n this episode of MasterClass Season 2, Joshua Orchard and Brian Schiller return from their post-Toledo break with fresh energy, new stories, and an artistic focus: painting 3D-printed pilot figures for scale model aircraft. Their interactive session blends travel tales, giveaways, and hands-on painting instruction—turning what many builders fear into an accessible, enjoyable part of the hobby.
Toledo Show Recap & Giveaway Announcements
The episode begins with highlights from the Toledo show, where Joshua and Brian met fans, showcased builds, and even caught a glimpse of the solar eclipse during their travels. They hint at a major giveaway: an airplane, motor, servos, and a Spektrum NX10 transmitter—all to be awarded later in the season.
But the heart of this episode lies in scale realism, specifically the 3D-printed pilot figure that brings a cockpit to life.
The Philosophy of Adding a Pilot: Zero Weight Penalty, Big Visual Impact
Joshua emphasizes that a well-painted pilot dramatically enhances the character of a model airplane. Many builders worry about weight, but he demonstrates that his hollow 3D-printed pilot weighs the same before and after painting—just 28 grams. With such a small weight footprint, there’s no good reason to skip this detail.
While painting a pilot may look intimidating, Joshua stresses that it’s only his fourth attempt, proving that the learning curve is manageable with the right techniques and mindset.
Tools, Paints & Finishing Supplies for Realistic Pilot Painting
Joshua shares his toolkit of inexpensive, accessible supplies, including:
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Cheap acrylic craft paints (burnt sienna, burnt umber, flat flesh, brown rose)
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Old jars for mixing
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A budget hairdryer for fast drying
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Small brushes from a $5 brush set
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Matte clear coat such as Krylon or Rust-Oleum
Step-by-Step Pilot Painting: From Base Coat to Final Highlights
Over the course of the episode, Joshua walks viewers through a complete pilot-painting process:
1. Base Skin Tone (16:40)
A generous layer of light flesh tone sets the foundation.
2. Burnt Sienna “Stain Wash” (25:40)
A liberal coat wiped back creates realistic tonal variation.
3. Dry-Brushed Highlights (31:00)
A mostly dry brush with lighter tones brings out facial structure.
4. Beard Shadow (38:20)
A custom mix of black and white softens into a subtle five-o’clock shadow.
5. Lip Tint (42:26)
Only the bottom lip receives color to avoid a “lipstick” look.
6. Mustache Detailing (43:50)
Burnt umber applied lightly creates natural hair diffusion.
For precise detail control, DU-BRO’s Canopy Scissors are useful for trimming goggles, straps, or helmet accessories:
Painting Leather Helmets & Jackets
Joshua transitions to leather effects by:
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Laying down a black undercoat for deep creases
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Dry-brushing burnt umber for rich brown leather appearance
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Mixing yellow + red + burnt sienna for final reflective highlights
For reinforcing cockpit items or pilot-seat bulkheads during installation, modelers often use DU-BRO Nylon Pin Hinges for reliable, lightweight movement:
https://www.dubro.com/products/pin-hinges
When mounting a pilot or cockpit plate, DU-BRO EZ Connectors simplify linkage tweaks and adjustments:
Trivia, AMA Plans & Encouragement for New Artists
Throughout the session, Joshua and Brian run giveaways tied to AMA trivia. Fun facts include the AMA’s 22,000 archived model airplane plans and their top-selling plan, the Grumman Goose.
Joshua closes with reassurance: painting pilots is a low-risk, high-reward skill. Mistakes are fixable, layers can be redone, and experimentation builds confidence. Like every aspect of model aviation, the process is part of the joy.
