Mike's Battle of Britain RNZAF Pilot

[Mike - The Kiwi]

always a treat to see your paintings sir. I am still stirred by the young bust of the Athenian hoplite you painted some years ago. That is the figure that showed me how far this art can go. It continues to push me still. Keep it up sir.

Chris I admire your creativity & humbling to know I played a small part in helping you challenge yourself.

Thanks heaps mate!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Beautiful detail on the face and helmet there Mike. That's a pretty detailed figure for 1/32, love it.

Cheers, Ski.

Appreciate comments here Ski Yep amazing the detail Nino has crammed into this mate.
He & Mike Good set benchmark when it comes to modern figures in this regard I reckon.

Stay safe
Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

I've been watching this develop with interest Mike, its looking great. I love this figure, I do collect Nino's work so will have to add this one to the collection.

I'm looking forward to seeing more progression and the finished result.

Thanx Darren & definitely one you have to add to your collection I'd say.

Cannot wait to do a few of your Nino sculpts too mate!
One of my goals for this year

Stay safe,

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

I swear you have the Midas touch Mike !

Joe

Can always rely on your support Joe
Thank you.

Hope one day you can have a chance to compare these in the flesh.

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Great painting, Mike. I loved all the previous aviation figures you did, so I can't wait to see more of this one.
Cheers

Hi Nick

Know you are a "pilots man" so do value your feedback, thank you from downunder.

Mike

 

[Glen]

Nicely done! Curious tho', what makes him RNZAF vs RAF?

Glen
(obviously not well versed on the nuances of RAF/Commonwealth flight gear...)

 

[bwildfong]

Nicely done! Curious tho', what makes him RNZAF vs RAF?
(obviously not well versed on the nuances of RAF/Commonwealth flight gear...)

Hi Glen,

Really, it's just down to the shoulder flashes; the RNZAF flash simply says "NEW ZEALAND". As far as I know, British RAF pilots didn't have a shoulder flash; only Commonwealth aircrew flying with/in the RAF had them.

Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of these - although as per usual, mine will sport the RCAF "CANADA" shoulder flashes - beauty, eh you hosers?

Cheers,

Brian

 

[chris1]

Hi Mike
awesome job.
Have considered doing an RNZAF pilot from the pacific as a companion piece?

chris

 

[Mark S]

Nice piece Mike, well done.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Nicely done! Curious tho', what makes him RNZAF vs RAF?

Glen
(obviously not well versed on the nuances of RAF/Commonwealth flight gear...)

Hi Glen,

Really, it's just down to the shoulder flashes; the RNZAF flash simply says "NEW ZEALAND". As far as I know, British RAF pilots didn't have a shoulder flash; only Commonwealth aircrew flying with/in the RAF had them.

Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of these - although as per usual, mine will sport the RCAF "CANADA" shoulder flashes - beauty, eh you hosers?

Cheers,

Brian

Brian's on the money here Glen

Officially Only distinction are shoulder flashes where I've tried to write lettering in ~0.5mm high. This ain't easy mate ;-) Ended up trying to represent key elements i.e. N, Z & gap between words from right angle & with my specs on seems to work OK. Let's see what you think when final photos done.

Now I officially being a "Kiwi" their was some personalisation possible, so I'll attempt some suitable graffiti on his Mae West when I finalise this ;-)

Brian, have been inspired by your work too & used this as reference while painting this chap.
You won't be disappointed with it. There is potential for other options & guess you know RCAF '32 Pattern Mae West was all in yellow vs my version using the painted up light green type.

Thanks guys!

Mike

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hi Mike
awesome job.
Have considered doing an RNZAF pilot from the pacific as a companion piece?

chris

Yep be good Chris

Hoping a suitable subject will come up for this ...

Thank you for feedback

Mike

 

[bwildfong]

You won't be disappointed with it. There is potential for other options & guess you know RCAF '32 Pattern Mae West was all in yellow vs my version using the painted up light green type.

Aww shucks, Mike - thanks for the kind words. Thanks for the info on the Mae West - didn't know the Kiwi version was specifically the light green version; I'd seen it worn by the Brits but didn't know New Zealanders worn only that version.

Keep you posted once I get my version finished.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Aww shucks, Mike - thanks for the kind words. Thanks for the info on the Mae West - didn't know the Kiwi version was specifically the light green version; I'd seen it worn by the Brits but didn't know New Zealanders worn only that version.

Keep you posted once I get my version finished.

Cheers,

Brian

Yes apparently that's what our lads were issued mate, though some could have pinched yours if they passed through Canada for training. Think there time on the prairie was post Battle of Britain in prep for Bomber Command service.

Just finished painting Mae West, plan to finish of by tomorrow as off to a gathering of local airplane guys.
Will include vets & some experts in the field so may get some useful feedback or corrections ;-)

Talk again later

Mike