U.S.A.F. Fighter Pilot – Vietnam War 1960-1975

Sets No. 480 065 and No. 480 068
Scale: 1/48

Aerobonus has started a new line of their products. Next to useful accessories enhancing bases or dioramas with mostly jet planes, company have started to produce quarterscale figures of the pilots. When I write these words variety of available figures is not very big yet and comprises of just four figures, but I really hope it will expand in future. In this review I will try to take a closer look on the figures representing American pilots which were released in July and August of 2013.

Along with two figures of the Russian pilots (reviewed here ) Aerobonus have released two figures in the same scale representing American pilots of the USAF during the Vietnam War. As the title of both sets say they are suitable for the period of 1960-1975 and, for example, for the following machines: F-5, F-100, F-105, B-57, A-26K, A-37, OV-1, OV-10, T-28. As you see not all of these types are pure fighters but let's don't make a problem of it.

Figures comes as a resin castings packed in a soft pouch. Both sets represents a pilot in a standing pose, looking on something and making some gestures. One of them (set 480065) holds a helmet in a hand and consists of four parts: torso with legs, hands and helmet. One detail, which should be present in this set, is simply missing – a helmet strap. Title picture and painting instruction shows that pilots holds a helmet by its strap which is not reproduced neither with the hand nor with the helmet. If you care about these small details you will have to make it yourself, otherwise the helmet will have to be glued directly to the pilots hand. All the parts in both sets are casted together on the single block with two guards on the sides protecting content from accidental break or other damage. Separating them from the base will require a small razor saw. Figures are free of any flashes (except technological one spreaded between legs for improving poring of resin in the form) and imperfections of the castings.

Painting instruction illustrates the figures from front and back from two angles so it's easy to find out how they should be painted. Aerobonus does not provide any particular paint number nor suggests any brand, company gives just general colour description. This is reasonable as clothes when got worn were usually bleaching in different styles and directions so pointing on just one true colour would be at least amusing. Beside, you can make it much more personalized and unique amongst other.

Certainly Aires in their Aerobonus line have provided a good addition to the any type of presentation of a finished model. It surely improves general appearance of the airplane kit on the simple base or for example as a comparison of size between man and his machine or as a bigger composition. After many years of we will be able to appease our hunger for good quality 1:48 scale figures. Standing figures are for sure attractive but I also hope to see in future some other pilots sitting inside the cockpit or on the wing leading edge. Anyway, Aerobonus have once again did a great job with their products. I hope the pictures confirms that and tells all the story about quality of the presented figures.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.