Need a ~33% Pilot bust with specific criteria..

[gboulton]

I'm looking for a roughly 1/3 scale pilot bust for my Jim LeRoy Bulldog build. I've got 7" or so of room to play with, maybe a touch more...since the Bulldog was such a small plane, it'd be best if the bust takes up most of that to maintain the illusion of 'tiny cockpit in a little plane'. For that reason, might be able to go with as much as a 40%-ish pilot bust. To be sure, it probably shouldn't be less than 6" high or so.

Pilot needs a helmet, but the helmet should NOT be full face like these from Chief Aircraft, but rather should be open faced.



The Williams Brothers military pilot shown below would be excellent...except it's not available larger than 1/5 scale:




I've checked crazy pilots...their website is gone. I've checked chief, Composite Creations, Valley Aviation, hobby lobby, Tower, Horizon, HP Pilots...tried to contact "Pilots By Diane" but the e-mail bounced...I'm stuck. Didn't imagine for a minute that this'd be this hard!

Anyone got any ideas? I'm potentially even willing to go with a custom creation if all else fails, though, obviously, I'd RATHER avoid that expense if I can.

Since I'm scratch-building this airplane, I'm certainly not averse to some sanding, filling, reshaping either, if someone's got a suggestion for something that might be "re-workable" to what I need. Haven't ever specifically tooled r modified a pilot bust though, so I'd sure be open to any tips and advice along those lines.

Thanks in advance!

[xtreem3d]

don't know how much money you want to put into this but try sending an e-mail to Jim Lanzendorf at this address up20ft@msn.com he can make contact w/ a buddy of ours joe mcculler who had a replica pilot of jim leroy carved for a special project he's doing. these guys knew jim leroy and somehow got in touch w/ an airshow photograher who sent p[ics to the person who carved the bust of jim. no idea what the cost was ...just spoke w/ joe mcculler last week and asked him to send pics of the pilot but haven't heard back yet......fwiw tomorrow is the memorial for jim near chicago

[gboulton]

Thanks for the info...however, was already on top of this one...Joe and I have been trying to reach the fellow that did the bust for him, actually...he's dropped out of site, Joe's trying to find a contact number.

Joe and I "go back" about a year now...I'm part of that "guys who knew Jim" crowd. In fact, Joe's the one that encouraged me to e-mail Jim about my build.

Had hoped to make it to Chicago tomorrow, but alas, work is in the way. Bet your bottom dollar I'll have a black and yellow ribbon on at work tomorrow though.

[xtreem3d]

o.k......good luck w/ your project !
steve

[gboulton]

Just a quick bump here...

I've decided that i can probably modify a Lifelike 33% civilian pilot to some degree of "acceptable"...but it certainly won't be what I want...so, still looking!

[kakem]

Aces of Iron now has the cililian sport pilot bust in 1/4 (25%) scale. The figure comes as a 3/4 length Bust. The figure can easily be sanded or cut to any height to fit in your cockpit. The 1/4 scale figure has a thin hard resin skin for lightweight and is filled with rigid polyurethane foam for super structure. The figure is 6.9"h x 5.2"w x 4.4"d weighs in at 4.5oz and costs $34.95. This figure is now available in 1/12th, 1/8th, 1/5th (20%) and 1/4 (25%) SCALES. info is at http://www.acesofiron.com. The 33% figure should be ready by late January or early February 2008.

[selfportrait]

Red Aero RC is about to release their 40% and 33% Civilian Aerobatic Pilots. Perfect for the large Yak, Extra or Edge.

See the progress photo attached. Basic sculpture without detail.

You can contact them via email at sales@redaerorc.com

[kakem]

The aces of iron 33% figure is done and selling now. See the Aces of Iron website for details: http://www.acesofiron.com

[Winginnit]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gboulton
	I'm looking for a roughly 1/3 scale pilot bust for my Jim LeRoy Bulldog build. I've got 7" or so of room to play with, maybe a touch more...since the Bulldog was such a small plane, it'd be best if the bust takes up most of that to maintain the illusion of 'tiny cockpit in a little plane'. For that reason, might be able to go with as much as a 40%-ish pilot bust. To be sure, it probably shouldn't be less than 6" high or so. Pilot needs a helmet, but the helmet should NOT be full face like these from Chief Aircraft, but rather should be open faced. The Williams Brothers military pilot shown below would be excellent...except it's not available larger than 1/5 scale: I've checked crazy pilots...their website is gone. I've checked chief, Composite Creations, Valley Aviation, hobby lobby, Tower, Horizon, HP Pilots...tried to contact "Pilots By Diane" but the e-mail bounced...I'm stuck. Didn't imagine for a minute that this'd be this hard! Anyone got any ideas? I'm potentially even willing to go with a custom creation if all else fails, though, obviously, I'd RATHER avoid that expense if I can. Since I'm scratch-building this airplane, I'm certainly not averse to some sanding, filling, reshaping either, if someone's got a suggestion for something that might be "re-workable" to what I need. Haven't ever specifically tooled r modified a pilot bust though, so I'd sure be open to any tips and advice along those lines. Thanks in advance!

I'll be posting an example of a pilot I carved out of balsa soon. The likeness is of a buddy of mine. Check out my website:

www.mikebrentart.com

If there is significant interest, I will consider carving them for a fee to be determined later.

Regards,

Mike

[Winginnit]

Hand Carved Pilot Figures now available.

http://www.mikebrentart.com/pilotportraits.html

[Winginnit]

Hand Carved PilotPortraits now available.

http://www.mikebrentart.com/pilotportraits.html