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WOW! That is a rich source of reference materials. I just read through the Bf-109 F manuals. The cockpit drawings/photos alone are a treasure! Thanks for sharing! Regards, Ed

Hey Rog, Yes, that would seem to be the logical progression for Revell. Having done two of the three BOB mainstays of the German "Kampfflieger" (JU-88 and HE-111) the DO-17 would SEEM to be the next logical step. The "flying pencil" has always been a favorite of mine as well, so let's keep hoping! Regards, Ed

This was the first question that popped into my mind as well.

Well, it would appear that it is in the works. This is one I'll have to make room for. 1st Quarter 2014 release. http://www.hk-models.de/p2_07.htm

Hey Rog, It's been a couple of years since I built the Eduard 109, but I THINK I went into the build already aware of the cowl problem, based on an online build review. If I remember correctly, I used a stub of sprue to spread the cowl out a bit and get it to seat over the engine block piece (which you have to use if building the kit with the cowl in place; it won't fit over the complete engine supplied with the kit). I still had to use a bit of Mr. Surfacer to smooth things out, but it wasn't a major issue. But, that aside, I don't recall any major issues with the kit; I think it all fell together rather well after that. I have read the Cybermodeler kit is a much more pleasant build overall, though. And, yes, the detail in the wheel wells of the CH kit is superb. Regards, Ed

Hey Rog, Here are shots of the bottom wings of my Eduard 109 E-1. I will be anxious to see how your build of the Cybermodeler 109 goes. I have one in my stash, and it is near the top of my to-do list. The Eduard kit builds up into a beautiful model (I have also included a shot of the finished product) but there are some challenging fit issues (ESPECIALLY the cowl!). Good Luck! Ed

The cockpit is now assembled and has received a flat coat to tone everything down a bit. I was distressed by the fracture in the seat pan (the resin there was less than paper thin). The fracture occured during installation of the seat; it is much more visible in the photo than upon visual inspection. I suspect that it would only make it worse should I attempt a repair, so I'll leave it alone (this kit was never going to be a contest winner anyway). Additionally, the kit will be buttoned up with a closed cockpit, so only the most eagle-eyed would notice it. I'll be fitting the cockpit tub into the fuselage halves this evening...test fitting reveals a perfect fit. Thanks for looking!

Unusual subject and a beautiful build. I second the motion that the overall sheen/finish is perfect!

Nice space!

Here is something that I (shamelessly) snagged from "another site": "This 1:32 scale QS-001 Me-163B model kit is MENG’s first successful large scale aircraft project. The model is 178mm in length and 292mm in wingspan. This kit consists of 190 parts on 7 plastic sprues, 23 parts on 2 PE frets, 3 rubber tyres and 2 poly caps. This QS-001 model faithfully replicates the small tail-less shape of Me-163B. Two different weapon systems, MG 151/20 and MK 108 are provided. Subassemblies like complete HWK 109-509A rocket engine, T-Stoff tank and ammunition box are included. Many hatches can be built either in open or closed position. Model fuselage breakdown refers to the structure of real aircraft. No cement is needed to join the front and rear parts of the fuselage. A support frame is provided to show interior details. Three painting schemes are provided."

I KNEW IT! I knew that starting the old Hasegawa 163 would align the planets for a new-mold release. But...can't wait!

Thanks Martin!

Hi Harrison! Well, since you mentioned it...an injection molded Dornier 335 in 1/32 would certainly force me to pull out my checkbook! I also second the motion for a DO-17. Good luck and I hope you and your dad make this a reality! Regards, Ed

Good Morning All! Here is the result of my first pass at the Grand Phoenix cockpit for the Hase 1/32 ME-163. The upside to this cockpit set is the simplicity (although there wasn't much to the ME-163 cockpit to begin with). Even in it's simplicity, however, it is light years ahead of the kit cockpit. I am becoming a devoted fan of resin seats with molded-in belts; I always found etched brass belts to be realistic, but tedious to work with. Test fitting of the cockpit tub in the fuselage halves reveals that it will be a perfect fit (whew!). One online reviewer of this cockpit set stated that he would "leave the accuracy of the cockpit set up to the builder". The shape of the box on the right console (electrical box?) does seem to be at variance with photos of the actual cockpit. Additionally, I couldn't find any clear evidence of what color the cylinder-shaped thingy at the rear of the left console should be. I went with RLM blue, just to give a bit of color to the spartan grey of the cockpit. However, if anyone has a definitive answer as to what color it should actually be, let me know! It is certainly not too late for a quick re-paint! Ultimately, as is so often the case I suspect most of the sidewall detail will disappear into the shadowy recesses of the fuselage interior. The leather headrest will get several washes of heavily diluted black, red, and brown to tone it down and give it a more "leathery" patina. There is also still the diluted brown wash to come throughout the cockpit tub, then a bit more dry brushing, and finally a flat coat to tone it all down and blend everything together. Comments welcomed and encouraged!

Another vote for the Trumpeter kit. I have one in the stash; the kit parts are beautifully molded. There are numerous builds that have been posted online. It makes up into a stunning model, and from all accounts is a drama-free build.

Brilliant build so far! Looking forward to further installments!

Hi Doogs, The primer beneath the dark grey was a coat of Tamiya "RLM Grey" (XF-22). The cockpit parts themselves are resin (washed in a gentle bath of soapy water before painting).

I did stir it thouroughly with one of my trusty plastic rods. Of course, I may not have stirred it enough (the bottle had been sitting for some time!).

Hi Rick! I had wondered about that, or perhaps the age of the paint. Although it had never been opened, I suspect the bottle itself was purchased 2 to 3 years ago (and, of course, I have no idea how long it had been on the shelf at my LHS before that). The paints have been stored in a "protected environement", though, so the whole thing still remains a bit of a mystery!

Hey Folks, This past weekend, I shot a coat of Tamiya XF-63 "German Grey" onto cockpit components of the ME-163. Rather surprisingly, the paint dried with a high-gloss finish (and, by high gloss, I mean shot-with-three-coats-of-Future high gloss). I used Tamiya thinner, mixed to my usual ratio of 60% thinner/40% paint, shot through my trusty old Paasche single-action airbrush. In the past, this has never failed to deliver a nice, flat base coat. Although, in the great scheme of things, this won't matter in the end (after the detail painting, drybrush, wash, and flat coat) I am very curious as to why this happened in the first place. It did leave a slight orange-peel effect as well, although I think that will disappear under the flat coat. The pic attached doesn't quite capture just how glossy the parts are currently. If anyone has any thoughts on what happened here, I would be happy to hear them!

Beautiful space! I admit it...yes, I'm envious. But in a psychologically healthy sort of way.

Simple, yet brilliant, solution!

Thanks! (I just happen to already have those Tamiya and Gunze colors!)

Beautiful! I think you have captured the elusive "Nakajima Green" topside color perfectly! What paints did you use? (I've got a Ki-84 in the stash that I would love to start soon) Regards, Ed

Stunning...perfect mottling and finish ("Lumpi" looks a bit forlorn; I have never seen a Dachshund show any sign of regret...about anything!) Beautiful build!