BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

I am in need of pilots for a 1/5 scale plane. I have seen many 12 inch pilots .... but not many around 13 inches (which is closer to 1/5 scale). Do 12 inch pilots look to small in a 1/5 scale plane ?

Bob

abufletcher

A 12" tall dummy pilot (i.e. "doll") at 1/6 scale represents a 6 foot tall human being. Many pilots (particularly during WWI) were considerably shorter. However, at 1/5 scale a 6 foot tall pilot would be represented by a 14.4" pilot figure. At 1/5 scale a 12" figure would be equivalent to a 5 foot-nothin' pilot...so unless you plan to claim that the aircraft was piloted by a 12 year old, I think I need to find a larger pilot figure.

You could start with one of the 1/5 scale Aces of Iron bust and then make a full body to match (if you really need a full body):

http://www.acesofiron.com/5th_scale.htm

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Since body and head proportion play into it as well ..... then I am thinking that a 12 inch pilot is not a good choice for a 1/5 scale plane ..... do you agree ?

Thanks. Bob

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

What plane is it? That will be important. Remember you 1/5 scale plane may only be sort of 1/5. It's doubtful if its 1/5 in every dimension. The fuse may be thinner or not as deep or a combination there of.

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

It is an L-39 jet and the fuse is pretty wide in the cockpit area .... around 8 inches or so I think (I'm at work and will check it later). I'm affraid that the 12 inch high pilots will look to small in proportion (as far as their head and body size). Bob

abufletcher

Maybe this will work for you:

http://www.acesofiron.com/5th_scale_civ.htm

Leroy Gardner

Give this a try elitebrigade.com They have some incredable stuff.

Example and I think they are 1/6th scale. Leroy

tunakuts3d

I think you're correct about the proportions.It isn't just the height, the size of the body parts and size of the face/head come into play. A1/6 figure is smaller overall than a 1/5 scale figure.posted this some time ago but will toss it in for whatever help it may give.

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Doubtful you'll find a 1/5 size pilot. The mass pilot makers make 1/6 sized pilots. These are made as collectables not for our RC Planes.

johnnyo

My Feedback: (7)

Bob, I understand your problem completely. i have been looking for a true 1/5 scale pilot for my 1/5 true to scale T-28. Due to the big canopy area a 1/6 pilot figure looks like way to small. I have been working on a 1/5 (14") pilot with hard helmet, (1960's style) with Lyle Vasser her is KC. (www.bestpilots.com) he does have one WWll pilot that is close to 1/5. but others are closer to 1/6. You wont believe the detail in these. Contact Lyle, with enough interest, he may be persuaded to do a true 1/5 with optional heads for you jet guys.
JohnnyO
PS. tell him I sent you.

dadragon

you must remember all 1/5 scale planes are not all the same size,some are 80"and some are 120",it all depends on the full scale of the plane.just a thaught.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

I read on a thread somewhere about putting the AofI pilot bust on the Vailly Aviation 1/5 full body, to create a large jet pilot.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

http://www.iflytailies.com/store/pilots/

abufletcher

Those are the same 12" figures referred to in other posts above...and at 1/5 scale a 12" figure would represent a 5' 0" tall pilot. Rather unlikely.

tunakuts3d

Yes, the12" figures will fit in a 1/5 scale plane, so would a 10" or an 8" figure but that doesnt make it the correct scale or proportions. The 12" figures are scaled out to be 1/6 scale, just because they will fit in a larger cockpit doesn't make them 1/5 scale or even 1/5.3 scale. I find the IFLYTAILIESstatement that these 12" figures will "FIT" in a 1/5 scale cockpit somewhat misleading.

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Maybe Lyle of "Best Pilots" will sculp a 1/5 scale guy. I believe he's in the process of sculpting a WWII German guy now. Next may be an Allied guy.

His work is outstanding, by the way. As good as you can get.

BBI, Dragon et al figures are intended for collectors etc. The standard is 1/6 scale. It's not going to change. A lot of scale planes are narrower in the cockpit area than the full scale plane. Plus you can boost up the seat etc. I have a 1/6 guy in my Sis-T fw190 and he's a really good fit. I also have a 1/6 guy in my Yellow P-47 and he's a good fit! lol

abufletcher

The Dragon figures are also far too heavy to use in most 1/6 scale models. That's certainly true for a 1/6 scale WWI model. It'd be like using a pilot figure made of lead. So all you can do is use the head, hands (gloves), and some of the clothing items. The body you just have to throw out. Although I did read about someone here on RCU disassembling the body and then vacuum-forming all the parts and assembling the new vacuum-formed body.

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

Coat hangar wire and flural foam works great for make a new body for the dragon pilots. I did this on my 190 pilot and he went from 14oz to 3oz

abufletcher

Exactly what I've done as well. I even cut the face off the head...and made a new head out of paper clay, which weighs almost nothing.

Luft-Gangster

Tunakuts3d nailed it.
A 12 in doll in a 1/5 scale is only 5' 0" tall, even small for the imfamus Hub Zemke and Dick Bong. Look at the true scale of your airplane. Is it a true 1/5 or a 1/5.25 scale. That will make a big difference.
Food for thought anyway.

abufletcher

TFF

Oh, just put some of those lifting shoes on that will make him look taller.

abufletcher

But what about those stubby T-Rex arms?

TFF

I did not say a hot woman would fall for it, like the ads say.

johnnyo

My Feedback: (7)

Bob, have you been able to contact Lyle Vasser at "Best Pilots". He and I had a conversation a week or so ago regarding 1/5 pilots for the jet jockeys. Seems alot of the jet kits now are very close to 1/5 scale. He is working on a "1/5" hard helmet pilot for my T28. We went with the 60's style helmet due to the fact alot of the civilian / older ex-military pilots flying the restored stuff still have and use these helmets. And not to mention, I have my fathers original Marine Corps flight helmet to use for accuracy. Drop Lyle a line, I know the fellows that have purchased my T-28 kit will be looking for figures as well.
JohnnyO