BAT(WING SHIP) OUT OF THURINGIA [HO.229]

[andyh59]

Let me begin by saying I'm not into the 'What If' Luft.'46 scene. I prefer to build aircraft that actually flew, even the development and prototype machines so this particular build is the exception to the rule!

Having seen the builds of the S.W.S. 1/32 scale kits and the very good reviews they were given, when they down scaled some of their kits to a more acceptable 1/48 scale (personal opinion!) I had to build one. I chose the Horten Ho229, result not quite as expected!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ill fitting panels were the biggest problem I encountered, I was unsure how to display the 229 when I was building it, it seemed a crime to conceal all those internal details:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

My decision to display was eventually to attach the underside panels permanently, after painting and the nose 'cone' and leave the upper panels loose to display the innards:-

 

 

 

 

As can be seen the panels are a terrible fit probably due to my own fault whether this would have been rectified had I left all the panels transparent but glued them into place???

This kit is not an easy build, many times this aircraft nearly made it's maiden flight across the room, but for the cost I felt I had to finish the build.

I have a feeling the engines were one of my problems in that they didn't fit in the frame as they should have. This resulted in not being able to fit the nose 'cone' properly and with the main top panel not fitting very well left a large gap between them. I lost count of how many times the wings fell off and eventually resorted to using wire from a paperclip to hold them permanently in place. As can be seen some of the other panels weren't a brilliant fit either.

Colour scheme - as the original machine was captured by the Americans and totally repainted in spurious colours and markings, no record seems to exist of the original markings or colours. I followed the premise that as a prototype it may have been painted RLM02 Grau overall. A little research on the web turned up a research paper into the study that the Germans were attempting to make the Ho229 a stealth fighter!! It has been dismissed that, that was incorrect, but what interested me was that upon removing one of the metal panels they found a green paint on the plywood it was covering and mention was made of some of the interior being painted in the same paint. This was thought to be a fire retardant paint, so I decided to break up the overall grey scheme with some green paint on the 'tail' and also on the interior. Unfortunately the decals on the top wings silvered slightly but by this time I had had enough of this kit.

I am not criticizing this kit I put most of the problems down to losing patience with the build and things not working out the way I had hoped, if you want a demanding build try this kit!!!  

 

 

           All the best Andy

[ScottC]

Very Impressive build there Andy.

 

ScottC

[CedB]

Very nice Andy - I'm sure I won't be the last person to look at the first photo and think "what happened to the wing join" but then all becomes clear!

Great solution and you're right to show off that detail - well done Sir  

[Beard]

My word, that's some level of detail. It looks most excellent.

[stevej60]

Look's like a labour of love Andy,superb work all round.

[andyh59]

Thanks for your positive comments on this (exasperating) build. I noticed that I didn't explain the title of this post so here goes. When the Americans found the Ho229 someone referred to it as the Bat Wing Ship ( the research paper I found gave me this information). The aircraft itself was found in the Gotha factory in Thuringia, a forested area of Germany which appears to have escaped allied bombing. Couldn't resist the comparison to Jim Steinmans' composition,

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all the best Andy

[k5054nz]

I wish there was a "Love" button. Bravo Andy!

[bruce bay]

Never even crossed my mind to make a Horten... but having seen this I am itching to. Really great looking.