As I put together my entry to the SSM Wrecks contest (2007), the earth spent Vostok Capsule, I found myself increasingly drawn to all the stories from those times and decided I'd make Yuri himself.

The figure is 1/20 scale scratched from the Nitto 'Fliege' pilot. The body was bulked out with Milliput and sculpting done to replicate covers and access panels. Wire and foil added detail and pockets, the web revealing sewn on mirrors to aid pilot tasks in the capsule. I attempted to model Yuri's wide grinning face, removing the Germanic Fleige pilot's face, but I'm not the best at face painting so its more a resemblance than portrait!

The helmet was hollowed out and the face opening increased. The inner cloth helmet made from putty directly to the head with wire and solder added too for mic buttons.

The hardest part was creating lace up boots for him. The model stands along side the Vostok and will be joined by the launch rocket one day. About time Yuri was in the Gallery. .

Primered