WOT 4 Wayne poses some of those questions we would all love to ask Pete of Pete's Pilots.

Wayne --- How did this pilot thing start, Pete?

Pete---- I built a Fournier RF4 (Mick Reeves Kit) and the naked cockpit looked terrible. After several attempts with various materials, to make a pilot, I came across an article in RCM&E, on how to make a latex bust. I thought, if you can make a bust you should be able to make a complete body. So I did, and the rest is history.

Wayne---- Do you do this full time?

Pete--- I have done for the last seven years. I was made redundant at fifty three for the third time . So I thought I’d give it a go.

Wayne-- Is it easy to make a pilot from latex?

Pete------ Definitely not, at least a full body one. I had lots of false starts. Mould making is fraught with difficulties. Also you’ve got to learn to sculpt. I did evening classes at the local Art College to help me in this respect.

Wayne-- Did you have a WW2 pilot to model for you?

Pete --- NO !! Something much more interesting. But lets not go there eh?

Wayne---- How are the pilots made?

Pete---- After making a clay or plasticene model, a Plaster of Paris mould is made, from which the final latex figure is cast. Much of the expertise is in avoiding mould lines which cannot be easily eradicated, as they can when slip moulding pottery.

Wayne --- Do you need special machinery?

Pete----- Not really, except my vacuum pump and Chamber, which cost around £1000.00 I put off buying one for ages, as it is possible to work without one. It’s worth its weight in gold, when trying to eradicate air bubbles from various materials.

Wayne --------How many pilots do you have in your range.

Pete----------- If you take all the permutations into account, probably over 4000. Don’t forget, you’ve got Pre 1914, WW1, German, French and British. WW2 USA, British, Japanese, Luftwaffe (fighter and bomber crew.) 1930’s Style, Glider pilots (vintage and modern) Helicopter pilots (civilian, military, police, rescue, ambulance) Modern light aircraft Pilots (open and closed cockpits. Aerobatic and sports), Airline pilots and passengers, Jet fighter pilots (1950’s---2000) Then multiply this lot by twelve (approx the number of scales I deal with) Then multiply again by four (Full bodies, Half body, Head and shoulders, Waist length busts). Folks ask me for specials. One guy wanted a model of his favourite football manager. Another wanted his wife without any hair so she could make a wig. I have also made full sized latex skeletons (stiffened with dowels) for a guy who sells all sorts of bizarre stage props; animal masks for a fancy dress firm, and moulds for making special blocks of ice in which caviar is served on airliners. I did some work for the BBC special effects dept once, but they ordered the wrong scale pilot, just like ordinary mortals do!

True scale - right down to boot laces	Scale Jet & Seat	1/4 scale RAF	1/4 scale Luftwaffe

Wayne ----- Any new developments?

Pete------- Yes, I’ve started a new line of hollow resin figures. They are in many cases, lighter than the latex ones. I’ve got some pilots in 1/16 scale, which fit the Electric Lancaster of Tony Nijhuis. They are very light. Just right for electric scale. Also I do some de-luxe foam and cloth figures for gliders and light planes complete with harness and sunglasses. In some cases these are half the weight of the equivalent all latex pilots. Although at 1/4 and 1/3 scales, this is not that important unless you are up against a weight limit. (1/4 scale = 4oz)

Wayne--- Any advice for modellers when ordering pilots?

Pete------------ Yes, Please give me the dimensions of the pilot you want, and the cockpit into which it is supposed to fit. Don’t say " about three to four inches". Be precise. I don’t know from that whether you want a full body, three-inch tall midget, or just a quarter scale head and shoulders. I can help with common aircraft pilot sizes, but don’t forget, there are dozens I’ve never seen.

Wayne's Pilot	1/3.5 scale RAF	Vintage Gliderist	1/5 scale US, RAF & WWI German

Also be patient, at some times of the year I’m inundated by work, and delays are inevitable. Lastly, I need a break like you. So avoid ringing after midday Saturday, or on Sunday. Also not after 6.00pm please. I have to cook my meals, clean the loo and wash my clothes, just like an ordinary person. You can email me if you wish, but make it easy for me by remembering my comments on dimensions.

Wayne---------Thanks Pete I know exactly how busy you get because we go for weeks without seeing you up the field! I would just like to say to everybody out there that if they have any doubts about Pete's Pilots just remember that some kit manufactures sell pilots made by Pete for the models.

Pete’s e-mail address is as follows: peter@petespilots.fsnet.co.uk


Article by Wayne Haycock from Chase Radio Controlled Aero Club
6th May 2002