I build all my model aircraft with the crew in their places assuming that they can be seen when the kit is built. Like others I feel cheated if the little men are not there. I certainly do not want to have to buy another set to get a pilot. I know some people miss them out and build the plane on the ground and that is easier to miss him/her out than it is to find one frome somewhere else that might not fit. After all we often get alternative parts (weapon loads, cowlings, engines etc) in the box so would a pilot add much more? Extending this a bit - why are the model tanks crewless? We all know that tank commanders spend a lot of time, even in action, with their heads out of the cupola.