Revell 1:48 Dornier Do 335 PFEIL

[Saber]

Amazing the difference between Revell kits, my last one was so much nicer then this one in terms of its quality in the moldings. This one is good but not great. Dry fit tested it and its not too bad but not much detail for a 1:48 kit. Any how its more about the unusual plane that this one is for me. Here is the box and parts with a quick dry fit before I get stuck into this one.

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[Dave W]

This looks like it might be the old Monogram kit reboxed.I can see its got weighted tyres and some cockpit detail.It should build into a nice model.Will just need a bit more work than the latest kits.Not built this one myself.Only done the Frog 1/72 in my youth.Look forward to seeing more.

 

[Saber]

I think I've been spoiled by my last two Revell kits with over 200 parts to play with but really liked the look of this one think I will go for the double cockpit version which looks rather cool.

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[stona]

I will go for the double cockpit version which looks rather cool.

Mark that would be the second pre-production Do 335 A-10,W.Nr. 240112,captured by the Americans at Oberpfaffenhofen.

They gave it some US markings,a star and bar on the fuselage,and painted out the German markings. It was handed over to the British who then overpainted the star with a roundel giving a unique roundel and bar! They also applied an RAF fin flash and roundels top and bottom of the wings.It was given the Air Ministry number AM 223.

The aircraft made its way to the UK and was the only two seat version tested by the allies.

It appeared at the German Aircraft Exhibition held at Farnborough in November/December 1945.

On 18th January 1945 it was flown again by Group Captain Alan Hards,Commanding Officer of Experimental Flying at Farnborough. During the flight the rear engine caught fire,Hards attempted to make an emergency landing but during the final circuit it seems that the elevator controls burnt through and the aircraft crashed,killing Hards.

It was later established that the fire was caused by a faulty spark plug blowing out,a problem already known to the Luftwaffe.

Steve

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Watching with interest as I just got the Monogram version

Adrian

 

[Saber]

Wow cheers Steve seems like it made quite a journey before its sad ending. It allways interesting learning all about these planes and there history.:thumbup:

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[Saber]

Ok little bit of work on the engines and cockpit this evening. Sprayed over all dull grey then a wash with dry brushing and details with a cocktail stick and a pin.

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[stona]

Nice work so far!

240112 was captured at Oberpfaffenhofen as you know. As part of an agreement between us and the Americans it was flown,after servicing by Dornier personnel, by a US pilot to Neubiberg. Here it was handed over to the British. On 7/9/45 it was flown to Reims via Strasbourg by S/Ldr Joe McCarthy. Next day it flew on to Farnborough via Manston.

The famous test pilot Lt-Cmdr Eric Brown carried out the first official test on 1/10/45.

The blown spark plug that led to the fire and accident that killed Hards had been know to the Luftwaffe as a problem since the loss of prototype Do 335 V2. Test pilot Werner Altrogge was diverting to the Luftwaffe field at Leipheim to refuel (this saved Dornier the cost of fuel) when his rear engine caught fire. He decided to abandon the aircraft using the newly installed ejector seat. When he attempted to jettison the canopy its forward edge crashed down on his head,fracturing his skull and rendering him unconcious (probably killing him). The aircraft drifted off course and crashed at Buxheim,fifty metres from a kindergarten.There was not enough fuel left on board to destroy the aircraft and its remains,along with Altrogge's,were recovered by the Luftwaffe who established that a spark plug had blown out of the engine.The hot gases released had burnt through a fuel line leading to the fatal fire. The blow to the head had probably killed Altrogge.

The ejector seat was not reliable. Another pilot,Uffz. Bahlmann,also had a rear engine fire. He attempted to jettison the now modified canopy but was also hit on the head! When he regained conciousness he pulled the ejector lever but nothing happened. He then noticed that the fire appeared to have gone out and elected to make an emergency landing. As he touched down the ejector seat fired,depositing him on the runway and causing severe injuries. The aircraft went on to crash.

You couldn't make it up!

Cheers

Steve

 

[Saber]

Blimey, scary plane to go flying in for sure sounds like a major head ach:fool: for whoever got in it! Despite all these issues I wonder what would have happened if Hitler had not been stopped in time. These German planes where way ahead of there time in design and innovation maybe the desperation as time was running out fueled there ideas for these amazing machines. I never thought I would have become so interested in them as I have done but they are quite fascinating not just the planes but the whole history behind them.

 

[Saber]

Yahoo got my new air compressor today chaps. 73.89p from flea bay AS 186.

Very impressed with it lovely bit of kit. You get two very nice airbrushes plus the hose and all you need. It switches off at 57psi automaticaly and when pressure adjuster is set for 20psi the tank runs for about 2mins. The motor comes on again purring away. Going to have fun today very happy with it.

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[Saber]

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[stona]

Good stuff.

The Do 335 would have been an interesting addition to the Luftwaffe armoury. I think it might best have been used as a nightfighter. The daytime fast bomber/destroyer roles would have been filled by those new fangled jets that were also being developed. The RLM itself was continually changing its mind about which role(s) the type would fulfil,but that's not unusual.

I found one more case where an ejection was attempted. In this case Fliegerstabsing Heinz Fischer got lost due to a compass failiure. Low on fuel he decided to bail out over the Vosges mountains. This time neither the tail jettisoning mechanism nor the ejector seat worked. Fischer decided just to jump over the side in the normal way,hoping that he wouldn't hit the rear propeller or stabilisers. Luckily for him he was successful and lived to tell the tale.

Cheers

Steve

 

[geegad]

cool new items but aint got a clue what tap talk is

 

[Dave W]

Tapatalk is an app for browsing and posting on forums.Works brilliantly on ipad.Now I get big pictures in my threads and not those little pics I used to get.Simple to use as well.

 

[Saber]

More progress I love my new compressor my old one was so rubbish it was hardly giving out any pressure this one is amazing and gives me lovely fine spray.

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[treyzx10r]

Mark congrats on the new equipment! Nice to have stuff that gets it done for you right is'nt it! The 335 is looking sharp,nice job on the splinter cammo!

 

[Saber]

Sure is cant belive how rubbish my old compressor was compared to this one. Im going to move away from stinky enamels to the revel acrylics now they go on great with the new compressor plus I can spray in the kitchen bonus

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[Saber]

Just love those lazy Sundays when no one bothers you and you can enjoy finishing making your Dornier Do 335. Had to put quite a bit of weight in the nose of this one to get to stand up and using my new compressor was a great pleasure after using my old one for 14 German Planes. Going to order myself a load of Acrylic Paints now and stick with them. Any how here is the finished Dornier Do 335 Pfeil 1:48 scale Revell model.

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[stona]

Very nice indeed,it makes an impressive model.

You can see why they called it "ant eater"

Cheers

Steve

 

[Saber]

Cheers Steve and thank you for all the extra info on this very interesting aircraft. My next one is going to be the good old Do 17 or is that the bad old Do 17?