Wings Cockpit WWI Pilots Preview

1/32 scale

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David Allen has sent the following images and information about a brand new range of figures:

Introducing Wings Cockpit Figures’ range of WW1 pilots.

March 2013

I am delighted to introduce my new range of First World War 1/32 figures to accompany the excellent aeroplanes now available in this scale.

Casting is by Bob Brown of MDC, which speaks for itself.

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The masters were all sculpted by Steve Warrilow, and their naturalism and detail at last gives us as modellers a good range of figures commensurate in quality with the superb aeroplane kits. These add to my developing range of Second World War pilots and figures (described in more detail below). When in October last year I saw Wingnut Wings’ 1/32 kits I thought they cried out for figures to go with them. Roden also make quite good kits, but they are not in the same league.

Where the figures are “cockpit” figures to fit inside the aeroplane, they are specifically designed to fit Wingnut Wings’ beautiful models. The standing figures are straightforward – to pose alongside any 1/32 model.

On cockpit figures comes the necessary warning to modellers. Care pays. With all the seated figures designed to fit inside the aircraft cockpit the golden rule applies - test fit him to check the position and fit in the cockpit first before assembly. The classic problem with seated cockpit figures is that they sit in a tighter space than they would have been in the original full scale aircraft. Whilst the outer dimensions of the model are usually pretty accurate, the inner dimensions and the cockpit are distorted by the thickness of the plastic, and generally in scale around a minimum 6 inches up to a foot or more tighter than the original cockpit space. The Wings’ figures are designed to fit the aircraft specified, but they still need care in fitting. Cockpit fit notes for the seated pilots are available from me (as a document with photographs in MS Word format) by e-mailing me at david.allen@wingscockpitfigures.com.

The Wings Cockpit Figures’ full range is available from MDC online (who do an excellent international service)by following this link.

or by enquiry from me at –

david.allen@wingscockpitfigures.com

Prices for the majority of standing figures are £13.50 a standing figure, and £15.00 a cockpit figure, which I hope are acceptable, affordable prices.  

Future releases will shortly concentrate upon Luftstreitkrafte German Air Service pilots, with pilots to accompany the Fokker Eindecker III, Albatross DV (and DVa), Fokker DVII and LVG Wingnut Wings’ models. The ‘Fighting Fees’ action figures for the Wingnut Wings’ FE2b will be released next month, along with more WW2 releases.

I hope you like the new models.

WW2 Pilot Figure Range

Here is the current Wings’ Cockpit WW2 Pilot Figure range, with explanatory notes on each figure. Casting is by Bob Brown of MDC, which speaks for itself.

Images may be found on the earlier Preview page by following tihis link.
 
RAF 01. Modelled on a photograph of Sailor Malan as Wing Leader at Biggin Hill in 1941, Mike Good's seated mid-late war RAF fighter pilot, designed primarily for the Tamiya Spitfires but able to fit most fighter cockpits including the MDC Typhoon, the Aires cockpits for Spitfires, the Radu Brinzan cockpit for Hurricane and many authentic models with reasonable cockpits. The four heads offer a choice of facemasked pilots goggles up and goggles down, and unmasked pilot with facemask aside (Sailor Malan), and a bareheaded pilot (Johnnie Johnson). A word of advice to the modeller. With 14 parts in total, he is designed for the Tamiya Spitfires with his seat parachute left off to be the right height under the canopy. With all models, the golden rule applies, especially with cockpit figures: test fit him to check heights in the cockpit before deciding whether or not to attach the seat parachute. The classic problem with seated cockpit figures is that they sit in a tighter space than they would have been in the original full scale aircraft. Whilst the outer dimensions of the model are usually pretty accurate, the inner dimensions and the cockpit are distorted by the thickness of the plastic, and generally 6 to 9 inches tighter than the original space. The replacement rudder pedals were made by Mike to replace the Tamiya Spitfire kit parts and to properly accommodate the pilot's boots. On the facemasked pilots if you choose one of them, I also recommend you attach the oxygen hose to the mask before joining the head to the body. I didn't the first time.  

RAF 02. Modelled on a photograph of Al Deere in the cockpit, Andrew Cairns’ seated mid-late war RAF fighter pilot is designed for the Tamiya Spitfires. There is a choice of three heads, one masked goggles up, two open goggles up with a facemask and hose supplied as separate parts. This figure is less adaptable than the Mike Good seated figure.

RAF 03. Modelled on a photograph of Sailor Malan in 1944 climbing out of his Spitfire, Andrew Cairns’ RAF fighter pilot is designed for the Tamiya Spitfires and will fit most Spitfire models with flap doors you can model open. The choice of heads is between a bareheaded pilot, or helmeted and goggled, with mask and hose supplied as separate parts.

RAF 05. Conceived by Alan Ball, this early war RAF fighter pilot climbing out of the cockpit is designed for the Revell Classics Hurricane Mark I, and for the Pacific Coast Models’ Hurricane Mark I. Wearing an Irvin jacket, Mae West and seat parachute, the figure comes with a choice of three heads: facemasked pilots goggles up and down, and an unmasked pilot in helmet and goggles with mask and hose supplied as separate parts.

RAF 06A and 06B. Conceived by Stephen Warrilow as a series of Battle of Britain figures, these early war RAF fighter pilots are respectively scrambling in seat parachute, and dozing in full gear in an armchair. Both figures offer a choice of two heads. Further figures are intended for this range.

RAF 07. Modelled on a photograph of Ginger Lacey in 1940 receiving a gift parachute, Andrew Cairns’ early war RAF fighter pilot, this standing figure comes with a choice of two heads – Ginger Lacey, and a pilot with a handlebar mustache, which can be stood beside any early war aeroplane.

LUFT 06A and 06B. Modelled on 1940 photographs for both figures, Nino Pizzichemi’s ace and showman Helmut Wick restages a dogfight with his hands for Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle. Hugo Sperrle’s monocle is beautifully rendered, and the Wick figure comes with a choice of two heads in flying helmet or Luftwaffe side cap. The Luftwaffe 1940 group sculpted by Nino Pizzichemi will eventually be a 'mix-and-match' selection of several figures, Wick and Sperrle above, and shortly including Adolf Galland in his captured Irvin trousers looking relaxed with eponymous cigar and a Marlene Dietrich figure, leaning against the fuselage of an aeroplane. These models should appeal to figure painters and collectors as well as aeromodellers who like using figures.

VVS 01A and 01B. Modelled on a photograph of VVS pilot Lilya Litviak standing on the wing of her Yak fighter and of VVS gunner T.F. Konstantinova standing on the wing of a Stormovik, Nino Pizzichemi’s Soviet women aircrew will pose on most models, and were specifically designed for the Hobby Boss Sturmovik. The pilot figure has a second head for the celebrated Sturmovik pilot Anna Egorova. Further figures will follow in this group as a ‘mix and match’ selection of VVS aircrew.

VVS 04. Modelled on a photograph of a Soviet armourer holding ‘A bomb for Hitler’ painted on the bomb, Andrew Cairns’ figure and FAB 50 bomb comes with a choice of two heads following the original  photograph and an alternative Soviet Realist head by Bob Naismith in the heroic style. Designed to accompany the Hobby Boss Sturmovik and any appropriate VVS model.

USAAF 01. Modelled on a photograph of Major Harold Stouse in 1942 with a companion figure devised by Andrew, this two figure set by Andrew Cairns of USAAF bomber pilots can be posed alongside any US bomber, and were devised with the HK Models’ Mitchell B-25 in mind. There are three interchangeable heads between the two figures: bareheaded (as photo of Stouse with clipboard), with the fur lined baseball cap, and with the standard fifty-mission crush peaked cap.

USAAF 04.  Modelled on a photograph of Lauren Bacall, Bob Naismith’s ‘American Beauty’ may be leant elegantly against any 1/32 fighter, bomber or sports car of your choice. Excellent practice for drybrushing...

The Wings Cockpit Figures’ full range is available from MDC online (who do an excellent international service)by following this link.

or by enquiry from me at –

david.allen@wingscockpitfigures.com

Thanks to David Allen from Wings Cockpit Figures for the images and information.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Wings Cockpit Figures
Page Created 26 March, 2013
Last updated 26 March, 2013

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