Planning for scale model diorama involving figures is not as easy as I thought. For example, a 1/20th scale female figure averages at about 87.5mm (or close to 3.5 inches) which is as big as an action figure. For me, it is not the size but the posing of the figure itself. The conventional method is to salvage parts from other figures or sculpt your own. This is fine for 1/35 plastic figures and since they’re so common, the chances of locating the ‘correct’ part before any plastic surgery is higher compared to that of the 1/20th scale.
For this reason, I would have to look for alternative solutions. One such idea is to obtain a 3D .stl file and re-size them for printing. This is all well and good except that I have zero knowledge in 3D file manipulation, which forces me to purchase ready-made files and look for an ‘Honest Joe’ printing service. In the end, I compromised the diorama concept and went back to my old reliable solution; Tori Factory or in other words, resin figures.
Despite my hatred of using CA aka cyanoacrylate aka SuperGlue with resin, it was one of the only solution to ensure the pieces stick together. The other alternative would be to use 2-part epoxies (but not the UV version). However, unlike those 1/35 styrene plastics where the glue works by melting and solidify the two parts or joints, cyanoacylates and epoxies just bonds the two surfaces together which to me, can be fragile over time. One such example would be a plastic model car which I used SuperGlue in the dry UK (OK, Scottish) weather. Once I brought it back with me to humid Malaysia, the model literally fell apart as the glue reacted with damp moisture. This is the reason I do not like bonds. Plus, I now do worry if any of my ‘bonded’ models were to travel outside my Country and then back again. Perhaps this time, even the painting might fail.
Tori Factory
Prior to meeting Mr. Adam Han in 2023, I have heard about him when it came to resin figures. There are others but for this post, it is dedicated to him. His range of product or rather, his take on certain topics can be very interesting. For me, I was very interested in his Girls in Action Series, even though I am not a Figure person. Although I loved to get more of his figures, I have to limit myself because, cutting and repositioning resin parts is not similar to working with styrene plastic which is more forgiving. And thus, I have to suit my diorama to the figure and not the other way round.
The scale I am talking about today, is the 1/20th scale, which is commonly synonymous with Tamiya’s F1 Cars but there is another genre which uses this scale, which is Koy Yokoyama’s Maschinen Krieger series aka ma.K. The concept initially started with Micronauts figures which was quite close to the 1/18th scale but eventually, he embraced the 1/20th scale as the de facto scale. And Tori Factory does have some figures in this genre. When I first met him in 2023, Mr. Han was already dabbling with 3D printing and sculpting. The end result is that he is able to quickly recreate his figures in any scale necessary. So, if you see a figure in 1/35th, chances are, they would also be available in 1/12th, 1/20th and so on. I think, in the near future, it is possible to request for custom scale.
For me, I still dream of a multi-pose figures in both 1/35 and 1/20 scales, which is a great help for when one needs to do a custom figure. Accessories can be different hands, heads and even, feet/shoes. Once the desired pose is achieved, the figure can then be filled with modeling putty and have other details sculpted. Also, I hope there are some choice weapons such as pistols, revolvers, grenade launchers, missile launchers, grenades and some rifles available in this scale.
Cute girls in Military gear is a very common theme in the World of ma.K and Tori Factory’s products naturally fit right in. I would like to extend his ideas such as figures sitting in a Vehicle. For example, characters Deckard & Gaff sitting inside a 1/24 scale Fujimi Blade Runner Spinner. Or even, extend that to ThreeZero’s 1/43 or Master Replica’s 1/22.5 Spinner but those needs to be ‘opened’ first. Then again, these 1/24 figures were already being sold, with the latest coming CozmicScaleModels.
The Free Gifts
As this is my first online purchase with Tori Factory, Mr. Han has kindly put in two additional figures for me.
The 2023 Haul
When Tori Factory set up their table at the 2023 MMHS, it drew quite a number of people. Also at this time, I noticed some of the figures were actual cast resin and some were 3D printed. I guessed he is transitioning into 3D printing. You can see some of his products in my Facebook Page (Piscean Works) Photo Album.
These are the first three figures I bought from Mr. Adam Han in 2023. It was planned for some 1/35 ma.K scenario or just as a mini diorama for me to practice painting. That opportunity never arrive.
