RHWinter Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Hi all, I am looking for a set of crew members for my Airfix 1:48 Defiant, pilot and gunner CLIMBING into their plane. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radpoe Spitfire Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 I don't tend to use figures in my kits, but there are one or two sets of RAF 1940 period figures around- if memory serves me, ICM springs to mind and the Airfix Hurricane/Albion/Bedford Battle if Britain sets has figures. Might be worth having a look at various model shops on the Web or evil bay. Regards Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radpoe Spitfire Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 In reply to my above, just looked at ebay and if you put in 1/48 RAF personnel, the ICM sets are listed for around £9. You may have to do a bit of "plastic surgery" to re-pose the figures.👌 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 I seem to recall that the Defiant gunners wore a 'Parasuit', a rather unflattering garment with a parachute built into it, rather than a separate parachute harness and pack as worn by the pilots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Fogey Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 (edited) There's a picture of the "parasuit" here Cheers, Adrian Edited March 30, 2017 by Old Fogey Edited to add my name 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 That is really an ugly suit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 2 hours ago, janneman36 said: That is really an ugly suit... True, but it's a lot prettier than the mess you get when the gunner can't leave his turret in a hurry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 for ease reference the ICM RAF figures were reboxed by Revell BTW a better starting point maybe the Eduard set from http://www.hyperscale.com/2007/reviews/kits/eduard8507reviewbg_1.htm from the box I would think they maybe easier to modify , the far right running figure note they have separate arms and legs so can be reposed the parasuit would require some re-sculpting. HTH T 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHWinter Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 Wow! Thank you very much, all, for your quick and very useful help! The gunner's suit is truly ugly, but - alas! - I will try to reproduce it! richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonM Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 DJ Parkins (Flightpath etc) do a pilot being helped into his cockpit as part of their Dartmoor Military Models figures 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
593jones Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 On 30/03/2017 at 2:30 PM, Old Fogey said: There's a picture of the "parasuit" here Cheers, Adrian Of course, what the gunner is saying is "Does my bum look big in this?" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 If you want some decent images of a Parasuit, message me your email address and I will send you a couple. Regards Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey C Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 Any idea what colour the Parasuit was guys? Tan like harnesses or the yellowy colour of Mae West jackets? Regards, Lindsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 19 hours ago, Lindsey C said: Any idea what colour the Parasuit was guys? Tan like harnesses or the yellowy colour of Mae West jackets? Regards, Lindsey Here you go... 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey C Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 (edited) Wow @AndyL That's a pretty definitive answer. Thanks. Gunner is painted! Poor bugger had his legs chopped off to fit into fuselage and allow turret to rotate (with the added benefit of fitting the lower turret part). He is a very big burly fella and would make a good Al Deere! Still, he wont have the worry defined in the period instructional film of making sure to place feet on the foot rests to avoid injury! Found the same period instructional film but with extra footage. I presume you have all seen this? A great view of the gun panel at 9:54 Regards, Lindsey Edited January 15, 2022 by Lindsey C 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHWinter Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 Thank you very much, Andy and Lindsey: Real great „footage“ to the topic! Even found the figures mentioned by you, Gordon (https://www.djparkins.com/product.php?productid=18164&page=1), thanks for the hint! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 11 hours ago, Lindsey C said: Wow @AndyL That's a pretty definitive answer. Thanks. Gunner is painted! Poor bugger had his legs chopped off to fit into fuselage and allow turret to rotate (with the added benefit of fitting the lower turret part). He is a very big burly fella and would make a good Al Deere! Still, he wont have the worry defined in the period instructional film of making sure to place feet on the foot rests to avoid injury! Found the same period instructional film but with extra footage. I presume you have all seen this? A great view of the gun panel at 9:54 Regards, Lindsey It's lovely footage which shows the turret very well indeed. One of the oft repeated myths in the Defiant story is that the Parasuit was worn because there was no room for a parachute in the turret. Actually there was, only that if the gunner was wearing a Parasuit then the seat had to be folded up. At one stage it was suggested that these suits were to be issued to air gunners manning mid upper and ventral turrets, however The Parasuit soldiered on in use with Defiant units, but there was a mix of aircrew wearing them and the observers harness with the clip on parachute pack. As an aside it's thought there are only around ten Parasuits in existence, including two in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Just thought I'd add in this image from the Life Magazine set taken at RAF Debden, which shows how the Parasuit fits on the air gunner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 "What can I say? It was a harrowing mission!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Onkey Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Poor gunner. Talk about heaping insult upon injury- not only are you being sent to war in the hopeless Defiant but they're dressing you like a clown while you do it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now