Anyone can make attractive pilots for their models
by following this easy, step-by step technique.
by Ludo de Jager (January 28, 2004)
The material I use for these pilots is Depron foam,
in 4 mm thick sheets (Depron is the type of foam
used for meat trays, etc.). Of course one could
carve a pilot from a solid block of foam or balsa,
but it's easier to use a few "layers"
because much of the shaping can be worked out in
two dimensions.
Let's get started...
First we have to determine the proper scale for
the pilot. For example, if the model is 1/16 scale,
a 6 foot pilot will be 4.5 inches tall. The head
will be 1/7 or 1/8 of the total height, making
it approximately 5/8" tall.
Next
we draw three profiles of the head, and only one
will have a nose (this will be the center layer).
Draw four additional profiles to represent shoulders.
Transfer these patterns to the foam, cut the foam
pieces out, and glue them together to make a rough
three-dimensional pilot bust. I use a glue made
for foam, but glue-sticks work well also.
Refine the shape a bit by carving with a sharp Exacto
knife. Carving is a little tricky, so work slowly!
Then paint the figure with diluted white glue, which
will make sanding a lot easier.
Wait
for the glue to dry completely, and then shape the
figure further by sanding (I used needle files and
various home-made sanding tools).
Don't search for perfection at this stage - as soon
as it looks like a head with nose, chin, and recesses
for the eyes, you can begin to paint.
In the examples shown here, one pilot is 1"
tall, and the other is 1.25" tall.
