Lastly brass wire. You can buy this from the local model shop K&S is the usual one in 300mm lengths for an arm and a leg for each piece. Or go to ebay on the jewellery section and buy coils of brass wire mine are 10 metre lengths for about £4 a roll. It comes in 0.2mm, 0.4mm. 0.5mm, 0.7mm and 1mm. It is also in two states, soft and half hard.
Cut off what you need hold between two pairs of pliers and pull tight. Then pass the length along an open flame like a blowtorch but the gas hob will work
Once it cools the coil has gone and you are left with a nice straight wire.