Rest Models have moved away from their more usual 1:48 resin kits to begin a new series of 1:32 figures, the debut release being a WW2 USAAF fighter pilot.

The first thing you notice is the rather innovative packaging. The parts are sealed in the usual zip-lock bag, but this is stapled into a fold-over cardboard "envelope" that both protects the parts and can stand up for display in your local hobby shop.

The kit is quite simple, comprising just 6 parts: the pilot figure, with separate arms and head, plus an oxygen mask and parachute pack.

The casting is basically perfect, as we've come to expect from Rest Models. There are small pour stubs to remove on some of the parts, but no flash, and clean-up is quick and painless. With the parts prepared, the fit is excellent, the parachute pack even clips on without adhesive.

The figure is finely detailed and realistically sculpted getting into or out of a cockpit. With a quick check against Osprey's "US Army Air Force: 1" in their Elite Series, the figure seems to be dressed in a classic A-2 Jacket over an A-4 summer suit. It's described as being suitable for "various kits", and the illustrations show a P-38, so you may have to make minor adjustments depending on the kit you intend the figure to fit into.

Perhaps the only weak point of the kit is that there are no instructions, per se. The front illustration on the cardboard pack doubles as a simple painting guide, and there's a small colour illustration on the back (sadly, a lot of the available space is used advertising other figures in the series). While the assembly is almost self-explanatory, if I were to suggest an improvement for future releases, it would be to have simple instructions and a colour call-out printed on the inside of the packaging.

Conclusion

Rest Models' 1:32 WW2 US fighter pilot is a great first release in what looks to be an exciting series of resin figures. From the first time I saw one of their aircraft models, I've counted them as among the best resin kit producers in the business, and that looks set to continue with these larger scale figures. It looks a perfect way to bring the growing number of high quality 1:32 USAAF fighter kits to life, and I look forward to more WW2 figures of other nationalities. Highly recommended.

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