Reich Defenders V: Hunters of the Dark

P1 amended!

M/TB379

Well I have made up my mind, I'm changing my entry to the Pro Modeler 110G-4. Hate to brag, but for it to be bought and delivered to my doorstep for $14 USD, how in the world could I not?

Trey now they are starting to look like 88s

TB thanks appreciate that.

Doug after seeing the great job you did on the 88 I'm sure you'll whip that hobby crap Do17 into shape! As you've already stated theres lots of a/m & resin goodies out there for it! Anyway always like to see the off the beaten path subjects!

Got the wings and tail feathers on, starting to take shape!.

Thanks Mike... Yeah, the Hobby Craft kits are not known for their quality and will likely take a bit of patience and a fair share of cussing, () But with some PE and a bit of resin, might make for a good base to begin from. Besides unless you want to take a second on your house, there aren't too many other chioces in that kit, but were going to give it a shot...

Doug

Doug -- I'll put you down at once, the -17Z nightfighter would be a great subject, and I'll be most interested to see how you handle a Hobbycraft kit! I mist say, that Do-435 sounds a beast, and quite a subject for a conversion...

Trey, great progress!

M/TB379

Man... About a deadly looking aircraft as I've seen! Love the 30mm!

You know, I've tried to find a definitive picture, but I'm still finding wildly different descriptions. The 435 is said to have retained the pusher piston engine, 2 Jumo222 jet turbans and slightly longer wings, then I see pictures with the frontal engine with a jet engine internal where the rear one would have been and a large air intake on the fuse spine, and another with a stretched nose and jet engines, not sure what to believe yet.

8./ZG 26 in 1942

Whoops forgot pic

Doug look at this pic

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Doug

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.

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

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

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

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 ;)

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.

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?

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

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

Doug

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

M/TB37

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