1:16 figure of Josef František

The real subject

Josef Frantisek is one of the best known Czech fighter pilots of the Second World War. In 1940 he flew with No. 303 (Polish) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, and in the Battle of Britain he ranked among the most successful Allied fighter pilots of the time. His machine was the Hawker Hurricane. He did not survive the autumn of 1940, and yet he left behind a reputation known to everyone with an interest in wartime aviation.

The figure in 1:16 scale

1:16 is a generous scale for a figure: a grown man some 180 centimeters tall comes out at roughly eleven centimeters. At that size the face, the buckles, the seams and the folds of the clothing are all visible, so the figure stands up on its own on a base, with no aircraft model beside it. How it is conceived and in what dress is shown by the manufacturer's photograph and description.

Painting tips

• wash and degrease the figure before painting, or the paint will not hold on the smooth surface
• start with a primer coat; the flesh shades even out on it and do not look blotchy
• lay the paint on in thin coats and build the shadows up gradually, not with one dark coat
• paint the face first, while you can still hold the figure freely
• leave the eyes to the end and work with the thinnest brush you have

Who it is for

Modelers who enjoy painting figures and want a particular person in the collection rather than an anonymous pilot will reach for it. A large scale forgives fewer mistakes than small figures, but it rewards patience. Paints, glue and a base are not included in the delivery, unless stated otherwise.