Hawk Graphics

27 Links per Inch Black Chain

Finding chain suitable for 1/72 scale armour can be a challenge. Most modelling specific products on the market cater to the 1/35 scale crowd and finding chain elsewhere with small enough links for 1/72 scale is a hit and miss proposition. For years I have been making do with some small linked chain I found in the jewellery section of my local Walmart. It looked good enough but having to paint it for that rusty look was a challenge. That has changed with this set of fine link chain from a Canadian company that specializes in ship modelling.

I discovered this product at the 2015 IPMS USA Nationals. Although it is ostensibly titled "27 Links per Inch Black Chain", in reality the chain links are more of a rust colour than black, thus making them perfectly suited for armour pretty much straight from the package. No fiddling with chemicals or paint to get that nice rusty look. As can be seen in the photograph below the 27 links per inch is approximate - I counted 28 and one half links in the first inch (making the links just under 1mm each or approximately 72mm or 3 scale inches long). Total length of the chain is 11.75 inches (just short of 30cm).

I'm impressed. I found the price to be reasonable and they look to be perfect for small scale armour builders. A little more chain inside the package would have been nice.

Preview sample purchased by the author.

Article Last Updated: 20 August 2015