Aerobonus has been releasing new figures at a remarkable rate. They continue to offer figures to go with your aircraft model. They are now starting to offer more helicopter related figures. There latest is available in 1/48^th and 1/32^nd scale, a US Army Helicopter Pilot from the Vietnam War between 1960-1975.

Packaged in a re-sealing packet with a card stock backing inside. There is a painting guide included on the instructions. The outside shows the helmeted figure and inside is the Stetson or boonie cap one. This figure is molded perfectly in light grey resin. The figure comes on a single pour block. The figure represents the early style single piece flight suit. It was less than popular in the heat and humidity of Vietnam. As a former Army pilot I can tell you that a single piece flight suit may be nice to have during a post-crash fire but for everyday wear, it was not fun. Imagine trying to get it off with the runs. Not fun. Anyhow, back to the review.

Besides the main body, you get one set of arms with gloves on the hands. The right hand is holding a pack of cigarettes. There are two heads, one with a helmet and one with a boonie cap/Stetson. The instructions indicate that it is a boonie hat and painted olive green, but with some careful painting in either grey or black, it could easily be a Stetson. Both heads have a cigarette in the mouths.

The pose is pretty standard, but not uninteresting. Perfect to pose outside your Huey, Cobra, OH-6 or CH-47.

Clean up is fairly easy. Then it is just a matter of painting the figure according to the instructions. With some minor modifications, you could make this into a later flight suit.

Finally, helicopter modelers are getting some figures to go with their models. Aerobonus puts out some really great figures that are inexpensive and easy to assemble. If you want to try your hand at painting figures this figure is a good start. If you have a Vietnam era helicopter this will give you scale reference. I can’t wait to see what they come out with next.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain your copy by contacting them at www.aires.cz or at your local hobby shop or an online retailer.