Prototype Aircraft GB

I've had my eye on the 1/72 Anigrand Martin XB-51 kit for a while now and I just ordered one from Hannants in the UK ...  http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ANIG7235

I'm not sure if this aircraft qualifies for the GB as I think only two prototypes were produced and the XB-51 eventually lost out to the BAC/EE Canberra in a fly-off and Martin built those under license as the B-57 .

Let me know what you think ?

John .

Are there any noticeable differences between them? If so then it could be easily identified from the other. If they don't, then they may have been painted differently... maybe make it real obvious that it's a Anigrand Martin XB-51 if they appear too similar ?

-To make a long story short, I won't turn you down.

Would the Me309 qualify? If so I've got a 1/48 Czech kit and would like to join in. cheers Trey

TREYZX10R: A quick read on Wikipedia, your in! Love to see it in a German battle camouflage as if it was in use. Have fun with the kit!

- By the way, what is the manufacturer?

Thanks Paperpanzer its the Czech kit

  I am a new modeler and have been considering joining a group build.  Would a Curtiss R3C-2 count?  (This is the plane built for the 1925  Schneider Trophy race and piloted by Col. Jimmy Doolittle).  The kit is the Testors Classics Kit.

M9130: Sorry, but that isn't a prototype- I was thinking more along the lines of combat aircraft- don't know much about civilian planes. A prototype of an airliner would work as a civilian aircraft though. This would qualify for a racing GB. 

TREYZX10R: Oh the Czech Model kit... I didn't know what you meant by "the Czech kit"...

  This is the US Army entrant into the Schneider cup, (The plane also had a paper designation F3C  http://aerofiles.com/_curtx.html), sorry, I thought this was a general prototype GB .  I apologize for the confusion. 

M9130

  This is the US Army entrant into the Schneider cup, (The plane also had a paper designation F3C  http://aerofiles.com/_curtx.html), sorry, I thought this was a general prototype GB .  I apologize for the confusion. 

waynec: sure thing, whats the scale and manufacturer?

I was walking through the hobby store looking for projects for this summer and found this Horten Ho 229 in 1/72 scale by PM Model.  This is the prototype I will build for the GB.

M9130

I was walking through the hobby store looking for projects for this summer and found this Horten Ho 229 in 1/72 scale by PM Model.  This is the prototype I will build for the GB.

 

waynec: When you figure out the version, let me know. I'll be on the lookout.

waynec: So do I! Where are you posting the CANT Z-501 and Centauro VRC-105? Love to see them as well.

dammit, i love these types of GB's. Would aircraft that never left the drawing board be included. I have promised myself no new GB's for a while, but this might be to good to miss. So put me down as a possable.

waynes, which of the special hobby kits have you got. They did two, the V1 and v2 but i think both have the same decals. I have the V2 kit which i am saveing for this type of GB, but not yet. I will be very keen to see yours built up, i don't think i have seen one yet.

Mine also has the resin cockpit and 2 vacuform canopies. I thought it was a mistake. I have the one with the BMW 801 engines and i think the kit has the longer wings. I plan on building it as a possable production aircraft, but its going to take a bit of converting.

Hello Bish! sorry, I just got on and saw your first post.

waynec: did you know the initial prototype for the Horton Ho. 229 was prop powerd? I wonder if this has also been kitted...

The Anigrand 1/72 Martin XB-51 resin kit arrived yesterday along with a book 'Air Force Legends No.201 , The Martin XB-51 which I bought as well.

The build looks straight forward enough

On the ground the aircraft sits with the wing flaps lowered at 30 degress

Unfortunatly the kit doesn't come with seperate wing flaps , so I will have to think about cutting them seperate and positioning them lowered

There's no bomb bay in the kit but you can see in this next pic where Martin came up with the revolutionary rotary bay door , which was to feature later on in the American version of the BAC/EE Canberra , the B-57 .

Anyway the book should make for some interesting reading and I'll think about the wing flaps and bomb bay for a while .

John .

Bloody hell wayne, have we got identical stash's lol. I got the 555 as well. I am a big fan of Luft 46 aircraft. Revell have a couple of nice kits out there. But a lot of the kits in this range are resin.

Paper, i take it its ok to include aircraft that didn't leave the drawing board then.

Yes bish, this GB is for prototype aircraft- whether or not a prototype was built or not does not affect it. The He- 100 for example, that would be eligible. And if the prototype of something that was used widely differs from it enough... well, you get the general idea. 

waynec: To answer your question, yes, the prop- powered Ho. 229 was the initial prototype to see if the concept of a flying wing was viable. That's when the Horton brothers stumbled upon the fact that radio waves do not bounce off that kind of aircraft, so as a jet- powered bomber and fighter it would have enormous potential.

Alright, I started work on the Dornier tonight. Limited progress so far, I have encountered the most flash on any kit I have built to date. First the box+ contents-

This is the amount of flash in most areas-

Next the cockpits- all glued up-

A few trusty clamps and rubber band solved the finicky fuselage-

So far this looks to be an interesting build... the amount of seams is minor compared to the Stuka I just built- but it remains to be seen.

Thanks panzer, i will let you know what i will be building. I have quite a few Luft 46 kits in the stash.

I've just remembered that i have a build entered into another GB that will fit the bill perfectly. So if you are happy with crossovers, put me down for the Huma 1/72nd Fw Triebflugel.

Bish: Perfect! Better add you to the roster and change the rules...

By the way, there's another Luft' 46 bird that I'd like to know about... it looks like the Triebflugel but is prop powered and is also a vertical takeoff machine. What is it and has it been kitted? Thanks.

(It appears in IL2 Sturmovik 1946)

Paper Panzer,

There were two other tail sitter VTOL designs that I am aware of.  The Lerche was powered by tandem DB piston engines driving counter rotating propellers, while the Wespe was a turboprop with geared contraprops.  I think Fruitbat made a 1/72 resin Lerche, which was very nicely done, and had a pre-trimmed acylic nose cap.  I'll see if I can find mine and take a photo of the kit.  The only Wespe kit I know of is from Unicraft, again in 1/72.  Based on what I have seen of Unicraft products, it would be better to scratch build one yourself, as it would be less trouble.  I started one many moons ago, but a simple measurement error at the start of the build resulted in an undersized model.  I only became aware of the problem when I tried to fit a pilot figure into the cockpit, and found that he wouldn't fit;.  I started a second one that was properly sized, but the fire was already out in me, so I shelved it.  Again, I'll try digging out the corpses and take some photos this weekend.

Thanks Real G- its the Lerche, I always wanted to build one of these... maybe if I find Fruitbat's model, though I'd rather look for a plastic one. I think trying to scratch an aircraft would be rather difficult- I'll look around. Thanks!

Paper Panzer,

The Lerche is basically a jet aircraft drop tank with stubby wings and tail group.  I think the hardest part to scratch build would be the faceted wing.  The small castoring wheels and the exhaust stacks could be sourced from 1/72 BF-109s.   The props would require a twin engined donor kit with counter rotating props - a Do-335?  I'll see if the Fruitbat kit has a 3-veiw.  I can't see a plastic kit manufacturer doing the Lerche, but never say never.  Maybe Zoukei Mura will give us a 1/32 Triebflugel.  Now that would be crazy!

Paper, here a link to the Lerche on Luft 46

http://www.luft46.com/heinkel/helerche.html

According to the sites list of model kits, Unicraft does a 72nd kit of the Wespe and there is a 48th kit of the Lerche. But no idera if these kits are still around.

Thanks Bish and RealG! I haven't made as much progress as I wanted to in the past week, but I did go down to the hobby shop. Meanwhile it's mainly been prepping the fuselage and cockpits.

First two views of the Do. 335 nachtjager variant-

Now the cockpits- I painted them with a base coat of flat black, despite the fact that the Do. 335 isn't a jet, the cockpit detail is still mostly lost in the "coal- hole" effect" -

But with a bit of model master Italian Dark brown for the seats and silver to bring details out, a toothpick and red/ yellow came out to bolster the effect.-

Well, that's it for now... more later!

Paper Panzer the office is looking great!

I started my pair 'o' 9's build ,one will have the alternate proto tail. The resin goodies look good

The resin parts are pretty clean

the IP are not cleanly molded tho

Well closed canopy builds so should'nt hurt too much

Speaking of variant tails, here's what I found on Google, a "Super Stuka"!

It was only a prototype conceived during the Battle of Britain to improve on the aging Ju87 Stuka. Unicraft has a 1/72 scale model, haven't found any others.

Just thought I'd show something different.

Thats one crazy looking Stuka,I'm geussing it was'nt a tail dragger lol

I've fitted the resin inner wheel wells and they required a ton of sanding the fit was'nt even close! Then the tail was lopped off and the smaller one added. No locating pins on anything but alignment was good and the seams not too terrible after a dose of tenax.

Next I'll join the wings and tail feathers

Some great work there nice, lovely looking pits.

I do have that Unicraft Stuka on my to buy list, but it can be a bit of a wait getting hold of there stuff. But well worth it given some of the aircraft they do.

waynec

i certainly have an eclectic stash. just got the old amt 1/25 GENERAL 4-4-0 civil war steam locomotive. already have all the 3 1/35 german locomotives, a LUSITANIA, HIKAWA MARU, all 4 bronco 1/350 sino-japanese warships, modern german, chinese, soviet tank transporters, wood picket boat, 1/24 HUNELY, BABYLON 5 space station and a bunch of seaplanes. will be starting this which is also in multi prop gb after i finish VRC, BARCHINO, and MD-500. may also join spa gb soing wither chinese sp or DANA.

Mines positively pedestrian compared to that.

Bish

 

waynec:

i certainly have an eclectic stash. just got the old amt 1/25 GENERAL 4-4-0 civil war steam locomotive. already have all the 3 1/35 german locomotives, a LUSITANIA, HIKAWA MARU, all 4 bronco 1/350 sino-japanese warships, modern german, chinese, soviet tank transporters, wood picket boat, 1/24 HUNELY, BABYLON 5 space station and a bunch of seaplanes. will be starting this which is also in multi prop gb after i finish VRC, BARCHINO, and MD-500. may also join spa gb soing wither chinese sp or DANA.

 

 

 

 

Mines positively pedestrian compared to that.

Bish thanks!

I've replaced the front gear actuator arm with some guitar string

The wings were set to the proper angle and then the seams smoothed over with some putty

.

Side intakes added and gear bays painted RLM 02

Looking good TREYZX10R! Looks like your making more progress than me...

Thanks hope to get in a few more before the G/B times out,got a few others in the stash that fit the bill!

Okay, got some more things done tonight, I installed the cockpits, lower wing, front landing gear bay and applied squadron white putty to the (separate! ) wing flaps.

I decided to replace the poor, molded- on pitot tube with a piece of scrap styrene tube with some wire in it-

The wings are now installed! It's beginning to look more like a plane now-

Despite being a rather simple kit (remember, it's a Revell, skill model 2) I was happy to see that the flaps are molded as separate pieces!-

While the putty set on those I had to liberally sand the sides of the front landing gear bay in order for it to fit. I also filed the interior as well, eventually it fit, but after cementing it's trapped in there permanently.

Some dry- brushing should make those details pop, that's it for tonight . More pics on the way!

By the way, as I was wrapping up, I began to think about paint schemes. Obviously this is a nightfighter, but I didn't want to put it in a pedestrian German late war scheme...

Lets see where tomorrow takes my creative side!

Great work paper. That one thing about these type of aircraft. You can paint it however you like, but you still want it to be realistic. I'll be interested to see what you decide. I'm always looking for ideas.

Thank bish! I had a difficult time coing up with an idea, but I think I have an eye- cathcing scheme. I was flipping through my book collection when I found a picture of a Ju87 Stuka in Italian markings, as well as a Me 109. I decided since the Italians recived some equipment from the germans in WW2, and the Regina Aerionautica had some nightfighter units, an Italian scheme would look cool. I have some extra decals I can use...

Probably a base coat of grey with "smoke circles" in dark green or dark grey. I will have to paint some markings in though, the white cross on the tail for example.

PaperPanzer Looking great,I've got this kit in the stash how is the fit so far? Italian scheme would sure be different on that airframe.

I'm making steady progress ,hope to have the paint complete over the long weekend

I got the RLM76/74/75  on ,the rounded smaller tail version has a slightly different variation on the top cammo,the lines are more irregular. I'm not sure about accuracey but thats what the instructions show and I ca'nt find any other pics to dispute it

Nice TREYZX10R! The kit is pretty decent, there's a lot of flash on mine, the tires don't have treads, but they are pre- bulged The fits overall are okay, but some filling is necessary. I've made some progress today myself, clamped the wings, made sure the dihedral was correct, filled gaps with putty, sanded, and laid down a base coat of Euro Grey.

Unfortunately, there are gaps in the wing roots, so I'll have to fill those as well.

Finally! With sanding complete it was time for paint.

Well, now I needed a scheme. "Smoke circles" would not work with these colors in my opinion, so I flipped through an issue of FSM and came across this reader picture. He says how he got the effect was to "use an old brush, dab as much paint off as possible on newspaper, then lightly touched the model."

Now that I have my heart set on a particular design scheme, I need some advice on how to achieve this effect.

More on the way!

Thanks Paper Panzer,The Do335 is really taking shape and glad to hear the fit is decent . I can deal with the flash its 1/4 gaps everywhere that drive me nuts! Looks like you've got a great clean primed surface to put down the smoke ring scheme,I've seen those decals available from Mike Grant decals. Might be some other sources out there as well.

I've got the gear done and the front doors are a real treat to deal with,not! Decals are simply a nightmare,very brittle and even with a precautionary spray of bonder some are still falling apart! Some lead shot has been glued in the nose and the spinners to keep it from tail sitting. Hope to save what I can of the decals ,we'll see.

TREYZX10R: Maybe you misunderstood, I am planning an Italian Scheme for the Dornier, (speaking of which, all my spare decals are 1/72 scale, can anyone recommend a good set of 1/48 scale Italian markings?) The paint scheme in this photo is want I want to replicate, not the decals-

Sorry if there was any confusion!

PaperPanzer got it no smoke circle decals! I do have some 1/48 scale Italian decals left from a Sm79 that I did'nt use ,if ya want 'em pm me your addy and I'll send them. I do some of the mottle schemes using that dry brush technique it works really well.

The 309's survived the decal session(barely)one was almost returned to kit form ! I'm going to do some very light weathering and some slight exhaust stains next and wrap it up

TREYX10R: Sorry, the e- mail isn't mine, it's my mom's.  But, can anyone recommend a good set of aftermarket decals?

Sounds like a nice idea for a paint scheme paper. That build is looking good.

TREY, thats a nice looking pair of aircraft. Not sure if you have already mentioned it, but i am guessing those nose wheels swivel when being retracted.

PaperPanzer I got the SM79 decals from Sky for $8 off evil bay and they worked well for me.

Bish thanks and you're correct Sir it did rotate to lay flat under the engine

I'm calling it done. The kit was pretty straight forward and a fun build. I need to make some mass balancers or find some ,the kits were missing them.

Stunning Trey as always. One little question, how come you decided to build two.

panzer, as much as i lve the 229, i have to give my vote to ninetails badge.

Bish thanks really appreciate the kind words! I actually wanted to build one for each different tail section that was tried but settled on the 2 kit supplied tails

TREYZX10R: Looks like you get the cookie for first finished! Nice builds! You can take the badge that strikes your fancy guys.

-Even if you do multiple builds, just one badge only please! Sorry, I can't seem to adjust the ninetalis badge to a smaller size, so if you want it, you'll have to adjust it manually.

bish: when do you plan on starting your bird?

Thanks PaperPanzer put me down for a XB-70 Valkyrie ertl kit in 1/72 scale next please,mmmmm coooookieeees;)

Okay TREYZX10R, more cookies anyone?

Waynec thanks, I used the a/b for the bigger darker mottle then a cut down brush for the lighter smaller ones. I just blot the brush on a scrap piece of paper until the paint is almost gone the dab it on . My SM 79 I did the cammo free hand with the a/b since the cammo pattern was so large.

The XB-70 is a lot larger than I expected!

The box art is nice

tho a tad of false advert is apparent with the exhaust,wonder what the builder used here?

The office is spartan and clunky ,geuss it hardly matters once buttoned up you wo'nt see much of it at all

I can tell already that my fingers are going to be aching from sanding! The main wing area has a very long seam,thankfully one side is covered by the main body thats 1 molded piece

This has some seams that are going to be a challenge in the intake areas

I've got a case of glue and industrial rolls of sand paper so off to the fun!

PaperPanzer

 

bish: when do you plan on starting your bird?

Will probably be Sept. I have to move all my stash, bench and everything else in August and i don't want to start any new builds before then, just to have to pack them up.

Hey people, for the guys wanting to use the badge I made, I've got an update version with a date,

Here is a small version, for the people unable to change the size,


With regards, Ninetalis.

Thanks Ninetalis, you mentioned that you wanted to join as well, what do you intend to build?

I was thinking about the same thing that is on the poster, A Grumman XF5F Skyrocket, or I would also like to build a Lippisch P 13, or a Heinkel He 178....
There are so many prototypes that I have in my stash you know, but I decided not to join any GB until I've finished a couple, I haven't even started on the 1942 GB, so...
But when I finish another GB, I will join this one, probable with the Heinkel HE 178, because it isn't to big...

With regards, Ninetalis.

Very cool subject that you sure do'nt see often done,really looking forard to seein this come together Waynec

waynec

will be starting this in a day or 2. will not be super quick as i have 4 other models on 3 other benches. fortunately it came with 2 vacuform noses as one has crease marks.

Nice Badges!  I'll probably start my Ho 229 sometime around July. 

Very nice build! 

Office is done along with the seats

Seams along the main fuse

Intake areas cleaned up

The 2 mated up fairly nicely after hours of sanding and test fitting

The forward fuse and wing tips,I cut off the 3 fuse antenae as they run along the seam . I 'll scratch some repacement ones after the sanding is done

test fit of the Canards

Test fit of the forward and main fuse sections looks pretty good, will need minimal filler after a few sanding sessions

Rudders fit decent after some sanding too

Next I've got some delicate sanding to do and hopefuly I wo'nt damage the raised details

Looks like a behemoth of a model, nice job on the office, It's looking great! Unfortunately I have only been at the bench a couple times this weekend, had a lot of other things to do, and I am trying to finish a 1/350 scale ship I started last year, so 2 projects to juggle.

Lovely work Trey. Those seats look unusual. I get the impression they are some sort of escape capsual.

PaperPanzer thanks,hope you get some bench time in here soon love to see some progress on the 335

Bish thanks and yes they were due to the speeds involved,unfortunately they were put to use on airframe #2

Main fuse assembly joined up and yards of sanding to do!

O, now that don't look good. The photo of the real plane i mean.

But that does look like a lot of filler has gone into those wings.

Looking forward to this waynec. Looking at the sprues, it looks identiacl to the kit i have, except the engines.

Ye, it has the longer wings along with the BMW engines, so ye its basically the V2. Its also a Special Hobby kit. This one.

http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SH72156

Are you planning on chopping the wings to make the V1 or leave them as they are?

Ye, the V1 was up rated with the BMW engines. So basically my kit is also of the V1 but after it was uprated. But as the kit comes with the extended wings, that basically makes it a V2. But i am planning on building mine as a possable production aircraft with defensive armament and operational markings.

waynec

hey bish the box art looks like mine and the letter designator is for the only one that flew. these 2 pics are from http://www.luft46.com/prototyp/me264.html

bish: maybe paint the bomber as a "little blitz" plane? Or am I too demanding?

I plane on doing it in a night scheme, so ye, i think that would fit into the Little blitz. But i was thinking more the Russian front where the longer range would be useful. But its going to be a while before i get round to building it.

waynec, if your able to get hold of it, this book is really useful.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Messerschmitt-Me264-Amerikabomber-Luftwaffes-Strategic/dp/1903223652/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339012122&sr=1-1

I didn't pay no where near that price, so i am sure you can find it for less. I haven't read it yet, but there are some great pics of the aircraft, with both engines. And also some great drawings of the future planes for it.

I know, some of these OOP book prices are way over the top. I think i payed 8 or 9 pounds for mine, and that was only last year.

There are a few books i am after that new were about £15. But now i have seen them for as much as 1,500. Thats just taking the mikey.

Finally! I managed to heckle some bench time in today, and got a few things done, though there was a  setback ... read on comrades!

Here's the problem, the rear prop "post" I guess you could say, snapped off due to my clumsiness. So, stretched sprue to the rescue! I made a repair post for it and glued it in, hope it stays there.

Now for the fun bit, with the paint cured it was time to add the first layer of camo. Before-

And after-

I don't think it's too effective, so I'd like some feedback on it so far (the paint job.) Thinking of adding in some green or black, what think?

Bish thanks yea it got ugly quick ,the pic I mean;)

Waynec looking forward to seeing the start of that kit !

PaperPanzer nice save with the sprue! Try some black for some contrast or maybe a very dark green?

Well both canopies are a mismold ! The Supersonic one is really bad

The other only the ends are missing so I'm stuck with that

I cut off the ends

Made some new ends from an old vac canopy scrap

Not great but once I add some canopy glue the seams will be gone

The basic build is ready for some paint

Thanks for the idea, waiting for some more...

I'm glad I am not tackling that kit! Canopy Nightmare!

Looks like the cockpit will be soon lost in the "coal hole" effect...

PaperPanzer, thanks

The base black is on and all the seams look tight ,as soon as its good and dry I can mask off the black nose and tip hinges and start spraying white.

White paint on Black? In my past experiances, white paint requires an obscene number of coats before in becomes opaque... good luck...

Okay, well I managed a lot of work in today, so, as a result- lots of pics!

I added Euro Green as an extra camo color, that's what it is now, I can't change it, probably use different colors next time...

The white fuselage ID stripe was a pig to paint, as I said earlier, lots of coats before it becomes opaque.

I decided due to a lack of "postage stamp" style insignia I would mask and paint my own, with dismal results, A lesson to me from now on though... first the tape on a tile ready to be cut-

Outdated ID engineering gear is useful...

While that was being readied, I glued the replacement pitot tube in place-

Now the horror, here we go-

Aahhh! Red paint starts bleeding all over the place!-

Well, after that escapade, I cleaned up the mess and touched- up the best I could, the cut out spare decals of Hungarian rudder markings which I had been hoping to save, but they won't fit anything else I would build, so I went ahead and cut them up (probably what I should have done in the first place!)-

While the touched- up areas were drying, I cleaned up the props and started painting. The front prop cover had it's cannon drilled out, and I am planning to paint it with 1/2 white/ 1/2 black-

Decals applied, I then moved onto the canopys (Not my strong point!!!)-

I think after today's learning I was rewarded, this bird is looking cool and unique! Any and all comments welcome guys!

-More on the way!

PaperPanzer  nice paint work its looking really sharp! Yes light over dark is a big no-no but was trying to pull off a trick as explained here in the pics

The base white went down no problems

Was hoping to wet sand it down and have the black undercoat accent the panel lines,epic fail here.

Regrouped and decided just to respray the white put the decals down

Going with a Urethane clear top coat with some fast hardner

Who is that masked Man?

The clear is on and waiting to kick off

TREY10XR: So I take that your done with this project or no? Looking good there!

Masked and painted the canopys today, definite improvement from last time...

First, cutting out masks from 3M painters tape on a tile-

Viola!-

So now I am test- fitting the second canopy, and the Dornier is looking better after last time's episode.

-More on the way!

Paperpanzer Liking the masking job on the canopy,thats some tedious work for sure.

Yes this thing is done!

Connor helped out too

Thanks for all the great positive support,cheers Trey

Nice build! Are you thinking of yet another build? By the way, any one of the three badges is yours.

Okay, I finished with the canopys yesterday and started on the landing gear today, this is really shaping up nicely, though a lot of clean- up on small, delicate parts!, So I had to go carefully.

Top canopy masked-

And then paint-

While that was drying, I tackled the front landing gear post, look at all that flash!-

Top canopy finished!-

A quick jump forwards, landing gear finished and awaits paint. I did not have to use much cement on the front landing gear leg because of it's tight fit (Had to file it down before it fit snugly!)-

Well, the bird is almost done... more coming!

Well, a lot got done today, and the plane now sits on it's own legs!

First the bay interior, molded in with the wing, so painting took extra effort and lots of 3M tape.-

Oil stains dry- brushed in, I think I overdid it a bit!-

Props assembled.-

And then fully painted.-

I painted the wheel hubs RLM 75.-

Props attached!-

A bit of masking, flat black, and a black thread to represent a cable, the bird now stands on it's own legs!-

Landing gear doors, and antennas next!

More coming!

PaperPanzer She's looking smart standing on her own legs,progressing nicely now! Yes I 've a Pro-Modeler TA-154A-O Moskito up next,thanks!

More things done today, installed all the landing gear doors and preparing to finish.

Landing gear doors were finicky without positive attachment points.-

Detail on the primary landing leg.-

These are the final four bits, the exhaust flame hiders.-

Tomorrow will bring paint and final weathering! 

Well guys, the build is completed! I took the Dornier outside and posed it for some pics. As with the Stuka I built recently, I took some "gun cam" battle pics, blurred and made Black and White.

On the box.-

"Gun cam" pics!-

Well, that's it for now, she turned out better than I hoped, though it took some effort. This was a fun kit to build, but I bet there are better ones available. Auchtung! Nachtjäger!

Maybe something else later on, I am thinking of a German "Ural Bomber"...

PaperPanzer the Italian scheme really works with this build well,came out real nice!

I've gotten a start on the Moskito and the office is done

Good start TREY, i haven't seen many 154's built on here, i have high hopes for this one.

I should have my bench set up at home by the first week in August so hopefully i will be able to start of the Triebflugel then.

I thought I might throw my hat in with this thing. According to the kit instructions, they only built two of them, and this one was 'flown for test'.

Other than that, don't know too much about them but here's my chance to find out.

Cheers

Tony

Sorry guys, the weather around here for the past two weeks was like crud, and I lacked an impetus to go out to the bench...

TREYZX10R: Thanks! Just wanted to do something different...

Bish: Unfortunately, August to November is my yearly hiatus, so I probably won't see it until November, good luck though!

TAXTP: As far as I know, only a limited number of the float plane version were built, even though they were considered for military use. I never knew about the retractable undercarriage, this ought to be an interesting build...

Bish thanks,I've high hopes as well. I really want to set the bar a little higher for myself on this one. Really looking forward to seeing the Triebflugel !!

Tony very cool choice for the build, I think they used German DB engines in those or at least license built copies.

I've made some progress on the Moskito,first I had to resize the cannon ports the hole were way out of scale. Next to go were the molded cannon barrels,Ill scratch some new ones to add in the finishing stages .

Next up I had to cut the port nacelle up for the resin mill

Test fit of the wings after removing the warps in both,so far the only big glitch I've run into

Then on to the resin flaps which needed to be trimmed to fit the curves along the bottom nacelle

The gear bays will be detailed next,cheers Trey

Haveing just finished my Chinook, i am going to make an early start on the Triebflugel.

For the cockpit, which is as bare as they come, i will be useing a PE set for an Me 262. I need to check my spares box, and if theres no decent seat in there, i'm thinking about getting an He 162 seat.

So TREY, you want to set the bar a little higher. Now that i want to see. The kits of yours i have seen deffinatly rate amongst the best on here already.

Bish thanks for the very generous compliment Sir! I was so hoping you'de get cracking on this one soon,really looking forward to seeing it build out. I've lots of spare seats if ya ca'nt find one that works for ya let me know.

Basic fuse is done

and after finish sanding the seams and rescibing panel lines

The engine is about ready to mount

Fixed the gap on the rudder with some card stock

Thanks TREY, i have sorted a seat. I won't be getting much done this week as i have to take my desk apart and move it home. Hopefully by the end of next weekend i will be up and running. Someone on here did worn be about the panel lines not lineing up. I have checked it out and the panel lines on the front section are deffinatly out of line, but only by a tiny fraction, so i will need to deal with that.

And the complimant is well meant.

Bish, good luck on the Triebflugel!  That was my first Lut '46 model, and also my first limited run kit.  Due to the globby nature of the details, I ended up fillling all the panel lines and rescribing them.  You can't see much of the cockpit once the small, thick canopy is in place, so don't worry too much about it.  A He-162 bang seat with belts, plus a gunsight would be all you really need to add.

I suuppose if the Triebflugel had been built, it would have had a rotor jettison button alongside the seat arm and ejection actuation buttons, like the Do-335 had for its rear propeller.  Still, I can't help but wonder what would have been worse, trying to bail out and seeing the blur of three huge meat choppers going whup-whup-whup right behind the cockpit, or hearing a bang and then seeing your wings flying off at high speed.

On my build, the only other items I added were a D/F loop and an IFF antenna.  Now that I think about it, I forgot to add a radio altimeter.  I figure that bit of equipment would be particularly important for a tail sitting VTOL aircraft.  I replaced the outrigger struts with brass wire as the kit parts are weak and out of round.

I had read that there were propsals to paint the Triebflugel like a tree, for concealment in forests.  That would be an interesting concept.  I painted mine similar to the box art (actually, my kit came in a plastic baggie with a stapled header card), which actually makes no sense at all, as it is a night fighter RLM 76/75 scheme.

I just noticed that the thread reply format has changed, so no piccie until I figure out how to post.  No worries, I'll get it eventually.

Thanks for the tip G. I plan on haveing the canopy open with the pilot climbing on board, so i want to be adding a bit of detail. I was thikning about a jettison lever for those rotors and i forgot about the 335 haveing one. I will have to check out some cockpit drawings for some ideas.

Good point on the antennas and D/F loop, hadn't thought of those. I haven't decided on which colours to use yet. I am still not sure whether to go for a an all over scheme or a more conventional blue underside and two colour top side. Have to give it some thought. Would love to see the photos if you can post them.

Bish,

Hmmm, the cut-n-paste for the URL is not working for me now.  Maybe some compatibility problem with the new web page?  I dunno, it's all Greek to me.  Anyway, here's a link to the photo:

set 72157626675319419

Let's see if that works.

Sweet. Did you replace the outriggers for those 4 small wheels. I know someone did that as they thought thge plastic would not be strong enough.

Bish,

I only replaced the extenadable struts with brass wire.  My primary reason for doing this was that the moldings were poor.  Rather than trying to clean them up, I thought it was faster to just cut them away, drill some holes in the fins and outrigger bodies, and stick in some wire.  The outrigger bodies that the castors are attached to are not round either, but I decided to live with them.

I wonder if anyone will do a mainstream kit of this wacky plane.  I had hopes that AM Tech would follow on after their 1/48 Ta-183, but it was not to be.

Ye, i can see what you mean. I have been considering it to give extra support, now thats two good reasons.

There was/is a 48th kit by a company called Arba, who i had never heard of before, and a resin one from Planet Models. But no idea if these are still around.

Bish,

One thing you might want to do is make some kind of jig to hold the fuselage straight up, so that when you are fitting the outriggers, they all touch the ground and the model will not tilt to one side.  I got lucky on mine without using a jig, but it took quite a few tries to get it right.

I know of Planet and Arba's resin kits, but I wanted a nice injection molded kit.  I'm lazy and spoiled.

Anyway, good luck on your Huma kit!

Nice tip, thanks. I didn't realise the Arba kit was resin, i have just seen it mentioned. But i know what you mean. I have a few resin kits but keep putting off building them. Maybe one day lol

Bish,

We are actually very fortunate in this day and age, where even obscure prototype aircraft are available as injection molded kits.  When the X-Waffe bug hit me in the 1980s, they were extremely scarce.  I bought a bunch of vac-form and a few resin kits back then, but most have been superseded by injection molded versions.  I was chugging along with an Air Model Ju-287, but immediately ditched it when Huma came out with their kit.

Ye, we are a bit spoiled. As a fan of Luft 46 aircraft, i will take what ever i can get. By the way, how is that Huma 287, thats on my to buy list as well.

Bish,

The Ju-287 is a lot better than the Triebflugel.  The overall shape looks pretty good to my eyes, and the kit bulds easily enough.  The panel lines are really trenchy thoguh.  Huma includes a tiny sprue of very fine detail bits, almost like P/E but in plastic.  The Walther RATO pods are best replaced with ones from DML's Ar-234.  The decals are like frosted Scotch Tape, so you should source aftermarket ones.  The landing gear are fragile, so I replaced the main legs with Plastruct plastic coated steel wire, and drilled into the tires to anchor them.  The wheels have those huge, ugly spats, so you can't see the wire going into the tires after construction.  Linky:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ntizumi/5829165057/in/set-72157626675319419

Sorry, I still can't figure out what the problem is with pasting photos.  Didn't have that problem before the website was revised.

I have heard that about the landing gear, i think it was a review on one of the sites. Same goes for the RATO pods, but i am sure i could spare a set from one of my Ar 234's.

Sweet looking build. Odd that such an advanced design had these old fashioned wheel spats.

Now if only i could get my hands on the Huma DFS 230. thats my holy grail kit.

I use PB and haven't noticed any difference since the change. I have never used Flickr so have no idea what the problem could be.

I've made a little more headway. I decided to reposition the nose wheel in concert with the rudder. I hope it remains strong enough to support the 50+grams of weight I had to add to keep it off its tail.

The canopy fit looks real good, The radar operaror top window shoulders into the wing roots and needed just a tiny bit of ca and some fine filing to get right.

I got the gear sorted and its sitting proper! The flaps are now in place as well. The canopy masking is next and then some painting.

This is looking like one of the great buil Trey. Your work is impeccable.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks Tony really appreciate the compliment!

Masked and ready for some paint!

Much better now she has her legs. Looking forward to the paint.

Bish thanks ,when we gonna see that Triebflugal start taking shape? I'm anxious ;)

Cammo is fini,I used a ref pic for the rt side and went with a mix of the instruction and some geuss work for the top and port surface. Its not 100% accurate I'm sure, but it will do for my level of building.

I was able to get the bench set up at the weekend. But since i have moved in full time, the other half has kept me busy. It is under way but i have encountered a challenge i have had to deal with before. Cats. The cockpit floor was completed but has gone missing. I can only concluded that i have droipped it and one of the cats decided i was giving it to them. So i am now trying to scratch build one. Hopefully i can get some pics up during the week.

The camo is looking good. i don't think any paint scheme is 100% accurate. That looks accurate enough to me.

Bish looking forward to seeing that scratch built office floor,shame about the cats, I can lend you my Dog for a bit if ya want he loves cats;)!

Decals went down good after a couple of coats of future and sone micro-sol

Wash time

I had to scratch the trim tab actuator the carpet monster got the stock one

Ready for some dull cote

I'll get some pics pics up at the end of next week. Progress has been a bit slow what with one things and another.

Great looking paintwork TREY. What are you useing for the wash.

Thanks Bish I mix my own with ground pastels and a few drops of dish soap then thinned with water to the consistency I need.

Interesting that you use pastels. Am i right in thinking this is done to a gloss surface.

Bish you're right I put down a coat of floor polish or testors clear kote first,the dullcote hangs on to the tint to hard and it effects the color tone.

I'm calling it done,please feel free to critique

Interesting. I think i will give that a go next time.

Well, what can i say. Yet another stunner.

Thanks Bish!

I think it's an exceptional model Trey. I've really enjoyed the WIP along the way too. Well done and I'll look forward to learning some more from your next one.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks Tony ,glad you got something out of it! Appreciate the compliment!

Finally i am able to get a couple of pics up. Progress has been a bit slow due to one thing and another. But it should pick up now.

One issue was me loseing the cockpit floor and bulkhead. Assuming the cats had got hold of it i made a new one and was about to fit the fuselage together when the kit one turned up. So i fit that one in as it was better than my effort.

The seat is a resin one for the He 162 and the Me from a Me 262 set, though i have trimmed it a bit and moved a few bits around.

I now have the front fuselage together and you can't see muych. I have a bit of sanding and some re scribing to do next. 

Nice work Bish,was eagerly awaiting the start of this!

     well done

Time for an update on the Triebflugel. I am just about ready to start getting the paint on. I am going to paint the aircraft un assemebled, a first for me. The rescribing on the front section just behind the canopy went ok, but not perfect. I need some practice and a better tool. The panel lines on the rear section are out by a tiny amount but i have decided to leave them rather than make it worse.

I have decided to go with a paint scheme of all over light green with motteling of dark green and brown violet. More soon.

Bish looking great ,do'nt sweat the panel lines they look fine . I really hate rescribing ,probably my least favorite thing to do. Looking forward to seeing some paint on this !

Ye, i have always avoided it. But then never had a kit where the panels are out of line. But it is only minor, and hopefully the weird looking model will take attention away from the lines

The paint is going to take a bit of time as i am giving it a Black/Red defence of the Reich band and i will leave two days between each colour for masking. So hopefully by the end of next week, it should be all painted.

Heres another update on the Triebflugel. The painting is now complete. I gave it an all over coat of light green and motteling of Dark Green and Brown Violet, though its hard to tell the last two apart.

 One thing i hate about close up photo's, they show up things you can't se with the naked eye.Going to have to try and remove those little lumps now i know they are there.

 The RD band isn't perfect, i still don't have the nack for masking curved pieces like this. But its not to bad.

The paints nearly dry now, who says enamel takes a long time. So i should have the few decals on tonight.

Thanks for looking.

Trey, nice work!  More wash questions;

So you gloss clearcoat what you have, then mix the wash to the color and consistency you want and then spatter it onto the surface.  Do you wait and let it dry, or start 'working it in' immediately?  It looks like the time taken to cover the entire surface, as in the pictures above, some of it would dry.  Do you work it in/off with a damp brush, or what?  Thanks for the details!

Gene Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

Got a quck update as i am away this coming week.

The nose section has had its flat coat applied and I have added metal MG 151 cannon, a pitot probe and antennas, all items intend for He 162 and Me 262.

 On the rear section i have added the decals and a flat coat, as well as the main wheel.

I am leaving final assemply until the last possable moment. By the time i get home, i should have a soldering iron so i can make an access tower for this and get a Dio finished.

Thanks for looking, and all comments welcome.

Very nice...looks great.

Tho I do worry that you have to be gone for a week,  just to get a soldering iron

LOL, ye the things we have to do for modelling. Thanks for the comment.

Been a bit quiet on here, so time for a bit of a bump. I haven't been working on the kit this week, but have been practicing my soldering on the access tower. Its not exactly straight, and my soldering needs more practice before i move onto some detailed PE. but i think it will do the job

Just got to dig out some small wheels from the spares box and add the platform on top, then i can get some paint it. 

I was hopeing to have the completed dio done by tonight before i go away on a course for a week. But afraid it wasn't to be as i still have the figures to paint and the base to finish off.

But i am calling the aircraft done, so i will share that and the completed tower for now.

At the end, i added small wire handles on the canopy and one on either side of the windscreen for the pilot to pull himself out of the seat.

To the tower i added a platform useing sheet styrene. The wheels came out of the spares box and were originally a part of a piece of hasegawa modern US ground equipment.

 I should have the dio done within a day or so of coming home so will share those when complete.

Is anyone else still building for this GB. Seems to have gone very quiet and paperpanzer hasn't posted on the site for over a month. I hope to get mine completed in the next day or so, so i will post some pics regardless.

hey bish

i got diverted by getting ready for contests and some kit "design flaws" i need to address on the 264. plus i overextended myself on GBs. getting ready for 2013 nationals which is up the road from the house so i can take bigger models. loojing at the revell AMERICA and trumpeter CHINESE TREASURE SHIP. since i am also in a wood ship building club i have plenty of expertise to draw on for sails and rigging

Still lurking myself Bish,the build is looking great.

Thanks, and nice to see i am not alone.

I should have it done this morning.

As stated, i was able to get this wrapped up this morning.

I hope this GB picks up again, and look forward to seeing some more completed builds. 

Bish

WOW OH WOW   Great job.

That base it sets off the plane perfectly.

 The action of  the pilot running in; the crew waiting, as usual, for the anointed one to arrive to fly their aircraft.  Good Stuff.

Now heres where I may strain my welcome....

If I may, a small suggestion;  tool box guy would show better if he was on one of the unused corners. Maybe facing more toward the outside, as he  leaves with the last of the tools.  Reason I say that, is the diorama has a strong line with the pilot, plane, gantry. But the other corners are "just there" as blank voids.  So by shifting tool box guy, there would be, a new better balance to the whole scene, instead of a visually ridged line.  (quick example below)

Regardless  Great job on the whole thing, each part is very well done.

Thanks for the comments, and the suggestion. I think you have a good point. I added tool box guy as i wanted more than 3 figures, my last two German dio's only had 3, and i felt this needed one more. And he was the most sutable. I had thought of him as walking past from another aircraft, but your idea is much better.

One of the problems with builds like this is the odd shape which often leaves a corner empty. And sometimes filling it for the hell of it just looks wrong. Always nice to have the imput of others.

Bish this came out excellent and the tower really sets it off! I think you did a great job all around . Really like the finish as well,very nicely done Sir!!!

TREYZX10R

Bish this came out excellent and the tower really sets it off! I think you did a great job all around . Really like the finish as well,very nicely done Sir!!!

Excellent model Bish. It looks quite realistic with the base and tower too. It started me wondering what it would have been like to fly this thing, I don't think  I would have been too keen.

Cheers

Tony

taxtp

Excellent model Bish. It looks quite realistic with the base and tower too. It started me wondering what it would have been like to fly this thing, I don't think  I would have been too keen.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks Tony. My main concern would be landing it. Now that would have been tricky.

Bish

Steve, i have changed that figure, and you were dead right. Looks much better. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thats one of the things i like about posting photos. Others can often see what what you may have missed.

Hey guys, back in the forum, pardon my initial slowness, i need to get used to the photobucket changes, and update my GB thread. I've merely skimmed over the last few pages, anything new happen?

Nice to see you back, hopefully it will pick up again now.

This GB is long since done and dusted, but I eventually finished my prototype. It's Tamiya's 1/72 Aichi M6a1-K Nanzan. Better late  than never I guess.

Cheers

Tony

Nice looking build Tony. I had forgotten this GB was still running until March.

Very nice build Tony!

Thanks Bish and M1930. Appreciate the comments.