1:32 Imperial Japanese Navy Fighter Pilot #2

Imperial Japanese Navy fighter pilot 1:32, version no. 2

A figure of a fighter pilot of the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1:32 scale from the Offset Scale Models brand. It is not an airplane kit but a separate figure meant to fill out a large aircraft model, a diorama or a display case. The brand makes the pilot in two separate versions; this set is version number 2, the other carries number 1.

The real subject

The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service operated fighter units both from shore bases and from the decks of aircraft carriers. The flying kit of naval pilots consisted basically of a flight suit or jacket, a leather flying helmet with goggles, gloves, a life vest and a parachute harness. The 1:32 scale matches large aircraft kits and is at the same time close to the collector's figure size of 54 mm, so the figure also stands up on its own on a base.

Preparation and painting tips

Before painting, wash the figure in lukewarm water with a drop of detergent and let it dry thoroughly; clean up any parting seams and casting remains carefully with a scalpel and a fine abrasive. Then spray a thin primer, which evens the surface out and at the same time reveals the places still to be sanded. Build the skin up in layers from a darker base to light highlights, bring out the fabric with a dark wash in the folds and a dry brush over the edges. Matte paints look truer on a figure than gloss ones; keep the gloss for the lenses of the goggles and small metal items.

Who the figure is for

• For builders of aircraft models in 1:32 scale whose machine is missing its crew.
• For builders of dioramas putting together an airfield or deck scene.
• For modelers who want to try painting a figure in a larger and more rewarding scale.
• For collectors who put both versions of the pilot from one range side by side.

The figure is supplied unpainted. The paints, glue and a base are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.