Revell 1/32 He162 'salamander'

[Vaughan]

Well here's a departure from my usual builds this one's got no prop. I found this in my local toy shop for £15 which is a fare price and the first time I've seen the kit locally. The moulds date back to 2004 so not too old but there's some flash evident. The kit comprises of only three sprus and one clear part, the decal sheet looks good and in registration. There is some good detail in the office and wheel bays and the jet engine can be improved with the addition of some lead wiring. All in All not a bad kit!.

A quick look on the internet and I've found several builds and reviews plus even a restoration project with some very good detail.

I've made a start with the office spraying the seat bulkhead and sidewalls RLM66. There is the option to remove the nosecone to expose the well detailed front wheel and suspension system but I think I'll opt for the closed version. The wings fit nicely together although I think they will require some filler at the wing roots here's my progress so far.

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[mossiepilot]

Looks great Vaughan, I built the airfix 1/72 version as a kid and always thought it was a pretty aircraft.

I'll follow your build with interest.

Tony.

 

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Vaughan

This is another kit you and I both have. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make of this 'older', inexpensive kit as I'm sure it will be quality.

If you get a chance to go to the Imperial War Museum they've got an example there.

Apparently these things were deathtraps to fly, still I think it is an interesting looking aircraft.

ATB

Paul

 

[eddiesolo]

Interesting build, the plane looks elegant although has been said, for a cheap mass produced aircraft, a death-trap.

Si

 

[tommy1drop]

Always fancied one of these, looking forward to following this build.

Tom

 

[stona]

Nice subject Vaughan. I've not done any builds for a while and am contemplating a near contemporary, the Me 163, to break myself back in.

After your brilliant 190 I'll be watching this one

Cheers

Steve

 

[Vaughan]

Thanks Guys,

Unfortunately Paul I don't have time to get down to London but luckily there's plenty of info on the net.

I'm moving on at a bit of a pace with this one all cockpit components are sprayed including the wheel wells and gun bay so just the detail needs to be highlighted with a wash and some dry brushing. I've made a start on the wheels, which are well detailed, and the front wheel suspension it's a shame that none of it will be really visible as it's an accurate representation of the original.

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[takeslousyphotos]

Looking good so far Vaughan......... I'll keep an eye on this one.

Peter

 

[yak face]

Brilliant choice of subject vaughan, and a good kit too. I made the revell (ex frog) 1/72 as a nipper and always liked the shape. I dont know about death trap though , although they were cheaply and hastily made , by slave labour (who its rumoured sabotaged the airframes wing joints) the actual aircraft wasnt a bad design -when Eric 'winkle' Brown tested a captured example after the war he found it to be very pleasant to fly , although for a teenage hitler youth pilot with very little experience it might have been a different story! cheers tony

 

[Vaughan]

Thanks Guys

Have made a small amount of progress with undercart wells, cockpit walls and machine gun bay all weathered and dry brushed. I used the instrument panel decal straight over the existing moulded panel with plenty of decalsoft which seems to have worked well. Still have many components to add to the main wheel bay the detail is very good considering this is a Revell kit that's been around for nearly 10 years.

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[stona]

Very nice indeed.

Cheers

Steve

 

[colin m]

Lots of lovely detail here Vaughan, looking really good.

 

[flyjoe180]

Nice work Vaughan.

 

[treyzx10r]

Great looking build so far Vaughan,really perfect timing just got this kit as a gift. Nice to hear that the fit is good. Eagerly awaiting the next update ,cheers Trey

 

[Vaughan]

Thanks Guys

Trey here's a link to a really useful restoration build it's got some fantastic detailed shots of every stage of the rebuild http://memorial.flight.free.fr/He162uk.html and will come in handy when you do your build.

Small amount of progress with the undercarriage the front is now complete with just the wheel a dry fit, will most probably add at the end of the build. Still working on the main wheel bay but it's coming together slowly.

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[Gern]

Impressive work as always Vaughan.

I hope you haven't forgotten about a nose weight. She looks like quite a tail sitter even before you fit the tail fins and engine.

Gern

 

[Vaughan]

Thanks Dave the instructions state that you need to add 45g of weight in the nose and behind the pilots seat so will need to experiment to see what works best, there's not much room in the nose once the under-carts there so should be interesting

 

[ojays]

This build is unreal!!!!

Gregg

 

[mossiepilot]

Looking really great Vaughan, that is a top paint job on the wheel wells and undercarriage.

tony.

 

[Vaughan]

A dry fit this morning to see how much room there is going to be for the lead weights in the nose, as you can see there's not much room!View attachment 68058

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