Black Cat Bases Female Civilians 01

I'm posting a short review today as I'm busy playing a new ATZ-FFO scenario this weekend. The batrep should follow very soon. My last order to Black Cat Bases mainly consisted of females. Here are three of their Civilians and Townsfolk range.

The first two figures in line are known as Night Clubbers with Handbags. I'm sure most of us recognise them as typical slappers getting ready for "a neet oot on the toon" as we Geordies would say. Take a trip down the Bigg Market in Newcastle on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday night and you'll see them, invariably smashed out of their skulls on cheap booze. Actually, they are not just native to my home city but can be found in any major town or city. The  fat lass with her bottle blonds hair has squeezed herself into a tight fitting miniskirt and sleeveless top. Note the  matching pink top, shoes and handbag. Her more glamourous looking friend wears a low-cut gold mini-dress with matching gold handbag and silver high heels. They cost £2.00 each or you can buy the pair for just £3.50. Not bad value for money.

The third figure in line is based upon the actress and glamour model, Bettie Page. She actually comes with a scenic diorama base but I rebased her on a standard 25mm diameter slottabase. I can well imagine that Bettie will be unfamiliar with many of you. She rose to fame during the 1950's when she became one of the very first Playmates of the Month for Playboy magazine in 1955. It is only in recent years that I have become familiar with her. I quite like Bettie.

This is a photo of the figure taken from the BCB website, showing all the component parts of the diorama - 28mm scale figure of Bettie, base featuring a tiled floor and rug, a chaise longue, side table and telephone, book and lamp and a "Bettie x" decal. This is a rather expensive figure, costing £10.00, but you do get a lot for that amount. I have no need for the base but the other items will find a home in my St. Trinian's School in the headmistress's office.

Here is actress Gretchen Moi playing Bettie in the film, "The Notorious Bettie Page" and this is a very close likeness to the figure. I wonder if the sculptor (Martin Baker) was inspired by this photo? It certainly looks like he was, although he has omitted her riding crop. There is something of the dominatrix about her in this photo. Nice! Special thanks to Chris Sheets for pointing out that this was not actually Bettie. Even so, she still looks like Bettie.

So, here is the real Bettie in an iconic photo that originally appeared in Playboy magazine in 1955.