Verlinden resin "Top Gun" pilot-bust

Gallery Article by Jörgen "Troll" Toll

This is the Verlinden "Top Gun" resin moulded pilot-bust.  I bought it at an exhibit sale. Got it cheap since the pilots flightsuit collar was broken... I fixed that with a piece of tape as a fixture, and superglue with accelerator as a fill. Can't see any seams after painting!

However, the bust needed some serious fixing... The head, or helmet if you want, was conical in shape, and looked more like Dan Acroyd, in Coneheads, than a Fighter pilot!

The visor cover was way too thick as well! I had to grind down the visor lock and rebuild it from plastic. The Oxy-mask locks are also scratch built.

The visor covered to much of the nose, so I did some careful routing with my trusty Dremel. I'm quite happy with his nosejob! ;-)

Click on images below to see larger images

The Bust was primed and painted with Humbrol Enamels, using an Aztec airbrush. Details are brushed on. I used this bust to learn dry brushing, with varying results. I also tried a sludge wash, also with varying results, over a coat of Future. I sealed the Bust with a coat of Modelmaster Satin coat. 

The Bust was then Glued onto the Italian Marble base that came with the kit.