HM Pilot figures!

virtual_pilot · 03-02-2011, 01:28 PM

Why is HM re-issueing same pilot figures?
I saw the product announced on February 26, 2011. They look as ugly as the old ones. I thought HM have a project of bettering their pilot figures, or do they?!

SuperKungFu · 03-02-2011, 01:37 PM

The demand for some pilot figures went up, especially the WWII ones to accommodate some birds without pilots like Dragon Wings.

I think flyingmule only had one box left so they might have informed HM they needed more.

HM did improve the modern pilots like on the F-111, but not sure if those will be packed into the re-release. I doubt it since they would have to change the packaging and everything, so they might take the easier road and go with the original pilots.

virtual_pilot · 03-02-2011, 02:00 PM

oh mine what a disappointment

CarbonPlane · 03-02-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperKungFu

The demand for some pilot figures went up, especially the WWII ones to accommodate some birds without pilots like Dragon Wings.

Not forgetting SkyMax, their models have no pilots... and they're part of HM.

AIRWOLF · 03-02-2011, 03:40 PM

Comparison of modern pilots.

Left to right - HM package pilot, new Witty pilot, Dragon pilot, CW Tomcat pilot, new HM pilot from EF-111

virtual_pilot · 03-02-2011, 10:55 PM

Dragon wins

moscarron · 03-24-2011, 11:42 AM

Does dragon sell his pilot figures separetely? . . . they should!! they look awesome.

SuperKungFu · 03-24-2011, 01:05 PM

Dragon did have 2 pilots in one of their weapons pack - but even that is hard to find these days. Dragon is slowly coming back to the market with some of their models so it would be interesting to see if they would bring back those packs.

virtual_pilot · 03-24-2011, 02:50 PM

why not ask HM to produce pilots that look like the Dragon's?I think I might send them an email.

SuperKungFu · 03-24-2011, 03:11 PM

The problem with dragon pilots is that although they are more to the correct "size" - it's very hard to fit within HM models (even dragon models have some trouble). Most of the time, if you try to shove the Dragon pilot within their F-16, his head would hit the canopy and push it up. Same thing with a lot of other models.

I doubt HM would change it any further because increasing the size of the pilot, might cause problems with the seat. Then changing the seat would also lead to further cost development.

highnoon1966 · 03-24-2011, 03:20 PM

The Dragon one wins hands down, it'sthe only one that doesn't look like something from an Alien film

CarbonPlane · 03-24-2011, 03:49 PM

What is this? A Mr Pilot contest???!!!

Eagle Driver · 03-24-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperKungFu

The problem with dragon pilots is that although they are more to the correct "size" - it's very hard to fit within HM models (even dragon models have some trouble). Most of the time, if you try to shove the Dragon pilot within their F-16, his head would hit the canopy and push it up. Same thing with a lot of other models.

I doubt HM would change it any further because increasing the size of the pilot, might cause problems with the seat. Then changing the seat would also lead to further cost development.

Further cost development thereby leading to increased retail prices for us collectors. Something we do not want

Is the accuracy of pilots really that important compared to having an accurate model of the aircraft

SuperKungFu · 03-24-2011, 05:47 PM

This is why I think HM isn't releasing the newer HM pilots (the bigger ones) found on the F-111 in the 5 pack set because they are trying to aim for a universal model that will fit on all models - hence the use of the smaller original one. I haven't tested it yet, but the F-111 pilot might not fit the tightly spaced models like the MiG-15, F-2, A-4, F-5...etc. Something like this would cause problems for the canopy, the seat, the ejection handles....etc.

gospodin · 03-24-2011, 09:00 PM

The pilots are all fugly, the Witty one is truly hideous and the HM F-111 pilot looks like that creature they found in a spaceship on the planet in "Alien". The Dragon pilot has the most details and best proportions, but the painting is terrible. Screw the pilots anyway, I like the airplanes without them.

gospodin · 03-24-2011, 11:01 PM

As a side note, ANAMohican has shown what a bit of talent with a paint brush and a 1/72 Hasagawa pilot figure can look like with the models. Really, really good.

bragadox · 03-25-2011, 02:31 PM

Well, SKF is right. The problem isn't that HM is not able to make better pilot figures, they surely could.
But i think they simply haven't thought about kinda standard size and build for the cockpits as they started their business.

Here are some examples of my custom made pilots. As you can see, i had to use a small pilot for the Mirage 2000. On the other side: the second F-4 pilot and the Harrier pilot are the same, but i had to stretch the Harrier pilot and changed the angle of his legs to make him fit in the cockpit.
I had to do such adjustments to nearly every single pilot i made for my collection

However ... it would be nice to see some new and better looking pilots from HM or any other diecast company to buy seperately to use them as a basis for modifications.

virtual_pilot · 03-25-2011, 03:56 PM

I agree it would nice to have a basis for accurate pilots. I hope HM's next release of pilots will have hands on stick and throttle and better size and better oxygen mask. DW pilot fits real nicely in the CW F-14 Grim reapers. It looks exactly like the real jet flying.