Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

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Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by Birddog » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:55 pm

Went over to Skyworks website to see if there were any updates on the A-10 project and as I looked around the website I saw that they are now offering static 1/18 scale F-14 pilots for sale. Painted and unpainted. Look pretty neat.

http://www.skyworkstoys.com/f14tomcat.html
Go Ugly Early in 1/18!!

Still waiting and wishing for a 1/18 A-10 Warthog.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by supersonicfifi » Thu Sep 02, 2010 5:55 am

:blueangel: NICE ! it looks great !
1/18 mirage 2000 & RAFALE should i say more ?

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:04 am

What is the status of the SSHQ member who was working with his sister-in-law for 1/18 F-14 pilots?

The Skyworks pilots are pretty expensive.
Last edited by dragon53 on Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by Sabrefan » Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:07 am

Anyone think JSI will one day make F-14 pilots?
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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by 456THBG » Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:47 am

Sabrefan wrote:Anyone think JSI will one day make F-14 pilots?
My guess is no...
$25.00 painted for an apparently non-articulated pilot is a little steep. I'm not criticizing SkyWorks in any way, I think their pilots look great! But for me, I'll probably stick w/my modified GI JOE "type" substitutes!

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:39 am

Again, what is the status of the SSHQ member who was working with his sister-in-law for 1/18 F-14 pilots?

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by VMF115 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:45 am

dragon53 wrote:Again, what is the status of the SSHQ member who was working with his sister-in-law for 1/18 F-14 pilots?
Here you go!

viewtopic.php?t=21720
Colonel "Madman" Maddox: Let me hear your guns!
Captain Wild Bill Kelso: My what?
Colonel "Madman" Maddox: Your guns! Ack, ack, ack, ack, ack!
Captain Wild Bill Kelso: [fires his airplane's guns] AHHHH!

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:13 pm

VMF115:

Thanks fot the link.
I hope Bruzilla will post again about pricing for his F-14 pilots and a release date.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by usmcchet9296 » Thu Sep 02, 2010 3:05 pm

Skyworks should stick with the planes and contact plasticboy to make the figures. His look great IMHO
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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:55 am

Badcat will be offering expensive Skyworks 1/18 pilots for F-14, F-16 and F/A-18:


"We are getting word of some 1:18 pilot sets for the F-16, F-18, and F-14s becoming available soon. That's right, the F-14, too! Both seats of the Tomcat will now have someone at the controls. These will be handcrafted and painted in America so we're not talking cheap, but the focus will be on quality and availability. We'll post more information as we get it and hope to have Preorders up soon."

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by NWarty » Fri Sep 10, 2010 8:46 am

usmcchet9296 wrote:Skyworks should stick with the planes and contact plasticboy to make the figures. His look great IMHO
Agreed Chet, Plasticboy does some fantastic work.

I honestly don't think these figures look that great. The paint looks sloppy, the creases in the uniform not pronounced, just an overall lack of "depth". I won't be buying them.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:35 am

I wish Plasticboy would comment on the possibility of doing some 1/18 F-14 pilots.
Even Badcat admits the Skyworks pilots aren't going to be cheap, and JSI appears to be more interested in showing off deck crew figures than pilots for its F-14---unbelievable. :roll:
Last edited by dragon53 on Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by snake » Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:38 pm

usmcchet9296 wrote:Skyworks should stick with the planes and contact plasticboy to make the figures. His look great IMHO

Plasticboy would be my choice.

His work is fantastic, and he could sell quite a few of these.Especially as you need two figures per plane.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:36 am

PLASTICBOY:

Any comments on doing F-14 pilots?

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by tko211 » Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:10 pm

I received my Skyworks F-14 pilots (unpainted versions) in the mail last night. There has been some speculation as last as to weather or not these are worth the money. Many of you guys have come to know and trust my opinion, many of you have become close friends. Those who know me best will say that shoot pretty straight when I can or do choose to give an opinion. I wanted to take a moment to review these pilots, but moreover- I also wanted to focus for a moment on the products coming from the Skyworks team just to help keep some perspective on our hobby.

First the F-14 Pilot figure review: opened the box up and pulled 2 grey, unpainted pilot figures from 2 zip lock bags. My first impression was- These are exactly as I would expect from Skyworks. A very nicely sculpted figure that has lots of detail, everything is as it should be. They are frankly- exactly what I wanted. A perfect blank canvas figure that would only need some paint to become a VF-143 Pukin Dogs Pilot and RIO. They are solid, well made and as I said already, have very good details. I applaud the Skyworks team for seeing a solution to a problem that was created when JSI chose to not only provide pilots with the mighty Tomcat, but that they still have failed to not make them a separate item for sale. I can't think of anything more American than a guy seeing an opportunity to provide a product that is currently missing! They aren't action figures, they are not pose-able, they are sculpted by hand, made into a mold and hand made one by one, easily worth the 15 dollars per pilot. Best of all- They fit in the cockpit! My BBI pilots didn't! I recommend these as much as I wold recommend the bigger B/D engines also made by Skyworks.

Everyone knows I'm a custom painter so the majority (if not all) of my experiences are with the unpainted versions of Skyworks products. That said, my reviews are only about those experiences and not with a finished (painted product) though I am sure those items are great as well.

Skyworks Review: Think for just a moment... where would our Tomcats might be without Skyworks to fix them up, make them better, or make them a different model all together? My VF-143 custom is my favorite "custom" plane in my entire collection. The paint is cool sure, and it does miracles for the spot cat! BUT- I have to admit, those B engines look VERY good on there and finish the plane... almost- I still need stupid pilots! Ask, I we receive. Thanks Skyworks! I now have a crew. I also want to make a plug for PizzaGuy's Remove Before Flight Tags & Covers. Very cool additions to the Tomcat. My point is simply that these cottage builders are scoring some points in making my vision of the 1:18 scale Tomcat much more exciting. Does it cost more? YES! Of course it does. Remember that these folks are craftsmen. Not underpaid production factory workers in China turning out 4000 units in 2 weeks. Our expectations of price for these speciality, or unique items should be with the understanding that they are being purchased from people who build these things for us by hand. I can tell you that my skills as a sculptor would not have produced 2 pilot figures with half the amount of realism and detail for the 30 bucks and shipping that I paid. So maybe they aren't for everyone. Maybe you don't want pilots at all. Maybe articulated ones will be mass produced someday? For now- I like knowing that there is at least an option and I am grateful for outfits who see a need and decide to take a chance to invest time, money and talent to provide a product / solution. Keep up the good work everyone! Creative people are what will make our now niche hobby interesting!

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by Airacobra » Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:39 pm

Thank you for the review TKO. I finally got around to purchasing an F-14 and it should be here Tuesday. I am super excited about it. The F-14 is at the upper limit of what I can afford and I actually had to sell some stuff to get it. Now I may have to pick up a couple pilots from Skyworks and possibly a set of landing gears as well.
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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by VMF115 » Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:51 pm

TKO thank you for the review!
Colonel "Madman" Maddox: Let me hear your guns!
Captain Wild Bill Kelso: My what?
Colonel "Madman" Maddox: Your guns! Ack, ack, ack, ack, ack!
Captain Wild Bill Kelso: [fires his airplane's guns] AHHHH!

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by HardenSteel » Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:09 am

Good one! Well said

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by Birddog » Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:45 pm

Great review and comments TKO. I have a couple of Skyworks un-painted pilots coming in the mail as well. The detail on these sculpts looks very good and I can't wait to put the finishing touches on them. You can see that attention to accuracy was given from the pictures posted on Skyworks website. They may not have every fold or crease of their uniform, but looking at the comparison pictures on Skyworks website, none of the mass produced articulated ones do either. It looks like Skyworks has even updated their mold with better sculpting details since they first advertised them.

Whether it's all new subjects or aftermarket upgrades for existing mass produced items, I applaud all the cottage/custom builders that are out there keeping this hobby alive and trying to make up for the large manufacturer's shortcomings.
Go Ugly Early in 1/18!!

Still waiting and wishing for a 1/18 A-10 Warthog.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by plasticboy » Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:59 am

dragon53 wrote:PLASTICBOY:

Any comments on doing F-14 pilots?
Thanks guys!
I didn't notice the thread about F-14 pilots, I'm now enjoy the WWII German sidecar and the German para figure will be my next planning.

The modern jet plane is not my collecting subject, besides I don't have F-14, F-18, F-16 cockpit as reference to making pilots. Like I did for G.I soldiers that needs the machinery environment that I can make the well fit figures on it.
Have fun with toys forever!
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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:13 am

PLSTICBOY:

Thanks for the reply. Sorry to read you can't do F-14 pilots---your figures look top notch. Maybe Bruzilla will update on his F-14 pilots.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by tko211 » Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:39 am

I have my Skyworks pilots all painted up. Now I just need to do helmet and patch decals and I'm good to go!

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by Bruzilla » Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:31 am

Sorry to get to the conversation late, but with football season coming up, I've been ulta-busy customizing Steelers helmets for everyone I know.

I think those Skyworks pilots look fine, in fact a little better than what I have IRT the helmet. My only peave would be the holes where round-head screws should be.

I don't think the painted ones are worth the money as it looks like someone just brushed them up with OD paint. If you look at a crewman, you'll see that while the flightsuit, LPA, and g-suit are all supposed to be the same color, they're not. All of these items are made by different manufacturers, use different materials with different weaves, etc., so the colors you'll see on each item may be lighter or darker than the other items. Also, I'm guessing that all the pilots have the same arm positioning, which is incorrect as the NFO's hands won't be where a pilot's would be.

My suggestion would be to buy the unpainted ones, then:

1. Make three batches of OD paint (I use old 35MM film containers to hold each batch.) Make one a little lighter and grayer (by adding a little bit of flat gray to the original green), and the other a little darker by adding some flack black or forest green.

2. Paint the whole figure, head to foot, in flat back and let dry.

3. Use a drybrush technique to build up the different greens on each piece of equipment (for those of you who aren't painters, dry brushing simply means you dip your brush in the paint, then dab about 90% of the paint off on paper or back into the paint jar until the brush is almost dry. Then whisk the brush over the surface.) This will ensure the paint stays on the high surfaces, but doesn't fill in all the low spots. This leaves the flat black showing through in the crevices, which gives the impression of shadows and adds a lot to realism. Your figures will look much better than the pre-painted ones.

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by dragon53 » Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:27 pm

BRUZILLA:

What is the status of the 1/18 F-14 pilots you were working on?

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Re: Skyworks 1/18 Scale F-14 Pilots

Post by Bruzilla » Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:29 am

Also, that pilot looks to be too tall for the seat. The upper e-handles should be above the helmet. This guy would need to try to reach over or around his helmet to eject using those handles, and that's a sure-fire boot out of the community (as I learned when I got banned from flying in S-3 Vikings).

I think the JSI Tomcat cockpit is not a true 1/18th scale, and if Skyworks did their pilot to a true 1/18th scale, he's going to be a bit too big.

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