This figure is just an improvement over an already pretty nice figure. SideShow Toys WW1 German is the subject so lets get on with the mods! Basic improvements included replacing all of elastic straps with MFisher webbing dyed the appropriate color with Rit dyes. I also replaced the simulated leather straps with real leather purchased from Michaels crafts. I didn't like the way the look of the pants that came with the figure and a pair of Dragon WW2 German pants was a perfect match! I also swapped out the kits short boots for a pair of Dragons old style jackboots which although missing the side seam still look loads better on this somewhat tallish figure.
I replaced the supplied weapon which was a bit warped and crude compared to the rest of the gear with a Yellow Sub MP 28. I salvaged the snail drum magazine from the SideShow weapon and doctored up the MP 28 to accept thsi new part. I also replaced the elastic sling with real leather. The canteen was covered with a bit of cloth to simulate the cordouroy cover some of these had. All of the field gear was repainted and weathered with drybrushing and washes. Once he was put together the uniform was saturated with hairspray and heavily drybrushed for the ground in grime effect. I also splattered a light tan color of paint about the figure to simulate the muddy splash effect, hey these guys lived and died in the trenches which were quite often filled with water and mud. Following this theme the lower you go the dirtier he gets.
Some folks don't like the SideShow sculpts because of their animation but in my opinion they are the very best 1/6 scuplts going. This guys face is chock full of expression which is very nice to see compared to the deadpan stare most figures seem to have. The one big drawback with this figure in particular was the ghastly hue of his skin tone. I fixed this with a complete repaint of his head and hands using oils. Teeth are a challenge to paint, I use a light gray to give a bit of shadow between the teeth. Avoid using black for this or your figure or those teeth will look more like a corn cob!
The hands looked sorta scarey in their original color, but the repaint had them looking ship shape as well. By lightly stippling some light flesh tinted blue along the veins and a few stipples of light flesh over this the vein detail looks great! This is a subtle effect that barely shows in the picture. If you do paint your figures hands remember this, fingernails are not white! The fingernails should be painted a light flesh color.
