maarten.schonfeld

Nope. The first series were all called 'K' (for 'Koloniën', not K1!), with three similar turrets (only used for training, X-1to X-12) or with the larger spherical middle turret, X-13 to X-36 for operational use. Only the last seven from this series were manufactured in the Netherlands. The K2 was really different in having more powerful engines, larger fuel capacity and a modified rear turret allowing downward firing. Only one, X-37, was delivered before the netherlands got overrun in May 1940. Thirteen flying boats in various state X-38 to X-50 were in the factory in Papendrecht when German took over, these were impressed into German service as version 'N' (for Netherlands'), only X-40 was flown to Dornier and served as the prototype for the T version with Bramo 323 engines. The other twelve retained the Wright R-1820.G105 engines their entire life.

Sorry, X-24 was also a K, not a K2. But it was different in having the larger spherical middle turret. The other four RAAF were of the initial series, having three similar turrets. The only K2 delivered to the Netherlands East Indies was the last one, X-37. That oen was demolished at Surabaya.

Thank you very much for the info, Erik! I appreciate. I will contact Anthony Spiessens then. All the best for yourself! Kind regards, Maarten

Thank you for these wonderful pictures!

My congratulations that you seem to have made some reason from that Kora kit! The real problem is: there seems not to have been a particular standard transport platform platform for the Do 24, not within the German service. The reason: the type was only impressed into German service, AFTER the German occupation of The Netherlands in May 1940. Before that date, the German military had shown no interest into the flying boat whatsoever. In an early stage it had already lost out in a 1937 competition with the BV 138 'flying clog', that type having been selected as the standard for aerial rescue services (Seenotrettungsdienst). In the meantime, Dornier had secured a contract from the Dutch Naval Air Service for the Do 24K, modified having three US Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines. The Dutch received 36 examples up to May 1940, all being delivered in the Dutch East Indies to their Surabaya Naval base. It was there that a need arose for a handling platform annex trailer, and a local Surabaya steel construction firm, Braat, was charged with the design and construction of an unknown number of these. I estimate the total must have been twenty or less. Pictures of these Braat platforms are extremely rare. The only further clue I have are the Aviolanda works in Papendrecht, Netherlands, where in early 1940 production of Do 24Ks took place. At least one photo (of the X-32 under inspection by Prince Berhard) the flying boat is on a platform, clearly visible from the side. This could very well have been such a Braat-platform, either shipped back from Surabaya or constructed locally according to tha Braat plans. With what I know now this could have been the only source for the Germans, who took over control of the Aviolanda factory in May 1940. Besides a number of almost ready flying boats, they could have found this transport platform as well. Unfortunately no drawings or good pictures have survived from this source, so I really wonder how Kora have designed their kit in the first place. It could very well have been by gross assumptions on similarity with other such platforms for other boats.

Hello Erik, Nice to hear from you! I was looking around on the WWW for decals of the Airbus A400M in Belgian and Luxembourg (!) Air Force scheme so I stumbled across the Aviation Megastore. Well known to me, as well ast their sometimes steep prices: they are a commercial business, not a hobby club. They still advertise your sheets, but the availability is zero. Now I understand I shouldn't expect any deliveries from them anymore. As I also know 'Printmetwit' quite well and enjoy doing business with them, would you maybe provide me with your design file for the A400M? And by chance, did you design the Luxemburg AF markings as well? Kind regards, Maarten (from Herk-de-Stad, Belgium)

I like your result, themcgarvie! The colour orange seems pretty close to what it needs to be.

Michal, I'm slow to pick up your beautiful build of HMS Jed. Thank you very much for sharing! I only found it when I was about to proceed with my build of HNLMS Johan Maurits van Nassau, also a River class (ex HMS Ribble) - you even mentoined it somewhere along your build. She was extensively modified in 1952 before being sent to Korea to play her part in that conflict. I just learned that in the rebuild her 4" main armament was replaced -- but for heavens sake, by what? Obviously no British or US guns... But the Navweaps site came to the rescue: it appears she received German 10,5cm sk c/32 guns! Still not obsolete in the fifties, and these even remained in Norwegian use until 2002... I was happy to find these being available from Black Cat. The basis of this extensive rebuild is the old ISW USS Burlington kit, really no match for Starling. But as the hull is pretty good in shape and dimensions, I can live with it: almost anything above the deck needs to be replaced anyway. Again, thanks for your inspiring HMS Jed, I have no hopes to even come close to your quality or finesse! Kind regards, Maarten

Why are you so picky on the DAF? In the first place it represents the 2800, not the 3300 as you mentioned. When you have the proper plans of the 2800 (I have) it measures out perfectly against those. Certainly the windows are not too small, they are exactly right. So please check your references before you bash down an old kit, mate!

Chris did it! He indeed built a stunning Q400 out of the Hobbycraft kit: that's really quite an accomplishement. My full appreciation for what he did, he did the real thing really justice. And yes, to do this to the full quite an extensive plan is required, and Chris' modesty doesn't tell where he cut corners to get to the finish. Doing all the required update would have taken even more time and effort.

How cute! I have no other word for it... 😉

Well, that's the point! I don't WANT to make use of any Photo Hosting Service, as these are causing trouble and rising costs all the time. I just want to share MY photos, and not having any hosting service picking a grain along the way and making it MORE difficult!

To add on this: although the interior of these boats is mainly black or very dark grey, the part forward of the two front seats is awfully visible through the three large windshields. So I modeled the forward slant bulkhead with the hatch to the forward compartment for the rescued people. Also two coamings over the forward instrument panels were added for the same reason.

I believe the keel needs some corrections to fill the irregularities caused by the peculiar (but functional) locking tabs. Further, the stern Hamilton waterjets will benefit very much from improvements, such as opening the orifices, adding the reverser actuator rods and gouging out the reverser buckets with a dentits's drill bit. Also, the inlets at the bottom deserve grills, made from seven small strips of Evergreen (.010 x .020) on each side. I haven't found a way yet to upload some pics to this website, unfortunately, otherwise I would illustrate my point.. I personally prefer the cream-white bottom on some of the boats, the large black bottom on many of the others are visually unattractive in my view. But now I need to get that Airfix decal sheet with the other registrations, I haven't seen it outside the UK yet! I found only three boats with the cream bottom, these are 13-02, 13-03 and 13-06, but there may be others as well. Maarten, Belgium (I posted this also into the 'Rumourmonger' topic on this new kit)

I believe the keel needs some corrections to fill the irregularities caused by the peculiar (but functional) locking tabs. Further, the stern Hamilton waterjets will benefit very much from improvements, such as opening the orifices, adding the reverser actuator rods and gouging out the reverser buckets with a dentits's drill bit. Also, the inlets at the bottom deserve grills, made from seven small strips of Evergreen (.010 x .020) on each side. I haven't found a way yet to upload some pics to this website, unfortunately, otherwise I would illustrate my point.. I personally prefer the cream-white bottom on some of the boats, the large black bottom on many of the others are visually unattractive in my view. But now I need to get that Airfix decal sheet with the other registrations, I haven't seen it outside the UK yet! Maarten, Belgium