AIRCRAFT - "Prototypes and Paper Projects" Group Build - Still Open.

Thank you for the comments about my pictures Lucien and frosty!

The paint chipping on the Do 335 was done by a ooo size brush and silver paint, however I can't recommend this on 1/72 scale aircraft since it is way too easy to go too far. I have changed the way I do paint chipping by using a silver artists pencil, this seems to work better on small scale aircraft since it offers greater control of the chipping process. Sometimes it helps to remember less is more when it comes to weathering.

At the top of the fuselage over the rear engine on the Do 335 there is a massive fit problem, the top of the fuselage is wider then the sides it sits on. That was by far the worst of the fit problems, worse than the front of the windscreen.

frosty, the Ho 229 is a very easy and quick model to build, the shape of the engine intakes look too square and should be rounded off more. On my model I added more washout to the wingtips by heating the upper and lower wing halves in hot water and then bending the parts until they were the right shape. The wings are way too flat as they come out of the box.

I am still trying to age my pictures to look like 1945 era photos, two weeks ago I got some new photo editing software and am looking for any excuse at all to take new pictures so I can practice making my pics look ''real''. This last batch of photos were taken under cloudy conditions. This next weekend it is supposed to be warm and sunny in my area (Oregon coast) and I will try and take some more pics.

Matrixone

Lucien,
I know how it feels not to build. I am still waiting to move into my new place, hopefully by August. Then I will be able to have a space to do my projects. My Su-37 project will now have Russian markings!! Mind you, the bobcat in my new garage may be used for no good, if I am allowed to keep it!

Oh yeah... Now I see it.
Still, it looks fine from over here!

Hopefully, very soon, I'll take a trip to my "local" hobby store- it's about 45 minutes away. (The second closest one is in Ohio! I live in southeast Michigan) But I finally have just enough money to get something small. There's just one problem with the shop closer to me- the guy in charge running the place overcharges everything by at least $10! Ah, well. What can you do?

I still need to get an airbrush, though. I have a small cache of money I'm not touching until I call to order it!

QUOTE: Originally posted by matrixone Thank you for the comments about my pictures Lucien and frosty! frosty, the Ho 229 is a very easy and quick model to build, the shape of the engine intakes look too square and should be rounded off more. On my model I added more washout to the wingtips by heating the upper and lower wing halves in hot water and then bending the parts until they were the right shape. The wings are way too flat as they come out of the box. I am still trying to age my pictures to look like 1945 era photos... Matrixone

Matrixone:
ur welcome... i think the pix look the way u intended, nice vintage effect !
re: intakes, i thought they looked kind of wrong, actually took a rat tailed file & rounded them off a bit more this AM...

i also started scratchbuilding some bulkheads 4 the cockpit
(flat panels w/ tubular framing, i'm just making it up as i go since i don't have ref pix )
added pads for the seats after filing off the mold parting seams
i've already doubled the amount of pieces in the kit, LOL !
what colors r u going 2 use 4 ur 229 ?
i'm not sure what i'm going 2 do 4 the camo finish,
maybe not what's on the box, tho'...

frosty

Frostygirl- The best thing about Luft '46 aircraft (or so I've heard) is the paint sceme, because you really have no restrictions. My advice- have fun with it!

Matrixone- If I can offer any advice about making the pics look older, can I recommend adding sepia tones to it? You know, a brownish tint. But that's just what I think.

frosty,

There is very good information on the Ho 229 in a couple of books that might still be available, ''German Aircraft Interiors 1935-1945'' and ''Jet Planes of the Third Reich The Secret Projects'', both of these books are from Monogram Aviation Publications and are very well worth the investment of the money.
As I look at the picture of the Ho 229 that I built I regret not having the reference books when I built it, those intakes on the engines are pretty ugly, they should have been sanded down a bit. But it was in the 1980's when it was built and I did not have access to the photographs and drawings of this plane like I do now.
I plan on doing a RLM 75 mottle over RLM 76 base coat and black undersurfaces as the camo for my Ho 229. Possibly a scribble pattern of RLM 81 and 82 over that.
I will be looking at a lot of photos of captured German nightfighters that survived the war to help give me ideas on what camo would be correct for this airplane.
This weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny in my area and I will try to take some better pics, I take all my photos outside to use natural light. However the last three weekends have been wet and very heavy overcast, no good for taking any quality pics.
After I gain more experience with my camera and photo editing software I plan on making my pictures look so much like the real thing that it will be hard to tell the difference if its a model or the full sized warplane. By next year I might reach that goal.

Matrixone

Lucien,

I do plan on having some of my pictures aged with a slight brownish tint to them, but not all the pictures.
Last night I got my copy of the Kagero book on the Fw 190 (vol. 4) and noticed the quality of the pictures, they were all different, some were clear, others were blurry, and others had the light brown tint to them. There were even a couple that were faded out.

If you like the late model Fw 190 D aircraft, get that Kagero book! It has a few pictures of some really cool paint schemes that I never knew existed, this book even comes with a decal sheet for both 1/72 and 1/48 scale D-9s and Ta 152. Also very good color profiles and even detailed drawings of ALL Fw 190 D-9 and Ta152s that were built and planned to be built.

Thank you for your input on my ''aged'' photos, I might be able to try again next weekend if the weather is good enough for taking pictures.

Matrixone

hi, gang !
i'm uploading some WIP pix of the Ho 229 i'm building rite now,
if my digicam batteries hold out...
i'll try & link the pix ...






have a good weekend, everybody !

frosty

Good stuff, frostygirl. How'd the landing gear situation turn out? At least something is going on! Been a little slow...

Nothing new from me, unfortunatly. Keep up the good work!

Lucien,

No aircraft construction from me either, but I did get some more done on the new hanger, tomorrow I expect to get a lot more done. Its not so easy scratchbuilding things like buildings when you are an aircraft modeler.

I have been hoping more people would be joining this group build by now, I have been checking it out every day and it has been very quiet the last few days.

Here is a couple pics that have my old Ho 229 in it.





Matrixone

You guys are not going to believe this, but I finally have some pictures . The rented digital camera does the job. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do much modeling the last few days, so this is the current state of affairs:
The XP-55 box:


This is what's inside (partially built up):


The detailed cockpit. Is it me, or did I glue the seat in too upright?


The wheel wells installed after a whole lot of sanding. That paint's horrible, but I've been having airbrush troubles..... so I used a brush. I'll have to try again.


To fit the wingtips I had to drill small holes and insert some wire. I then superglued and filled the seems. Turned out better than I had expected:


Finally here's a pic of the YF-23 temporarily mounted on the stand. As you can see the tails are still off (they snapped off while masking), but these will be reattached using superglue and wire. I've filled the cracks where they broke off with liquified styrene (using glue) and later superglue. Then I sanded and drilled a new hole with a small hand drill. Fortunately it worked. Another near-disaster, lol. By the way, the paintjob won't stand up to close scrutiny: I got some splattter on it because of paint buildup in the nozzle/ using an air can. Will I ever learn how to airbrush? Anyway:

Nice work there, Filibert. Nice pictures of that Horten, Maxitrone! I should have some more pics of my Dornier soon...
I ran out of compressed air last week, but i finally got some yesterday, and some bare metal foil, So I spent several hours last night masking the Dornier's nose canopy. i've got a few hours free now, so after I've posted this I'm going to spray the topside of the Do 217E

hmmm...maybe I should get an airbrush compressor....!

norite,
Sounds like you are making good progress on your Do 217, I will have to try using bare metal foil for canopy masking, so far all my models have had the canopy framework hand painted. Years ago it worked O.K. but my eyesight is not as good as it once was and may have to find other methods.

Anyway, glad to see new activity in this group build, hope to join in ASAP.

Matrixone

Well, I just used up that can of air and I haven't finished with the first coat!!

grrr....not only do I have to finish this colour (#30 Humbrol) but then I have to spray the second camo colour (#65 Humbrol) in splinter style.

Bah...that means another two cans of air at the rate I'm going....

...hmm.....definitely going to consider a compressor, especially since I have the Do 335 lined up after this, and then the Bf 109z!

Still, this is a good learning experience; this is the second model I've built after a 15 year absence, and the first one that I've used an airbrush on.

The day after I say something about a slowdown- look what happens! Not that there's anything wrong with it!

Filibert- Nice pics! Still trying to figure out my digital camera... I've never used an airbrush either. Good job on the stand, too.

Norite- You're gonna have to tell us how to Foil worked out. I have some left over from my B-36 project (5 sheets! Whew!), and it's some pretty good stuff. And yes, I recommend a compressor, too. (Especially considering all the projects you have lined up!

Everyone else-

I don't know. I ran out of stuff to say.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lucien Harpress Good stuff, frostygirl. How'd the landing gear situation turn out?

Lucien:
thanx, still haven't decided what 2 do about the wheels... if i replace them,
i'll probably also redo the landing gear w/ either styrene or metal telescoping tubing,
otherwise i'll just go w/ what's there & add a bit of scratchbuilt detail.
the cockpit area is coming along, even if it's not 100% accurate, having something in there looks better than the black hole of nothingness 4 sure !

Filibert & norite:
good 2 hear u r getting some work done on ur projects !
along w/ matrixone, is it just the 5 of us in this GB ?

frosty

i'll post more pix asap...
hey, does anybody know what the little dimples outboard of the nacelles were for ?
i'm thinking either lights or guns, but i need 2 know which, 'cause i drilled 'em out
& now i've got 2 put something in, LOL !

frosty

Frosty, I'm not sure what 'dimples'you mean, but going by your description I'd say the're the mounting holes for the armament. I don't think Horten's have ever been armed in real life, but that's not the point here. Check out this picture of a model on ARC:

Or there's this one:


Guess it's all speculation, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be some kind of armament. Hope this helps instead of cofuses, lol.

If memory serves me proposed armament for the 229 was a couple of 30mm cannon, as fitted to the 262.

I bought the Matchbox 229 last week, hoping it was the Revell offering reboxed, and therefore I would use it for this GB

Unfortunately it was the PM kit.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just couldn't do it, so I gave it to my eldest to build. Which took him all of about 2 hours!!! Still he's only 7, and he's started airbrushing it as well with my old Badger 200. If possible I'll post some pictures.

Looks like I'm still searching for my entry to the GB, just a Fw190 with Hagelkorn, itself a prototype, and a 1/48 Polikarpov I-16 to complete first.

Karl

Filibert & KJ200:
thanx 4 the replies & pix !
LOL re: PM kit, there's not a lot 2 it, is there ?
but i'm having lots of fun adding stuff !
guess the 'dimples' on the leading edges of the wings r where the guns go,
based on pix.
thanx again !

frosty

change of plan on my build folks. i've resurected the Hawker P1127 that i started -then almost binned - for the nmf build, (hope you don't mind me changing things this far into the build) its he ancient airfix kit, its godawful, the fit is non existant, detail matches the fit. basicaly its a dog (no offence meant to canis familiaris). doing this for the build is probably the only way i will finish it (motivational issue going on here methinks).
cheers guys and girls.
Greg

Good news Greg! Although I do like the looks of the Saab Gripen, the P-1127 is a historically more important bird and I'd love to see a model of it. If it is such a dog detail-wise, why don't you do a 'hovering' model on a stand based on one of the many test flight pictures? The YF-23 is also pretty basic (although probably still better than the Airfix P-1127 judging by your comments), which is one of the reasons I'm mounting mine on a stand. Just an idea. I'd love to see a pic of what the raw material you work with looks like. Think you could manage a pic?

Okay, quick update:
Got another can of airbrush propellant - a BIG can made by Ripmax this time. Should last me a little longer, as I used it sparingly to finish the first colour scheme for the Dornier (#30 Humbrol) I also sprayed the metal-foil masked canopy.

Tomorrow, I'll mask the plane in preparation for the second camoflage colour, #65 Humbrol

Ah well. I just ordered a 1/72 Bf-109Z siamese twin from hannants.co.uk....I noticed that there is also a 109Z in 1/48 scale now...



and the 1/48 scale:



I figure the Dornier/Messy combo will be finished next week or two, and then I'll be all over the the Dornier 335 like a cheap suite so I'll have the 109z lined up as the next project after that.....

damn...I wonder how many prototypes I'm gonna have when this GB ends.

damn...where am I going to keep them all?

And as it's my birthday in a couple of weeks, I've dropped several LOUD hints that I want a balsa wood rocket powered Komet 163 kit made by Aerographics (40cm 16" wingspan) I was thinking of getting my Significant Other to order it online but I saw the EXACT same kit in the model shop today when I went to buy my airbrush propellant!!! phewwww......It took an unbelievable amount of self control to put it back on the shelf and walk away.....!

frosty,
Here are some interesting pics for your Ho 229




Don't know who the people are but here is the link (click on the .jpg pics).
http://www.nurflugel.com/Nurflugel/NASM/

norite:
nice choice, the Zwilling will look super....
if u r worried aboout where 2 put 'em, definitely go 1/72 !

philp:
thanx 4 the link & pix ! every bit helps...

did a bit more work on the Ho 229 cockpit:
- added tiny bits of styrene to represent rudder pedals
- added .010 steel wire 2 backs of seats
- made seat harnesses from thin strips of masking tape
- swiped stick from Me 163 kit

i'm still trying 2 figure out what the radar console & radio looked like,...
if anyone has pix of these (even from some other German nightfighter)
it would b a big help !
of course, how much of this will actually b seen once i close up the model ??
this is why i'm not too worried about accuracy... just trying 2 get some detail in there 2 convey an impression & get some more practice making stuff !

frosty

Update for me concerning the Me 328.

Tooling around the internet yesterday, I found a comparison drawing of three versions of the Me 328:

[image]http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/4082/mistel1/me328.jpg[/image]

I plan to change the PM kit (bottom aircraft) to the A-1 version (top). Planned modifications include-
-Scratchbuild Argus pulsejets.
-Painted canopy frames.
-Two piece canopy (as opposed to one).
-Airspeed indicators on the nose.
-Pitot tube on tail.
-Tail wheel.

As you can see, it's not going to be an accurate conversion. The fuselage shapes are totally different- much more different than I can remedy. The best I'm hoping for is a sort of "hybrid" between the two. Also, you'll notice I don't plan to build the skid on the bottom. I'm thinking the mounting trolly (which I also plan to build somehow) on the Ju 290Z would hide it.

I'm sorry if I'm doing a lot of talking with no action. Until I get a kit, planning is all I can do. So, I'd thought I'd share it with you guys. (And girls!)

P.S. All your stuff looks from my end!

OK, not part of the group build as I did this one last year but my idea for a what if.
The besides the Avia S-199's that Israel received for their War of Independance in 1947, a little know fact is that they also received 3 Avia S-92's (Czech built Me-262).

Hi Filibert, i'll post some pics of progress so far as soon as possable, glad you don't mind me changing things this late in the game. the undercart is going to be replaced with spares box items and the outrggers are workable, the intakes are being built up with putty because they are all wrong inside and the leading edge of them is the wrong shape. the bang seat is out of the spares box too. all the rivets have been sanded off (way overscale) and the sink mark on the port intake has been filled (and i'm STILL going to have to do it n.m.f )
cheers.
Greg

QUOTE: Originally posted by gregers Hi Filibert, i'll post some pics of progress so far as soon as possable, glad you don't mind me changing things this late in the game.

Don't worry about it. I don't even have a kit yet!

Anyhoo, I've spent the last few days thinking up paint scemes. I thought it'd be cool to do some sort of a night bomber anti-shipping dealie. Right now I'm wavering between black undersides and "splinter" pattern on the top (the one in the pic below), or black on bottom, and mottled gray on the top. I'm thinking the mottled gray would be more appropriate for anti-shipping duties. I'll see if I can find a pic of what I mean.

norite- the Zwilling looks good. Check out www.luft46.com. Go to "Messerschimitt" on the right, and look for the Bf 109Z. Loads of info there! Hope it helps!

I finally picked up a kit for this build!!!

I spent ages yesterday looking around my LHS, looking at Huma, Revell & Dragon kits. but ended up buying PM's dimunitive DFS 194 kit.

It's tiny, with a mere 12 parts!!!!!!!!

This was the development prototype for the Me163 Komet, and should make an interesting, if small subject.

I looked through all the Huma kits, but just could'nt bring myself to spend the thick end of £15 on a kit with only about 15 parts.

The PM kit only cost me £4.25.

Now I'm stuck at home with a throat infection, and no inclination to build anything!!!!!!!!

Oh well.

Karl