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This is a very simple kit (just 12 parts), but builds up into a nice looking little model. The cockpit is really basic : just a floor, a flat instrument panel and a stick. I'd to scratch-build the whole cockpit. References were scarce, so I opted for some common-sense : an instrument panel (I used a Heller Me 163 B as a basis), side dials, a seat with harness and the odd detail here and there. I needed a bit of putty around the wing to fuselage joint. The kit parts have a strange orange peel surface. As the original plane was of wooden construction I'd to restore the surface by careful sanding. The kit supplies just one probe which is not very refined. So I replaced it for an scratch-built item and also added the missing probes. The kit canopy is rather thick so I molded a new one in acetate using the kit part as a master. The plane was painted in RLM 05 with Vallejo acrylic paints. This was the first time I airbrushed these acrylics and I'm not very happy with the results. I ended up brush painting the whole airplane.
Version : Only DFS 194 built at Peenemunde the 14h September 1940. Maiden flight with Walter HWK RI rocket propulsion during August 1940 flown by Heini Dittmar.
| KIT | DFS 194 - PM 1/72 |
| COMMENTS | Simple but good, putty on the wings |
| MODIFICATIONS | Scratch cockpit, aerials and probes, take-off dolly detailed, acetate canopy |
| REFERENCES | WW II Fighting Jets, Ethell Price, A & A Press Me 163, Waffenarsenal 1 & 2 Komet, J.Ethell, Ian Allan Rocket Fighter, M.Ziegler, A & A Press German Jets, Model Art 348 Me163/He162, Aerodetail 10, Dai Nippon |
| PAINTING | General - RLM 05 - Vallejo mix : 1 Yellow 952 + 1 White
951 + 2.5 Sand Yellow 916 Airbrush mix - 1 Paint + 1 Water Varnish - Tamiya Semi-gloss Airbrush mix - 1 Paint + 1.5 Tamiya Thinner Detail - Cockpit : RLM 02 (9 XF22 + 1 XF19 + 2 XF2 Tamiya), hubs : X18 Semi-gloss Black Tamiya, tires : X18 SG Black + XF63 German Grey mix. All brush painted. |
| EXTRAS | Heller Me 163 instrument panel |
| DECALS | No markings |
| FINISHED | February 96 |
| HOURS | 3 |