How many of you guys model pilots with your aircraft? Sometimes, I just can’t resist putting a pilot figure in my airplanes. Especially period pilot figures like WW1 or golden age.
I know that it takes away from the cockpit detail so many of us strive for, but sometimes, it just looks cool! [8-|]
Gear down, flaps down, canopy open, no pilot! I do like to have a pilot figure standing on or near the plane though. Unless I’m planning on an in flight ceiling hanger, then I’ll do the opposite, of course.
I’m with ‘fermis’. I prefer a pilot or maintenance figure standing next to the aeroplane to give a sense of size/scale.
Having said that, I am giving serious consideration to getting a Prop-Blur photoetch set and doing an “in flight” kit.
Depends on the diorama story-line… I like candid, casual poses for pilots, an arm on the canopy rail, head turned in converstaion to the crew chief on the wing-root, or a raised arm, pulling the canopy forward, something along those lines… On the B-26 build I’ve got going right now, the crew-chief will be in the cockpit, handing the flight-controls for the pilot’s pre-flight walk-around…
I generally like figures around or in my models.Be it aircraft or armor. I have some of the Eduard aircrew and some PJP pilots and crew from my Monogram B-17 and B-24 kits. Figures liven the model.
I personally don’t like pilots in my plane…however, shamefully…i’ve never even attempted to paint one.
I agree I like dioramas with people in them, but have still not had the courage to attempt to make them look realistic.
I promise to give it a shot one day though [;)]
cml
It depends on a few factors. Does the kit come with a pilot? What is the qulity of the kit’s cockpit? Can the canopy be positioned open? On some kits such as the oldest Monogram kits, you dont have a choice, withou some surgery and/or scratchbuilding, you add the seated pilot or have a big nothing in there. On others, no pilot figure is included and the detailing is so nice, you dont want a pilot in there. And then you have kits in between, a nice pilot figure dresses up a poor or mediocer cockpit.
It depends on how im posing the kit, mostly no, i just leave the pilot out, but if im doing a dio then in they go, speaking of which, anyone with spare USN pilots please PM me. Id be very much grateful
If I’m building an Airfix I’ll add a pilot, but If I’m building a Tamigawa I’ll leave the pilot out. I’m sure I don’t need to explain myself.
Cheers-Leo