Model figure

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A model figure is a scale model representing a human, monster or other creature. Human figures may be either a generic figure of a type (such as "World War II Luftwaffe pilot"), a historical personage (such as "King Henry VIII"), or a fictional character (such as "Conan").
Model figures are sold both as kits for enthusiast to construct and paint and as pre-built, pre-painted collectable figurines. Model kits may be made in plastic (usually polystyrene), polyurethane resin, or metal (including white metal); collectables are usually made of plastic, porcelain, or (rarely) bronze.
There are larger size (12-inch or 30 cm) that have been produced for recent movie characters (Princess Leia from Star Wars, for example). Large plastic military figures are made by some model soldier firms as a sideline.

Military models

Enthusiasts may pursue figure modeling in its own right or as an adjunct to military modeling.
There is also overlap with miniature figures (minis) used in wargames and role-playing games: minis are usually less than 54 mm scale, and do not necessarily represent any given personage. Model figures are usually 54 mm/1:32 scale or greater while miniature wargaming figures tend to be smaller. However, serious 1:72-1:32 modelers (Or, collectors, rather than wargamers) do no refer to these as "minis".
Figures in 1:72 usually come alone, and in large numbers, without an AFV to qualify with them, like in larger scales. This allows manufacturers to go before the AFV age and produce ancient, medieval, Napoleonic.etc. sets. The quality of these vary greatly; While well-funded, high-volume producers, such as Zvezda can produce very high quality figures, small, obscure fims often make little sets of mediocre quality.
Model aircraft and vehicle kits in even smaller scales will also often include "model figures," or can be purchased as accessories. There are also kits of the drivers and servicers of cars, and the series of figurines that stand in the streets and platforms of model railroads.

Japanese figures

Collecting of model figures based on icons like Hello Kitty, as well as characters appearing in anime, manga, kaiju (monster) serials, science fiction/fantasy films and video games is a major part of otaku fandom. Some hobbyists concentrate specifically on a certain type of figure, such as garage kits, gashapon (capsule toys), or PVC bishojo (pretty girl) statues. Such figures prominently featured in work of modern artist Takashi Murakami. Through his company Kaikai Kiki, he has produced a number of limited designer toys to be sold in otaku oriented stores.

Garage Kits

Garage kit figures are often produced by amateur hobbyists, and cast out of polyurethane resin. In Japan they often portray anime characters and in the US they are often movie monsters. Garage kits are usually produced in limited numbers and are more expensive than typical injection molded plastic figures and kits.