JWM Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) Hi, This time from my current, 2016, model production. Next “old and odd German” – the eleventh one. Actually more Swiss then German. This is Dornier Do 22 Kj, a observation floatplane and torpedo-bomber, designed and produced by Dornier factory in Switzerland in Alterhein near Constanza. Produced in small series only 29 items, but used in three countries: Yugoslavia, Greece and Finland, which got machines intended to go to Latvia. Very complete description of the type one can find here, for example http://www.histaviation.com/Dornier_Do_22.html. In fact there was the fourth country using it – it was UK Yes, because eight (for sure No 306, 308,309,313 and 4 others) out of orignally 12 existing RYAF Do-22 Kj flies to Egypt after collaps of Yugoslavia as result of in April War (1941) with Germany and they formed there the Squadron 2 of RYAF which became in fact a part of 230 Squadron RAF. They were operating till autumn 1942, when problems with spare parts for servicing forced end of exploitation. They were used for anti-submarine and sea-shore patrols, although on photos they carry normal bombs not depth charges. There is one really paculiar detail of construction of Do-22. She has one fixed MG fairing to the front. But where it was? I have found finally on a cutway - it was hidden in the air intake to the oil cooler on the top of fuselage ... The kit is US short run by Xotic/Aviation USK. It is injected model with some resin parts – among them nice interior. There are some flaws like shape of windscreen. In instruction it is proposed for self-made by a modeller, but proposed shape is wrong – it is said to be three section windscreen whereas on photos it is a single piece of organic glass (rounded). The other mistakes in instruction are positions of inner struts between fuselage and floats – photos shows that they should come in different, (lower) sites on inner side of floats, below the vertical strut, whereas instruction shows a single point for each pair on top of float. From construction point of view it would be much weaker of course. Besides those corrections, following photos I made some other modification to model: separate exhaust tubes of Hispano-Suiza engine, outlet of oil cooler beneath fuselage, opened end of engine main cooler, shorted struts supporting wing (the kit original struts are too long what ruined characteristic dynamic layout of a real Do 22). I added the rigging and gun sight as well as some inlets in front of engine. I added also window on the bottom of fuselage and three bomb rocks with bombs. There are informations about carrying two bombs, but photos shows three for sure. I added also some more then suggested in instruction elements in Dornier system of controlling horizontal stabilizers and mass balances on wings. Painting scheme – in kit there are painting schemates and decals for 6 machines (about one fifth of total production!): two RYAF, two RGAF (Grece) and two Finns. There are also "hidden" decals for RGAF PZL P24 (serials delta-112 and delta-102 and red spider) as bonus, which is not identified (!) in instruction. The doubts about the painting scheme I was trying to solve in a separate thread of WWII forum some week ago ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234998130-markings-on-dornier-do-22-ryaf-in-egipt/). What I 've learnt - It seems that original RYAF Do 22 Kj were all light grey (I was using Humbrol 64 for similar colour on Dornier Wal). During the April War they got some fresh green spots on uppersides. After escape to Egypt they were repainted to some British colours, a bit similar to TSS but for sure not exactly that one. The contrast between two upper colours is far bigger than in TSS. The tradition is that darker colour was green-grey and the lighter was blueish –grey. I think it could be something like on early Martlet Mk I. But I am not sure. I used Humbrol 125 and a mixture of H31 darkered by adding H244+H33 as the greenish one. The bottom was in light grey (H 64). Thanks to Voja ( ) on the mentioned above WWII thread I've leart also that national insignia underwent modification in Egypt – first the white crosses (Kosovo crosses) were removed lefting only the background: red, white and wide mid blue center which then got white overpainted from top, then also from bottom and finally machines got British roundels. I made in intermediate state – with upper signs without white and lower with it. The last my reflection about this build - The most interesting would be machine no “308” – which has some additional circles and near triangular spots painted on similar to "306" pattern at least on right side of fuselage – unfortunately I have no idea about colours of those spots. Therefore I made more secure “306”. Nevertheless, photos (but not any profile) showes that "306" should has some dark colour strip on spinner (red, black, blue???) – I had difficulty to decide, which of them. So please - any expert on Yugoslovian colours - make advice, please. I will add it with pleasure . P.S. I was tryiing to catch daylight making the photos - perhaps the matt coat was not perfectly dry yet... Comments welcome Cheers Jerzy-Wojtek Edited July 26, 2017 by JWM Switch to Flickr 27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Hi Jerzy Beautiful job, love the weathering on the floats. I believe the Aviation Usk kits can also be part vacform and the quality of the moulding can be questionable which makes what you have achieved here all the better, congratulations mate. I think I have a Mach2 version of this, enough said, one look in the box, try not to faint with fright, close the box......and breathe ! Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Hi Jerzy!!! Have soon watched the nice build you have done here with this little known kit from the now defunct range from Xotic/Aviation Usk. Those guys have made a nice catalog with some dark models not easily spotted from mainstream and other manufacturer in the now expanding modeling scene, so those as this one depited here are from the onels sorely missed, specially after have been enjoying the great build you have done here. Thank you very much for sharing!!! Cheers, Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vh-bob Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 JWM, a terrific build of an attractive aircraft. Your efforts have shone some light on a little known aspect of WW II. Trev. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Another interesting, obscure, and well-done model, J-W! I've always liked the look of the Do-22 - I even had this kit once, a long time ago, but unfortunately lost it. Seeing what you've done with yours makes me wish I still had it. Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Another superb model Jerzy,..... great job on a little known subject, Cheers Tony. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Superb! It's a subject that interests me too and I so glad to see one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 That's another interesting looking aircraft. Did it have a third crew member for the ventral gun, or was the gunner expected to be a gymnast? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 Gents - many thanks for comments and likes Luis, the USK company was very interesting indeed. I do hope some day someone will start to produce Aviation USK/Xotic again. I still serching for their Savoia 84 and Fiat RS-14. I have in stash theirs Dave, Stella and Fokker T.V. I am studying possibility of converting Ca 133 from Fly Ca 101... We will see. John_W - the Do 22 has crew of 3 with two gunners Many thanks again Jerzy-Wojtek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 Gents - many thanks for comments and likes Luis, the USK company was very interesting indeed. I do hope some day someone will start to produce Aviation USK/Xotic again. I still serching for their Savoia 84 and Fiat RS-14. I have in stash theirs Dave, Stella and Fokker T.V. I am studying possibility of converting Ca 133 from Fly Ca 101... We will see. Hi Jerzy!!! I hope so as the good souls of Squadron had bought the remaining stock of decals and models to sell when the company liquidated along time ago...but hope the same as you My Friend!!! Cheers, Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 On 29.05.2016 at 6:13 AM, Luis Alfonso said: I hope so as the good souls of Squadron had bought the remaining stock of decals and models to sell when the company liquidated along time ago...but hope the same as you My Friend!!! Cheers, Luis Alfonso Many thanks Luis Alfonso! We have to have hope! I am restoring today my Dorniers (two 217, 215, this 22, WAL in RYAF, 18, 17 SCW and 26) Regards J-W 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 9 hours ago, JWM said: Many thanks Luis Alfonso! We have to have hope! I am restoring today my Dorniers (two 217, 215, this 22, WAL in RYAF, 18, 17 SCW and 26) Regards J-W Hi Jerzy!!! Maybe those guys have bought all the moulds too, ....thing that BTW seem a good theme for a thread, maybe one of the Good Guys here can say something about. Cheers!!! Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted July 27, 2017 Author Share Posted July 27, 2017 12 hours ago, Luis Alfonso said: BTW seem a good theme for a thread, maybe one of the Good Guys here can say something about. Some days ago I asked question on Rumourmonger about the moulds from Aviation USK/Xotic. And tThere are some news which are rether no optymistic. I asked this question because I am thinking now on conversion of Caproni 101 by Fly into Caproni 133. It looks doable... So this is one of my plans for scratch conversion in close future (another are Aero 101 from Aero 100 and Potez 65/62 from 540) Cheers J-W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 Cool! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 On 27/7/2017 at 1:44 AM, JWM said: Some days ago I asked question on Rumourmonger about the moulds from Aviation USK/Xotic. And tThere are some news which are rether no optymistic. I asked this question because I am thinking now on conversion of Caproni 101 by Fly into Caproni 133. It looks doable... So this is one of my plans for scratch conversion in close future (another are Aero 101 from Aero 100 and Potez 65/62 from 540) Cheers J-W Will look for that, maybe there would be a light in the horizon about that... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 What an interesting story JWM, and great research. Your model looks splendid and the paintwork very well done. Interesting scheme and back-story. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Gents, many thanks J-W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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