WWI Pilot Figures
Part Two

Wings Cockpit Figures, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

Eduard's 1/32 scale F-117 Wheels are available online from Squadron.com

Cockpit Wings Figures continue their range of 1:32 scale items for the WWI enthusiast.

The masters were all sculptured by Steve Warrilow so one can expect a high level of detail on each piece. And here he doesn’t disappoint. The poses are natural and importantly we also get a good variety of subjects to choose from.

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MDC is responsible for their casting, and they have done a competent job in capturing all facets of the original. Some of the figures will require a modicum of cleaning up but it’s nothing a sharp scalpel and a piece of wet ‘n dry paper won’t fix.

Three of the airmen in this grouping are seated and therefore tailored to suit a particular Wingnut Wings kit. The resultant pairing should prove to be a more natural combination when compared to using generic figures.

Not surprisingly, some compromises must be made to accomplish this. The most obvious is that the figure is seated in a much smaller space (taking scale into account) than on the real aircraft. This being due to the thickness of the plastic fuselage and other interior items. Allowances have been made for the above, and with a little care, all 3 pilots should fit snuggly inside the respective “offices”.

The releases are as follows:

LSK 04 Seated Pilot for Eindecker (E-II & EIII), summer 1915 – autumn 1916

There are 7 pieces to this figure. The body and legs are cast together, with the arms and scarf being separate items. The bonus here is the choice of heads, the modeller being able to choose between 3 different combinations of headgear.

Posterior to top of head = 31mm

LSK 05 A&B Albatros Pilot and mechanic set

This pair of figures is designed specifically for the WNW Albatros scout. It depicts the mechanic straddling the fuselage in an effort to help the pilot with his flying gear. Both figures are cast in one piece with the arms and head being separate items.

Posterior to top of head for pilot = 31mm

LSK 05 E LSK Albatros Pilot sitting on cockpit side.

Inspired by a photo of Karl Menckhoff, this figure sits astride his Albatros scout while nonchalantly clutching his gloves. The body, legs and arms are all cast as a single piece and 3 the choices of head allow you to personalise the attire.

Posterior to top of head = 32mm

LSK 07 A Seated LSK Pilot for Fokker D.VII, May 1918 onwards

Only the lower arm is separate on this figure. This sensible breakdown allows easy positioning onto the control stick after the obligatory trial fit.

Posterior to top of head = 30mm

LSK 10 Pilot in Greatcoat 1914 – 1918

Cast as a single piece, this pilot is posed casually looking across to his left while rugged up in a greatcoat and scarf.

Overall height = 58mm

LSK 11 LSK Pilot in Heinecke parachute harness – April 1918 onwards

This well cast offering sees a standing German pilot sipping on a hot beverage. Interestingly the cup is oval shaped instead of round.

Overall height = 62mm

RFC 07 B “The Fighting Fees” RFC FE.2b Pilot and Gunner

Perfectly matched to the Wingnut Wings FE.2b, this pair comes in a multitude of pieces. Both have their torso, head and legs cast as a single item, with the arms and hands being supplied separately. The positioning sees the gunner firing his machine gun over the pilot’s head in dramatic fashion.

Overall height of standing gunner = 50mm

Posterior to top of pilot’s head = 29mm

These are welcome additions to the increasing range from Cockpit Wings Figures.

The poses are natural and the level of detail is commendable. Each figure is of a slightly different size to the one before it and this reflects the variety of human body shapes. In most cases the proportions are very good so there's very little for the modeller to worry about in that department.

At the moment, subjects are packed separately in their own zip-lock bag so you’ll need to look elsewhere for painting instructions.

There are plenty more to come in this series and they will make an ideal accompaniment for your latest WWI masterpiece.

Thanks to Wing Cockpit Figures for the samples.

Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 17 September, 2013
Last updated 17 September, 2013

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