1:48 RAAF General-Dynamics F-111 pilots sitting in seats (2 pcs)

Seated F-111 crew of the Royal Australian Air Force, 1:48, Reskit

A pair of resin figures in 1:48 scale by Reskit. They represent the crew of a General Dynamics F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force in a seated position, that is exactly as they are placed in the cockpit of a finished model. The empty cockpit of a large combat aircraft looks static, while an occupied one gives the model a sense of scale and the impression that the machine is ready for action.

The real subject

The Royal Australian Air Force operated the F-111C version and later further machines of this family; the type stayed in service until 2010 and the nickname Pig caught on for it among the personnel. The F-111 was a two-seat supersonic combat aircraft with a variable-geometry wing whose crew sat side by side. A peculiarity of the design was a jettisonable escape capsule holding the whole cockpit instead of separate ejection seats. The Australian machines served mainly in the strike and reconnaissance roles.

Painting and usage tips

Before painting, wash the figures in lukewarm water with detergent and remove the remains of the mold release agent. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw, level the mating surfaces and before placing them in the cockpit try dry-fitting them to see whether they fit under a closed canopy; any surplus on the lower part of a figure can be sanded away, as it will be hidden anyway. Glue with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue). Paint in layers: primer, the base shades of the gear and the skin, gentle shading and finally a wash in the folds. Tune details such as the visor and the straps with a brush with a very fine point.

Who the set is for

• Builders of F-111 models in 1:48 scale who want an occupied cockpit
• Anyone interested in Australian military aircraft
• Modelers building airfield vignettes and scenes
• Collectors who complete their models with figures correctly tied to the type