History

Under Czar Nicholas II the Imperial Russian Air Service was organized and activated in 1912. Due to the severe weather conditions in the Russian the flyers required heavy protection. The standard basic issue was a jacket & pants made from high quality black and dark brown leather. Even after the revolution in 1917 this “flying kit” was still being issued to the new VVS flying crews. The legs were protected by shin to ankle, leather half shells that were strapped in place. This allowed the flyer to wear low quarter shoes and have a full range of movement in the ankles. The typical helmet was made of a metal pot with its outer shell covered in more leather and the lower webbing that covered the back of the neck, ears and employed a chin strap was made of heavy cloth or more leather. This “crash helmet” was designed to protect the cranium – skull from damage on hard landings. In extreme cold weather a heavy long length bear skin coat was also used.

Planting the new flag

The first figure that "the New" Copper State Models decided to issue was to be the “CSF F32-001 Russian WWI pilot standing resin figure.” It is suitable to include in any IRAS or VVS display or dioramas. It was sculpted by figure master Andrey Blyoskin. The over-all lines and details are clean and the figure rivals any I have seen to date. It comes in four easy to assemble segments that include head, arms and body. Even a basic image search will yield some great existing shots and details to help the modeler further with high color items like shoulder boards. The natural stance of the figure adds to its scale realism.

How to purchase yours

Methods of payment are listed on Copper State Models' website. At this time you must contact them through their website for prices and delivery schedules.

Construction

I had no trouble assembling and painting this kit using my basic talents for figures. Since the Russian air service used a wide variety of aircraft your applications for this figure are plentiful. Whether its IRAS, Soviet red or the free white army, some aircraft types it can be used with are Spad A2, VII, Nieuport fighters, a Sopwith triplane, Sopwith 1.5 strutters, DH 4, DH 9 & DH 9a. In 1/32 this is the natural choice even if its just to show proportion.

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