A model boat with nobody on board can look like a museum exhibit. Add a skipper at the wheel and a deckhand coiling a line, and it looks like a working vessel. Figures also show scale at a glance, because everyone knows roughly how big a person is.
This guide covers choosing the right scale, materials, poses, painting and fixing. It also covers the extra things to think about on RC boats and where UK builders tend to find figures.
Why Crew Figures Matter
Crew figures do three jobs:
- They show scale. A figure next to a winch or a doorway tells the viewer straight away how large the real vessel was.
- They tell a story. A crew hauling nets, casting off or standing watch turns a static model into a moment.
- They draw the eye. A well-placed figure leads people to the details you most want them to see.
They work against you if the scale is wrong, the paint is too bright or the poses are stiff. A few good figures are better than a crowded deck.
Matching Figures to Your Model’s Scale
Figure Height by Scale
The table below shows the approximate height of a 1.75 m (about 5 ft 9 in) adult at common model boat and ship scales. Real people vary, so a crew of slightly different heights looks more natural than a row of identical figures.
| Scale | Approx. figure height | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1:12 | 146 mm | Large RC launches and lifeboats |
| 1:16 | 109 mm | Large RC boats |
| 1:20 | 88 mm | RC workboats, lifeboats |
| 1:24 | 73 mm | RC tugs, fishing boats, launches |
| 1:32 | 55 mm | RC and static workboats |
| 1:35 | 50 mm | Military small craft |
| 1:48 | 36 mm | Larger static and RC models |
| 1:64 | 27 mm | Wooden sailing ship kits |
| 1:72 | 24 mm | Submarines, small warships, RC |
| 1:96 | 18 mm | Static and RC warships |
| 1:350 | 5 mm | Plastic warship kits |
| 1:700 | 2.5 mm | Waterline warship kits |
At 1:350 and smaller, crew usually come as photo-etched brass frets or very small resin or 3D-printed sets. They suggest people rather than detailed portraits.
Mixing Brands and “Close Enough” Scales
Figures sold as the same scale can still differ noticeably in height and bulk between makers. Before you glue anything, test-fit figures against things on the deck you know the size of: doors, hatches, rails and the wheel. A figure should be able to walk through a doorway and stand at a rail at about waist height. Small differences are fine. A figure whose head is too big for the wheelhouse door is not.
Figure Materials
- White metal: detailed and durable, but heavy. Needs a metal primer.
- Resin: crisp detail and lighter than metal. Wash off mould release before priming, and wear a dust mask when sanding.
- Injection-moulded plastic: light and cheap, and often included in kits. Detail is usually softer.
- 3D-printed resin: more and more common, with a wide range of poses and scales. Quality varies between sellers. Look for fine layer lines and good support removal.
- Photo-etched brass: for very small scales. The flat figures are bent into a pose and painted.
Choosing Poses and Roles
Match the crew to what the vessel does and when:
- Tugs: a skipper in the wheelhouse, deckhands near the towing hook or bitts.
- Fishing boats: crew in oilskins at the winch, gutting fish or handling nets.
- Lifeboats: crew in period-correct lifejackets and helmets, braced on deck.
- Launches and pleasure craft: relaxed seated passengers, a helmsman.
- Sailing warships: officers on the quarterdeck, sailors at the guns or aloft. Clothing must match the period.
Vary heights and body language, with some figures standing, some seated and some bent over a job. A small group of two or three linked by one task, such as passing a line, usually works better than figures scattered evenly around the deck. Keep doors, ladders and walkways clear unless the scene needs them blocked.
Painting Crew Figures
- Clean and prime. Wash the figure, scrape off mould lines, and prime grey or off-white in thin coats.
- Block in base colours. Use flat, muted shades. Workwear at sea tends to be navy, dark green, khaki and faded yellow oilskin, not bright primary colours.
- Shade and highlight. A thin darker wash in creases and a light dry-brush on raised folds add depth with little effort.
- Faces and hands. Keep them simple at small scales. A mid flesh tone, a darker wash and a slightly lighter highlight on the nose and cheekbones are enough. Painting tiny eyes often makes figures look startled.
- Weather lightly. A little grime on knees and boots and some salt staining on oilskins go a long way.
- Seal matte. A matte varnish knocks back any shine and protects the paint.
It’s much easier to paint figures before they go on the boat. For more on matching sheen and colour to the rest of the model, see our guide to model ship finishes.
Fixing Figures in Place
Pinning is the most secure method. Drill a small hole up into one foot, glue in a short length of brass or steel wire, and drill a matching hole in the deck. A spot of glue on the pin holds the figure firmly and leaves no visible blob around the feet. You can still remove the figure by cutting the pin if needed.
For figures inside a wheelhouse, fit them before the roof or glazing goes on, or make the roof removable. Seated figures on benches or engine boxes can usually be glued straight down if the contact area is large enough.
On static models, crew can also hold or interact with small deck fittings such as wheels, ropes and boxes. Our page on model ship parts and fittings covers many of these parts.
Crew on RC Boats: Weight and Water
On a working model, figures affect how the boat handles:
- Weight high up reduces stability. A heavy white metal crew in a raised wheelhouse or on a flying bridge can make a small boat roll noticeably. Choose resin or plastic for figures placed high, or re-trim the ballast afterwards.
- Water and handling. Seal figures well. Spray and condensation inside the hull can lift paint on poorly primed metal.
- Secure fixing. Pin figures that are exposed on deck. A figure knocked off in the middle of a lake is usually gone for good.
Buying Model Boat Figures in the UK
UK model boating has a strong RC tradition, so figures in scales such as 1:12, 1:20, 1:24 and 1:32 are widely available from British hobby suppliers, independent resin casters and 3D-print sellers. A few practical points:
- Buying within the UK usually avoids import charges and long delivery times. Orders from the EU or further afield may involve customs fees.
- Model boat shows and club open days are good places to see figures in person and compare scales before buying.
- Club members are often the best source of recommendations for figures that suit specific popular kits.
If you plan to show your crewed boat in a harbour or dockside scene, our guide to model ship dioramas covers sculpted water and scale dockyards.