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I used to enjoy building small WW II dioramas as a kid,10 to13ish. I have not picked up a paint brush to paint a figure in almost 30 years. I really enjoyed painting your Aces of Iron Pilot, buttons, buckles and all. I just started flying about 3 years ago and this was my first time painting a pilot and I think I nailed it. I just discovered your site and your pilots. If I had not seen your amazing figures I would not have even thought about painting again. Thanks for bringing me out of artistic retirement. Dean Palermo, FL PS. When I finish the goggles and touch ups I will try to take better final photos.

My friend bought a Fokker DVII from Hanger 9 and the included pilot just didn't cut it in my eyes. I sent him a link to your pilot. He wrote back and said he liked it, but didn't want to paint it. I told him, "You buy it, I'll paint it". Well, long story short, he bought the 1/6 scale and it was too small. He gave it to me to "practice on" while he awaited the arrival of the 1/5 scale. These are photos of the 1/5 scale. Good thing he got two, the first one I had too much red in the skin tone. This one, looks much better. Even though I, too, ended up with some epoxy bubbles...Keep making your great pilots, and as long as I'm writing..... How about a WWII "Battle of Britain" RAF pilot? Jim Sewell Mission Viejo, CA

Achim Engels of FOKKER-TEAM-SCHORNDORF sits in his full scale D.VIII Fuselage. This photo is an excellent illustration of proper figure height and position in a typical Fokker fuselage (Note pilot line of sight is level with gun sights on MG08s). If you haven't yet been to Achim's website, follow the link above and treat yourself to some living history. The member's area is an invaluable source for any WW1 builder. (photo courtesy of Achim Engels of Fokker Team Schorndorf)

Some Detail shots of my paint prototype, before expoxying the lenses.

Some close-up shots after I epoxied the lenses, Notice I didn't follow my own tips and rushed the application of epoxy. Results--lots of air bubbles in the mix. Do each lens in at least two layers or ye be surfferin the same fate as ol' bubble eye here.

The Above Photos were submitted by a guy with a really Good Friend.....he writes: I recently built a fokker dvii balsa usa kit. A friend of mine that loves your pilots absolutely had a fit that I used a Greatplanes pilot . So he bought your new MAX german pilot for my plane. I thought I would send you a picture for your gallery if you wanted to post it. Also I had VERY good luck pouring the eye epoxy by using 45 minute epoxy, thinning it slightly with rubbing alcohol, I then let it sit until it became clear again, I poured the lense full, and placed it in the refrigerator to slow cool cure. I accidently sprayed flat clear over the lenses which made them less shiny.. But all in all it worked well with no bubbles. One other thing to do is to let the pilot fully warm up before pouring the second eye piece, the cold pilot started to turn the epoxy milky, so I dumped it quick then repoured after pilot was room temp. As the saying goes, Friends don't let friends fly....you know the rest.

Hi, Here are pictures of the pilots in my (Adrian Hellwig) BE2c. The pilots, mould by Aces of Iron, were painted by master craftsman Richard Symes and they sure look great! Cheers Adrian