RAF 1970 seated pilot. 1-32 scale

[Brett Gibson]

Hi all,

Looking for an 1/32 scale seated pilot for RAF/Commonwealth 1970s Hawker Hunter.

I have got the PJ Productions 1960s NATO seated pilot.

 

https://www.pj-production.be/en/figures-1-32-/165-321115-pilote-otan-assis-années-60.html

 

Will this cut it?

The kit I’m doing is an Rhodesian Hunter late 70s in flight.

 

Cheers,

 

BG

[StephenMG]

It's not far off, although he doesn't seem to have much of a life-preserver visible and I can't see any knee pockets. The biggest problem is the oxygen mask which is very big - the Type P or Type Q masks in use at the time (in the RAF at least) were relatively small and only covered the nose and mouth. Not sure what Rhodesia were using but I assume similar equipment. Have a look at this chap for reference - 1970s RAF pilot

 

 

[Sky dancer]

Hi BG,

 

PJ Productions do an RAF pilot (modern):-

 

https://www.pj-production.be/en/figures-1-32-/193-321118-pilote-de-chasse-raf-moderne.html

 

However, found this pic on Tumblr which shows a couple of Hunter pilots in the timeframe you need; the photo is at bottom of the page and will enlarge if you click on it:-

 

https://www.tumblr.com/search/rhodesia air force

 

The only bit of RAF kit they are wearing/carrying is the helmet. The photo is not very clear, but to me, this looks like a white painted Mk.1 "done dome" as it appears to have a chin strap mounted externally on the helmet. This would have been worn with a cloth inner Type G helmet, the mask could have been a G, or a P or Q as StephenMG states.

 

The Rhodesian camouflage flying kit and survival vest are obviously locally produced, no idea about the G-suit the pilot on the left is wearing I'm afraid (maybe South African?). The kit of the pilot on the right is interesting; the shape of the clothing on his lower legs suggests, to me at least, that he is wearing a g-suit (RAF Mk.4?) that has been covered in camo fabric.

 

This link shows some good shots of a Mk.1 helmet:-

 

http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/rnzaf-mki-a-flight-helmet.html

 

Probably either of the PJ Productions pilots could be modified to suit, but the NATO figure you have at the minute may be easier, as there is no lifejacket.

 

In any case, the helmet and mask of the NATO figure would need to be altered, as you can see in the photos of the Mk.1 the visor was mounted on a central rail, and the visor itself was squared off at the bottom.

 

The RAF figure would require less work to the helmet, but more work to remove the lifejacket.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

[Brett Gibson]

Hi Lads,

 

Thanks for the reply and help.

 

I know nothing, absolutely nothing about flight suits and helmets worn.

The picture of the Rhodesia hunter pilots makes sense in that why have a life preserver when you’re not operating over the sea. I have looked at the Rhodesia Army in the past and they were big on local produced hareware to counter the threat.

Due to the imposed sanctions they would have used undated hard to get equipment.

 

I did also find this

RAF Pilot 60s as well.

 

https://www.pj-production.be/en/figures-1-32-/227-321123-raf-pilot-60s.html

 

Would any of the three PJ Products work for a MK1 helmet. Would the 60s RAF pilot helmet work out. I plan to use the NATO pilots body with a suitable head/flight helmet.

 

Once again thanks for the help

[Sky dancer]

Hi Brett,

 

That 1960's RAF pilot figure from PJ Products is wearing a Mk1 helmet, and would suit perfectly - I didn't see that the last time I checked their website.

 

I was researching something else regarding the Rhodesian Air Force and found some other photos which confirmed that it was the Mk1 helmet that they wore on Hunters. I suspect they wore a green inner helmet, but I cannot confirm this.

 

I am not overly familiar with the Mk.4 ejection seat used on the Hunter, but I strongly suspect that the oxygen hose on this PJ figure is coming down on the wrong side of the body - the personal equipment connectors for oxygen, G-suit etc would clip in on the left-hand side of the seat (as you sit on it). Pretty sure the Mk.4 would have been the same.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

[Sky dancer]

Hi Brett,

 

I wasn't 100% certain about the ejection seat set-up in Hunters, so did a bit more research as I didn't want to send you the wrong info.

 

According to this site, http://www.ejectorseats.co.uk/seat-type.html the Mk.4 seat was only used in two-seater Hunters, single seaters only went up to the Mk.3H.

 

This site has a photo of a Mk.3H, which shows that the oxygen hose does attach to the RHS on the seat, so PJ has got it right:- http://www.ejectionsite.com/mbamk3.htm

 

Sorry for causing any confusion!