N-scale WWII Figures?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Greetings,

I posted a few months ago and I’m well under way with my layout. I’m quiet happy. Thanks for all the help getting me started!

I’ve started picking out a few scenery items but there is one particular class of items I’m just not able to find: N scale WWII figures. Preferably German and US.

I’m able to find a few tanks, planes, vehicles, and buildings, but just no military figures at all. I’ve looked into war modeling too, specifically 1/144 scale which seems most promising. Here are my finds:

  1. A page in Japan shipping internationally has the following items …
    http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist.cgi?SeriesID=2051&Dis=2
    This would actually be perfect, but all the items of relevance to me are out of stock. I guess I could try ordering, but who knows…

  2. http://www.walthers.com/ … has 2 relevant items (search for “Figures” 1/144). Out of stock.

That’s it and I’ve literally looked for hours (google, mostly).

I even considered just painting regular N scale figures in appropriate colors – really, who would notice? :slight_smile: Or should I just leave figures away? Seems weired to me not having any figures but I would probably prefer that to putting something in my scenery that doesn’t fit (yea, sorry… I’m kind of nit picky).

Any ideas/suggestions?

thanks,
Philip

2

There are not many manufacturers of military figures and most of them come from Germany. Preiser and Faller are two companies that come to mind. A quick search for N scale for these two companies draws a blank it seems. I have not put much effort into looking, but if you can find the European sites for these companies perhaps they will have a broader range of n scale on them. HO figures are easy to find from these two companies.

3

Try looking for 10mm military figures.

To me the problem is that most military figures are soldiers in battle dress and poses. Since I model stateside in the postwar era, I think the need is for soldiers and sailors as they migh have been seen at train stations and other peacetime settings.

4

Try looking on the Dragon USA website. They make kits and ready built 1/144 scale german armour including the ‘Leopold’ rail gun, ‘Karl’ heavy Morser and vehicles for the armoured scout train and a tank on flatcar. Some kits include figures but not sure if they do them separately.
Kato are also reported to have annoonced an N scale Leopold rail gun for 2006 but I can’t find any pics so far.

5

pcberg.

You might try giving Race Fierman a call at Spring Crossing in Spring, Texas. His number is 281-353-9484. His e-mail is rfierman@swbell.net. He had at least a drawer full of stuff like you’re looking for the last time I was in there.

Hope this helps.

TL

6

That’s a very good point. I really have the same problem then. I was able to find some material now with the help of you all. But yes, it’s all “in battle” material. Anybody have suggestions for the problem AltonFan points out?

thanks again,
Philip

7

It may be easier to paint or modify MP or WS figures. Prieser makes a set of unpainted ones. THe trick is the tiny bits of paint you will need. Remember to be creative when looking at the plastic figures. Sometimes,I think MP just does the same ones with different colors.