1:48 F-105D Thunderchief pilot sitting in early ejection seat (for Hobby Boss kits) (1 pcs)

A seated F-105D pilot for the early ejection seat, 1:48

The figure is shaped seated, that is directly for the cockpit space. The name gives the early variant of the seat, by which it is distinguished from the later form offered in the same series under a different designation. The figure makes sense wherever the canopy stays open and the interior is visible. The accessory is fitted to the Hobby Boss kit, which is not in the package.

Into the cockpit

Over its service the F-105 went through changes to its escape system and the early machines had a different seat arrangement from the late series. The difference is visible on a model above all in the outline of the backrest and in the mounting of the harness. Anyone building a particular aircraft with a date will appreciate being able to choose the matching form, because the cockpit is one of the places a viewer looks at first.

Painting and fitting

Try the seating dry before applying paint, because cockpits differ between kits and a little sanding of the thighs or the back is often needed. Paint the figure away from the model and put it in only at the end. Set the harness and the buckles apart with a pronounced edge, or they will be lost in the depth of the cockpit. Lighter tones on the upper side will balance the shadow inside the fuselage and keep the figure legible even under a closed canopy.

For which builders

• F-105D models with an open cockpit in 1:48
• anyone interested in a faithful interior of the early machines
• display cases where the view into the cockpit is part of the composition
• modelers who do not mind fine-tuning the mating surfaces
• builds tied to a particular period of service

The aircraft kit is a separate item.