1:48 British helmet MK1 (detail)

1:48 British helmet MK1 (detail) — a Firma49 resin set

This is an add-on set of finely 3D-printed resin helmets in 1:48 scale, not a model of a vehicle or an aircraft. The version marked detail offers a more finely worked shape and surface so that the helmets sit better on the heads of figures or in a diorama scene. The castings are meant to be glued on and painted as the build requires.

The real subject

The British Mk I steel helmet, nicknamed the Brodie or the Tommy, is marked out by its shallow dome and its wide brim. It was worn by British and Allied Commonwealth forces from the First World War and, in revised forms, in the Second World War as well. It is one of the most characteristic symbols of the British soldier of both wars.

Building and painting tips

Before separating the castings from the tabs and before sanding, dip the parts in hot water: the resin softens and chips less, and it hardens again once cooled. Wash any mold release agent off the parts, cut the casting blocks away with a sharp knife or a saw, bond them with super glue (cyanoacrylate) and sand with respiratory protection. They can be painted with ordinary modeling paints; a flat surface and a fine wash bring out the shape of the helmet.

Who the set is for

• Builders of figures and dioramas in 1:48 scale
• A replacement for bland helmets molded directly onto a figure
• Scenes from the First and Second World Wars with British and Allied soldiers
• Modelers who want to bring more variety of equipment into a scene

The set contains resin helmet castings only. Figures, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.