Hey thanks Brad. They take it so seriously, well, the organizers anyway. Not friendly like flyers but it's good to give me a high standard to strive for and I have to admit it was a real buzz to go back and see the prizes

When I have the Spitty uniform all documented I'll send you a PDF.

cheers
Patti

Hi Patti,
Please don't forget me.... I was the guy looking for the Quarter Scale Erich Hartmann. I'll need his full kit if you have the technology. I'm lousy with a needle and thread.....

I'll be delirously happy if Erich comes out as nice as Mr. Curtiss. He's the spitting image of the real thing!

Keep up the great work!

Regards,
Lynn</p>

I haven't forgotten you Lynn I have a list of the people and their requests that have been mentioned here and fully intend to get them all done eventually. The Germans are definitely on the "to do" list - Manfred and Erich -and I'm very much looking forward to doing them both as their uniforms will look terrific. Any info on Erich's uniform would help enormously as that can be quite time consuming trying to find the exact right outfit. I intend to finish the spitfire uniform by this weekend then would like to do the American Maewest. Their uniforms for the Pacific and European theatres aren't a problem, variation on the pants and shirt of the RAF but I'll add the leather flying jacket.

I aim to do a couple of heads for each then it's onto Manfred and Erich, so not too far away. Erich Hartmann has such a recognizable face so will be a great one to do. I'll be happy too if he comes out as well as Glen Curtiss

We were watching some old footage on Spitfires the other day and they said that the Brits used to fly in shirt and tie but the tie actually killed a lot of them. When they ditched in the water it would swell up and they couldn't get it undone and it choked them! What a way to lose a pilot.

On that cheery note [&:]

Patti

OK Patti,
Now that you're gettin' famous and all, I just didn't want to be forgotten. There's no REAL hurry to finish the pilot model, Patti. I shouldn't need him for a several months. In the meantime, I'll research Hartmann for close-up face portraits, him in his flying togs and gerneral late-war (1944-45) Luftwaffe Eastern Front flying gear. If you'll provide an email / website where I can send the attachements (if there isn't already one somewhere in this thread) I'll get them to you soon.

Keep up the Great Work. If it already hasn't happened, the (RC) world will soon be beating a path to your door for your long needed services.

Thanks again and regards.
Lynn

Lynn, I've PMed you my email address where you can send photos and info on the uniform. That would be really helpful, thanks.

Once I get a little more organised and the uniforms sorted we'll be sign posting them to the door - via a website.

cheers
Patti

I've been working on Tom the spitfire pilot and have most of the uniform now done and documented. When I did Brad I adjusted things to fit, nipping and tucking and cutting here and there but it's like making a recipe and adding a "dash of this" and a "splash of that" til it tastes right and then not having a written recipe to repeat it. Talk about dumb and dumber [&:] Anyway, having learnt that huge lesson, I wont make the same mistake again and it's always so much better the next time anyway. I found better reference material - that always helps too. So a couple of progress pics, he's only half painted and the gloves only primed. He's standing on my sewing bench with one of my Elvgren pinup paintings behind and it looks like he's engaging with the larger than life lady

Once the Mae West is done, (I have good records of that as I had to create it from scratch and wrote good notes) I can move onto the American Mae West. I found some great stuff to make them from so am looking forward to trying it out. Then it'll be on to some more heads.

cheers
Patti

Looks awesome Patti. Keep up the great work.
You guys are tireless.

Cheers,

Brad

hmmm, would'nt have a 1/5 scale Gallland lay'n round would ya lol. Sure would be nice for my (Galland schemed) Fliteskin 1/5th Me109F6u(field designation given by Galland)

Hey Brad - "tireless"?? I don't think so, more like knackered I always stay up far later than I mean to trying to get things done. Last night I didn't touch the pilots, had a night off and instead helped Richard lay up the bottom of the fuse mould. Tonight it's all joined up and tomorrow it will come out of the mould - a very big day. That is what Eric and Tom will fly and what started this pilot making venture.


Not the last time I looked Glazier Further down the track he's a possibility but I've got a bit of a list for the next few months. Once the uniform is done for the Luftwaffe it will be just a matter of changing heads though so certainly a real possibility in the future. I'll add it to my "to do" list

My leather arrived today and it's hard to explain the excitement for a vego over a bunch of skins [&:] But this stuff is so thin, soft and flexible that it will be fantastic. I don't want to cut it up until I've made a successful one from something else though so it's a bit frustrating. A few more late nights ahead yet Brad.

We found a forum today that is all about the different types of US Mae Wests and even a scale drawing of one type from a collector. It sure sorted the questions as to which one is which and will make it so much quicker for me to make them now. "Pappy" Boyington's one with the wide shoulders is a B-1 whereas most of the others were B3/B4. Guess I'll have to make both since Richard is still set on his "Pappy" for his Corsair.

cheers
Patti

hey Patti,
any plans on larger pilots in 1/4 scale? RAF Euro and Nth Africa, RAAF Darwin, USAAF and Rusian Eastern Front?

My upcoming projects in order of build sequence that need pilots are:

- P40 RAF Nth Africa 1/4 scale
- Tempest RAF Europe 1/4 scale (Beaumont)
- Spitfire Mk VIII RAAF Darwin 1/4 scale (Grey Nurse)
- Yak 3 Russian Eastern Front 1/4 scale

Don't need them to look like any particular person, just represtative of that service and theatre.

Bit of a wish List I know! There are a bunch of guys in SCAF and the offshoot Warbirds group in SE QLD who would gobble that size up as fast as you could make them let alone overseas sales.

cheers
Peter

Absolutely Peter. The 1/4 size body is done and in use along with the 1/6 and 1/5 sized bodies. The 1/3 body mould is half made with the 40% to come and possibly 50% as well.


I'm currently working on the uniforms for the RAF Spitfire pilot and imagine that a lot of that would be the same for your Tempest pilot? If you can send me a pic of the exact uniform that would be helpful. For the RAAF Darwin pilot, the uniform would be like Eric and Tom were wearing up in Mareeba and New Britain wouldn't it? I'll attach the pic of Eric again so you can see. Tom tells us that because it was so hot up there he didn't wear the flying cap, just the radio headset and they used the American Mae Wests as the British ones were too bulky and hot. If you're doing the Grey Nurse you'd be wanting Bobby Gibbs wouldn't you?

I am making the US life vests next, so that can easily be put onto the RAAF pilot, just mix and match.

For the North African RAF pilot, I'm afraid I haven't looked into that uniform much at all but from the little bits I've seen it was very similar to the Darwin RAAF, with shorts instead of long pants. Is that right? What colour was it? Again, if you can send me details of that I can help you out. A lot of the uniforms are similar in pattern but just a change of colour so things will start to move along quicker as I gather my database of patterns.

I have no idea what the Russians on the Eastern Front wore but by the time you get that one nearly built you can let me know the details of that uniform and I should be able to help out there too.

Basically, they can all be mixed and matched - I'm doing a Corsair pilot for Richard and Pappy wore a B1 life vest but if he wanted Ira Kepford he could just change the head on the body and change the life vest to a B4 but the rest of the uniform would be the same.

We'll be going to some of the SCAF (Southern Cross Air Force) "do's" in the near future so will be able to do a show and tell and find out what the guys are after. Might see you there

Happy building

cheers
Patti

Patti,

Mr. Curtiss arrived the morning that Ileft for Rhinebeck! Ihad only a very short time to do anything but thankfully, your workmanship was so good that it did not take long to have him take his rightful place in the seat. There was a lot of attention to plane and specifically your excellent rendering of Curtiss. More than one person said, "The pilot makes the model" and Iagree. It was the crowning touch.

The one flight was very short and ended with some damage but it will be repaired and fly again soon. Thanks for a job well done.

Chevelle

I'm thrilled to see the pictures of Curtiss in his rightful seat and SO glad to hear he made it, even if it was by the skin of his teeth Your plane looks fabulous and wonderful to see it in flight, even if it was only brief. Congratulations. I'm sure he would have been used to his fair share of bumpy landings by the look of that scar on his chin

That's excellent that Curtiss himself was well received. I hope he and you have many more successful flights and thanks for the pics. Wonderful.

cheers
Patti

Once again,,, one of the first ones to fly.

Well done to both.

Brad

Mmmmm. Dont know what happened there![X(]

Double up.

Brad

Patti,
wow, excellent news! If you want to start marketing these let me know as my website is well catered to "warbird" items.



"I'm currently working on the uniforms for the RAF Spitfire pilot and imagine that a lot of that would be the same for your Tempest pilot? "

Yes would be same uniform for the Tempest. I'm thinking of doing Beaumont's mount so should be plenty of pics of him on the net.
here is a few link that shows a few pics of him.

http://www.hawkertempest.se/beamont.htm
http://www.military-art.com/mall/more.php?ProdID=4087
http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=e...ed=0CCoQsAQwAA

"For the RAAF Darwin pilot, the uniform would be like Eric and Tom were wearing up in Mareeba and New Britain wouldn't it?
I'll attach the pic of Eric again so you can see. Tom tells us that because it was so hot up there he didn't wear the flying cap, just the radio headset and they used the American Mae Wests as the British ones were too bulky and hot. If you're doing the Grey Nurse you'd be wanting Bobby Gibbs wouldn't you? "


Sounds correct to me!

"For the North African RAF pilot, I'm afraid I haven't looked into that uniform much at all but from the little bits I've seen it was very similar to the Darwin RAAF, with shorts instead of long pants. Is that right? What colour was it? Again, if you can send me details of that I can help you out. A lot of the uniforms are similar in pattern but just a change of colour so things will start to move along quicker as I gather my database of patterns."

here is a link: http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/at...g?d=1255637240



"I have no idea what the Russians on the Eastern Front wore but by the time you get that one nearly built you can let me know the details of that uniform and I should be able to help out there too."

Google is my friend! though have no idea on the colours :

http://media.photobucket.com/image/y...ours1941-1.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/246pdl1.jpg
http://www.iremember.ru/index.php?op...=399&Itemid=20
http://www.elknet.pl/acestory/luganski/luganski.htm
http://sliderulemuseum.com/Ephemera/...ilots_WWII.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...KozhedubIN.jpg
http://www.collect-militaria.com/ind...gs/page466.htm
http://www.snyderstreasures.com/eBay...0/DSCN3343.JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/...0a941749bb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/...cbc328a513.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/2cg2838.jpg
http://www.redpilot.com/museum/km/km19.html this website has some great pics of various parts of the uniform and fittings
http://www.redpilot.com/museum/ww2/ww2winglvs.html
http://www.redpilot.com/museum/ww2/wlh.html
http://www.aviapress.com/engl/alg/alg48301.jpg


let me know what you think.

cheers
Peter

one more I found on russian pilots, seems there is a lot of finfo but hard to get the colour bit. Have a couple of books on the Yak 3 at home will will have a look through those and see if there are any pics of the pilots.

http://www.corbisimages.com/images/6...D/HU028995.jpg

Hey Peter - I reckon it looks bl**dy freezing on the Eastern front for those poor Russian pilots Those links will be really useful, thanks for that. That Collect-Militaria site has great pics of real gear, I often find that searches takes me there. That flying cap with the fur ..... must be Yak fur
http://www.collect-militaria.com/ind...gs/page466.htm

I had almost a whole day yesterday to finish off the 1/4 scale Spitty uniform and write the instructions for the MaeWest and re-draw it as I went. Amazing how much you can get done when you get a run at things. Now I can start on heads and will work on the US MaeWest along the way.

cheers
Patti

excellent Patti, I had a frustrating day. Could not fly as the UP1 valve in he P51 broke a nipple.

Gidday again

I haven't given up on pilot making, just had my head down and stopped talking for a change I've finished the British Mae West for Tom the spitty pilot (although I haven't finished painting him still) and have developed a kit with instructions. I'm currently trying it out on a "guinea pig" friend who recently bought a sewing machine but hasn't really sewn before. She's gone off with the kit to see if she can follow the instructions and make the Mae West. No doubt there will be some additions and alterations to the instructions but hopefully that will be minor.

I've also researched the US Mae Wests and have made a B-3. They have 2 layers but the one in the picture below currently only has a single layer. It shows the shape and Richard is happy with it but I'd like to do the double so that from the side it looks more authentic. I've just tracked down some thinner stuff to make it from so that it wont be too bulky with the double layer so when that arrives I'll make another and see how it looks. I've started on the B-1 which is shorter and has the big wide shoulders.

We've also cut a Pappy face and done a mould and casting to see what it looks like with a bit of paint. The cap isn't how we'd like so it's still in the development phase while we research the cap and goggles but it's good to be doing faces again. While we're in that phase we will continue and do several of the faces then I'll go back and do the uniforms for the Germans. I've had a few requests for Japanese pilots as well so that will come after the Germans.

Pete, hope you've sorted the problems with the P-51.

cheers
Patti

Mmmm, gremlins again. But here are the pics this time

Patti

Last one, Ipromise but this one shows just how perfect your rendition of Glenn Curtiss topped off this project. (Start thinking about Terry Thomas!)

Thanks again.

Chevelle, no worries about posting your pics. The Hudson looks magnificent and I'm really thrilled to hear that you are so happy with the pilot. I have to agree he really does look the part . How did the cord through the arms work? Do they move with the steering wheel as you'd wanted?

It's great to see the Hudson in the air, is that another flight since the little bit of damage or is that picture from the original one?

cheers
Patti

This was a picture from just that one flight.

I had very little time to work with the figure before leaving for Rhinebeck but I was able to make it work.  Initially, when the wheel moved, Curtiss' arms bent at the point where the plastic arms met the foam forearm.  It looked a bit odd.  A wrap or two of electrical tape joined the plastic hands to the forearm and secured the cord.  It looked much better and appears to bend at an elbow instead of the middle of the forearm.

P4Pattie, do you offer or can you fabricate a 1/5 scale (14") civilian with hard helmet. Need figures for my true 1/5 scale T28, or even 1950-1960 US Navy figure with hard helmet.
thanks
johnnyO