Revell Ar 555 Complete page 5

The box art looks strangely like New York City 

There is a good reason for the that . The re boxing has a differant image but was still New York. But that idea is even more fanciful than the aircraft itself. This version has a range of just under 3,000 miles. The direct distance from Amsterdam to New York is over 3,600 miles.

Thats one reason why mine will be in eastern Front markings.

Looking forward to this build. I love the Arado 555 and built two last year.

Thanks cnq. I have seen yours and know your a Luft 46 fan as well, so glad to have you follwing along. Please feel free to share any suggestions or tips. I have a few ideas, but i might have missed somthing.

Looking forward to watching your build as I only recently picked up the kit at a November IPMS contest / swap meet.

Will you be using a 1/48 scale German bomb as the 1/72 scale 4,000 kg Uranium bomb? 

Maybe ya ought to look into adding a bay access door and Major Kong pilot figure ....

LOl, ye, that would be a nice idea.

There are 72nd scale German a Bombs on the market. Antares and Unicraft both produce the same set of 4 differant bombs in resin, i think mine is the Antares set. I was goign to use the bomb from that and make my own bomb trolley. But i was looking at the kora site just before Xmas and found they do a set with the same bomb i wnated to use plus the trolley and tractor. So i have ordered that and it should be here soon. Unfortunatly, the aircrafts max load is 4,000KG, otherwise i would have one being winched up and the otehr being moved into position. But the bomb i have is coming in handy for sizing up the fittings in the bay.

The Antares set is the first on the page here. The one i am useing is third one down.

http://www.antaresmodels.com/luft46.asp?s=L72

Thanks for that hyperlink.

I like the idea of adding the Uranium bomb and did not know so much cool stuff was available in 1/72 for Luft '46.

Sprue-ce Goose

Thanks for that hyperlink.

I like the idea of adding the Uranium bomb and did not know so much cool stuff was available in 1/72 for Luft '46.

 

There is quite a bit, especially if you don't mind going resin. Quite a few nice kits and some nice conversions as well.

Wow, great subject. I was eyeballing one of these on Amazon in 1/48 the other day. I forget who made it, but I love the looks. Awesome sauce !!

BK

The seat cushions are either grossly substandard, or the Germans came up with memory foam as early as WW2.  

Nice save, though.  :)

Great scratchwork Bish. This is one way to get around AM sets, specially when none are available. A very futuristic design copied in some of today's aircraft.

Cool subject, and looks like a nicely engineered kit. Watching with interest...

Thnaks a lot guys. This is one of those kits i have been wanting to do for a while now, so really glad to get round to it.

BK, i didn't know there was a 48th kit, that would be somthing.

allan, your not wrong. Just wait until i post a pic of the control surfaces. I have no idea what revell were thinking there. One of the guys on Brit modeller likened it to hessian.

Over all, it does look a nice kit. A few sink marks to be filled, but not as many problems as the later 2012 release that i have seen. Some nice detail on the pit control surfaces.

PJ, your not wrong there. But i do wounder if these German designs would have worked as todays aircrfat heavily rely on computers just to keep them in the air.

Very cool!  Can't wait to see this one.

Thanks Mopar. Glad to have you along.

Been moving along with the Arado this week. despite the size and the nice detail, tehre is not a lot to this kit. In total, 3 sprues, and two of those contain the main body and tail sections.

And this is the only real negative, the sprue gates, especially on the leading edge.

Thats not pretty by anyones standards. And i am not keen on the control, surfaces, but this is not really a defect, just a differance of opinion.

But enough of that, after priming, the cockpit parts got a coat of RLM 66.

I then did a light dry brush and added a pin wash with Flory wash. next up was starting to paint some of the detail. I have also cut a slot into each seat betwen the cushion and headrest for the PE seat belts.

That dial on the left definatly needs to be re done. I can paint some more once my instrument decals arrive from Canada.

The landing gear has been painted and i have added some black wire for brake lines to the main gear.

And the wheel wells and bomb bay are also painted and ready.

So now i am waiting those decals and the putty, all i can do on the aircraft is paint the wheels and finish off the seams on the engines. In the menatime, i can start on a couple of the vehicles i will be adding. I am still waiting on the one fom Kora, but i will also be adding these two to the dio.

And thats all for now.

This is a really cool subject. I'm glad you are doing one for us to see.

BK

Thnaks BK, glad to have you following along.

This diorama will be a blast to see when it's finished.  I really love the details and the scratch building you're doing, great workmanship!

Toshi

Thanks Toshi. I have rather gotten into scratchbuilding in the last couple of years, usually when there is no AM option. I had put it off for years, but after scratching the complete rear interiour in both sides of an He 111Z, i am reday to try anything.

Those wires add a lot of details to the gears. Great job Bish.

Thnaks PJ. I wasn't sure if i should add one for each wheel or not. I just figured what the hell.

Bish...again great job on your build. As always your details are looking wonderful. I hope I get too see it finished. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks Jeff, and me to.

While waiting for those decals, i have still been able to get some done. The undercarrage was put together and the brake lines put into place. I still need to give the straps for the lines a coat of RLM 02.

I also replaced the gun barrels with some brass tube.

And i used some PE belts from the spares bopx for the seats. This is the gunners seat fitted in its ground position.

The Mike Grant dcals arrived yesterday and they were worth waiting for. A very nice selection of dials and info panels. Al the decals share one carrier film and i cut them out as close as i could. But some of the excess does show up on the camera but is not as bad to the naked eye. The instructions recommend a punch and die set and i think its time i got one of those.

With that done i could fit the cockpit. I added the steering column and bomb site and some wire to the back of the IP.

Then it was time to get teh top on. This was a bit tricky, so i started at the back and then worked round doing one edge at a time easing it into place. In the end the fit was rather nice with just a bit of sanding along the leading edge.

The kit includes 2 fixed forward firing weapons, MK 103's i believe, one eitehr side of the cockpit. everal build reviews i have seen question the logic of these on a medium/hig level bomber. I can't imagine these aircrfat doing a low level strafing run. So like those other builds, i decided to not fit those weapons and had already filled in the spent case shute. One build i saw aded blisters over the holes for those guns for some advanced radar or guidance system. I rather liked this and found a couple of parts in the spares box that i liked the look of.

I just have a bit more rubbing down to do, then i can add the vertical tails and canopy befire i go to the paint shop.

Thanks for looking, all comments welcome of course.

Hi Bish,

Just saw you build - I really like what you're doing.  The cockpit and landing gear look great!  Can't wait to see more!

Steve

Thanks Steve. I hope to have some more soon.

That thing looks great! Stunning work on the pit and gear. Did you use tape to hold the lines in place? I've been using CA with limited success. I need another way to attach hydraulic hoses.

BK

Thanks BK. I used thin strips of lead foil to replicate the straps use on real aircrat to hold the brake lines in place. I use a black craft wire and find that CA holds that fine. I used the same type of wire, just a bit thicker, for the wiring to the IP and thats held with CA glue.

Stunning work in that small scale Bish. The gears and office look fantabulous.

Cheers PJ.

Love the way you did the seats Bish.  And your subjects appear to get stranger and stranger each time. 

Thanks allan. And if you think this is strange, you wait until you see whats up next. Its British, how weird is that

Thnaks Bob. As i always say, its what i am used to so doesn't seem that special to me.

The Arao has been coming on slwly but i am really happy with how its going and its nice not to be rushing things. With everything else done, it was time to add the vertical tails and close up and mask the pit.

And also masked the bomb bay and wheel wells.

I have decided to try out the Black bashing method as used by a few other members of the forum. So after looking at several builds, and bending a few ears with question, i decided to go for it. I like to try new things if i think they will give me the look i want, but at the same time i don't want just one look as i like to approach each build differantly as to the finish as it will all depend on a number of factors. This being a Luft 46 build, i felt it was a good one to try out something new.

So first of all, it got an overall coat of Black Alclad primer. Some may have seen my thread where i asked about an issue i ha with the primer blistering where it was over some enamel overspray fom the unit and Eastern front markings. That was an easy fix but somthing i will look at to avoid in future.

But the rest of the aircraft was fine and i do like the finish Alclad gives.

Is it just me, or does anyone else thinks this looks like something Batman would have.

Next up was a random dotting of RLM 76 on the underside. I am useing the new colourcoats, first time i have tried these since WEM closed down. They go down really nice, typical Enamel's. I did have a bit of splattering at first, but after a drop more thinner, it was fine.

After leaving that to dry, i have it several thing coats over all of the same RLM 76. I really like this approach as you can build it up until you achieve the level you want. If its not subtle enough, add another layer. I wanted a finish more on the subtle side and am really happy with how it turned out.

I have also been working on the vehciles this wek, the Kubelwagen and truck are now ready for primer, no pics of those yet. But yesterday my SS100 arrived from Kora.

But clearly i had misread the box when i ordered it. The otehr bomb i have is a 4ton device, this is a 4.5 ton and is some what bigger.

Kora left, Antares right.

So, not only is the Kora bomb to heavy at 4.5 ton, it won't fit in the bomb bay. I kow its a What If subject and the bomb won't actually be in the bay, but i like to be some what realistic. So the plan is to use the Anters bomb and just scratchbuild the cradle the bombs sits in on the trolley.

Thats all for now folks.

LOL Bish, that freaking Arado reminds me of the Martian spacecraft from War of the Worlds (original film). It's shaping up very nicely.

That blackbasing technique is kind of similar to what I did on my Tomcat for the Gul War GB. I preshaded most of the panel lines in black then shot random areas in black and tan enamels to get a dirty look on the paint then covered up most of it with the top coat just leaving a hint. 

That's good you were able to recover from the peeling paint issue. This looks like a very interesting and unique dio.

Thanks PJ. ye, i can see what you mean about the Martian ship.

I am not going to go to heavy with weathering on this, this method seems to be giving me the sort of result i want. The trick will be on top as i will be addign 3 colours, so will see how that works.

It wasn't to much of a drama, but certainly one i would rather avoid. I need to get the Kora truck done now as i need to find out if it will fit uner the bomber, or the dio layout may have to change a bit.

Bish

If the trailer/bomb combo doesn't fit under he Martian ship then how about a sunken pit like the ones that were used to fix cars some years back before the lift came into use? The trailer can be backed into the loading pit right under the bay area.

Ye, i have thought about that option. I know thats what they did for the US A-Bombs to be loaded into the B-29's. I am just going to get the truck together enough so i can check. I was also palnning on a laddr up to the access hatch, as long as its not in the way.

Hey Bish,

I like your first layers of paint.  If I can ever get some bench time, I want to give the black basing technique a try.  I like where you're going with the Diorama.

Steve

Thnaks Steve, and ye, give it a try. And if you don't like it, its easy to cover.

Wow Bish, everything from the attention to detail in the cockpit to the paint scheme is just amazing.  I realy like the way you're moving forward with this build, this is one unique (Martian) aircraft!  LOL!

Toshi

Thanks Toshi, glad you like it. And this Martian thing might catch on.

That thing looks bad @$$ even without the engines.

BK

It does don't it.

The undersides came out really well.  Looks like youre getting that black basing groove, Bish.

Thanks allan. Just got the doting sprayed onto the top side. I'll be able to get the over all grey added on wed. It is really good practice for mottling.

Okay, since you have a little experience with this, do you think this would work with a dark green base with a tan color over the top? I've been considering this idea for my P-40. Perhaps a dark brown under tan?

Obviously the results are worth the effort judging from your build.

Mike, i am not sure. I would always go with a light colour first and darker ones on top. From what i have sene in other builds, the effect is less obvious on the darker shads. I am doing the top all over RLM 77 and then two darker colours on top, so going to see what the result of that is.

Nice work on the black basing Bish. Knowing how it's hard to get a photo that shows the effect I have a good idea of how good that looks i the 1:1 by the amount that can be seen in your photo.  

Thanks Marc, and thanks for the adivice if your Spit build. Ye, it is hard to get the efefct to show in the photo, especially when its really subtle. I may go a touch less subtle on the top coat, and will see how it looks on the darker areas.

I finally got all the painting done on the arado, and i am really pleased with it. A couple of years ago i did my first German pre war scheme with the 3 colours on top, on a Ju 87. I really like that scheme and used it for inspiration on a Do 335 build and decided to do so again, but with colours that are even more like the pre war ones. But i used late war colours and went for a flowing soft edge scheme rather than the pre war hard edged jaggered scheme.

I first applied RLM 77 useing the same approach as underneath. I then drew the scheme on with a pencil and applied some black spotting and the RLM 81, and i managed to find an 81 thats brown and not the green version. Soon as that was applied, i added the black spots for the third colour, and here is where i remembered i should be taking photo's.

With that dry, i added the RLM 82. The black baseing has not worked as well as i had hoped. In some areas i had to tidy thing up wth more paint and this has blocked out some of the black showing through. It is ther ein some areas, but very very subtle. I don't mind to much as i had not planed to use the method when i started the build, but its certainly something i will work on in future.

So next up, my favorite bit, the decals.

I have also been working on the vehicles. I checke and the SS-100 tractor does not fit under the aircrfat, so i had to re think the dio. PJ had suggested adding a pit under the aircrfat for the bomb to be lwered into as the Americans did to load the A-Bombs under the B-29's. But i thnik that would be over doing it as the bomb and trolley do fit underneath, but it has given me an idea for another German aircraft in the stash. But it got me thinking about bringing the aircraft to the bomb rather than the otehr way round, so i needed a towing vehicle. The only one that would tow an aircrfat of this weight is an Sd.Kfz 9 Famo, and i just happene to have one that was intended for a He 177 which is heavier than the 555 would have been. So i ditched the other truck, the Famo will serve a dual role of towing and carrying the ground crew and equipment. I had to re jig the lay out and make a new base, but i thnik its going to work fine. I have also had to scratch build a tow bar. So here are the vehciles after painting and some dry brushing.

Famo on left, SS-100 and tractor on right and Kubelwagen front and centre.

People often ask about about making bases, so i thogut i would post some pics of that as i go alng as well. Only one for now. An old bit of chip board with some 18mm MDF to make it thicker and the first piece of balsa added to one side.

And thats it. Now to get those decals on.

very very nice camo there. I love it.

Thanks cnq, glad you like it. But i do have to try and not get carried away with this type of scheme, i do like it and could end up painting all my aircraft like this lol.

Those are some real sharp edges, Bish. Takes a really steady hand and the perfect paint mix to do that. Excellent!  I think this is the first time Ive seen a scheme like that.

Thanks allan, ye, i am still figuring that out. One lesson i did learn was not to have the pressure to low. But i think i am getting there.

This is my Stuka in the pre war scheme that i based this one on.

Bish

 

 

 

 

Cheers mate, better late than never

What are you working on at the minute by the way.

LOL. Funny you ask. I was gonna build another aircraft but just couldn't get my '54 Chevy Sedan Delivery off the brain. Basically I'm taking this....

and dropping it down like this:

yep, i did. Now thats some kitbash.

Very nicely done with a finish that is superb!  I love it!

Toshi

Thanks Toshi. Unfortunatly they don't do one in 1/32nd. At least not yet. But we can hope.

Wow, That is a fantastic paint scheme. I didn't know where you were going with it for a bit but it looks stunning. NICE!!

Also, when I look at that shape I always see the bird from Indiana Jones sitting on the pad in the desert. It's just me, but that shape is killer.

BK

That scheme is wicked cool Bish. The Martian thing is looking fantastic!

BrandonK

Wow, That is a fantastic paint scheme. I didn't know where you were going with it for a bit but it looks stunning. NICE!!

Also, when I look at that shape I always see the bird from Indiana Jones sitting on the pad in the desert. It's just me, but that shape is killer.

BK

 

BrandonK

Wow, That is a fantastic paint scheme. I didn't know where you were going with it for a bit but it looks stunning. NICE!!

Also, when I look at that shape I always see the bird from Indiana Jones sitting on the pad in the desert. It's just me, but that shape is killer.

BK

 

Thanks Brandon, glad you like it.

I might be wrong, but i think there is a reason for the resemblance. I am sure i have read that the aircrfat in the movie was inspired by the various German flying wing designs, including the 555, a sort of pre war propeller version. The kink in the wings certainly resembales the Arado.

plasticjunkie

That scheme is wicked cool Bish. The Martian thing is looking fantastic!

 

Thanks PJ, and thanks for the idea about loading the bomb. It may not be in a pit, but it certanly got me thinking. 

You are quite welcome. Either way its gonna be one wicked display.

I'm just getting caught up on your project, Bish, and it's outstanding, from your scratch-built details, to your finishes.  I love the interior details you added.  I look forward to your next installment.

I can second using Mike Grant's decals, too.  I've got some of his sets of instrument decals and they're excellent.  Plus, he's a nice guy, very nice to trade with.

plasticjunkie

You are quite welcome. Either way its gonna be one wicked display.

 

I hope so after all this. Caused a couple of headaches what with waiting for the tractor to arrive, the bomb not fitting and the tractor being to tall.

Its all part of the fun isn't it.

the Baron

I'm just getting caught up on your project, Bish, and it's outstanding, from your scratch-built details, to your finishes.  I love the interior details you added.  I look forward to your next installment.

I can second using Mike Grant's decals, too.  I've got some of his sets of instrument decals and they're excellent.  Plus, he's a nice guy, very nice to trade with.

 

Thanks baron, and glad to have you following along. I have gotten rather hooked on scratchbuilding the last couple of years. this was rather minor compared to what i did to an He 111 a while back. Its nice to be able to say theres somthing there you made yourself.

Ye, they are really nice and are going to come in very handy. I think there is a couple of other sets i will be getting. And he was great to deal with, i did send an e-mail and got a swift and very nice reply.

mustang1989

LOL. Funny you ask. I was gonna build another aircraft but just couldn't get my '54 Chevy Sedan Delivery off the brain. Basically I'm taking this....

and dropping it down like this:

 

 

 

Not too late to do it up in German pre-war splinter camo............

Looks really nice in that camo pattern !

Thanks guys.

Bish,

You're doing some amazing work on this bird. I really like the camo scheme!

-BD-

Thanks Brandon, looks a bit better now with the decals on. Just trying to decide how to finish it.

Been making some good progress the last week or so, i think i am starting to see the finish line now. With all the painting doen, it was time for the decals. First was all the stencilling which came from the kit decal sheet.

Next the national insignia and codes from the decal stash. The kit provides marking for 2 aircrfat, one from KG 100 and the otehr from KG 200. But i wnated a regular bomber unit and one i don't currently have an aircrfat for, so i picked KG 6. In addition, the kit codes don't make any sense if useing the wartime regulations.

And finally, a unit badge. I found 2 for KG 6. One for 2 Staffel and the otehr for the Geschwader Stab. I went for the latter, hence the Blue C in the code, and this is my first attempt at printing my own decals.

And the overall look.

And with those done, it was time for a clear Matt coat and to get the wheels and doors on.

I felt the rear gun was rather open. There would certainly be control/power cables and an ammunition feed. rather than leave this open, i aded some 'fleaxable' covers with sheet styrene. I first painted it black to try and give a leather look, but was not keen on that. So i then painted it in the appropriate camo colours.

I now have the board ready to paint. I finished adding the balsa surround.

Then useing a piece of cardboard as a guide, i trimmed the edge down.

Then it was stained and varnished and the hardtsnading added. I eitehr use one large sheet that has the expansion gaps scored in it, or as in this case, smaller pieces cut to size. For German aircraft in 72nd i have panels 8x14cm in size.

And finally, the vehicles. Still a few small bits to add, including the tracks on the FAMO, but almost there.

And there you are. Next up will be painting the base, getting the final touches done to the vehicles and making and painting some platforms.

Hello Bish - 

Sir, she is looking awesome!! I like your base and deck a lot. This is going to be one sharp dio when you finish. 

Thanks Hunter. The base is pretty standard for me now, you find an approach you like and stick with it. My last few aircrfat dio's have been pretty simple, so its about time i did somthing with more going on.

Man, she's looking like a real mean machine completed and parked like that. The colors really suit her!

Thnaks for the comments guys.

Bob, i use a thin cardboard with a slightly rough surface on one side that i have a regular supply of. In this case its the cardboard inserts that come with Eduard PE sets. The inside of kit box lids and the outside of the box also works.

Nuthin' but the good stuff!! You're work is amazing as always Bish. I've been giving some thought to display bases for my builds but it does take up some valuable display space. One of these days I'll have to give it a shot.

Thnaks Joe. ye, the base does take up more space, and of course you have to add the extra for vehilces and so on. But i just prefer doing dio's and even if not a dio, i prefer the idea of a base. Apart from anything else, it saves having to handle the model if you are moving it. I just try and cut the base as small as possable and avoid big open areas.

Great job on the paint and decals Bish. That is one unusual looking plane! The vehicles look super detailed and will add interest and a sense of scale to the dio.

I also like using a base for the models but the down side is the additional space they use up. In the past for a tarmac, I used Elmers glue brushed on the base then lightly sprinkled with fine sand to add texture. When it dried overnight, I brushed on acrylic craft paint to soften the texture then airbrushed concrete color paint to blend things in. 

Thanks PJ. There is actually nothing extra adde to those vehicles, they are all pretty nice as they come.

Interesting idea of the texture, i might have to try that one.

And remember your suggestion for putting the bomb and trolley in a pit.

Bish

...i use a thin cardboard with a slightly rough surface on one side that i have a regular supply of. In this case its the cardboard inserts that come with Eduard PE sets. The inside of kit box lids and the outside of the box also works.

Thanks, Bish, I was looking for a reference to the material you used.  I have a similar base project in the works, and I'm using the backing from a writing tablet.  That was one I remembered from Shep's "Tips" in the B-17 kit, when I was a kid.

I love the camo pattern!  I think I'm going to steal it for a Maschinen Krieger subject

Was that the Monograme 1/48th B-17 with the crash dio. I built that myself back in the mid 80's and its that which got me hooked on dio's. Wish i still had that booklet that came with it.

If you do, i hope you will post some pics. I have been trying to think of otehr builds i can use this on.

Almost at the end of this build and once again i have run into the biggest problem with 72nd aircraft dio's, figures. But more on that in a bit.

It was now time to add the final bits to the aircraft. For the bomb lifting cables i used some fine wire and made the clamps that attach to the bomb with some styrene strip.

On the bomb, i added some lifting loops and an H type locking mechanisim. It wa sthen painted field grey and given a coat of clear semi gloss.

I could then fit the bomb into place. The open hatch was also fitted.

On top, the engines had been added as well as the forward turret. There is a large gap under the front of the guns so again i use some styrene sheet to close that off.

The vehicles are also complete.

And then the base. Remember i sad that the trolley would fit under the aircraft. famous last words. It didn't. So, plan C. Only option was to follow PJ's suggestion and put it in a bit. This is what the US did to load the bombs on the B-29's. Speaking of which, i was watching a video of the loading of one of the A-Bombs and the trolley used is exactly the same as the one i have here. It seems that kora have just copied that and made it German.

So, i did consider making another board, the 3rd one. But then i remembere it was only 18mm MDF under the cardboard. So, after marking it out, i took my trusty hammer and chisel, first time i have used that combination in a model build, and made a pit. I lined it with cardboard concrete and a sheet styrene metal floor for the lift.

So, just a few bits to finish, the wheel chocks, tool box and a couple of other bits. But the problem. 72nd ground crew figures are pretty thin on the ground. WW2 Luftwaffe are the best covered, but even then there are not many. And i seem to have exorsted my supply of usable figures even allowing for altering some. And the revell and Presier sets seem to be unavalable anywhere at the minute. So i am a bit stuck.

I think i may have to finish of the last few bits and then put to one side until i can source at least a Revell figure set.

Thanks guys.

Rob, it may be a bit of a wait, depends if i can get my hands on those figures. Thats a lesson for stashing.

I have enjoyed following this.  I just love the look of that plane, and I don't know how you manage to make 1/72 vehicles look so good.  Well done model jedi.                     gk

Thanks knox, though i do prefer Sith .

Its not to bad when your dirtying them up, and i only needed to make them look well used but not worry about lots of mud. I just wnated a nice contrast between the old war weary vehicles and the new stat of the art aircraft.

Ok now. A Sith Lord.  Starting to understand why you are sooo good at the dark art of weathering.  .         gk

Bustin' out with the common hand tools eh Bish?  Man this thing looks like a million bucks pal and I like the idea of the hoist cables for the bombs. Nice touch!

mustang1989

Bustin' out with the common hand tools eh Bish?  Man this thing looks like a million bucks pal and I like the idea of the hoist cables for the bombs. Nice touch!

 

lol, ye, i just have to remember they are not to be used to smoothing out seams, not a good idea. The cables seemed the obvious choice, i did a lot of loking into how Lancatsers were bombed up and took a few tips from there. But it looks like i am stalled for a while right up at the finishing post. The Revell and Presier figure set are not in stock anywhere. Even the Preiser site does not have them, so i can only guess that are OOP.

BUGGER.

Nice recovery on the loading pit, well played!

If I may offer a suggestion, I'd add a couple more seams from the edge of the pit to the nearby seams, as if the pit were cut into an existing ramp, and some of the surrounding concrete was damaged and repaired.

Thnaks baron, and you may have somthing there. It does look like it cut into an existing airfiled rather than one map with the pit in mind. Would you go for black, as if tar was put into the cracks.

That's a good idea, but if anything, to make it look "fresher" than the surrounding concrete, newer construction, if you know what I mean.

Bish

Almost at the end of this build and once again i have run into the biggest problem with 72nd aircraft dio's, figures. But more on that in a bit.

It was now time to add the final bits to the aircraft. For the bomb lifting cables i used some fine wire and made the clamps that attach to the bomb with some styrene strip.

 

Bish - 

I see what you mean by "wash"....that looks amazing!! Everything stands out and grabs your eye. This is one AWESOME build and dio. 

the Baron

That's a good idea, but if anything, to make it look "fresher" than the surrounding concrete, newer construction, if you know what I mean.

 

Ye, i get what you mean. I'll look into that, i have a bit of time. I may have sourced a set of Revell figures, but won't know until Sunday.

Hunter

 

Bish

Almost at the end of this build and once again i have run into the biggest problem with 72nd aircraft dio's, figures. But more on that in a bit.

It was now time to add the final bits to the aircraft. For the bomb lifting cables i used some fine wire and made the clamps that attach to the bomb with some styrene strip.

 

 

 

 

Bish - 

I see what you mean by "wash"....that looks amazing!! Everything stands out and grabs your eye. This is one AWESOME build and dio. 

 

Thnaks Hunter, and as i mentioned in your thread, i dry brushed first and then did a fine pin wash with a very fine brush.

Just stumbled onto this Bish,beautiful work. Strange looking bird reminds me of a Klingon ship. By the by what became of the Osprey?

Thnaks templar, ye it does a bit doesn't it.

And don't worry, i have got and added the wheel chocks i was waiting for and just have to add a couple of touches to the figures before ading them. Should have pic of the Osprey up by the weekend.

templar1099

Just stumbled onto this Bish,beautiful work. Strange looking bird reminds me of a Klingon ship. By the by what became of the Osprey?

 

lol I call it a Martian ship but it also looks like a Klingon craft. Great job on the wash Bish. It pops out the molded detail.

Thnaks PJ, and thanks for the input on the pit idea. I reckon you were being sneaky there and knew i was doing to have to do this

Awesome finish, Bish. That is just way too cool. The vehicles are awesome as well and the bomb pit is a nice touch. Super neat.

BK

Thnaks BK. Hopfully i can get those figures off e-bay on Sunday and then i can wrap this up.

I too just happened to discover this WIP.

Outstanding workmanship as usual, Bish. Really looks great and it will be nice to see the finished dio once you get the figure situation sorted.

Thanks for taking the time to let us follow along with this one.

I must look into that black basing technique, looks neat.

Thanks Greg, glad to have you on board. The black bashing is rather nice and certainly something i will do again.

Thanks for the comments guys. Johnny, neither do i, i really don't.

I may, i stress may, have solved the figure issue. Just doing another search tonight and came across an old set of Preiser figures with a numbe ri was not familar with. But when i cheked, this appears to be an old boxing of the Preiser/Revell set i was after, so have just ordered it. But its got to come from the US, so might take a while. And i still have my eye on the Revell set as well. I am going to be picking these sets up where ever i can find them fom now on.

So, it might be a couple of weeks before i can get back to this.

Looking great Bish. I just hapenned to see a show on the NASA channel where they are experimenting with an aircraft similar to your model. It's a rather large wind tunnel model called hybrid wing something or other. It had two jet engines in the same area as your model.

Thanks PJ. And that spounds interesting. And i didn't even know NASA had their own TV channel. Going to have to look into that.

Bish

Thanks PJ. And that spounds interesting. And i didn't even know NASA had their own TV channel. Going to have to look into that.

 

I have satellite so that channel is in my schedule. Right now they have a show called Video File and one of the crew members is answering questions aboard the International Space Station. Very interesting when he was asked if he has seen any "strange" objects out in space. The astronaut quickly changed the subject to how weird water looks floating in zero gravity.

LOL, ye, i bet there are strict rulkes about talking about little green men.

Was this the design you saw.

your picture didnt come thru

Damn link's, i'll try again.

Also found this one which is an R/C modl i think.

Bish

Damn link's, i'll try again.

Also found this one which is an R/C modl i think.

 

 

yep looks like the one in the link having twin engines.

Thats a neat design. I am guessing by the engines these have nothing to do with space travel, would be nice to see these at the local airport.

Just caught up with this one, beautiful build Bish!

Thnaks, glad you like it.

Bish

Nothing to do with space travel but experimenting with a design to improve performance in aircraft. 

plasticjunkie

Bish

Nothing to do with space travel but experimenting with a design to improve performance in aircraft. 

 

 

I guess its easy to forget what the first A stands for in the name. I think most people just think space when they think NASA.

Time to get this wrapped up. While i was waiting for the figures, i did put the bomb troller in its hole.

And with the figures duly ariving yesterday, i was able to get these painted up, nothing to complicated for German ground crews.

I had to do a bit of checking to place the figures right. They may look a bit odd now, but with the plane in place, they are doing a grand job. But you will have to take my word for that.

And then time to add the rest. The Officer figure is from Airfix. I cancelled my plan to add an access ladder as the aircrat is much lower than i had thought so a ladder is not really needed.

Add some chocks and a tool box to the back of the FAMO.

And there you have it. Been itching to build this for ages, so really pleased to have it built. Thanks all for looking and for all comments and suggestions.

Thanks. I know you like this sort of stuff, so glad you like this one.

Thanks Bob, glad to have you following along.

That's a great dio you have there Bish!  The Ar-555 is a really neat looking plane.  I have one in the stash - one day, one day...

Thanks G. Its a nice kit, i am sure you will like it. I am thinking about getting another one and doing some alterations.

that turned out quite nice Bish.

Thanks wayne.

Bish - 

Bravo Sir, Bravo...such a real dio....wonderful detail. Great job Bish. Your setting that bar pretty dang high (lol)

Looks fantastic Bish. The scene looks authentic and very realistic with each crewman having a task at hand. The tarmac looks very convincing too.

Well done!  The complete scene is a well executed snapshot of what could have been.  What a great idea.  Nicely done my friend!

Excellent build Bish!    Just found it and read through the whole thing.  Wow! 

Jim 

  That is terrific.  I really like how it turned out.                                              gk

Hunter

Bish - 

Bravo Sir, Bravo...such a real dio....wonderful detail. Great job Bish. Your setting that bar pretty dang high (lol)

 

Thanks Hunter, and i am really glad you were on board. I know your dad did say he would like to see this finished, unfortunatly i could not oblige, so having you here means a lot.

plasticjunkie

Looks fantastic Bish. The scene looks authentic and very realistic with each crewman having a task at hand. The tarmac looks very convincing too.

 

Thanks PJ. Those 6 figures are really useful for a lot of scenes. Unfortunatly you only get one of each, so i am goign to have to stock up when i can. And thanks for the pit suggestion. I think it has actually worked out better as you can just see enough to get an idea of whats going on, but does not give it all away.

Wow !! Great finish. That is a very cool dio indeed. Very nice!!

BK

Thanks BK, glad you like it.

You are quite welcome buddy. I'm glad it worked out.

All's I've gotta say is ....are you coming to the 2018 Nationals that's possibly going to be in San Antonio Texas? If so you are required to bring this. I love your work Bish. You really bring a good show to the table.

PJ, it worked out much beter than i had planned.

Joe, well thank you, it is much appreciated. And good to see you about.

Now thats an offer lol.