How do you make your own figures? Is it expensive? A logistics nightmare?

Cosmo:

Two things you may want to try.

I will assume you are building U.S. Paratroopers. Try sending an email to Monogram or ask here on the forum if anyone has the "SKYTRAIN" C-47/DAKOTA kit it has a full stick of jumpers. Monogram may sell you the sprue that has the paratroopers on it.

The second is if you are going to build your own it can be done and in 1/48. The first thing I would suggest is get a copy of OSPREY MODELLING MANUAL #8 - MODELLING AND PAINTING FIGURES  http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=C9232~ser=MAN  it includes full articles on how to make your own figures. It has templates for the human form in all scales to start from and shows how to sculpt the head, hands, body, clothing, equipment, etc. etc.

The main thing to remember with your figures is that all the equipment is standard. So you will only have to build one reserve chute, main chute, helmet, etc. etc. You will need good references for these and there are plenty of great books and on-line references to help with this. Once you have the masters made you can reproduce them by casting.

As far as casting goes. FSM has run a number of articles over the years on how to cast your own parts. Search the article list here on the website and order a copy of the most recent one. Following the article step by step you will be casting in no time and producing great duplicates.

As far as the logistics or the "What do I need" factors

Lego Blocks to make your mould boxes for casting - Read the article and you will see

RTV Moulding Rubber - Check Model Builders Supply online to see the types available

Casting Resin - I use AlumiLite it is in my opinion the best out there and so easy to use.

Putty - You will need a couple types. One is two part ribbon type epoxy putty (Games Workshop or similar) you will use this to make your equipment and clothing items over the figure master. The second is the usual type you use for filling imperfections (Squadron Green etc.)

Tools - Read the articles in the OSPREY book and it will help you choose you tools. Some you may already have.

Other than that you are pretty much on your way. I am currently working on sculpting my own figures as the positions are not readily available from manufacturers.

Post some pictures as you go along.

Cheers;

Gregory

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=C9232~ser=MAN  

Wow!  Thanks for the in-depth insights.  I'll post some pics when I get to it.

There's a fairly lengthy discussion in this thread http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/659591/ShowPost.aspx  from a few weeks ago on the subject of casting and mold making to add to what gburdon has already mentioned. Lots of options and techniques out there.

 You can click the link in my sig to see how I make figures, but there are many ways to go about it. I'd suggest using heads from figures from kits if you make your own, unless you've got some experience, or a special touch at sculpting. Smaller scales can be tricky when it comes to faces. I'd also take lame figures and chop them up, scrape off the detail, plus a fair amount of dimension and then use the torso and the legless pelvis as an armature, in concjuntion with paperclips to build the arms and legs around. Then you can sculpt a rough musculature with which to clothe. I'd also use boots from kit figures as well. Save you a lot of work, especially if molding up and casting the parts.

 I use Magic Sculpt and swear by it, but A&B Epoxy Putty and Milliput are also fine choices. Many like to use the Duro Epoxy Ribbon for detail work.