Mottlemaster

After 2 failed G/B completions in a row (both completed after deadline ) I have decided to continue my ambitious streak with the largest .most expensive and most advanced kit iv ever attempted to build . This would probably remain on the shelf for many years if i don't grab the opportunity to build it now . I have also a new phone /camera so uploading progress pictures should be far simpler . I have just ordered Building the Heinkel He 219 Uhu Daniel Zamarbide - Airframe Constructor Nr. 2 published by Valiant Wings Publishing. I will try the step by step approach of the book to help drive the pace forward . Comes in a large box that is absolutely crammed with plastic I will find some after market paint masks for markings and fiber seat belts . I have been looking forward to this G/B for some years so here goes................................................. Cheers Alistair

Thanks Craig It was a toss up between trying to do the spots free hand or with a mask . In the end i decided that the size ,sharpness of the border and spacing would make spraying free hand far ,far above my skill level . I started by applying an overall top coat of RLM 66 and when totally dry i applied the masks . The spot making kit . The two matchstick sizes allowed for the creation of different size spots . I found the square profile of the match stick end gave a much cleaner spot than a round applicator as maybe it was easier for the surface tension of the Copydex to break from the corners of a square . I started at the tail so i could match the spot size and dencity from the diagram supplied by Aims . It took around two days for the copydex to fully dry after which i applied the Rlm 76 . The 76 was left to fully dry so that when the edge of the spots are cleaned off with a trimmed down stiff brush i would get no smudging I hope to get some black on today but am away on holiday next week so thisone will be a non finisher .

Pushing hard , I think i can see its feet ( my too ambitious 1/48 build )

I have been strugling with time with thid build as other work has got in the way , however there has beenprogress . This is not a project i feel i can or want to rush . The painting has began and the spots have sprouted . paints used are Mr hobby rlm 66 and 76 as per Aims instructions . I am thinking that i'm probably around 75% completed so will not get to finnish it in time for the G/B . Thanks for looking Alistair

Bob , i think iv had this one in the stash for a similar length of time . Its a fun kit to build but as im learning ,cant be rushed . Its going to take some shelf space with its extended wing tips . Thoroughly recomended for the time when your bord of kits that have good fit Well spoted VP . Can you believe that i did exactly the same thing with my Dragon 88G built in the last 88stgb , lucky this time i hadnt glued the bottom of the legs on so they were a 10 second fix Its an interesting conundrum Pete . There must have been some complicated calclations on fuel tank useage to keep things balanced . This is the main fuel pump control switch board for the Ju88 and probably the same for the 188 . I got this one on ebay a few years ago as an unidentified aircraft part . Cheers Alistair

Some more progress. the spacer in the cockpit worked very well perfect canopy fit . Thanks again for VolkerR's tip . Definitely recomend the eduard mask set for this kit Bomb load is just placed on for now . i have seen a photo of a Ju 188 with this load . Dont know if drop tank needed for raid on exeter but thought it made an intresting ordinance load out . Cheers Alistair

Looking forward to seeing your skills applied to this superb kit Stew . Cheers Alistair

Wow what a superb collection. This must have taken decades to put together, Thanks for posting , Cheers Alistair

Great models and lovely ,bright and welcoming shop frontage . I wish your new venture every success. Cheers Alistair

Air Ministry poster showing vonrabilities ,armour and weaponry of Ju 88 family

Ju 388 useing the Dragon Ju 88 g6 and the Aims Ju 388 conversion

If i had started this build independently and missed out on the absolutely suberb tip from Volker i would now be facing a big problem . The canopy parts are far too wide for the cockpit and spreading the cockpit parts after assembly would have been difficult and potentially put the clear parts under tension with risk of fracture. I always try to do a series of dry fits but due to shapes and surface area of cockpit and canopy parts with the 188 , it is almost impossible to see how they would all aline when glued . The new 1mm styrene strip spacers can be seen on right of cockpit floor . Im not sure if this is how you did it Volker but it has worked a treat . I have only attached the cockpit floor to the left side of cockpit side alowing adjustment if needed later on . Held in position by hand im confident that i can get a near perfect fit lateron . Yes Vp you are correct to point out the seat cushion issue . I had infact put them at the back of the seats not at the bottom . When painted up in some leather colour they add some intrest to what is essentially a rlm 66 interior . Luftwaffe lmid and late war cockpit interiors can be rather bland . Seat belts come from a pre painted Eduard bomber set . With the front end well underway i feel that prograss may now proceed with greater pace . Thanks modelling minion for your idea on spot creation . i will do some test runs on scrap card and post results . Obviously if it doesnt work the Clearasol will sort it out Cheers Alistair

I have a severe case of writters block when it comes to making a post on my build thred . I have been slowly plugging away at my 188 but do not think that i have chosen the best kit to have any chance of completion by the end date I spent an age cleaning up the parts needed Lucky my wife goes through enough White chocoate Options to supply lids for parts storage . A coat of rlm 66 on cockpit interior . made some seat cushions from Milliput I hope to attempt this scheme of very regular and defined spots Not sure how to do them yet . The kit comes with external bomb racks but no bombs so have purchased this Probably going for the SC1000 as i like to think that this aircraft could have been the one that left this behind in Exeter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-56226798 I will try to get another posting up before the GB end date Cheers Alistair

Sounds like a good plan VP Enjoy your day off . Cheers Alistair

Nice one Pete and a great build thred . I have taken on board the thoughts on the bomb load for my 188 . cheers Alistair

Thats a nice project youv put together Mike . The Aims parts iv used in the past were excellent. Cheers Alistair

Fantastic fix Volker . That is a great place to hide a spacer . I will be following your method . Love your 188 pics . Do you have a build thred ? Thanks again for your reply ,much appreciated . Cheers Alistair

im voting for option 3 ,although option 4 lookks intresting with its rocket launchers Cheers Alistair

Hi Pete,I don't know if you have decided what colour the undercarriage should be but I would suggest rlm 02 including bays . Cheers Alistair

I have just cleared the work bench to make way for this project . I think its been sitting in the stash for over twenty years and if i dont build it now , i never will . I have an Aims decal sheet and will look out for some extras to add to it such as a bomb load ,seatbelts and may be an interior etch set as there will be a large glass house to peak into . In the previous Ju66 stgb i built the Dragon G6 which was loads of fun so hope this goes together as well . I am forwarned about the over wide glassing parts so hope to find a fix for that . Looking forward to following all the JU88's in the GB Cheers Alistair

I agree with Ian. If modellers want to build a large subject in 1/48 etc then they should be in another group build. I think a different level of detail is what sets larger scale builds apart from the normal. A 1/48 Lancaster would (by me ) approached in the same way as a 1/48 Junkers ju88 .A 1/32 Spitfire being no larger in size would be approached with a finer degree to detail, Cheers Alistair

i am looking forward to your build come together Craig, afer seeing your wonderful build in the recent Dornier 17 STGB . Cheers Alistair

Thanks JRK for your efforts intrying to get this over the line . Cheers Alistair

Hi Pete I'm thinking of joining in with the G/B with a Dragon 1/48 ju 188 . It would be good to see another being constructed too . I did a Dragon ju 88g6 in the last ju88 stgb and finished in plenty of time ,but I do appreciate time pressures are different for everyone. Cheers Alistair