"Is he taking his flight suit off after returning from a successful mission? ...or is he putting his flight suit on, getting ready for what could possibly be his last mission? ...you decide!

This two figure set makes a GREAT accessory for any of the 1/32 scale WWI German airplanes from Roden or Wingnut Wings. They would also look good posed in a stand alone 54mm figure vignette, or in the increasingly popular "wedgie" next to the tail of a German fighter.

Sculpted by Mike Good, (Box art painted by Tim Farrell), these figures have all the detail and realism as can be expected. The details are clean and crisp. And, as usual, the figures are expertly cast in The Model Cellar with no casting plugs and little to no clean up. ...just assemble, primer and paint. The set also contains a separate leather helmet and goggles laying flat which can be placed on the wing of the aircraft, or on the ground next to the pilot." [i] from Model Cellar advertizemnet[/i]

Model Cellar has added another "figure set" for the 1:32 scale builders. I believe that after a very short sanding session then priming the figures you will be pleased with the result.

The kit comes in 9 pieces. These are 2 heads,3 arms,1 belt strap, pilot's helmet and 2 body - torso / legs combination. The enlisted man's hand is moulded top the shoulder of the pilot. The stance is one figure helping another with a flieger combination suit. The attached headgear are typical service caps with a separate flight helmet with goggles laying flat. These can be clear or tinted green lenses. The straps and metall eye surrounds / frames were leather clad. This particular type of flight / combination suit was first available in late 1917. The earliest image I have seen of pilots wearing these is an group of pilots from Jasta 7 in early October 1917 infront of therir first Pfalz D.III machines. These figures represent a pilot (officer) and a enlisted man.

There are two variations of the flieger combination suit;

The first is a typical govt issue of the flying / combination suit. It was thought to be mid to dark grey and had a inner wool liner that was buttoned in place and could be removed.

The second is a private purchase version that is belived to be natural / clear linen and had a sheepskin liner that was buttoned or snapped in place and could be removed.

Mechanics, riggers and fitters wore a uniform black tunic and pants to hide most of the grime and oil they encountered. The noted historian Alex Imrie called them "the oily fingered brethren". The other German enlisted (batmen, office cooks and etc) wore the typical field grey uniform.

Leather items could be brown or black,

Officers daily uniforms were a variation of field grey - green grey.

Usually in all cases of enlisted or officer ranks these uniform items could be several shades away from each other. Tunics and pants did not usually match. Officers shirts were white without attached collars unless it was colder weather conditions. These were worn of course under the tunics - if worn at all.

Buttons were either brass or a "tombak" colour (dull or dark silver colour).

This set alone makes me want to build the late model Fok. Dr.I with Ltn. Han's Pippart's markings and create the scene that they were designed from. But truthfully this set will look good next to any WWI German 1:32 aircraft build.

As always when contacting manufacturers and publishers please mention you saw this review at AEROSCALE