Aero Bonus Various Aviation Related Figures - 1:48

[Mike]

Various Figures
1:48 Aero Bonus by Aires

Aires have several brands under their belts, and Aero Bonus is often used to release the more unusual (for them) products. This includes an expanding range of figures that will doubtless grow over time to include more subjects, with the latest releases including four USAF figures from the Vietnam era, a British Sea Harrier Pilot from the Falklands War, plus a Korean War Soviet Air Force Colonel, and finally a Russian pilot moulded into a KS-4 ejection seat. Arriving in simple flat packaging, the parts are all protected by extensions to the casting blocks, and the backing paper shows the eventual pose and suitable colour suggestions in the form of a line drawn completed figure.


Soviet Air Force Colonel, Korean War, 1951 (480080)
Soon after WWII little had changed in the way of dress within the ranks of the Soviet Air Force. This gentleman wears a short leather jacket and boots over a pair of wide-topped trousers. One hand is stuffed into a pocket, while the other carries a pair of leather flight gloves. The "entrousered" hand is moulded into the figure, while the head and free arm are separate parts.

British Sea Harrier Pilot, Falklands War 1982 (480086)
Wearing the bulky survival suit and life preserver, this rather severe looking pilot is moulded with a separate head and arms, and is wearing his helmet, presumably to keep his head warm on deck. In one hand is a bundle of papers, while his face mask dangles on his front.

Russian Pilot with KS-4 Ejection Seat (480087)
This unusual moulding integrates the pilot's legs and body into the ejection seat, with realistically draped seatbelts, and a most realistic seated pose due to the co-moulding of the two. The arms are separate parts, one grabbing the stick and the other on a side console, perhaps? The head with helmet is also separate, and as moulded is looking to his left, although adapting that pose should be easy, given the long peg that is moulded to the bottom of his neck.

Suggested subjects are Sukhoi Su-7, Su-9, Su-11, Su-15, Su-17.

USAF Fighter Pilot Vietnam War 1960-75 (480089)
This figure is in a standing stance, holding his helmet in one hand while a forage cap sits atop his head. He wears a harness around his torso and a pilot's notes clipboard on his knee.

USAF Maintenance Crew Operation Farm Gate (480090/1/2)
All three figures share the same dress of combat fatigues with rolled up sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat with the two sides curled up at the sides. They all wear a side arm on a belt that is moulded into the body/legs part, while their arms are separate parts.

Conclusion
A nice set of new figures in 1:48 that are well sculpted and scale well with other figures I have in my possession. Casting blocks are sensibly placed, and the occasional fine flash connecting the facial features helps to avoid bubbles and can be quickly removed by scraping with the edge of a blade. Keep 'em coming!

Very highly recommended.

Review samples courtesy of

distributed in the UK by Hannants Ltd.

[SaintsPhil]

These are really nice, I grabbed the Russian seated pilot (for a Mig-21 which he's also suitable for...).

Only minor gripe is he's not got his mask on, so a little remedial works required for a true in flight model!

[Julien]

While most are great looking figures the Sea Harrier pilot seems to have a massive helmet and tiny face. Lift jacket looks wrong to my eyes as well.

Julien

[marky sparky]

Maybe they'll make/release only the bone domes in the future.

A model aircraft looks good with one hanging over the cockpit side.