Adding Peter Pig Pilots to your paints

[Oberst Hajj]

There have been several questions and threads in regards to adding pilot figures to your planes. I have recently given this a try for the first time with some Peter Pig pilots.

The PPP are molded from the torso up only. This can cause issues when the plane you are putting them in only has a gaping hole for a cockpit. This was the case with my Shapeways Fokker DR.I:



To solve this problem, I carefully filled the cockpit area with white glue (PVA or Elmer's) and let it dry. The PPP come to a little point at their waist. This works out quite well for my method. Once the glue dries, take a sharp razor blade or small drill bit and drill a small hole into the now rubbery glue. Add a drop of superglue to this new hole and insert your pilot:



That's all it takes to fit these little guys in a cockpit near you!

[Nightbomber]

I treat my pilot figurines without mercy (sorry guys). They usually don't fit in the cockpits, so I cut the already painted figurines by their waist, check if they fit inside, cut a bit again, dip them in superglue and push to the cockpit. Works fine.
Herr Oberst treat them very kind

[Rat of Vengence]

I have a batch of gunners and pilots on the way. Thanks for the tip Herr Oberst, I will do it that way for my Dr.1

RoV

[Bluedevil]

I've just received my order of Peter Pig's gunners... also just torso but have a little "foot" added to be able to glue them to the bottom of your aircraft.

I put some "green stuff" inside the seat of my aircaft and push the pilots in it before its dry. It works well and can add to the balance of the plane once it is mounted onto a gimbal mount.

[flash]

I've used his pilots - had to boost them up for the s/ways aircraft using some plasticard but by leaving the 'peg' on the bottom they fit right into most cockpits with a little trimming. I will pick up some more & tail gunners at the Cavalier 2012 show in February if PP is there.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Mine get whatever it takes to get them in. Some planes are easy some need tweezers to manipulate the figure in. I like the idea of PVA and Greenstuff.
You might try Bluetack and Superglue sometime as well.
Rob.

[Baron Rolf]

That's great information as that's what I want to do to my series one planes.

[Womble]

I've put the gunners on 2mm x 0.5mm magnets and one in the plane. You can point them in the right direction if you want. You can take them out if they get shot and have a single or a twin gunner, just make one of each.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I've put the gunners on 2mm x 0.5mm magnets and one in the plane. You can point them in the right direction if you want. You can take them out if they get shot and have a single or a twin gunner, just make one of each.

An interesting idea Ian. I have often wondered about having balloon observers parachute down if the balloon is attacked. The hard part is finding models with legs.
Rob

[Doug]

Rob you might have a look at the Pendraken WW2 10mm British range. BR152 is a para decending. I have no idea what the look like only that they make one. Doug

[Womble]

Rob, I use upholstery tacks with the bottom chopped flat on a magnetic flight stand for the turn the balloon crew jump. Not correct for scale but I think of it as a perspective thing as they fall away.

I've got rounded tacks but have seen these recently.



Ian

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Rob you might have a look at the Pendraken WW2 10mm British range. BR152 is a para decending. I have no idea what the look like only that they make one. Doug

Thanks Doug, i'll do that. Added to Ians idea for the chute and we could be in business.
Rob.

[Bluedevil]

I for one would like to see the results of that combination Rob

[flash]

I've put the gunners on 2mm x 0.5mm magnets and one in the plane. You can point them in the right direction if you want. You can take them out if they get shot and have a single or a twin gunner, just make one of each.

Nice touch Ian - I might try that too - liked the parachute ideas too

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Nice touch Ian - I might try that too - liked the parachute ideas too

I was wondering if the magnetic foil for wargames tray liners would be cheaper than rare earth magnets, and take up less space?
Rob.

[Womble]

I only ever use neodinium magnets, I recently got 100 for around £5 and they will last me for years so not too expensive. The good thing with these is that its easy to drill a hole for the magnet in the plane if space is an issue.

I've tried 1mm x 1mm magnets, these also work but I prefer the 2 x 0.5mm as the magnets are stronger.

Ian

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I only ever use neodinium magnets, I recently got 100 for around £5 and they will last me for years so not too expensive. The good thing with these is that its easy to drill a hole for the magnet in the plane if space is an issue.

I've tried 1mm x 1mm magnets, these also work but I prefer the 2 x 0.5mm as the magnets are stronger.

Ian

The next obvious question is:- From whence did these magnets come Ian?
Rob.

[Womble]

Search e-bay for neodymium 0.5.

To fit on a litko flight peg search 3.2 to find 1/8 inch diameter.

I hope this helps.

Ian

[IRM]

I use this mob (their 5mm disc magnets are perfect for mounting Skytrex kits etc, even larger ones like the AEG) : http://www.first4magnets.com/crafts-...kers-133-c.asp

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Thanks Ian.
Wilco that.
Rob.

[Womble]

(their 5mm disc magnets are perfect for mounting Skytrex kits etc, even larger ones like the AEG)

I found that 6mm x 3mm ones work on a Skytrex Handley page or Zepp Staaken. Fighters and two seaters work with a 1/8 on x 1/16in magnet. As shapeways planes are so light, the fighters work with a magnet as small as the 2 x 0.5mm ones, but as my Litco flight stands are 3.2mm wide I now use some 1/8in x 1/32in for shapeways fighters.

Ian

[gully_raker]

Thanks for the info on the Magnets. Just the thing for Shapeways!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Well the magnets have arrived, so all those Huns trailing my two seaters better look out. I've also sent off for the parachutists from Pendraken plus a couple of tanks for good measure.
Rob.

[Marechallannes]

Good advice, Herr Oberst.

Great pictures!

[Oberst Hajj]

Great pictures!

Thanks, I used to do professional photography so I learned how to shoot the little things

[Aardvark1430]

this sounds all very easy but ...
how do I get rid of the "pilots/reargunners" wings of war/glory have molded into their models .. I tried pulling them out with tweezers, tried to cut them out with a hobby knife ... but all to no avail ... what should/could be the trick ??? And yes, I have the Peter Pig replacements sitting ready for action ... Advice please ...
Cheers,
Brulaap
.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I believe there is a thread somewhere on here advocating the use of a Dremel Guus.
You could try putting that into the search window.
Rob.

[Aardvark1430]

Thanks Rob,
i have found these 2 threads.
Now I need to wait for a friend of mine to return from his holidays, he has has a Dremel.

Cheers,
Aardvark1430

[robin43]

That's a good idea Doug.the para should convert to both gunner & pilot.Will have to buy some.

[grumpybear]

I treat my pilot figurines without mercy (sorry guys). They usually don't fit in the cockpits, so I cut the already painted figurines by their waist, check if they fit inside, cut a bit again, dip them in superglue and push to the cockpit. Works fine.
Herr Oberst treat them very kind

Whatever it takes to stuff them in is what I do. No mercy and I still expect them to fight to the death for me

[Teaticket]

I love the Peter Pig pilots. With their determined grimace and scarf flutttering all fear when they approach!

For Shapeways I first glue a small peice of wood cut to fill in the cockpit to the needed depth for the PP pilot. A small dowel does the trick. I have yet to try to remove the lovely Nexus/ARES pilots. I have painted a few to try to make them look better but that was a wasted effort. Might be time to start cutting them out for replacement.