[mustangdriver]

It makes no difference to me, but if the pilot looks more like an alien, I would prefer none at all.

[jim]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

It makes no difference to me, but if the pilot looks more like an alien, I would prefer none at all.

I can understand those that vote for no pilot figures. When you look at what has been on offer I agree.
If the makers can produce a reasonable figure then I would want it.

[Waltz41]

I like the option. Little bit of both worlds is fine by me. While a plane by itself is just sometimes great enough alone, when you can put together a little 'story' it sometimes makes the model that much better.

[aeroeng]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I prefer no pilots in my birds. I want to look at the airplane, not some plastic model of the pilot.

Agree 100 percent. I haven't seen hardly any human looking pilot figures (almost all aliens) yet except in a few modern day plastic fighter models done by very highly skilled modelers. There have been a few pretty good, but not many. I think it would be a very large challenge for the die-cast makers to make really good 1:48 or 1:72 scale pilots.

[timbo]

Sorry but to me the figures of either the pilot of grounds crew (a-la corgi flight line) are essential. I would happily pay a little more to have high quality figures included with the set.

As most of the planes we but are not generic models, but modeled after specific birds that specific pilots flew I would say that crew are essential. Seems a bit nonsensical to have a "Bush Avenger" without Bush and his crew

Lets face it it was these folks in real life that turned these things from inanimate objects to the beasts we all know and love, and to ignore them doesn't make a lot of sense. The only planes I have without are my 2 HM SBD's, and I have to say they feel like they have something significant missing. I put one on the HM stand and had to take it off again asap. Looked like it was going down and the crew had bailed. (The wobbly stand realistically added to the effect to).

[aeroeng]

Originally Posted by timbo

Sorry but to me the figures of either the pilot of grounds crew (a-la corgi flight line) are essential. I would happily pay a little more to have high quality figures included with the set.

As most of the planes we but are not generic models, but modeled after specific birds that specific pilots flew I would say that crew are essential. Seems a bit nonsensical to have a "Bush Avenger" without Bush and his crew

Lets face it it was these folks in real life that turned these things from inanimate objects to the beasts we all know and love, and to ignore them doesn't make a lot of sense. The only planes I have without are my 2 HM SBD's, and I have to say they feel like they have something significant missing. I put one on the HM stand and had to take it off again asap. Looked like it was going down and the crew had bailed. (The wobbly stand realistically added to the effect to).

That's great that you feel that way and I don't have a problem with what people choose. I really don't think that people who don't want fake looking pilots in their airplanes mean to ignore or show disrespect to the actual pilots who flew the real aircraft. If you have low quality figures that look nothing like George Bush or Pappy Boyington (more like aliens) it only seems sensible not to display them on their aircraft in my opinion (unless you're displaying it in flight and want a pilot so it looks more realistic).

[bsmith13]

I really wish someone would come out with nicely cast and painted pilots/aircrew/groundcrew.

[LzyBns]

I prefer a pilot and crew. The only half decent pilot IMHO comes with the Corgi Corsair except White 3 I'm not sure of the rust colored flight suit, most pilots look like they have just seen a ghost or just ate a Little Ceasers Pizza and a six pack of beer. It doesn't matter if a plane come with or without a pilot and crew when I purchase.

[SKUNKY]

I'm with the group that collects models of aircraft, not people...Most of my collection is displayed on the "ground" with canopies open and I don't want a little plastic guy sitting in there doing nothing..They all just look like crap to me..Even the rare few that I have displayed on a stick, I would prefer to be devoid of comatose man at the controls...The best thing would be to make them optional and keep everyone happy. Of course that would not be feasible with aircraft such as bombers..

[Flyboy]

I like to have the figures included to give it a sense of scale. After Corgi released the Swordfish with its (relatively) detailed flight crew, we know they can do it if they choose to - I just wish all the pilot figures looked as good as the Swordfish ones.
As many have mentioned before, I wonder why one of the company's hasn't offered a side line of flight/line crew figures in the same scale as their diecast are offered. I've seen some BOB sets by Corgi, but they are only 1/32 scale. I'd love some 1/72 ground crew figures to scatter around my models, as I mostly tend to display them with gear/flaps down (when the option exists) and in a parked mode. Again, having some small flight line figures to mix in among them adds a sense of visual scale that is missing when just the model is sitting there.