Reich Defenders V: Hunters of the Dark

I HATE wing roots, they are my Nemesis. Those and stabilizer roots.

Don't sweat it, RR, you're taming this beast impressively! It's certainly a LOT of work!

M/TB379

Thanks guys... I would like to have it near beginnings of the paint stage when I get the repair kit for my airbrush in, It started blowing air back into the reservoir causing bubbles and foamy paint, which makes for a crappy paint job. I think its just a seal kit and if it doesn't arrive soon I'll break out the ole tried and true Paasche VLS. I just don't use it much any more because I got spoiled by the gravity feed, over the siphon gun. Oh well... we'll see... Thanks again guys.

Doug

OK all... a bit more assy done...

Now the fun begins.... Wonder how many times I can knock these off before finishing?

Well that's about all for now... Lets see, Got her standing on legs, Of course we installed flame dampers, Got the nose guns installed. These are pieces of plasti struct with the tips filed to look like the MG17 barrels and 1- 20mm  made from round plastistruct and pieces of brass tubing, Thanks to the creator of helping hands! couldn't have installed FuG220 Radar diopters without! And the crew entry hatch had to be fabricated from spare parts being none was supplied . Thanks for looking and more this weekend!

Thanks

Doug

RR, looking good. That's a big bird there.

While in The UK a few years back we visited several museums, and at the Royal Air Force Museum they had a Ju88 on display along with several other Luftwaffe aircraft. And yes indeed, it was a big birdie. I think this one had the BMW engines and was used during the London Blitz. It had been beautifully restored, Maybe Bish would be able to add a bit more on this topic. All in all, a beautiful museum and a must see if ever in the UK.

Nice work on the 88 Doug. I have not been to Hendon in years, and by years I mean since the early 80's. I should really try and pay a visit.

So I checked there site. The 88 there is an R-1, which was a version of the C but with BMW engines. It did not enter service until 1943, so really it should not be in the battle of Britain hall or in that scheme. But I guess its as close as they could get. Museums don't seem to worry to much about being historically accurate. Also in that hal is a Ju 87G, He 111H-20 and Bf 110G-2. But again I guess they ere the closet they could get.

I appreciate the info Bish, I knew that you would be the one to ask! Yea I guess they were just trying to set the mood for a historical era and the plight they had to endure. Thanks again Bish, Good to have someone with your knowledge to turn to.

Doug

No worries, I did have to cheat a bit and check up on it. I really must build an 88 soon, I have a few in the stash but none built and I really like this aircraft.

Doug the 88 is looking awesome! So much that I got inspired to start on mine

Thanks Trey... I really do like the Ju88... Such a cool looking aircraft. Luck to you and yours, will like watching the progress

Doug

Thanks Doug,totally agree theres just something cool about the 88.

I've gotten the basics of the office done,waiting for some pe seat belts to finish the seats

Got some sub assemblies together. Took some advice and glued nose sections to main fuselage first. Same with wingtips glued them to the respective half of the wing. No step minor gap at join.

Lookin Good TJ... You doing the BMW engines?

Office space lookin good too Trey, X2?

Doug doing the G-6 with the Jumo 211

Gotcha... I must be looking at the back of the housing, it looks like the rounded nose of the BMW.

Some really great work happening here, guys! Sorry I haven't been around as much as I should -- working, plus trying to get my first 109 done for the other GB! I'll start my 262 in the not too distant future, that's a promise!

M/TB379

Theyoung do have annular radiators so they almost look like a radial

TJ good call joining up those wing tips and fuse first,I made the mistake of not doing that on my first 88 build and paid dearly for it!

Doug yes I'm building 2 the A-6 & the G-6 the former does'nt qualify for this g/b so i'll try and keep it out of future pics .

I followed  TJ's lead and did the same with the sub assemblies

Got the pe seat belts in

Seats in place I'll now turn my focus on the IP

Great work, there, Trey -- the harness really looks good! The prepainting stage is a challenge but then she starts to come together and, well, the magic happens!

M/TB379

Ill say they do! That's great Trey... That's a whole lot of 88 parts. LOL...

TJ, Thanks for the info, Glad there are folks here that know there 88s, I'm reading up on them but still trying to figure them out.

Doug

Got some more done this week... starting into the paint...

Primer is done...

I forgot which radar array this is, I will have to re read to name it , but it went along with the FuG220 on some aircraft. I figured , Why not and made some to attach to the outboard leading edge of the wing.

The 76 is done and sealed on the underside...

And the 76 has been applied to the top side and I started the 75 "Spots" But they were too light so I went over with 66 and darkened them up somewhat.

The 66 did the trick and the spots are actually a bit darker then they appear here. I have read but still don't understand the use of 76 on the upper surfaces of a night fighter, I know they didn't want just a black "shadow" which blocked out the lights on the country side below, but light Blue??? 

Any way... Tis all for now, hope to get more done this weekend. Take care all!

Doug

Looks really good Doug! I'd be too afraid to put the radar arrays on while painting...I don't want to think about how many times I'd break them off

LOLOL... Yeah I said the same thing, Wonder how many times I'll knock these off, but so far so good! Thanks Bob!

Thanks TB!

Doug thats looking awesome ,great work on the mottle! The Radar on the wings is the Fug227 Flengsburg same as on the famous(or infamous if you're a Luftwaffe fan) captured 4R+UR of 7./NJG2 that mistakenly landed at an RAF base on july 23 1944. Good luck not knocking those bits off in the final stages! Looking forward to the next update. I've been busy sorting out 2 sets of landing gear,not fun!

Thanks Trey.... I reread my book(s) last night and found that info, but am still glad you posted info. I would likely have forgotten to. Funny you mentioned that mistaken landing, I also reread that incident and thought that MAYBE... was it a mistaken landing or a defection, or just a dumb azz navigator. LOL... Either way, Thanks again, and good luck with the gears!

Take care,,,

Doug

PS... Seems that the Luftwaffe had a number of "mistaken" landings of that sort. But after a mission and throwing in the confusion that occurs during and after the battle... Who knows.

Rigid, that is a huge and awesome looking bird. I'm totally diggin' the spot camo pattern. Very cool. Looks really good.

Trey,  nice two at once.  

Doug. That is looking like it's going to be a winner.

Brandon, Johnny, Thanks guys...Shes coming along! I didn't have a lot of time to work on today, I'm having 5 LARGE pine trees removed from the front of my house, and I'm a bit nervous being they almost had to buy a house earlier. 1 tree (after liming) started to twist (which pines are known to do)  as it was about 2/3 of the way cut into and luckily they were able to tie off to another truck to pull away from the house before it finally came down. (WHEW) Any way I've had about all the excitement I can handle for 1 day. Thanks again guys!

Doug

Ok have some real progress.