Reich Defenders V: Hunters of the Dark

Well as promised... Shes done!  All in all the Cyber Hobby kit was really a joy to build, very well detailed and very few issues with assy. The one thing I was a bit taken a back with was only a smattering of rivets. I should have riveted before assy, but in my haste to get started I just plum forgot. Oh well I'm really pleased with the end results and the look of the pastel weathering. As I said earlier, it takes a lot more time to do, but I like the end results... Having said that, Here are the completed pics. Thanks ...

Well that's all for this one... Really enjoyed the build and time permitting , I'd like to do another. I'd really like to do a Do335 or Do217, either were aircraft that seem to be over looked But still very cool looking machines! I will stick my head in and watch with anticipation the other great work going on here. Take care all and thanks for looking!

Doug 

I like it. Also gives me ideas for mine

Woohoo!!! FANTASTIC, Doug! Professionally carried off, sir! Do you have a preference for the pic to go on p1???

M/TB379

Thanks TJ... Cant wait to see some more of yours taking shape!

Thank you Mike for the compliment and for hosting this build! Surprise me and pick the one you would post.

Like Arnold says... I'll Be Back!...lol, Thanks again,

Doug

I love the final look of your Ju 88, Rigid.  The weathering really stands out and makes her come to life.

As for the colors. I have started using the Vallejo model air colors.  The RLM 76 is Pale blue grey 71.046 and the RLM 75 is Grey Violet 71.128

My color might be off due to breaking the bulb on one of my lights and was forced to use a CF bulb.  I always thought one of these days I was going to drop one and yep I did.  

I will be picking up a couple for my sunpak photo box.

Thanks for the compliments

moose

She's abeauty Doug!!  I've got a few builds to finish before I start on this GB.  Prpbably going to do the Arado 234.

Steve

Thank you for the answer to my question. In the past I would do the wheel wells and LG, paint my aircraft and then set the gear afterwards. Maybe I'm not so old after all. I really would like to join a GB and take any advice and criticism I can get to get back to making some wonderful models like the ones I've seen hear so far. Thank you again guys again for the help. I'll keep watching and learning all over again. I might even join this GB if time permits, I'll have to go back and check the dates of this build. Thanks again guys.

Mike

Doug -- P1 is updated, you have the third completion for this GB!

Mike/Ret.Ranger -- we'd be more than happy to have you aboard, we're running through till late in the year.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Sanderson, great cholce! Arado is a good looking aircraft and needs more representation! Good luck.

Ranger, Welcome!  Glad yoour here...

Thanks Mike, still looking at another build, there are so many great options to select from. Back soon...

Doug

Fantastic as always Doug!

Bob... Thanks for the kind words,

Mike, you selected the picture I would have. Thats the only one that shows the 20s with the long flash suppressors in the underside pod.

Thanks

Doug

You're most welcome, Doug! Hope you come back for another!

M/TB37

You bet, just trying to come up with a subject that hasn't been done to death.

Doug

Moose the G-4 is looking great,always a fan of that airframe!

Doug that is one sweet looking 88,you really nailed the weathering. Rivets on the 88 were near invisible. I'm watching a restore in progress on line and they have sheet metal experts trying to figure how they did such a smooth rivet job on them! The rivets dissapear after one coat of primer according to the fellas doing the restore. So do'nt beat yourself up on that small detail,the bird is just fine looking the way it is! Very nicely done Sir!

I'm moving onto the Canopies but first wanted to figure a better way to do the chutes for the spent cartridges. I found that a hair tie works great,just base it with a medium to dark brown. Do'nt worry if a little fuzz stands up ,when I dry brushed the white to high light the ribs the fuzz layed right down.

Fitting the chutes and ammo feed belts was a chore ! I've never  found a picture of where the chute winds up so I'm just leaving them flush with the office floor.

Canopies in place time for the marathon masking session

Rigid, thats a gorgeous 88, great work!!! Makes me think, with all these Ju-88s that will be built up for this, instead of the Promodeler C-6, maybe I might ought to do a 110 instead. Probably the Promodeler/Revell G-4, unless I can find one of the Cyberhobby night fighters at a good price.. What do ya'll think?

TB379 I just might jump in, I just have to decide which of all the great aircraft used to give it a go. I have been testing the waters a little and have found you folks to be helpfull and encouraging to an old geezer. Thanks all. Off to find me one of them aeroplane thingies dats in pieces.

ajd3530

Rigid, thats a gorgeous 88, great work!!! Makes me think, with all these Ju-88s that will be built up for this, instead of the Promodeler C-6, maybe I might ought to do a 110 instead. Probably the Promodeler/Revell G-4, unless I can find one of the Cyberhobby night fighters at a good price.. What do ya'll think?

Ca'nt go wrong with a G-4! But nothing wrong with another 88 either ;)

Nothing wrong with another 88 at all, I'm just one of "those guys" that has to be different lol.

I fully understand my friend. I've a touch of that myself! lol... No matter what you decide, I'm sure it will shine! I've been mulling over (even though it never saw action) the prototype Do335 night fighter, and or maybe an Me262. I think my all time favorite Luftwaffe night hunter was the He219... an absolutely beautiful aircraft. So many others to choose from...

Take care !

Doug

I have fallen in love of the lines of the Bf 110.  My eduard G-4 is a beautiful kit.  Only real problems were my own doing.  Learning to build aircraft vs armor.  That and trying to rush.

In fact looking at a C.  Just love the idea of the early night fighter and the black just looks cool.

The next build on my bench is Bf-109D.  I have a decal set that has two D's that are night fighters in black.

moose

Moose, just my humble opinion, but having both of them, I feel that for the average to above-average  modeler (and if you want to builf a clean bird with all the panels on) the Cyberhobby 110 is the better kit. But I feel you; between 110s and B-25s, I believe I have 10 or 11 sitting in the stash.

Moose... The 110 is a beautiful aircraft and lends itself to many different configurations. I would welcome a good lookin 110 build!

Doug

I like the 110 also. Have a few in the stash.  Just read an article that before the Hs129 was available in Africa they mounted Mk101 30mm cannon under the belly of Bf110s. Found a pic for a future project

Johnny... Never seen the 110 with the 30mil mounted to it WOW... Bet that's a beast!

Hey Mike... I was reading from my Luftwaffe Night Fighter book this morning whilst enjoying my first cup o coffee, and come across 2 aircraft (1 I'd never heard of) in the Glossary area of the book. First is the much maligned Do-17Z one of the earliest night fighters, (Which I just so happen to have in stash)  and the Do-435 which only 2 units were ever built and were captured by the Red Army in 1945. The Do-435 was a Do335 with the front engine removed and replaced with weaponry, and 1 Jumo jet turban engine under each wing. It was also a 2 seater but not like the "Trainer version" you see in the popular model kit. The second seater (the radar operator) was in the same area as the kit, but only had a window hatch on either side sans the "hump". If I can get some better pictures I would be tempted to attempt the build of that one, but for now how about penciling me in for the Do-17Z , A HobbyCraft 1/48, of NJG2 Finland 1941.These were generally all black, but if the purest amongst us don't mind too much I may take a bit of artistic freedom in my attempt. I cant start right away, but after a couple of other commitments I will, if OK with you.

Doug

Doug: I can't believe i missed the completion of your Ju 88. Fantastic work all around! The paint scheme is perfectly executed and the weathering blends it all together nicely!

Trey: Both those airframes look brilliant so far! I hear ya about rescribing. I have no problem with fillling and snading, but the panel line rescribing afterwards is something I never enjoy doing.

Moose: Your G-4 looks like a very nice and clean build and that camo scheme is just way cool!

Thanks Clemens... Looking forward to your 219 to begin. Love the UHU, and you've chosen a great kit to represent it!

Schatten thanks!

Doug looking forward to seeing the Do-17! I converted a revell Do217E into a N1 in the last Night Fighter G/B with a Koster set. Always had a liking for that airframe,has a tough look to it. Intresting finds in your reading material ,would be neat to see one of those rare ones built.

I've masked up the canopy,not impressed with the lack of fit with the Montex,will be going back to the Eduard ones in the future.

I'll be focusing on the Engine nacelles next

thankfully I had another set of Radiator cowls, the ones in this kit had terrible heat sink marks!

Wow Trey those are quite the sink marks.  Both sides too.

Doug look at this pic