RAF Fighter Pilot Seated in Aircraft (Modern)

PJ Productions, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Michael Drover

Eduard’s 1/72 scale Storm Shadow missiles are available online from Squadron.com

Belgian kit and accessory manufacturer PJ Productions have been keeping modellers happy who prefer to add a crew figure to their finished model. In many instances the kit supplied figure is incorrectly configured for the model, has a boring pose or is of the wrong era (Airfix WW2 era pilot in a fast jet model anyone???)

This is the eighteenth 1/32nd scale pilot the PJ Productions has released and the first that I’ve seen their products with my own eyes. The pose of the figure is simple as there’s not a lot of options for plane drivers unless they’re involved in fully developed visual range dogfighting and are craning their neck around to see the bad guy.

There’s little bit of flash to clean up on the parts but that will take all of a few minutes to complete. The head and helmet is moulded as a single piece so it can be position to face left or right.  The helmet appears to be a current Mk.10 variety. The oxygen mask mask is moulded to the face though I can’t quite figure out if it is a P or Q type mask. The oxygen lead is a separate piece. I’d probably replace this part with same solder wire wrapped in some fine wire. It will allow a bit more freedom to position the hose as if you reposition the head to face left or right. Finally the arms are also moulded as separate pieces. The right arm is configured to hold a centre stick configuration and the left arm and hand is posed resting on the throttles. The ever ever present RAF white flying gloves cover the hands.

The figure is wearing a current RAF flight suite including the G-suit over the legs. Maps cases are moulded onto the thighs and with some deft painting should  represent a good facsimile of a flight manual, checklist or map. The lower parts of the g-suit have storage pockets moulded on.

The torso features a moulded on life preserver and harness. I’m not sure if a specific aircraft is represented by this harness configuration so check your references there. It may well be it is representative of all RAF single seat aircraft.

Construction of the figure will be a quick affair and once painted up will look great in any large RAF jet. This figure will add some life to your next big scale RAF jet.

Recommended.

Thanks to PJ Production for the samples and images.

Review Text & Black Background Images Copyright © 2016 by Michael Drover
Page Created 1 November, 2016
Last updated 1 November, 2016

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