Tamiya

1/350 Scale Crew Set (144 Pcs.) For most 1/350 naval kits

Stock Number: 12622

Reviewed By  Bart Cusumano, IPMS# 31882

MSRP: $11.50 Web Site: www.tamiya.com Tamiya has released their latest 'Detail-Up Parts Series" set in the form of a 1:350 Scale Crew Set, item # 12622. The figures come in a small 5" x 6" clear poly bag with a glued flap. Suggested painting instructions and use are printed on the back of the insert that shows through the back of the package. When I first looked at the product while still in the package, they seemed no better than a plastic version of the typical flat, photo-etch crew figures - the flat side is what shows in the package front. However, once I opened the package and examined the contents, I found that the fronts of the figures (not seen while in the package) are molded in relief with a bit of a 3D effect to them. It's not a whole lot, but just enough to make painting them a bit easier. Unfortunately, the backsides are still flat. The molding of the figures is flawless with no flash or distortion. You get 24 each of six different poses for a total of 144 figures. I liked the fact that the figures are molded in plastic, with less mass than the old PE kind, which should make secure gluing a bit easier, especially since the figures all have tiny little feet with flat bottoms. The plastic also eliminates the need to prime them - I got excellent paint adhesion on mine, using both Humbrol enamel and Vallejo acrylic paints. The poses seem to be intended for WWII IJN use, but with a little bit of effort and imagination, they can be put to use in just about any 1:350 scale vessel application. I painted my samples in various finishes: Figure / Pose 1 - as US Navy dress whites and blues Figure / Pose 2 - as US Navy and IJN WWII enlisted men Figure / Pose 3 - as Star Trek USS Enterprise crewmen : TOS and movie versions Figures / Poses 4 and 5 - as US Navy aircraft handlers Figure / Pose 6 - as US Navy and IJN WWII Officers

Being that they are molded in plastic, the more intrepid among us could even do a bit of hack and re-glue to vary poses and get an even more dynamic look to your crew. I intend to use some of these to crew my Polar Lights 1:350 scale starship USS Enterprise in the areas that provide for interior vessel area display. If you are in need of some 1:350 scale figures, I can definitely recommend this set by Tamiya. Just be aware that Eduard does offer a set of pre-painted PE WWII US Navy figures for just a bit more cash, but they are flat on both sides. I also noticed an ad in the July 2008 issue of Finescale Modeler for a 1:350 scale USS Buchanan DD-484 kit that seems to feature six 1:350 scale crew figures which appear to be molded in full relief - a harbinger of things to come? So do your research and make sure you are getting what you want and/ or need. But again, these Tamiya figures are a good choice for 1:350 scale. Thanks to Tamiya for providing the review sample and to IPMS USA for allowing me the pleasure of doing this review.

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