| tomrommel1 | 03 Sep 2020 1:44 a.m. PST |
I got a Sikorsky H-34 model by Trumpeter for my Vietnam war Project. I want to use the Empress miniatures new pilot figures with the above model. The model is in 1/48 scale and fits quite nicely with the Empress Miniatures. The M60 included in the model is exactly as big as the one used on the Empress figures. Now my problem. The pilot figures seem to be not fitting properly.
As you can see the hight works but somehow the cockpit is to long . If I sit the figures back in the seat to lean against the backrest they can't reach the pedals or the stick. What would you do? More pictures at link |
| Disco Joe | 03 Sep 2020 5:32 a.m. PST |
What I find amazing is that when I emailed Empress if they had plans on making a resin helicopter for Vietnam I was told to use a plastic model. In fact it was this very same model that you are working on and yet their new figures don't fit it properly. |
| tomrommel1 | 03 Sep 2020 5:48 a.m. PST |
I think its not the figures they are in scale with the other Empress Miniatures . The rest of the H 34 model is too except the cockpit , it is just to long. It looks more like a 1/35 scale . |
| Disco Joe | 03 Sep 2020 7:21 a.m. PST |
So then why suggest something that has a critical part out of scale?
Are there any other model manufacturers that make a correctly scaled helicopter? If not then the figures will be totally useless. Now don't get me wrong I really like the figures and vehicles that they make but if I can't use these figures because no model company makes one that they will fit in then it doesn't really help. And since no company makes a resin helicopter the choices are limited.
And before someone suggests a 3D printed one I already checked with a guy I know who does 3D printing since I don't have one of those type printers and he also suggested to use a model plastic kit. So options are very limited. |
79thPA  | 03 Sep 2020 7:26 a.m. PST |
I assume the Empress figures are not 1/48, so it is not surprising that they don't match up like you want them to. Me? I'd glue them to the seat and move on. |
| tomrommel1 | 03 Sep 2020 8:11 a.m. PST |
They are 1/56 something so close enough one should think. the M60 provided with the kit is exactly the same size like the one used by Empress for their figures. |
 Legion 4 | 03 Sep 2020 8:30 a.m. PST |
They look like the scales don't match ? |
| Heisler | 03 Sep 2020 10:07 a.m. PST |
1/56 is not close enough to 1/48 to look good in that situation. They are just to small to fit in the seats correctly. Although I agree that the cockpit may also be to long. |
 deadhead | 03 Sep 2020 11:04 a.m. PST |
I amazed at how well they fit frankly. I have bought loads of resin figures for WWII tanks (Free French). Most are 1/76 and do look a bit small for the tanks (1/72) but very few can fit in a tank hatch (correctly called a door I now learn) without much carving. Try buying characters to ride in jeeps or indeed drivers for anything, they all need legs chopping off etc. Shown like this the crew figures are far too small next to the seats and cockpit, but once painted and concealed by the assembled model they will look just great. Since posting this I have seen your dry fit and must admit….I am wrong. Might be better with the canopy frames painted. First and above all. They must sit back and you cannot move the seats forward. Anything else looks daft. Move the joystick back to allow the pilot to hold it. Give them both a "seat cushion". They must sit much higher up. The model box cover is perfect for that. All you have to worry about then is that they are miles from the pedals and control panel, even if you lengthen the legs, something I have (over)done for few Gringo 40s figures). That no-one will see….. 28mm figures vary so much in size these days. Empress are slender little guys, with very sharp facial features and great detail in the kit they carry. Gringo 40s are massive guys by comparison and my preference for US Marines. Full Metal Miniatures even bigger, but great. I have mixed all in dioramas, putting the smaller guys in the background (works really well for increased depth). 28mm is never 1/48 scale. Roughly 1/56….roughly…..but I also take your point about the M60 being to scale. I do look forward to seeing the H-34 finished. Like the banana chopper, whose name I can never remember, it is ignored for the Huey or Chinook instead. |
 Jeff Ewing | 03 Sep 2020 2:08 p.m. PST |
I guess I'd just move the seats forward. |
| King Monkey | 04 Sep 2020 3:16 a.m. PST |
You could always buy some 1/48th scale crew link link |
| deadhead | 04 Sep 2020 7:56 a.m. PST |
That sounds like the Wisdom of Solomon. Much easier to cut your losses like that. Shame, as the Empress look like very nice figures. |
| Pyrate Captain | 04 Sep 2020 2:37 p.m. PST |
Once the fuselage is around the flight deck, will it really make a difference? If it's really that bothersome, just put a set of pedals closer to the pilots |
finds bridges to match the river sets.
