South-East Asia, where I live, oil paints are more susceptible to fungus growth and decomposition. Furthermore, being water soluble, the clean up process is very convenient and reduces the need to use hazardous solvents.

However, despite their many attributes, acrylic paints are not without their draw backs. Being a water-based medium, they dry rapidly which is both an advantage and disadvantage. The time it takes for water to evaporate is the time it takes for these paints to dry. Thus the modeller has little time to manipulate the paint once it has been applied to the surface of the model.

Conversely, the advantage of a fast drying time is that the modeller can apply many layers of paint in a short amount of time. Modellers can very effectively employ glazing and layering techniques when using acrylics. Corrections can also be executed almost immediately, as the layers of paint bind to one another very well because of their good adhesive qualities.

Before embarking on painting a uniform, its vital to study the design of the camouflage pattern. Bear in mind that the patterns throughout are repetitive and this is particularly useful in deciphering the more complex designs by looking for recurring forms. Understanding the design will also enable you to determine the placement of the colour patterns in relation to how light falls on the figure. Shading a figure in camouflage uniform often presents a perplexing problem to most modellers, but by employing a little artistic licence now and then this problem can be overcome. Below are some key tips that I would like to share with you.