WWI pilot or ground crew figures.

[ausf]

Although they're really not my area of modeling, I've been marveling at all those WNW kits. I'm thinking about grabbing an Albatross, for some reason that particular plane has always caught my eye.

I'm curious as to if the pilot/ground service crew market. Is there a good amount of them or is there a need for a dedicated WWI pilot figure line in any particular scale?

I've done some work for large scale WWI pilots (1/3 mostly) and 1/35 sculpting is no stranger to me, so I have the gear and some references. I'm pretty confident in pulling off 1/48, so I assume that would be the target.

What'ya guys think?

 

[Heavens Eagle]

:hmmm Hmmmm.

I think that while there are a fair number of 1/48 WW1 kits out there, I think that 1/32 scale would probably be a better one to shoot for. The 1/48 scale stuff is mainly done by Eduard, Dragon and a smattering of other kit makers. The 1/32 scale WingNut Wings kits are becoming the go to kits though for WW1. While I can build the smaller stuff, I like the larger scale because it is possible to see so much more detail. The need for the larger figures I think is probably greater as the larger scale planes would work better with figures next to them for scaling and scene purposes.

 

[moon puppy]

WnW has been teasing their line of figures since they started. I don't know what the delay is, would love to see their works.

I'm not much of a figure guy so I can't really help but agree with you about the Albatross, I thikn it's the wood paneling sides, reminds us of those old stationwagons we went on vacation in!

 

[ausf]

Thanks Paul.

I think you're right. For some reason I assumed the WNW was 1/48 when I asked the question, but after your response and taking another look at them, I'm happy to see they are 1/32.

1/32 offers more ability for expression.

 

[ausf]

WnW has been teasing their line of figures since they started. I don't know what the delay is, would love to see their works.

I'm not much of a figure guy so I can't really help but agree with you about the Albatross, I thikn it's the wood paneling sides, reminds us of those old stationwagons we went on vacation in!

Well, Bob, I looked at their website again and wouldn't you know an Albatross jumped off their page and around my neck.

I'm a sucker for well researched kits with mixed media and free shipping.

I didn't realize they were in NZ until I saw the country code on Paypal. How long you you guys have to wait to get these kits?

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I ordered my kits over their Christmas break so it took quite a while for them to ship. Once it shipped though it only took a bit over 2 weeks. It does vary a bit I have heard though, but worth the wait.

 

[ausf]

Thanks for the intel Paul.

I'm in no rush, I was just curious.

I'm not an AC modeler, have a bench full of stuff I never seem to get to so...why not an extremely unfamilar subject with lozenge decals and rigging?

 

[ausf]

Another question...

For you guys who build these beasts, are they mostly displayed on bases/shelves or in action?

Really what I mean would a figure be better off in the cockpit, interacting with the plane in some fashion or posed in front separately?

 

[SA Dave]

Personaly I love to see the interaction of the crew and the pilot

 

[moon puppy]

Albatross wouldn't be so bad on rigging I would think, nothing like the FE.2B or AMC DH2. I think the Fokker DIIV would be least rigging or even the Junkers J1.

I can't stress enough to you to get the EZ-Line for rigging. I used fishing line first time and it really make it a struggle because it was so strong, you get one line fixed right then rig the next one and the other would go slack. With the elasticity of the EZ-Line you got a lot of play.

I think general it's about 2 weeks for it to ship to US. They closed down during Christmas holidays so that may have thrown them behind on our last order but it's not dreadful long.

 

[moon puppy]

Another question...

For you guys who build these beasts, are they mostly displayed on bases/shelves or in action?

Really what I mean would a figure be better off in the cockpit, interacting with the plane in some fashion or posed in front separately?

Terry built his Harry Tate with the engine panels swung open, I have seen dioramas with the big float planes but for me, it's just static display with nothing much going on. I've only had one that was worth displaying so far. Hope to fix that soon enough. hyeah

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Another question...

For you guys who build these beasts, are they mostly displayed on bases/shelves or in action?

Really what I mean would a figure be better off in the cockpit, interacting with the plane in some fashion or posed in front separately?

Actually there seem to quite a few photos with the pilots posing in front of their machines in full uniform. There are some then of them in the bulky flight suits, and with better known pilots in their planes. You would just have to do some looking around. There are actually quite a few photos from WW1 aircraft and the pilots in B&W which should be fine for sculpting.