1:144 Československý pilot 30. léta

Figure of a Czechoslovak pilot of the 1930s, 1:144 (Peewit)

A figure of a Czechoslovak airman of the 1930s in 1:144 scale from the Czech brand Peewit, offered by the manufacturer under number 145003. In so small a scale a figure beside a model is mainly a guide to scale and a way of bringing the scene to life, so coarser painting and clean outlines are enough. It is supplied unpainted and unassembled; paints and glue are not included in the package.

The real subject

The 1930s were a period of rapid modernization for the Czechoslovak Air Force. Avia B-534 biplane fighters, Letov observation aircraft and twin-engine bombers entered service, and the gear of the crews moved on from the leather coat to an overall with a parachute harness and a leather helmet with goggles. Czechoslovak airmen also took part in international air meetings at the time, where their machines held their own against foreign competition.

Building and painting tips

Small figures will take only thin coats of paint. Remove the residue left by casting or printing, go over the surface with the finest paper and apply a thin base. Paint with a brush from a dark undercoat toward the light edges; a dark wash will bring the folds of the clothing to life and a drybrush the raised areas. Finish the goggles and the glossy leather parts with a drop of gloss varnish. Paint the figure before you seat it beside the model, because once it is between the wing and the fuselage a brush can no longer reach it.

Who the figure is for

• builders of small models in 1:144 scale
• modelers who want to give a small model a readable sense of scale
• those interested in the interwar Czechoslovak Air Force
• collectors of miniature figures

The figure is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.