Is it the Pilot or the Plane???

Bruzilla · Post by **Bruzilla** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 am

We've been working on the sculpt for the crew for a JSI Tomcat, and we've been using the Corsair pilot as a rough guide. Now that we've got the legs and torso done, putting them side-by-side, the Corsair pilot looks to have about the same leg length, but the torso is about a skosh over 1/8th inch taller and wider than our figures, and that's with our guys in full flight gear.

Since the Corsair pilot doesn't come close to fitting in the Tomcat, I'm wondering if the pilot's too big or the Tomcat's cockpit is too small?

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:22 am

most 1/18 figs are a bit too big. It's also because their bodies and especially their clothing, don't squish, like real cloth and flesh does.

It's usually difficult to get 1/18 figures into 1/18 vehicles for that reason. If you and your cloths were made of hard plastic, you'd have a tough time getting into your car etc. Same thing.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:53 am

If the ergonomics problem gets really bad and the pilot figure cannot be inserted into the F-14 cockpit, perhaps a partial figure with no legs, etc. that can be inserted in the cockpit.
In some of my models, the legs are difficult to fit in around the lower instrument panel area/cockpit floor where the feet go, so a legless figure might be an easier fit.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:41 am

The 1:18 figures are usually too big as Aferg noted, and the F-14 (in reality) did have a somewhat cramped cockpit.

As for a custom crew figure that doesn't require too much work to produce, you may want to track down a couple of the old BBI "Navy Seal Pilot" helicopter crew figures in the green fatigues. Given a different helmet, these figures work quite well as pilots and also fit into the F-14's cockpit easily.

While I initially used my BBI F-18 and F-16 pilots in the F-14, I eventually returned those to their respective aircraft and wound up using the BBI helicopter pilot figures (with custom helmets) instead.

Black_Dragon_One · Post by **Black_Dragon_One** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:24 am

best figure go off gi joe scarlet pilot...

gburch · Post by **gburch** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:55 am

A lot of it is the "hard plastic clothes" I'm sure. The pilot figures I've put together for my F-14 (and the guys driving my jeeps and trucks) have all had to have their butts and the backs of their thighs dremelled flat. Consider that your muscles in these areas also flatten out when you sit down, too.

Bruzilla · Post by **Bruzilla** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:55 am

I've been fortunate enough to fly in an F-14, and despite being 6'6" and about 230lbs at the time, I had no problem getting in or out. I haven't been in a Corsair, but I know most WWII cockpits are far more cramped than most modern ones are (A-4 aside). I was thinking a 1/18th Corsair pilot would fit better in a Tomcat cockpit.

NightVyper · Post by **NightVyper** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:05 am

i Have a few BBi Pilots that i dont want from helicopters. Well if anybody wants/need a couple i have (3 apache pilots and i think i have around 6 little bird pilots lef)t. i ended up throwing some away before i came to this forum because i collect joe figures. the only ones i am keeping are the pilots for the jets incase i sell and need money.

no more

(1 set per customer limit

)

set 1 (Gone to B-29)
set 2 (Gone to immeww2)
set 3 (Gone to tko211)
set 4 (Gone to YT)
set 5 (Gone to Jesse James)

I am all out guys you got them all!

Bruzilla · Post by **Bruzilla** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 11:37 am

gburch wrote:A lot of it is the "hard plastic clothes" I'm sure. The pilot figures I've put together for my F-14 (and the guys driving my jeeps and trucks) have all had to have their butts and the backs of their thighs dremelled flat. Consider that your muscles in these areas also flatten out when you sit down, too.

I only got to fly in an F-14 once, and to be honest... I was so pumped just to be in that thing ripping through the air that my ass never came to mind.