The name says it all. In our opinion, Lyle Vasser of Best Pilots is known for simply making the best-looking, most historically accurate pilot figures you can get anywhere. Most are approximately 1/5-scale and his scale reproductions are of actual WW II pilots including USMC Pappy Boyington, U.S. Army Air Corps. Bob Sweeney, R.A.F. Sailor Malan, German Ace Gunther Rall, and Japanese Ace Saburo Sakai. Best Pilots also has a 1/4-scale WW I pilot “Lothar von Richtofen” and a few generic 1/8-scale bomber crew figures in various poses.
Best Pilots also offers an impressive service where you can send photos of yourself to Lyle (or any other person for that matter), and he will then turn it into an ultra-realistic 3D printed face. He then matches it to one of his other scale figures. Available painted and unpainted, the quality and detail of all Best Pilot figures (molded from Lyle’s clay originals), are absolutely astonishing.
Prices range from $215 – $385, depending on size
bestpilots.typepad.com
Here are some of the photos that Gerry sent to Lyle.
Here’s the 3D face rendering.
Below the intrepid airman in the cockpit is actually the 1/4-scale “Lothar von Richtofen” with a face job. That Sopwith Camel pilot has the unmistakable mug of our own editor Gerry Yarrish who got one of Lyle’s 3D printed pilot makeovers. Everyone who sees Gerry and his Camel at the flightline always does a double take!
Hi, my name is mark from the U K . I’m currently building a L 4 piper grasshopper 50% scale , but having trouble sourcing a pilot , is this something you would be able to help me out with. Regards mark smith.
Hi, my name is mark from the U K . I’m currently building a L 4 piper grasshopper 50% scale , but having trouble sourcing a pilot , is this something you would be able to help me out with. Regards mark smith.