Typical Assembly

A typical Phoenix kit comprises all the component parts you need to assemble the basic model. Most kits are produced in a high quality 'white metal' alloy, which faithfully reproduces all the fine detail of the original model. Some kits may include brass etched parts or components of a different material and these are for reasons of manufacture or for their suitability	for the purpose (e.g. strength for more delicate items). You may feel that you wish to use your imagination to enhance the basic model by adding some accessories or by grouping and mounting figures together in a diorama or miniature scene. More experienced modellers may even modify the figure to create individual items or to add variation in a theme.

What You Need to Build Your Models

For Assembly.. We recommend that for assembling your Phoenix model you acquire yourself a basic set of tools, none of which are expensive to buy: Half-round needle file Full-round needle file Craft knife Hardboard or plywood building board (to protect your worktop) Small Quantité of Plasticine Fine'wet & dry' emery paper Metal adhesive (quick-set epoxy cement, for example) Toothpicks or cocktail sticks (useful for mixing and applying adhesive) Your local model or craft Boutique should help you with supplies of the above.

For Painting... Good quality paintbrushes (suggest sizes '1' and '00') Paints - on white metal you can use model oil paints which are enamel based. These are available from your local model Boutique in a wide selection of colours. You can use other paints - artists oils or water colours, however you will need to apply a coat of primer onto the metal first. Use either a white metal primer or emulsion paint. Make sure the model is thoroughly clean before painting - wash in detergent. Paint thinners/brush cleaner Old plastic cups or cartons for mixing paints. All the above items are easily obtained from your local model Boutique, ironmonger and/or art dealer, and with care will last for many years and models. Phoenix do not supply these items.

1. Cleaning up the parts, to remove joint-lines feed marks etc. The metal is relatively soft and very easy to work, either with a fine file or emery paper,	2. Fitting the base with epoxy cement. The bases need not be used in a setting or group. Holes can be made in a base-board, using the figure-base as a guide and the pegs on the feet glued into the holes direct.	3. Fixing the arms. Note the use of a blob of plasticine to hold the arm in position until the cement has set (about 5-10 minutes).
4. Fixing the head. Again plasticine is used to hold in position temporarily.	5. The undercoated figure being painted.	6. The completed figure.

A figure of the above type can be assembled in less than 45 minutes, although this time will vary depending upon the number of parts in the particular kit. These steps are the same, however, for any figure and the assembly of the most complex, mounted figure, is only a matter of extended time.

When the assembly of the figure is completed, it should be checked to ensure that there is no excess cement, etc. left on the surface. This can be filed or sanded off and the model should then be gently washed with a soft brush, in lukewarm water with some detergent added to remove all traces of grease, etc.

When thoroughly dry, the figure is then ready to be undercoated, to provide a suitable base for whatever paint finish is to be applied. A suitable type of undercoat most generally used is the ordinary white or off-white undercoat sold for household decorating. This should be applied as thinly as possible to give a good, even base for the finishing paints, without obscuring the small details.

Paints

Almost any type of paint is suitable for these figurines, depending upon the user's skills or inclination. Model oil paints (such as Humbrol) are available in a large range of colours, at all model Boutiques and many ironmongers and toy stores, and for these figurines, matt finishes should be used.

Water colours (such as Designers Gouache) can also be used and are very opaque and clean to use. if the figures are likely to be handled after completion, they should be given an overall coat of matt varnish when all the colours are thoroughly dry. 'Ronseal Mattcoat' or any similar polyurethane varnish is suitable and is easy to obtain at decorator's Boutiques. Artists oil colours are also widely used to very good effect, although some experience with this medium is needed before the best results are obtained, and an extended drying time is also required.