1:12 Tesla Trooper (Red Alert 2)

1:12 Tesla Trooper (Border Model)

A figure of a character from a computer strategy game in 1:12 scale, which works out at roughly 15 cm for a standing figure. This is not a military model of a real subject but a game character: an infantryman in a heavy protective suit with an electric weapon, as the player knows him from a strategy game set in an alternate history. It is supplied as a kit for assembly and painting.

How a game figure differs from a military model

With a figure of a real subject, the modeler watches over the period accuracy of the uniform and the equipment. Here it is different: what counts is whether the character is recognizable and whether the expression fits. The shapes tend to be deliberately exaggerated, because they come from game graphics, where the silhouette has to read clearly even on a small area. For a painter this is a chance to work with light effects and with bold colors that would look out of place on a military model.

Building and painting tips

First wash the parts in lukewarm water with dish soap and let them dry. Cut the remains of production off with a fresh blade and level the area, and protect your breathing while sanding. Apply a primer before painting; a dark one suits a large figure better. Electrical discharges and glowing elements are done by layering: first a dark base, then a saturated color and finally an almost white core. The metal of the suit comes into its own after a black base and a polish over it with a metallic shade.

Who the figure is for

• Collectors of game and fantasy characters
• Figure painters who want a larger format than the usual 35 mm
• Those interested in working with light effects
• Players who want a favorite character on the shelf