ProfSparks Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Hi All The Dornier Do 335 A-1 Pfeil ("Arrow") was a heavy fighter built by Dornier for Germany during World War II. The proposed two-seater trainer version (Do 335 A-6) was called Ameisenbär ("Anteater"). It's performance was predicted to be better than other twin-engine designs due to its unique push-pull configuration and the lower aerodynamic drag of the in-line alignment of the two engines, but delays in engine deliveries meant that only a handful were delivered before the war ended. *Disclaimer* This is to be a paint mule for my Arado 196, and so will not be finished in 81, 82 (Camouflage of the Do 335: A Critical Re-evaluation By Michael Ullmann ) *Disclaimer Disclaimer* And another thing, I doubt I'll use my general supplier Vallejo for the standard Luftwaffe maritime colours 72/73/65, but try my interpretations from Tamiya pots. So anyway, the kit in question is from this boxing Won as part of a job lot, possibly started, possibly missing pieces, definitely one I've not made before. Also in the box is a P-47 Razorback that I have been using as an after hours stress relief subject. To get an idea of the complexity of the kits, here's where I am with the P-47 You are looking at a total of SEVEN parts at this stage (wings upper and lower, fuselage halves, cockpit tub) Anyhoo, enough of it's boxmate, how does the 'eater go together? Among the words that immediately spring to mind are "Big", "Basic", and "Bloomin'eck" Not to worry, I'm only in it for the surface area. First things first, the cockpits Yee Haw! Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Two of my favorite WW2 aircraft! Looks like an opportunity for copious detailing & scratchbuilding 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wlad Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 I gave myself the Do 335 kit for Christmas in 1979. I had forgotten Monogram's half-engine treatment. Back then I was impressed with the level of detail. Built with gear up and brush painted with Polly S acrylics. Looked great hanging from the ceiling. Cheers, Wlad 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Hi All A couple of evenings pottering on with this, firstly getting the wings together, and then doodling on the cockpits. The wing light doesn't have anything behind it But that is the subject of a side quest! Cockpits, interiors etc done in a pseudo Grey, wings done in Vallejo primer grey Wing light aperture filled with Kristal Klear awaiting painting later Cockpits done with some red, yellow and dry brush silver Look a little snug for the 1/48 pilot. Anyhoo, this is not the aim. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 25, 2022 Author Share Posted January 25, 2022 Hi All Getting the halves together took a couple of tries as it as quite warped And quite a slack fit too Not to worry, the instructions say just put some tape over the top and it will bring the sides in. Meanwhile, back in The lab, after a couple of tape sessions, stronger words were needed While that was in traction, I wormed and painted the other one with Vallejo VA71.047 US grey Perhaps I should have used that one as the mule Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 Hi All Oh. My. Word. Many, many sessions in The Lab and I've only got this far Each edge of each part and panel needs to be glued and clamped and left to set individually to get them anywhere near lining up. Guess which edge is drying in that pic? (It's the short angled leading edge of the rear engine access panel, other parts clamped to get it somewhere near ) So anyway, in the spaces between, the P-47 has been completed prior to decals. They skinned over on contact with water (like a thick milky sludge), and shattered when they were moved. So there's that Anyone know of a decal set for these two? Preferably Razorback with a red nose and yellow tail? Ideally with Do335 trainer canopy masks? I may start a Stress Relief Build "Stress Relief Build" Comments and suggestions and decals welcome Cheers Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 Hannant's has a large number of P-47 razorback decals, and also a selection of masks for the DO-335 (clear parts and markings) A paint mule is the perfect excuse to try masking markings. The DO-335 actually can make up into a pretty nice kit, just takes a little carpentry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 1 hour ago, Tail-Dragon said: Hannant's has a large number of P-47 razorback decals, and also a selection of masks for the DO-335 (clear parts and markings) A paint mule is the perfect excuse to try masking markings. The DO-335 actually can make up into a pretty nice kit, just takes a little carpentry! Thanks @Tail-Dragon, you're right, I'd not thought of it like that . I must have put in the wrong search for the Do, but now I'm just waiting for the orders to arrive. Just hope I can get it nailed together by then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 35 minutes ago, ProfSparks said: Just hope I can get it nailed together by then... Remember - measure, saw, hammer, swear ... measure, saw, hammer, swear, repeat as necessary! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted January 31, 2022 Author Share Posted January 31, 2022 Hi All Following @Tail-Dragon advice, I finally secured the panels, and filled in the gaps with a "smear" of PPP They fit where they touch, but give the distinct impression of the finished model being displayed with them off. Anyhoo, a blast of Vallejo Grey primer to give a base coat similar to the 196 plastic colour And here she'll sit for a little while. I'm claiming the dodgy panel fit is the real life result of being used as a training airframe, and having quite a hard life at the hands of student drivers Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tail-Dragon Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 I ended up having to saw off the molded in engines and make tabs to hold the panels and exhaust - your way is much quicker! The old Monogram kits build up surprisingly well, just requiring more work. (and lots of 5 minute epoxy!) Looking very good so far, what paints are you going to use? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 Hi All On 2/1/2022 at 1:38 AM, Tail-Dragon said: I ended up having to saw off the molded in engines and make tabs to hold the panels and exhaust - your way is much quicker! The old Monogram kits build up surprisingly well, just requiring more work. (and lots of 5 minute epoxy!) Looking very good so far, what paints are you going to use? That certainly looks a neater solution, and easier to paint the exhausts too. If I was building in earnest I'd probably do that too. Paints for this one are going to be nearest match from Tamiya, starting with the yellow wing tips (that I know it never had) undercoated in XF-15 Flat Flesh Then a coat of XF-3 Flat Yellow Lovely coverage, deep colour, my best yellow success yet, almost tempted by that Matchbox Twin Otter (almost...) Tips masked, and on with the Blue du Jour XF-23 Light Blue Quite a variable shade depending on how you view it, but as can be seen from that last pic it's very much like Vallejo VA71.255 Light Blue RLM65, and just a little darker than VA71.257 Light Blue RLM76 It's had a coat of Quick Shine before moving on tho the topside. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturmovik Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 I've been reading your in progress photos of the 335, and I remember not having the fit issues you had between the wings and fuselage. Maybe the kit faced lots of heat and the plastic warped because of that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 On 12/01/2022 at 21:57, ProfSparks said: Not to worry, I'm only in it for the surface area. Quote of the century! It's good to know that there are other people as masochistic in their kit choices as I've been; you've done a great job and I reckon these will both end up looking far more respectable than they have any right to! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Both looking pretty fine! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted February 10, 2022 Author Share Posted February 10, 2022 Hi All On 2/2/2022 at 9:36 PM, Sturmovik said: I've been reading your in progress photos of the 335, and I remember not having the fit issues you had between the wings and fuselage. Maybe the kit faced lots of heat and the plastic warped because of that? It just seemed to be the narrow flat sections along the sides of the cockpit voids, so could be heat, some sort of packing trauma, or perhaps the previous owner had goes with it. None of the other online builds I read had this issue, just my luck. On 2/2/2022 at 10:10 PM, jackroadkill said: Quote of the century! It's good to know that there are other people as masochistic in their kit choices as I've been; you've done a great job and I reckon these will both end up looking far more respectable than they have any right to! Thanks, I don't pick them on purpose! Was meant to be a quick "slap it together OOB", but hey ho. Anyhoo, to compensate for the state of the fuselage, the clear parts are commendably thin, finely engraved framing, and only one sprue attachment point They also mainly fit better than expected, with only the forward main canopy sitting proud and needing some filing down of the rear wall of the cockpit assembly Once fettled, she's starting to look the part I'd left the IP off from the forward cockpit to allow ballast to be dropped down and secured with PVA It needed quite a few old screws in there, but at least she'll be nose down. While all that was setting, I started on masking the canopies with the Montex (made for the Tamiya kit) Hmm, just cut'n'shut with some Maskol? So anyway, some time later I had this This is the way. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 Hi All Some time later... And a last look at the innards before they're sealed in A coat of Tamiya XF-27 Black Green, and some more masking ready for some XF-26 Deep Green Brings me to here She'll get some layers of Pledge to seal her in before the marking masks come out. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted April 8, 2022 Author Share Posted April 8, 2022 Hi All Masks came out. They're from Montex and designed for the Tamiya kit, but not specific for that fit like the canopy masking. I rubbed some marker into them so I could see where they were, then stuck some tape over them to keep the shape in register They're quite thick and didn't conform well to surface details Nevertheless, they were shrouded in wide tape to prevent overspray White first, then black for the underside after swapping round some masking parts Not too bad, on a flat surface But on raised detail they were a bit leaky And of course there was overspray too Anyhoo, these areas were touched up with a sharp cocktail stick and resprayed, then the whole lot was covered in Flory Grime Always an interesting moment, will it come off again? (it did) I tried the larger decals on the P-47, and as they held together I used them instead of going through the masking process. Then everything got a coating of W&N matt, and are now solidifying before I remove the canopy masking Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfSparks Posted April 11, 2022 Author Share Posted April 11, 2022 Hi All All matted and on her own three legs Canopy masking came off too And some shots were taken in daylight thus Thso, as for the crux of this experiment, how was this Anteater as a Mule? Well, firstly, I think everyone will agree that the XF-26 Deep Green is just too bright, needs to be much more sombre and less contrasty. Another trip round my rack is called for. However, I do like the XF-27 Black Green so I may stick with that. Underside XF-23 also looks slightly bright, and as I'm limited with Tamiya I'm erring towards Vallejo Air 71.255 Light Blue RLM65 (the correct RLM for the Ar196) Bright yellow though, must remember that! For the sake of completeness, here's her Razorback boxmate I'm off to dig amongst my pile for a Mule II, who knows what will be in The Lab next. Comments and suggestions welcome Cheers Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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