1/32 Takom, Tim Horten, H. IX. V3 (probably steampunk finish)

[Martinnfb]

PART 1: Intro

Few days ago I received this kit as a birthday gift from Carl. I know, he is awesome. Ever since I saw the renders I knew that something does not look right, so I dug in and started hacking plastic with great intensity, speed and with complete disregard for future consequences. 

 

First and the most obvious was the tooth created by leading edge extending over the intake. Easy, just sand and blend it. 

ZM nose above, better but not quite right either.

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 2. The Blob

When you look closely at the intake there is a small eyebrow leading to the top end, sort of a LERX, ZM kit has it molded, but Takom cheap out on plastic or something.

Tamiya resin putty is the way to go . Behold, the blob! 

[Martinnfb]

PART 3 : Dunes

At this stage, there was no way back. Realizing that the lower, leading  portions of the intakes need to be flatter and more pronounce as they curve to the fuselage with some more depth, I started sanding with a grit. Creating dunes of resin dust in the process. See what I did there ?

 

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 4: Sticky fingers

Adding few more layers to recreate the desired thickness brought me the edge of mental unsettledness. As a cure I opted to slap together the inner frame enchilada. What can I say, it was a sloppy hand job. And we will not talk about that anymore....

 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 5: Wingie Thingie

And this point it pretty clear the Takom didn't completed its homework regarding airframe research and the front engine cowling was sightly misshapen. And again more putty, this time the shrinkable white revenge , again from Tamiya.

As it was shrinking along I had the time to add the wings, I mean, duuh 

Dope !         ....was definitely used over the plywood, but for our purposes we will stick with the bare look of nature. 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 6: Rolling

We shall agree that the focal point of this beauty of the mighty front wheel. 

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 7: Surfacing

The more I study the intricacy of the real airframe,  the more I realized that I can basically start from a clean slate in therms of the surface detail, talking about joints, anchors, fasteners, trims and covers.

[Martinnfb]

PART 8: Akimov

 

I did everything right ! , and yet the engines were too short and somewhat drowning in the fuselage, first I tried evergreen stripes to build a replacement nozzle rings, eventually opting for brass. 

 

Not great, not terrible. ☢️

 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 9: Ursula

 

they said , use the Uschit Ban Der Rosten wooden decals, life will be easier.

Not really, there’s a visible raster imbedded in the decal and the pattern is repetitive to  oblivion. Notwitwstanding the fact the decals are pain to work with. I tried and opted for acrylic paint instead. Less realistic, but aesthetically appealing .

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 10: Spinal Tap

Takom presented D/F loop on the spine as it was on the previous prototype and as it was pictures on Mr. Bentley's drawing and every another consequent drawing afterward. The thing is , well it's not there. There is a long seam line in the centre instead, the spine trim cover is not molded, I guess why to bother, if it is not present on the real thing. But it use to. Do your homework boys.

After removing the radio compass post and filling the hole I used tape to replicate the trim. Then a thick coat of random white from my garage sealed its fate.

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Go Martin, Go.....tha!

Sorry, I had to. Amazing work so far. At this rate, you'll be done before I can think what I need to do next on mine. 

Carl

[Martinnfb]

PART 11 : Your Woodness

almost there with the woody wagon, this time I left the pure white as a base, instead of the off white that I used on the wings. I also tried a different shade, Sovietskaya Bereza also known as the Commie Birch. Never mind, it’s getting late, I’m going to bed. 
 

 

 

[crazypoet]

This is gorgeous!

and love the way your mind works alongside your fingers 🙏🤣

[PanzerWomble]

The flying dining table ….looking good Martin 

[KevinM]

That wood grain effect looks super Martian.

[GusMac]

Absolutely brilliant Martin. The wood effect looks far better than any decal could.

[Martinnfb]

PART 11: Steam

The wood cladding is done,  D. U. N. !    How exciting! .... So I thought, until I took off the masking tape around the exhaust heat shields and discovered some pesky overspray.  This punk running out of steam. At least for today

 

 

[Martinnfb]

Gentlemen , thank you kindly for the positive comments and words of encouragement along this goofy journey. Much appreciated . 

 

Now!  Music break. If you are home alone as myself, crank it !!! 

 

[KevinM]

Cool!!

[BlrwestSiR]

Looks fantastic Martin. Keep going. After you take a quick break of course. 

[PanzerWomble]

19 hours ago, KevinM said:

That wood grain effect looks super Martian.

No wonder this plane looks so odd, Martians made it ? Or is this look just the result of hours painting wood grain panels? 

 

[Martinnfb]

PART 12: Forest

in this episode we will learn , how I have become so hooked on the grain pattern that I almost failed to understand the basic concept, which is having fun.

as I was fixing the overspray and staring at the few pictures that actually revealed the real look of the plywood cladding in order to replicate it as closely as possible I shook my head in disbelief. What am I doing? This is cyberpunk, not a tree counting exercise. In other words I can see the light at the edge of the forest. Damn, I’m so poetic this morning.
 

moving on

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Man, that looks good. 

[PanzerWomble]

Gave me wood ….🫠

[Landlubber Mike]

1 hour ago, PanzerWomble said:

Gave me wood ….🫠

The sloppy hand job in part four?