Heather Kay Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) Dornier Do17P, 3rd Staffel, I Gruppe, Fernaufklärungsgruppe 22, April and May 1940 We are, perhaps, more familiar with the Do17Z series aircraft, with the characteristic large greenhouse canopy over the cockpit area, but the Luftwaffe continued to use earlier variants of the type well into the Second World War. While effectively relegated from frontline duties after the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of war in 1939, the older planes saw service in reconnaissance, meteorological flights and training duties. The subject of this model, the Do17P, represents the long range photo reconnaissance type, and as such finds a place in my 1940 obsession collection. There are kits of the Do17P and M series aircraft available from RS Models. Being from the awkward squad, and having acquired a second-hand boxing of Airfix's venerable Do17E/F a while back and still having the remains of a Revell Do17Z kit stashed away, my mind wondered how hard it would be to combine the two and get what I really wanted. The Revell kit would donate the wings and engines - and subsequently the tailplane as well - while Airfix's none-too-shabby fuselage would give the characteristic Flying Pencil outline. After some head scratching, comparison with drawings and photos, and a bit of a think, the challenge was accepted. I reckon it could be made to work, and the WIP thread is linked to below. Enjoy the false starts, errors, and final triumph in all its glory! So, to the pictures. The Airfix kit's transparencies had been short shot, so I had to source the Falcon vacuum-formed set. I got a pair of resin wheels meant for the Do17Z, so a little larger than they ought to be, from Kora, and a PE upgrade set for the Airfix kit from Extra Tech. The latter chiefly gave me the cockpit details, plus loop and "towel rail" antennae. Painting began with Humbrol acrylics, but ended with Hannants' Xtracrylix. Transfers were a hodgepodge from the original Revell boxing, spares in my files, Xtradecal swastikas, and a neat bodge using RAF interwar code letters to give the unit markings. As ever, my finishing let me down. I couldn't get the Falcon transparencies under the nose to sit neatly at all. On the whole, though, I am pleased my cross-kit adventure worked out fairly well. It looks like a Flying Pencil, and will sit in my Luftwaffe section happily as an unusual type that isn't often seen. I might eventually source a "proper" Do17M or P kit, but we'll see. The rather lengthy WIP thread is here: Edited April 14, 2020 by Heather Kay RS, not Valom! 37 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quid100 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Lovely conversion, excellent modelling ! Wulfman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 That's some excellent plastic surgery Heather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Very nice result of rather massive conversion. Congrats! I like your very realistic angles of taking photos. I have personal experience with conversions of Do 17 - some years ago I did from Monogram 17z the 215. It was before the 215 was available by ICM... If you dig a bit out it was on RFI. Small correction to your info - the models of M, P and K variants of Do 17 are from RS not Valom. All the best Jerzy-Wojtek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 2 hours ago, Quid100 said: Very nice. 2 hours ago, Wulfman said: Lovely conversion, excellent modelling ! Thanks both! 10 minutes ago, Cookenbacher said: That's some excellent plastic surgery Heather. Ta. The only negative is the nacelles should be narrower. That was a step too far for my skills. 7 minutes ago, JWM said: Very nice result of rather massive conversion. Congrats! I like your very realistic angles of taking photos. I have personal experience with conversions of Do 17 - some years ago I did from Monogram 17z the 215. It was before the 215 was available by ICM... If you dig a bit out it was on RFI. Small correction to your info - the models of M, P and K variants of Do 17 are from RS not Valom. Well spotted, JW! I’ll correct my post. I suppose I should consider a 215 for my collection, though there weren’t all that many in Luftwaffe service. They were an export order that was diverted to the Luftwaffe after the war broke out. For the photography today in broke out my big camera. Usually, I’m happy with my iPad, but I felt it was about time I used my DSLR properly for a change. Totally different techniques needed, so I was busily trying to remember how to do miniature shots! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 It got there in the end! Take ten minutes and relax. Seriously, Great pictures, you'll need to buy a bigger cabinet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 13 minutes ago, Pete in Lincs said: you'll need to buy a bigger cabinet. Don’t I know it. We specced one up from Ikea last year. I only need the one kidney, don’t I? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Nice looking plane. I'm impressed with the ring sight on the MG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 11 hours ago, TonyW said: I'm impressed with the ring sight on the MG! The Extra Tech PE sheet had several, intended for the regular planes that had three or four guns. It took some patience and a steady hand to get it in place, I can say. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Well that turned out beautifully Heather after all the hard work… a great addition to the collection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Thanks Ced! I've just realised I’ve forgotten the wing mounted pitot tube. Something to sort out later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Good to see this get done Heather. It has come out very nicely. Your effort was worth while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 2 hours ago, Greg Law said: Good to see this get done Heather. It has come out very nicely. Your effort was worth while. Thanks Greg! The missing pitot tube is now fitted. A concoction of fine brass tube and wire, beaten to flatten slightly, then filed to roughly the right shape. Back in the cabinet! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Heather, I said it during the WIP and I'll say it now. This is a fantastic and exceptional finished product.Especially when you consider it is a combination of two different kits from two different manufacturers. You have shown several techinques that I want to try in the future. Can't wait to see what new adventures you will regale us with next. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Simply lovely job all considered. Well done! Miguel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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