Patti, no worries with me waiting a month or so as I am going to take that long it seems to finish painting my model.
I hope the work you are doing though is for your benifit in the long run and not just for me. I would be happy and proud to have your pilot sitting in my Spitty right now so if you want a rest from this one so you can do some thing different by all means send him over and I will be able to maybe make some suggestions etc.

Do as you wish Patti. This is your project and we are all just wrapped with what you will possibly come up with so will wait patiently.

Cheers,

Brad

I'm glad I'm not holding you up. I thought you may need him for fitting your cockpit.

And yes, the work is definitely worth it to us - as I've mentioned before, it is a learning curve but a tremendously good one. Thanks for being a patient guinea pig


I would like to help draw up some panels for the Boomerang to push that project along a bit quicker so will do a bit on each. Will keep you posted.

cheers
PAtti

WOW ! Your figures are so life like. How long was the learning curve on the C N C to get that realisim ? I've hand carved a few but there nowhere as good as yours, hope you don't mind if I post my pics on your post . I would like to reproduce duplicates but I 've never made casts before , do you have any advisethat would be helpful ? Thanks NJ

Hi again

I haven't been idle. I took a bit of time out from Spitfire Brad and did some other faces and helped where I could on the Boomerang. That's coming along which is great. I think I was burning out a bit on the one project but am back into it all keen again and have decided to make the long boots that the pants tuck into and the gloves that flare out and fit over the sleeves. I've done one trial boot for fit and it 's great so will cut a couple of good ones. I haven't done a lot more on the maewest but did source some much better looking material so am really keen to get back and make a really good one now that I have lots of reference pics.

I have made a "first draft" of Hanna Reitsch and am quite pleased with the results. I had a bit of a mishap while moulding it when it slipped from it's holder and skewed the first layer of the silicone so the casting has come out a bit rough but it needs recutting in wax anyway. I've also been "sculpting" a Pappy Boyington who has a very distinctive face.

I started creating the uniform and accessories for him to be moulded as a bust (Aces of Iron style) but have had second thoughts about that. I think that the time it would take to paint up a fully moulded bust with all it's detail and do it well with all it's higlights and shading - like the pic that Lynn posted of his which looked a million dollars, would take longer than making the clothing - once the pattern is designed. After talking to several modellers here, none of them are interested in painting very detailed castings, they just feel they couldn't do it well and a badly painted bust looks just that. It seems that it's easier for modellers to find an average sewer to stitch together a good pattern that fits a well formed and proportioned body (not just cotton wool stuffed into a sack) to produce an extraordinary looking pilot. On the other hand an average painter will produce an average looking pilot.

My direction now is to do famous recognizable heads and faces in all scales that fit onto the poseable, light weight, sculpted bodies. The aim is for the painting of the faces to get better and quicker so I can offer them painted to those who don't want to do it themselves. I'd love to keep developing patterns for period uniforms to go with the pilots of all nationalities and we'll also work on producing a range of moulded accessories to go with these. And that's in my spare time!

A few pics of some of the latest developments and Brad I hope to have something for you soon

cheers
Patti

Patti, you and Richard are going to go down in history as two people who have contributed enormously to our hobby.
For too long this facit of our modelling has been forgotten and I have secretly griped about this for a long time. Here is a thread I started, to state such.
Was there anyone out there to rectify this?? Yes, Patti and Richard.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_39..._1/key_/tm.htm

Before I saw what you were achieving I was in discussion with a Chinese friend of mine to get something going in factories over there (China) but now that is all forgotten as well.

I am going to link this thread with the one of mine above as I'm sure lots of Warbird guys dont know of what you are up to.
Expect more orders!

Cheers,

Brad

Patti, great work as always. I'm waiting for the finished product.. should be a treat!

That's a pretty big wrap Brad, but I think we're on the same page after reading the thread you started. As I've mentioned before, this whole pilot thing started from the needs of a modeller who couldn't find what he was after himself for decades. It's turned into an enormous amount of pleasure for us both by combining our different skills. The challenge to produce something to a high standard makes me do things that I didn't think I was previously capable of and that's a buzz when it comes together.

We're cutting the boots today and having seen the first trial one have added a zipper in the front so it should look better. We're also cutting a glove with the flare so will see if it fits properly then I can add some more detail like the zipper and stitching before recutting them both. The photo I've attached has a 1/6 American Mae West and 1/6 oxygen mask just to show these accessories on the 1/5 scale pilot. Don't know whether they'd be workable but I'm working on a scale British Mae West at the moment and will keep you posted

cheers
Patti

OHMYGOSH! Ican't believe Ifound this thread!!! Iam desperate!!!!!

Iwill try to make the story quick. For four years I have been working with the Glenn Curtiss museum on theirproject to build a full scale 1910 Curtiss Hudson Flier and my personal effort to build a 1/4 R/C model. The full scale flew in June (www.youtube.com/watch) and my model should be ready to fly in just a few week. Iplan to do flight testing in August and have the plan make its "official" debut at Rhinebeck in September.

Of all the work that went into the plane, Ihave no pilot!!! I have this cheesy guy that is the right size but he is all wrong for the subject. The head is wrong. The clothes are wrong. Is there anything that you can do to help me? The perfect pilot would be dressed in a white shirt, dark pants, possibly a jacket. Any resemblance to Curtiss would be a huge plus. A period hat would icing on the cake. (I have lotsof pictures of Curtiss at the controls.)

The pilot needs to be moveable. The steering yoke moves back and forth to move the elevators and the seat cradle racks side to side to operate the ailerons.

I'm sorry for barging right into this thread but I have searched as thoroughly as Iknow how for a pilot to buy but nothing has come close.

Any suggestions or assistance that you can provide would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Search out a chap named Fly4real, He's got a genuine talent... pay him to sculp the head of your chosen pilot for you, he's REAL clever! Then just attach it to a pair of action man type overalls stuffed full of cotoen wool or similar  <div>Just one question regarding your VERY excellent model. It appears as if you're using quick links on the flying wires... Is that the best solution?</div><div>Can't you get some scale ones made... or make some yourself? It's a beautiful model... much to beautiful for that Flair scale models flying wire solution. </div>

Thanks for the pilot suggestion and the comments on my plane.

I have agonized long and hard about the bracing wire approach. Ideally I would usewire attached at the ends with turn buckles but that really isn't to scale either. Turn buckles weren't invented for another two years!!!

The original (and the full scale) used a modified form of a bicycle spoke setup. (Pictures below). I designed a similar version for the model but that required using sections of 2-56 hex standoffs. It would have been closer to the original but not exactly and it would have been a much heavier method.

Although using modern parts, what I've done is actually close to the method originally used. The only other alternative is to what Ihave done is to go super original. That will require making threaded rods with bent ends and custom spoke adjusters with custom brackets.

I actually had the brackets made when I committed the order to waterjet cut the metal work. So Ihave about 200 brackets that can be bent and then rivited to the wing bracket tabs. The difficulty is making the adjuster and the "spoke rod" for lack of a better term. That would have taken considerably more time that I already put into this. I was hoping with this model, like the full scale, to have it ready for the May 29, 2010 100th anniversary of the flight of the original. Even with this short cut, Ididn't make that.

I might consider re-rigging the plane with more a more original approach over the winter if I can come up with a practical method that isn't too heavy. I'm open to ideas.

From what I can see in the pictures you have several components that need to be made separate. The first are the anchor brackets. I believe you have these made already. The second is the threaded rod. I think you can make this by using a threaded brass screw and then making the end from round stock. Solder these two together and add a nut at the bottom and you'll have the second part. The third part is the ends for the landing/flying wires. These can be crimped and soldered to some narrow flat stock. That'll give the appearence of the full size. Forthly you might want to make the "keeper" brackets that hold the adjustment nut in place. It's not necessary but it'll look good.

Gidday Chevelle

What an interesting challenge to make an articulated pilot to "work" your model - or vice versa . I'm sure we can help you out and make a scale, period pilot for your model. I've Googled Curtiss and had a look at his face and that should be quite achievable to produce a head likeness fairly quickly to fit onto our 1/4 scale body. He has a distinctive face and a great moustache

What exactly has to move? Just arms forward and back and the chair rocks?

I'm planning on having Brad finished to a stage where I can post something to him by the end of the weekend as the boots are cut and the gloves are in the process. The Mae West is coming together nicely and I'll post some pics soon. A parachute and harness still need some thought but that can be worked on and come together later.

Richard's order for a full bodied, poseable Pappy Boyington to go in his Corsair which I was going to keep working on next isn't urgent so that can go on hold for the moment. It really shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks to have something useable for you if that would help. The clothing is just an adaptation of the patterns I've already made - shirt, trousers and jacket. The period cap can be moulded onto the head and it looks like he had bare hands rather than gloves? What sort of foot wear, from one photo I found of his whole body it looked just like shoes rather than boots?

If you have a profile photo of his face it would help greatly. In fact as many photos of his face the better. I'm guessing there's not an interview with him on Youtube like I found of Hanna Reitsch

David's comments are a bit disappointing suggesting stuffng a pair of action man overalls with cotton wool. Fly4real is certainly a very talented sculptor but what we are trying to do is a totally different thing. What we are trying to do is make an individual, recognisable and interesting pilot face/head quickly that is scalable to any size and attach it to a re-poseable, light weight, sculpted and properly proportioned body and then clothe it in real period, well fitting clothes. That's a bit of a mouthful but it's what we're aiming for. As I've mentioned before, this has been driven out of need from almost 35 years of Richard's modelling and not being able to get what he wanted.

It's certainly not there yet but think it's achievable and having both of us working together combining different skills makes it easier and certainly fun both going in the same direction. My previous thing was doll making and full size airbrushed portraits so this brings it all together but with the history of tihs, it makes it all the more engrossing.

cheers
Patti

Patti,

I can't tell you how grateful I am that you would be willing to help me with this project.  I can already tell that your Curtiss pilot will exceed my expectations for what I thought was available.  "A few weeks" would be great.  I will PM you with more information.

Thanks once again!<br type="_moz"/>

I've been working on the MaeWest and after decifering some old photos have come up with something far more convincing than my original efforts The longer flared gloves are done but not painted as you can see, same with the new boots. Actually, I have new boots cut ready to mould and cast with better strap and zipper detail. All my good intentions of having this finished this weekend but things just take longer than I anticipate so not ready yet Brad [] Still, we have progress.

cheers
Patti

Great progress too Patti.
Have I gained some weight on my cheeks?

Cheers,

Brad

The boots and gloves are now cast and painted and I was assembling all the pieces to get ready to send when our gorgeous little puppy got hold of the right glove and chewed it up, then while I was examining the damage she managed to get the new body and has taken a chunk out of the bum [:@] She's still cute but was in fine form last night. I have recast the glove, ready to paint again and we'll pour another body on the weekend. I really will be finished then

Brad, I've filled in a little around the edges of your cheeks between the cap with dark which does give the effect of "thnning down" your cheeks a little. It's only a mm or so but can make such a difference. You could always say you'd been tucking into the ANZAC biscuit rations It also looks different from different angles so hopefully when you get it in your hands it will be OK.

I've also had a play with a Glen Curtiss head and have attached the screen capture of the 3D model. It has been cut in wax and if it wasn't for the DOG, it would have been moulded last night as well! Still, I've got the weekend ahead.

cheers
Patti

Well Brad, your Spitty pilot is FINALLY winging his way to you! It's been a journey and lucky you're a patient guy I'm going to redo the uniform as that was a first draft and it always needs refining but it's a start, not the end!

Now that we've done the Spitfire goggles and made a good start on the RAF MaeWest and uniform I'd like to do a 1/4 scale pilot with a recognizable American face. There's Ben Affleck from Pearl Harbour but whenever I mention him I get groans of disgust because guys seem to hate the movie because of the soppie story line and apparent bad acting. However, in the movie he did fly a Spitfire, a P-40, a B-25 ....... and a Steerman too. So any other suggestions then for an American, Battle of Britain era pilot???

Here are a few pics of the 1/5 Brad Spitfire pilot in it's steps to creation.

Cheers
Patti

Now for the next project which is underway. A Glen Curtiss which has now been moulded and a very rough first casting done. I'm always so impatient to see the first results that I don't take enough care and I've ended up with a couple of air bubbles, but ignore that as it's a first go We made this body with a cord through the arms instead of wire so that the hands can attach to the steering wheel and the arms will move with it. It seems to have plenty of easy movement but you could always nick the arm foam to allow more freedom of movement if you need it Bob.

We're making another 1/4 scale body mould as this one didn't fit well together - an early version and the seams are a little thick where the gap was. Since we had to recut the plug I decided to add a "little something" to make it more anatomically correct. It just looked wrong like it was [X(]. It's not overdone now and hopefully wont bother anyone. Did it bother anyone except me with nothing there?!

The boots and hands will be cut this week and I'll be starting on his suit asap. I have the material ready to go and am dying to get into it. It's always fun to start a new project and we're getting quicker at these heads so hopefully can start doing a variety. Here are a few pics of the start of Glenn Curtiss.

cheers
Patti

For a US pilot, how about Don Blakeslee. If you google him there are several images on line.

One link with several photos
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CDAQ9QEwBA

Thanks for that one JL1. Good looking face and plenty of pictures around.

Patti, there might also be a large market for WW1 full body pilots in 1/4 and 1/3 scale. Lots of interesting "characters" to make heads for. Most were wrapped head to toe in fur lined leathers so body style/shape wouldn't be much an issue. Just sayin'...............John Olson

Thank you Patti,
The first of many I hope to be sent world wide. (not my head though )
I'll let you know when he arrives.

Cheers,

Brad

John, the 1/3 body mould is half made, they're a bit of a job and I was thinking the bodies might be popular with doll makers as well. They can dress them as they please but it saves a lot of work not having to sew and stuff a body armature. I can see that it probably wouldn't matter to modellers what the shape of the body was like, as you say mostly bundled up in layers of leather and fur. Thanks for your thoughts. There will be a 40% body mould made in the near future as well.

There's certainly no shortage of famous faces. The Manfred Von Richthofen is well under way, but I'm currently making the suit for Glen Curtiss.

cheers
Patti

Thanks again Patti, he looks great and is nice and light and very easy to bend and position.
With a few more accessories I will find and when I finish off the cockpit he will be spot on.

What a fabulous process.

Brad