Aircrew conversions

[Sunray]

Having great fun with the Schmenk model 1930s Biplanes - but need crew for ground dioramas.

I had thought of taking Peterpig aircrew heads and doing conversions using Pendraken bodies.

I need  suitable figures , standing, with stout 1930s coat - that can be painted to look like a flying type jacket.
The RAF WW2 type is short on the waist,but not sure when it was introduced.

Any suggestions on fugures ?

Sunray Out

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Suspet they would litterally be "bigheads", pig stuff is either 15 or 1/144th.

IanS

[Sunray]

Sorry old boy, I beg to disagree.   The 1/144 to 1/150 works out at about 1mm taller in figure size - if you mix Minifigs or newer Pithead- you will see  they blend well.  I have also wed 1/144 plastic heads to the Pendraken bodies. The 'chunky' Pendraken figure style (slightly over 1/150) lets you away with it in this scale.   

Sunray Out

[fred.]

Erm, Peter Pig is 15mm which is 1/100 (not 1/144). Which really won't mix with Pendraken.

As Sunray says the various 10 or 12mm manufacturer's figures fit together pretty well.  Minifigs are a bit slimmer but are much the same height.

[Sunray]

Sorry old boy, I have been using Peter Pig for over 10 years -  have a wee decco at the Peter Pig "Heads" range and codes  77 and 78. 

And mankind tend to be have different body sizes.  Try finding an Argie with size 10 feet !  Or like when we used to ras German army kit -it was designed for long lanky teenagers doing national service.  Pity, those moleskin shirts were nice but  no use to a squaddie with a 44 chest.    Your army will actually look more authentic with different body types.

Nick uses Pendraken with 1/144 modern hardware.   Have a look at what Carlos can do in his dioramas with 1/148 trains, Pendraken figures/vehicles and 1/144 planes. 

A good source on the matter is the Mad Axeman.   The golden rule is  DO NOT MIX VEHICLES OF THE SAME TYPE, otherwise the Pendraken tank will look as though you left out in the rain overnight and it ....shrank.

Now , any ideas on chunky figures ?

Sunray Out

[fred.]

Sorry, hadn't realised PP had a few 1/144 in amongst their 15mm ranges.

[Sunray]

No worries mate, Mr Goddard casts a crisp 1/144 so it should work.  He also does a 1/600 - yes 1/600 range in ACW shipping, but hey, this a Pendraken TAOR so lets not advertise  other  brands.  Unless they start paying David for the privilage!

I played a great Cold War commander game in Glasgow last week with 1/144 armour and Pendraken Vietnam range mixed with other brands.  The Pendraken chunky look takes the paint better - in my opinion.  You can use them with 1/144 or indeed 'true' 12mm ..what ever that is?

Now have any of you scouts found old Sunray a chunky figure in what could be tweaked into a 1930s flying jacket ?

Sunray Out

[GrumpyOldMan]

Tally Ho Sunray

Only figures I could think of were from the SCW and WW1 ranges:-

SCW90


SCW129


WW1


SCW66


SCW131


Cheers

GrumpyOldMan

[Sunray]

Good on ya Grumpy!  Looking at flora last weekend has not stunted your scouting ability!  I have also managed to sculpt and bodge a few bombs for the wing racks of those Amiots of yours when you fly them into the VBCW !

There might well be a demand for genuine 10mm aircrew  Leon, you could simply cut the heads off the Bristol crew and cast up about 20 on a sprew?

I am working on the underwing rockets now and will send them on to Dave for a cast. 

Thanks again!


Sunray out

[Sunray]

Actually that WW1 motor bike dispatch rider could be the basis for a 'waistband' cut and conversion. 

The helmet and goggles are classic.  Cut him off the bike, cast up a master and put 20 on a sprew.

Sunray Out

[Leon]

For the time and effort needed to get him off the bike and reposition him, it might be quicker to get a new figure designed!

[Sunray]

Just thinking its not going to be a popular figure, hence the idea to convert a couple and have them for 'the few' who want aircrew. 

If you are going to commission new figures, I can think of a few gaps in the ranges that would be a priorty.

Sunray Out

[Leon]

Just thinking its not going to be a popular figure, hence the idea to convert a couple and have them for 'the few' who want aircrew. 

If you are going to commission new figures, I can think of a few gaps in the ranges that would be a priorty.

We wouldn't be looking to get it commisioned, I was just referring to the time a conversion would take from that bike.  If someone wants to have a go, feel free though!

[Sunray]

That's why code WW1 was in my last order!

Sunray Out

[Leon]

That's why code WW1 was in my last order!