USAAF Tuskegee Airman and Pilot Thunderbird Miniatures

[BigDaddy]

I have the honor of doing the box art for Thunderbird Miniatures new release which is two separate figures- Tuskegee Airman and a USAAF pilot. This is a 100 mm figure sculpted by Mike Good. Both the figures use the same torso, but each has two separate heads- your choice.

Here is Mike's photos of the master (I hope he doesn't mind)

Now, here is my work on the Tuskegee Figure- still more to do:

 

[Joe55]

These are some great sculpts by Mike. I look forward to seeing your progress on these.

Joe

 

[NickM]

Wow, more great figures from Mike. I particularly like the Tuskegee heads.
Can't wait to see these painted up.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

What can I say, Mike is hot, keep them coming.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[Johan]

Very, very nice sculpt by Mike Good !

100mm you say, do you mean 1/16 scale ?

 

[BigDaddy]

The figure is 100mm tall. I think that would work out to 1/18 scale??

 

[RossM]

A great piece of sculpting from Mike Good. Look forward to seeing this finished and its release.

Ross

 

[bonehead]

Thanks for the nice comments!!

This may seem a "new" scale for model soldiers. But it is not really. It stems from a toy scale: 1/18th scale. That makes a 100mm figure (to the top of the head! not the eyes as some "measure") about six feet tall. People may like to know that there are actually model planes available in this scale from toy manufacturers. Most all of them come pre-finished. A google search online for "1/18th scale model airplanes" will turn up lots of possibilities. So, there is that....

But they will be noticeably smaller than 1/16th scale figures and noticeably larger than 90mm tall figures. I personally count "90mm" as 1/20th scale. However, many European producers do "90mm" figures that are closer to 1/18th scale and 100mm tall - in other words, the scale of this very figure! So, for argument's sake, you could call it a "european 90mm" figure if you wanted. That is the actual size of this figure. THAT scale should be familiar to most everybody - even if it is a misnomer.....

Mark at Thunderbird Miniatures has shown an interest in more figures in this scale. So, if this one does well for him, there will be more down the road! Vote with your wallet!

Cheers!!

Mike

 

[Jeff]

I actually worked on some of the first 1/18 scale planes that 21st Century Toys did. I have seen them converted in to some very nice models. These figures could make those planes into show stoppers.

 

[Ray Mootsey]

Hello, yet another great figure from Mike. How do I keep up with all this great work on this site. It looks like we are in a Golden time. Ray

 

[elanlane13]

Great figure, superb sculpting, the second head variant is ace

 

[Kirtles]

I'll have these on the stand at Euro!
Steve
www.skminiatures.co.uk

 

[Richie]

Hi Matt,
Great start my personal favourite between heads is the second one you have started to paint (not that there is anything wrong with the other), I just love that defiant assured look on his face. Some great details and that zip fastener actually looks like it would work. Look forward to you moving this along.
cheers
Richie

 

[BigDaddy]

Here are three of the nearly completed heads.

 

[BigDaddy]

Here is some quick shots of in progress work:

 

[bonehead]

Lookin' good Matt! I notice you added the crotch strap for the life vest and the rip-cord cable as well - modelers take note. How did you do the stitching on the chute straps?

 

[BigDaddy]

Hi Mike

The strap and rip cord comes in the kit. Only thing the modeler will have to fashion is the headphone wires- if they want to. The stitching is paint.
Excellent sculpting Mike. Excellent casting Mark.

Matt

 

[BigDaddy]

Update

Getting close on this

Base work:

 

[Ray Mootsey]

Great work, I am loving this figure more and more, cant wait to it is released.