Drivers

[ccboatworks]

Does anyone have a good source for 1/16th scale drivers?


Chris
CCBoatworks

[Garry Finlay]

I've been using Williams Bro's 1/12th scale and setting them a little low in the cockpit. I don't think there are any 1/16th on the hobby shop selves.

Garry

[RvE]

I have recently used the motorcycle driver figures from MATTEL Stunt Cycles and modified them to represent a driver and throttleman for my 12 cell, 8.4 v Speed 700, ElectoVee boat. They are about 1/16 scale and made of soft plastic so the limbs are easy to cut apart and re-glue in the desired position. They have modern helmets so they might not be great if you plan to use them in an old shovel nose hydro, but they look great in a scale offshore boat. They are a bit heavy, so you have to decide if you want to add the weight to your boat.
They have the added benefit of being made in 2 pieces - torso and legs. I simply removed the figures from the toy motorcylce and discarded the legs. The torso is made with a screw hole in the bottom so I re-used the screws and screwed the figures in place in the EV cockpit. I used a wood dowel to re-glue the helmet on the torso and made sure I had good strong glue joints on the limbs and re-inforced the hatch where the drivers are attached - don't want to lose a driver in the event of a flipped boat at near 30 mph!
They can be used "as is" or painted. I painted mine and they take Krylon fine. One problem with painting is that the top of the helmet is made of rubber that cannot be painted (I tried - the paint stayed gummy). I cut of the rubber helmet cap off and glued on a small piece of balsa and sanded to shape and painted it.

I found these figures at my local Toys R Us. If you wander the aisles you will see lots of car/motorcycle/bike figures that can be modified for use. Most of these toys are less than $8 so they are about the same price as the Williams Bro figures but some of them look much better. I have to give kudos to Jim Clark of Classic Thunder Unlimited for the idea of checking the toys stores. He gave me this tip a while back when I contacted him regarding his super detailed scale drivers.
Regards RvE

BTW - I will be posting some pics of my cut down EV on RRR shortly. I scratch built a complete cockpit with driver and throtleman figures, steering wheel and throttle, seats and instrument panel. Doesn't make the boat go any faster but sure looks cool on the pond ;o)

[Jeronimo 1]

we are useing a dirt bike rider that we get from toys r us they are called champ riders they are posebel and have little helmets it comes with a dirt bike to they cost $ 9.95 we order them on line I hope that this helps you. and they are close to 1/16th scale.

[AndyKunz]

You pay $8 for 1/12th Williams Brothers? They sell for $2.00 or less at our shop!

Andy