Hi guys/gals,
Noticed the GB and have enjoyed seeing the projects on display. As a subject it's one that I really like and over the years I've collected some examples that have been in my stash. Wanting to do one kind of 'different' within such an already unique subject though I've chosen the Heinkel HE-280 as outfitted with four Argus AS-014 engines. The same powerplant that the V1 "Buzz Bomb Rockets" used. During a trial flight the prototype was released from it's tow plane, the engines fired and then the pilot discovered his control surfaces were iced up. This led to the very first in flight use of an ejection seat since the Heinkel was so equipped. So I thought it an interesting project from a few aspects.
I'd picked up a vintage 1/72nd scale Huma kit in a clear plastic bag from a clearance bin many years ago. I probably gave something like 3-5 dollars for the whole thing. It included options for the various fitments of powerplants which were tested on this airframe. While an in house Heinkel jet was trialed the more familiar Jumo's used on the ME 262 were there as well as the Argus AS-014s and even some drop tanks that took the place of engines when trialed as a glider. A pretty neat kit but with sparse detailing and castings that make a very old Airfix or even MatchBox kit look like a modern Hasegawa!
The kit contents.
The kit cockpit components.
The ejection seat was remade since it's an interesting historical focal point.
Busied up the cockpit with some styrene, brass and glue glob knobs.
Fought, er, I mean finessed the ill fitting pieces together.
Since the engines were barely round I cleaned up the intakes with turned aluminum tubing while some sanding, shaping and rescribing helped the overall shape.
And that's where it's at so far.
Thanks for keeping a seat at the bar warm for me gents.