Gloria Model F-35 Pilot, Crew & Ground Crew.

1:48th scale[US Air Force]Kit No F48001

Three resin figures included

First up are two sets of modern US Air Force ground crew figures plus an F-35 pilot. The six figures are divided into two separate sets. Volume 1 includes the pilot, two crew members, both standing, and a female figure. They are in relaxed poses. Modern flight suits are much cleaner than the old suits, and the accessories that were required back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. With 8 and 12K printers being considered entry level these days, such printing by-products should be a thing of the past. The 421st Fighter Squadron pilot of an F-35A Lightning II shakes hands before launch with the 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit’s maintainer during Red Flag 20-1 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada on February 3, 2020.

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The crew member is standing relaxed, almost as though waiting for aircraft arrival or departure. It’s not a dynamic pose, but it is one you see often on the or near flight lines. The figure, like the pilot is nicely sculpted. It is easy to reproduce the headset and only needs a tiny section of wire for the mouthpiece and earphone connections. The last action the maintenance crews take before departing is to hand off their aircraft. As I noticed, there are several strange marks (which look like ejection marks) on the rear of the figure. I’m not really sure what would have caused this on a 3D print but they will need to be filled and sanded before painting.ModelUSAF Ground Crew – Vol.2

From Gloria

1:48th scale

Kit No F48001ModelThree resin figures included

Volume.2 of the Gloria

figure sets contains three ground crew in more dynamic poses. They would look great in a diorama or flight line scene. The hand signals are hard to understand because the figure isn’t animated, but this is a refreshing change from static poses that we see all too often with ground crew. This figure also suffers from those marks on the back of his shirt and pants which will need some filler.[US Air Force]Maintainers with the 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit recover an F-35A Lightning II during Red Flag 20-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, February 3, 2020

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The second figure from Vol.2 is perhaps my favourite because it seems tell a story. I find the crouching woman to be quite realistic. She is also looking slightly upwards as though she were communicating over the radio. The print of my figure shows a visible line defect that runs along the entire piece at the mid-point vertically. I am sure Gloria would replace it if asked nicely. I am sure Gloria would replace it I asked nicely.[US Air Force]Maintainers with the 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit wait to recover an F-35A Lightning II during Red Flag 20-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, February 3, 2020

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The third and final figure in Vol.2 is presented in a walking pose while dragging a pair of wheel chocks. The third and final figure in Vol.2 is presented in a walking pose while dragging a pair of wheel chocks. This poses was different from others I have seen before. The figure and ropes are printed in one piece while the chocks themselves are separate.ModelCONCLUSION – Gloria Figure 1/48th scale 3-D Printed
SetsModelIt’s encouraging to see Gloria

coming out with more new detail sets. Much like their first launch sets I have to say I continue to blown away by the quality, accuracy and detail they have achieved.

-F48001 – USAF Ground Crew & F-35A Pilot – Vol.1

The figure sets are nicely done and I hope they continue with USN and earlier crew/pilots with a mix of poses. Although I am not a figure painter, I like having people around my models to add realism and scale.