Frequently Asked Questions
Everything modelers ask about ION Model naval crew figures — scales, which ships they fit, resin durability, and how to paint them.
What scales do ION Model figures come in?
1:144, 1:200, 1:250, 1:350, 1:400 and 1:700 — one of the widest scale ranges available for naval crew, so you can use the same trusted figures across every project, from a large display battleship down to a 1:700 waterline diorama. Proportions are carefully checked so the crew sits naturally on deck.
How many figures are in a set, and are they really all different?
Around 72 figures in a typical 1:350 set, and every figure is unique — a different pose, uniform variation, or both. Populate a whole deck (even hundreds of figures) without obvious repeats.
Which ships and kits can I use the figures on?
Universal crew figures that fit any ship of the matching scale, from any manufacturer (Tamiya, Trumpeter, Academy, Revell, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Aoshima, Airfix, Flyhawk, Very Fire, Meng and more). Examples:
- Kriegsmarine (WWII German): Bismarck, Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Prinz Eugen, Admiral Graf Spee, Admiral Hipper.
- Imperial Japanese Navy: Yamato, Musashi, Nagato, Kongō, Akagi, Kaga, Shōkaku & Zuikaku carriers, Akizuki-class destroyers (e.g. Fuyuzuki), Fubuki-class destroyers.
- US Navy — WWII: Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, Arizona, Enterprise (CV-6), Yorktown, Essex-class carriers, Fletcher-class destroyers.
- US Navy — Modern: Nimitz-class carriers (Nimitz, Ronald Reagan), Gerald R. Ford, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
- Royal Navy: HMS Hood, Prince of Wales, King George V, Warspite, Rodney, Repulse, Ark Royal, Belfast.
- Civilian, liners & modern commercial: RMS Titanic and other ocean liners, container ships, cargo vessels, harbour/dockyard dioramas, and research/expedition ships such as the Sōya.
Not listed? They still fit — they're crew, not ship-specific parts.
Isn't resin fragile? I've had figures snap before.
We use a custom flexible resin blend built to resist breakage. Modelers report up to a 100% success rate separating figures from their supports, with no reported breakages in shipping. Our pioneering upside-down printing improves both durability and pose quality.
How detailed are the figures, and how accurate are the uniforms?
Printed at ~25-micron resolution, capturing fine features like buttons, belts, folds and pilot equipment. The uniform types are historically accurate — developed from period photographs and reviewed with subject-matter experts — so each range looks right for its navy and era, and holds up well to a brush and a detail wash.
How do I remove and paint them?
Heads-up first: the supports are tougher than plastic sprue — standard modeler's clippers/nippers won't cut them cleanly. Use a sharp hobby blade (or a fine razor saw). Two painting approaches:
- Paint on the supports — leave the figures on the frame (it doubles as a handy holder), then remove them afterwards; or
- Remove first — cut the figures free and stick them to double-sided tape to hold them while you paint.
Either way: prime (airbrush or spray-can primer) → brush-paint → finish with a wash to bring out the detail.
What sets do you make?
14 set types across 40+ variants, including Kriegsmarine on duty, US Navy deck crew, IJN carrier personnel & pilots, Royal Navy rough-weather crews, and 20th-century civilian passengers, ship crew & dock workers — plus ultra-detailed Titanic deck furniture (promenade benches, deck loungers, folding chairs).
Where are they made, and do you ship internationally?
Designed and produced in the EU, with fully tracked worldwide shipping — regularly sent to the US, UK, Europe, Australia and Asia. A European brand trusted by modelers in 20+ countries.