I've yet to seriously search for a pilot. Just from the casual searches I've done, there does seem to be more selection in other scales. If I find something suitable, I'll post it.
I too have greatly benefited from Tubig's build thread. I owe much of my build to him and the many others on RCU who are so generous with their experience.
As for reference material, I've been using photos found online, WarbirdTech Series Volume 35 Merlin-Powered Spitfires, Spitfire Flying Legend by John Dibbs and Tony Holmes ( I found this at Barnes & Noble), and Scale Drawings Volume II World War II by MAN.
I chose the TF Spit for a number of reasons. Though I see it at the field, It's not the most common warbird. The TF kits are fairly straight forward builds. The size of the scale is large enough to add some detail and not be mistaken for the ton of .40 ARFs, and still small enough to be easily transported.
I've been using this build to gain experience. I will add a fair amount of detail so I can learn various techniques, but I was not out to build a true scale plane. My next build will also be a TF kit, a P-51 B version. It too will be mostly about learning. I'll spend more effort on weight and quality of workmanship, but I have not decided how true to scale it will be. I'll do a build thread on it. After that, I have several Royal kits waiting that will be more serious scale subjects.


Scott