1:48 US A-10C Pilot in seat

A-10C pilot seated, 1:48 scale, DEF Model

This is a resin figure, not an aircraft model. It captures an American pilot in a seated pose, that is in the position matching how he sits in the cockpit. The figure is shaped for a model of the Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II in 1:48 scale, so it will fill the cockpit space without further adjustment to the seating and the lean.

On the A-10 in particular a figure in the cockpit makes a great deal of sense. The aircraft has a high-set cockpit with excellent visibility and a large bubble canopy, so the cockpit is clearly visible both from the side and from above. An empty cockpit is more noticeable on this type than on other machines.

What the figure is good for

• it fills the cockpit and removes the empty look under the glazing
• it gives the model a readable scale and a lively look
• it suits models in flight pose on a stand and a scene on the ground alike
• the seated pose is adapted to the A-10C cockpit, so the figure need not be cut about

Painting tips

Rinse the casting in lukewarm water with a little detergent, so that traces of mold release agent are removed. Cut the casting block off with a saw and level the surface with a file. Lay on a thin primer and paint the figure away from the model, seating it with super glue only when finished. It pays to try how the figure sits in the cockpit dry before seating it and, if need be, to adjust the mating surface. Leave the helmet, the oxygen mask and the straps to the end; they are the details that draw the eye most on a finished model.

Who the figure is for

For modelers building the A-10C in 1:48 scale who want to take the cockpit all the way. Working with resin and painting small details call for a steady hand, but the result will raise a finished model.

The figure is cast in resin and is meant to be painted by the modeler. Paints are not included in the package.